By Isabella Picone, Staff Writer
As the sweltering Florida heat begins to fade, and the first hints of an autumn chill arrive, consider trading a few study sessions for a pumpkin patch, fall festival, or spooky Halloween event! Academic stress can be overwhelming when a new school year begins, and unwinding with a fun fall activity may be the solution to your worries! Whether you are looking for a family-friendly occasion or something more spine-chilling, this article is for you.
At Dade City Farms, the 2026 Fall Festival kicked off on September 26 and will be open every Saturday and Sunday in October from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.! Dade City Farms’ 2026 Fall Festival will include pumpkin patches, a petting zoo, local vendors, and more!
At Wiregrass Mall in Wesley Chapel, the Halloween-themed Wednesday Night Market will transpire on October 14 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. This free event involves market trick-or-treating, fall treats, and costumes galore.
The Wednesday Night Market is also family-friendly, and costumes are highly encouraged. Another market option is the Antique Mall of Dade City’s Trunk or Treat on Oct. 24 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. The Antique Mall of Dade City is less than 15 minutes from campus and promises candy, community fun, and spooktacular vintage finds. This event is free to enter, and costumes are once again encouraged!
If you are willing to make a slightly longer trek to Tampa, the Hyde Park Pumpkin Patch is a popular spot for both pumpkins and pictures! From Oct. 10–25, the pumpkin patch will be open, and all pumpkin proceeds support the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and animals finding their forever homes. Additionally, on Oct. 24, Hyde Park will host its pet parade and live music.
Also on Oct. 24, Tampa Riverwalk is hosting events from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.; the evening begins with trick-or-treating, continues with costume contests, and ends with a Halloween movie! All this fun occurs on the Tampa Riverwalk and overlooks the Hillsborough River.
Finally, the Tampa hotspot Sparkman Warf hosts Haunted Warf every October and transforms into a spooky shipwreck that is milder early on and gets scarier as the night progresses. This event also includes dancing, DJs, food, and cocktails for those 21 and older.
If you want to get your socks spooked off, Howl-O-Scream is a terrifying option. Howl-O-Scream haunts Busch Gardens during September-October and showcases some of Florida’s scariest haunted houses! Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased on the Busch Gardens website.
A closer alternative, less than 15 minutes from school, is Scream-A-Geddon, which runs until Nov. 1. The tickets start at $40, and there are six scary attractions that are renowned for being horrifying. These events are not for the faint of heart but continue to bring fun and bloodcurdling fear to Pasco County every year.
“My first time going to Scream-A-Geddon was in eighth grade, and I have gone every year since! Nothing else can compare to the terrifying fear that Scream-A-Geddon evokes,” said Breckin Paolinetti, a Pasco County local who returns again and again for the adrenaline rush and Halloween fun of Scream-A-Geddon.
If you prefer to stay on campus, Residence Life hosts the Haunted Marmion Trick-or-Treat event during October at Marmion-Snyder Hall. This event is also open to the community and free; however, attendees are asked to donate one canned or nonperishable food item at check-in that will be donated to a local food bank for community distribution.
However you decide to spend your fall months—in a pumpkin patch, getting scared at a haunted house, or simply sipping on some coffee with friends—have fun and be safe!
More information and tickets for the above events:
