Central Florida LifeTravel

Best Fall Festivals and Events in Lake County 2023

Share Our Happy!!

Looking for the Best fall festivals and events in Lake County this fall? We have got you covered for some fun agritourism activities around Lake County Florida!

Fall may not always bring cooler weather in Central Florida, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some traditional fall activities. What better place to celebrate all things fall, than supporting our local farmers? Lake County has grown to include many agritourism farms. Activities like corn mazes, pumpkins patches, walking through flowers fields, hayrides, haunted experiences, and eating apple cider donuts is just a glimpse of what some of these agritourism farms offer. Enjoy our guide to fall family fun around Lake County Florida, just outside of Orlando. 

Girls on hayride at Santa's Farm dressed for Halloween

Where can you get pumpkins around Lake County Florida?

Sunsational Farms

Big Orange Jack 'o Latern at Sunsational Farms

Come out to visit the iconic “Big Orange” roadside stand that Sunsational Farms rescued. In the fall, Big Orange even gets transformed into a Jack ‘O Latern. Their farm market is known for carrying local Florida products, including a variety of produce grown on the farm. Fun items like soft serve ice cream, candies, wine, shaved ice, and gifts. Including their famous pumpkin spice milk shakes on select fall weekends. 

John Deer green tractor pulling Bee Barrels ride with small citrus trees in back

Fall Festivals begin on Saturdays September 30th, where you can pick your own mini pumpkins, or choose one from the pumpkin patch. pick yourself some sunflowers and seasonal items, to create all the feels of fall. For an additional charge, kids can take a ride on the bee barrel train, play carnival games, or have their face painted. Take some fun pictures, or play around the farm. The October 14th Fall Festival will also include market vendors, so plan to do some early holiday shopping.

large Skeleton statues behind wood farm fence for Haunted Trail at Sunsational Farms

Older kids and adults can come out for the return of Dr Grimley’s Haunted Trail. Amanda’s Army of Decay and Cody’s Revenge are themes for the two trails offered in 2023. They will also have a “safe zone” cam monitoring area, where families can watch the video monitors. New addition this year, a “Lights Out” experience each night from 9:30 – 11:00. In addition, they are offering multiple combo ticket options for both attractions.

Tickets for the Haunted Trail can be purchased online

Be sure to check Facebook for all the event details

Fall Festival Fun Events at Sunsational Farms: 

  • Haunted Trail 8:00pm – 11:00pm $20

September 30th and October 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th & 29th, 30th, & 31st

  • Fall Festivals 11:00am – 3:00pm Free Admission

September 30th and October 7th, 14th, & 21st

Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00am – 6:00pm

Located: 40541 Giles Rd, Umatilla, FL 32784

Contact: 352-771-2013

Amber Brooke Farms: Formerly, Atwood Family Farms

blue farmhouse playground with tower and slide coming out

Rebranded to Amber Brooke Farms last year, you can expect the same excellent experience. Again, there have been lots of changes over the past year to the farm. We were there in spring for strawberry and blueberry picking. Lots of updates were made, and more fun added, such as huge jumping pillows.   

Families can challenge each other to a game of corn hole, or compete in ball games with baseballs, footballs, or basketballs. In addition, see who can win the pumpkin scavenger hunt! 

cow themed barrels lined up to be pulled by a tractor for kids to ride in

Little ones can enjoy the playgrounds, cow train, hay bale maze, pumpkin painting, petting zoo, and slide hill. There’s lots to keep them busy for hours, and all included in your admission. 

mom and daughter holding bouquet of sunflowers in front of rusty antique truck

If you’d like to, you can purchase pumpkins, sunflowers, and zinnias. The flowers are U-pick, or you can just take a walk through a sunflower maze for some fun photos

On the weekends, be sure to check their calendar for a live music schedule. Along with food trucks that will be onsite and rotating for variety. They’ve done a great job, and I can’t wait to go on a day it’s fully open. Be sure to get your tickets online, because they’re discounted if you purchase in advance. 

Fall Events at Amber Brooke Farms:

  • Fall Festival 10:00am – 7:00pm Saturdays and Sundays

September 23rd, 24th, 30th and October 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th,  & 29th

Located: 36111 N County Rd 44A, Eustis, FL 32736

Contact: 352-973-1963

Does Santa’s Farm sell pumpkins? They sure do!

Santa’s Farm

little girl sitting in Spider barrel Train at Santa's Farm

Don’t let the name fool you. It may be called Santa’s Farm, but this place is full of fall fun for all ages! Entrance is timed, and ticketed to allow distancing. Included with admission is walking the pumpkin patch and stopping at photo spots along the way. You can take a hayride together, and enjoy the farm animal petting zoo. Also let the kids play in Jolly Acres which consists of a bounce pillow, trike track, giant slide, a maze, riding the barrel train, and more. 

