Best Fall Festivals and Events in Lake County 2022
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? Activities like corn mazes, pumpkins patches, walking flowers fields, hayrides, haunted experiences, and eating apple cider donuts is just a glimpse of what some of these farms offer. Enjoy our guide to fall family fun around Lake County Florida.
Where can you get pumpkins around Lake County Florida?
Sunsational Farms
This great little farm was born out of adversity, passion, and a dream. Owners originally opened a retail store front in Umatilla back in 2015. After that, they expanded to their farm property in 2019, built an open-barn store, and moved the iconic “Big Orange” to greet visitors. Their store 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 certain weekends.
Fall Festivals begin on Saturdays September 24th. Pick your own mini pumpkins, or choose one from the pumpkin patch. 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.
In addition, older kids and adults can come out for the Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail, if they dare. Tickets for the Haunted Trail can be purchased online HERE This year they will also have a “safe zone” cam monitoring area, where families can watch the video monitors. In addition, they are offering a combo ticket for both attractions at a discounted price.
Be sure to check Facebook for all the event details.
Fall Family Fun Events at Sunsational Farms:
- Haunted Trail 8:00pm – 11:00pm $16
September 23rd, 24th, 29th and October 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th
- Fall Festivals 11:00am – 3:00pm Free Admission
September 24th and October 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd
- Tent or Treat on the Farm 3:00pm – 6:00pm Free Admission
October 29th
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
Recently rebranded to Amber Brooke Farms, 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!
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.
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, and take 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. Also, check out the events, how fun would pumpkin destruction day be??
Events:
- Fall Festival 1:00pm – 7:00pm Fridays $13, 10:00am – 7:00pm weekends $15
September 24th, 25th, 30th October 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, November 4th, 11th (ends at 5:00pm), 12th (ends at 5:00pm), 13th
- Not So Scary Halloween 10:00am – 7:00pm $15
October 29th & 30th
- Pumpkin Destruction Day 10:00am – 7:00pm
November 5th $15
Hours of Operation: See Ticket
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
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.
Fun for adults only, ages 18 and up this year will be Animal Farm Haunted attraction. Animals develop a taste for humans, and begin walking on two legs. This includes a haunted trail, hayride, and maze. The farm bar and grill area will be open with music, drinks, a grammable pumpkin patch and even some farm animals.
Fall Family Fun Events at Santa’s Farm:
- Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch 10:00am – varies $9 – $15
September 24th, 25th, October 1st, 2nd then open Thursday – Sunday through October 30th
- Animal Farm Haunted Attraction 6:30pm – 10:30pm $20
October 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th
Hours of Operation: See Your Ticket Purchase
Located: 35317 Huff Rd, Eustis, FL 32736
Contact: 352-357-9863
Where is the best corn maze around Orlando?
Long & Scott Farms
Central Florida’s well known Long & Scott Farms corn maze is a great way to celebrate fall. Creating a unique design each year, this year’s theme is Pirates. 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!
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 Long & Scott Farms.
They also have a 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.
Long & 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 Long & Scott Farms:
- Scott’s Maze Adventures
October 1st – December 11th Night Mazes select Saturdays
- Scott’s Country Market & Café opens September 27th
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday 10:0am – 5:00pm, Sundays 12:00pm – 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
The only Lake County farm offering strictly spooky, night time events. Fright Nights at the Far Reach Ranch are filled with live music, food, drinks, libations, axe throwing, kids spook zone, bounce, and more.
For those who dare, you can also experience Camp Fear Reach. Walk through the haunted forest and creepy camp, filled with scary cabins, dark corners, zombies, and surprises. Reserve your spot by getting your tickets in advance.
Events
- Fright Nights
Every Friday and Saturday in October 7:00pm – 12:00am
- Camp Fear Reach $25
Every Friday and Saturday in October 8:00pm – 12:00am
Located: 1255 S Dora Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778
Contact: 352-343-7389
Is there anywhere to get apple cider donuts around Orlando?
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 Fun Maze and Scavenger Hunt is a maze through blueberry bushes. In addition, there are some haunted options, and ice skating.
Events
- Haunted Halloween Maze $16
- Dark Forest Trail of Terror $21
- Fall Maze and Scavenger Hunt $8
Friday – Sunday, September 30th through October 30th
- Ice Skating $10
Friday – Sunday, October 7th through October 30th
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
Southern Hill Farms
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. It was a rush of memories.
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..
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. 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. Be prepared to drive down rural dirt roads too. For full details on all the farm offers, check out their Facebook events page.
Fall Family Fun Events at Southern Hill Farms:
- Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms
September 24th is Opening Day
Hours of Operation: Every weekend Thursday – Sunday ending Sunday, November 13th 11:00am – 7:00pm
Located: 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714
Contact: 407-986-5806
Final Farm in Our Guide to Fall Family Fun Around Lake County Florida
Showcase of Citrus
Although Showcase of Citrus is open year round, Pumpkin Ponderosa adds some additional fun for fall. Event has free admission and free parking, therefore most activities are purchased individually. Some of their no cost activities include a playground, visiting the farm animals, catch and release fishing (bring your own gear), outdoor games, live music on the weekends, and taking some fun family pictures.
For more fun you can take a monster truck tour around the farm to learn more about Florida’s citrus history. Kids can do some gem mining, feed the farm animals, take a hayride, or have some snacks from the country store, but also check out the events for kids.
Adults can come out to enjoy spooky fall adult beverages at two open-air bars, do some wine tasting, listen to music. After that, watch the sunset from their dock. Additionally, food trucks are also onsite daily, and rotate to change up food offerings.
Be sure to check their