Additionally, things like food, snacks, pumpkins, gifts and souvenirs can be bought. Many years ago, we took our girls when they were little. One of their favorite things to do was the horse and pony rides. Again, this is an additional activity, and limited daily for the health and safety of the animals. Therefore, be sure to get your tickets early. 

girl on cart being pulled by a Pony at Santa's Farm

Florida Fall Festival Fun at Santa’s Farm:

  • Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch 10:00am – varies $9 – $15

September 23rd, 24th, 30th and October 1st, 7th, 8th then open Thursday – Monday through October 30th

Hours of Operation: See Your Ticket Purchase

Located: 35317 Huff Rd, Eustis, FL 32736

Contact: 352-357-9863

Map of Lake County Florida

Agritourism farms around Central Florida

Where is the best corn maze around Orlando?

Great Scott Farms

Central Florida’s well known Long & Scott Farms corn maze, newly named Great Scott Farms, is a great way to celebrate fall. Creating a unique design each year, this year’s theme is Flo Grown. Challenge yourself to get through quick, or take your time answering questions, doing picture rubs, and learning more about Florida agriculture. You can even try out finding your way through the 6.5 acre maze at night! 

Large wooden playground

If you don’t think your younger kids can handle the big maze, there’s other fun things for them to do around the farm. Like a huge jumping pillow, 60ft super slide, and giant castle-like playground. Or, try out the 0.5 acre mini maze. Plus a zip line for kids, a rope maze, and lots of places to take fun pictures.

Take an audio tour of the farm while on a hay ride to learn what they grow and history of Great Scott Farms. 

farm market restaurant with wood tables and chairs with outdoor patio

They also have Scott’s Market & Café, plus occasional food vendors. Inside the market you can grab some produce grown on the farm, along with more Florida local products. The café is newer, with some great fresh options. 

girl standing by corn stalks and writing in a book

Great Scott’s Maze is very popular, therefore they encourage tickets to be purchased ahead of time, and online. This will prevent you from having to wait long before actually entering the maze. 

Fall Family Fun Events at Great Scott Farms:

  • Great Scott Farms, formerly Scott’s Maze Adventures 

Fall Festival Saturday and Sundays 10:00am – 5:00pm

September 30th – November 26th with Night Mazes on select Saturdays

  • Scott’s Country Market & Café opens September 26th

Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Sundays 10:00am – 5:00pm  

Located: 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora, FL 32757

Contact: 352-383-1792

PS: Long & Scott Farms is not technically in Lake County, but we like to say it is, since it’s right on the border!

Far Reach Ranch

New this fall at Far Reach Ranch is a completely dedicated scream park. The only Lake County agritourism farm offering strictly spooky, night time events. Those who dare can attempt the three haunted attractions. Reserve your spot by getting your timed entry tickets in advance.  Included in your ticket is access to the midway. live music, food, drinks, libations, axe throwing, kids spook zone, bounce, and more. 

With the opening of the new scream park, Far Reach Ranch will be handling things a little different this year. Therefore, tickets are required for any and all entry, regardless if you plan to experience the haunted attractions or not. Your ticket gets you access to all the other fun as well. 

Fridays and Saturdays 7:00pm – 12:00am

September 29th, 30th, October 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th, Tuesday the 31st, November 3rd and 4th $20 – $40

Located: 1255 S Dora Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778

Contact: 352-343-7389

South Lake County Florida

Fall Festivals in Florida

Lake Catherine Blueberries

Fall festivities begin at Lake Catherine Blueberries on September 30th. They offer free admission to the farm. Along with free photo opportunities with their vintage cars and tractors. 

You can purchase food on site for both lunch and dinner. Adults can enjoy cocktails, beer, or wine from their full liquor bar while listening to live music. Roast marshmallows for s’mores in the fire pits with a s’mores package. Walk around, shop in the country store and pumpkin patch. 

Join in on the maze fun by purchasing your tickets for one of their three options. The Fall Family Scavenger Hunt Maze is perfect for all ages, but if you’re for more of a scare challenge, then check out their other options if you dare. The Haunted Halloween Maze and the Dark Forest Trail of Terror each step up the scare experience, so be sure to get your tickets ahead of time because they do sell out.  

Events

  • Haunted Halloween Maze “Catherine Returns” $17 – $19
  • Dark Forest Trail of Terror $24 – $26
  • Fall Scavenger Hunt Maze $8 – $10

Friday – Sunday, September 29th through October 28th

*** Haunted attractions are only open Friday and Saturday evenings

Hours of Operation: Fridays 6:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturdays 11:00am – 10:00pm, Sundays 11:00am – 5:00pm 

Located: 5849 Lake Catherine Rd, Groveland, FL 34736

Contact: 352-429-8221

Is there anywhere to get apple cider donuts around Orlando?

Southern Hill Farms

woman holding out apple cider cinnmamon sugar donut wearing blue shirt with rainbow and sunglasses

Being from Michigan, I am all about apple cider donuts. You don’t find them many places down here in Florida. Therefore, when I found out Southern Hill Farms had them, I was happy to get there and try them. What a rush of memories that came flooding back.

woman sitting on pink:purple couch in front of sunflower field at Southern Hills sunflower field

Their 5-acre corn maze is back again this year. Take a hayride around the blueberry fields. Walk out to the sunflower and zinnia fields for picking your own flowers, and taking some fun pictures.. 

woman in air on bungy trampoline at Southern Hills Fall Festival

Kids Zone activities include bungee jump trampolines, pirate ship swing, carousel, and much more. Don’t miss watching the football games on the big screens, grab a drink from the Beer Shed, listen to music, have a snack from the food trucks, and shop from their store. This is just a short list of all Southern Hill Farms offers, but you could literally spend the day here and not get bored. 

Admission tickets give you access to everything on the farm, and are available ONLY online. No onsite ticket sales, and this is a cashless venue. Weekdays are general admission, but entry is timed on weekends to allow for scattered entrance, so be sure to get your tickets early in order to spend more time on the farm. Also be prepared to drive down rural dirt roads.

Fall Family Fun Events at Southern Hill Farms:

  • Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms

September 23rd – November 12th

Hours of Operation: Thursday – Sunday

Located: 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714

Contact: 407-986-5806

Final Farm in Our Guide to Fall Family Fun Around Lake County Florida

Final Thoughts on Fall Family Fun Around Lake County Florida

In conclusion, you can see, there is no shortage of fun to be had no matter which area of Lake County you are live, or plan to visit. We hope you get to enjoy some of the fall festivals and events in Lake County. We love sharing how Central Florida life makes us happy. If you visit any of these farms, be sure to share your happy with us!

For more fun around Orlando check out.

G

Share Our Happy!!

Julie Gazdecki

Julie is owner and founder of How We Find Happy. As an optimist, the name is perfect as we share the ways we find happy living in Florida, visiting breweries, spending time with our adult children, and getting away on some couples trips. As previous residents of Michigan, we still spend lots of time each year visiting our family up there, along with new and favorite places. My hope is to encourage others to spend time exploring this beautiful world, and finding happy in unexpected places.

17 thoughts on “Best Fall Festivals and Events in Lake County 2023

  • What a fabulous guide for fall family fun near Lake County, Florida. Loving the pumpkin festival season!

  • Marianne

    I love Fall festivities! When my kids were younger, we always took them to fun farms and to go pumpkin picking.

  • I’m from Michigan too so I completely understand the need for Apple cider donuts! I’m so glad you found some!

    All of these places looks like perfect fall family adventures!

  • Lisa Manderino

    There are so many fun fall activities in Lake county to check out! I love the donut/apple picture!

  • We loved supporting the local farmers around here. We have so many orchards and small farms that offer some amazing events. Central Florida looks like it has everything to offer, minus the foliage.

  • I love the corn maze and all the fun fall activities you found at these Florida farms. I know my kids love eating those donuts.

  • Julie Gazdecki

    Yep, sadly no foliage here. I do miss orchards, but it amazes me that I live much closer to way more farms than I did in Michigan. And farms are not something that people think of when it comes to Florida.

  • Julie Gazdecki

    We have really enjoyed the corn mazes too! We are lucky to have so many to choose from.

  • Julie Gazdecki

    We are certainly blessed with choices! Not something people would think of when it comes to Central Florida.

  • Julie Gazdecki

    And they were just as good, so that made me happy!

  • Julie Gazdecki

    I have always loved fall activities myself. We get the pumpkin patches, but no picking down here. They save that for the flowers.

  • Julie Gazdecki

    Thank you! We have really been loving all these farms this season too.

  • This is such a great guide to fall festivals in Lake County. I love seeing all the different places to celebrate fall!

  • That cow train at Amber Brooks Farm looks like so much fun! This is a great list of fall family activities!

  • When we visit Florida, we think oranges and seafood, not pumpkins and cider! These al look like great family activities for fall. I’ll love to get lost in the Pirate corn maze!

  • Suzan

    Looks like some great Fall family fun in your area! What would fall be like without a good apple cider donut?

  • Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog

    Fall Festivals and other events this time of year are fantastic! Thank you for sharing Lake County and what all there is around it!

Comments are closed.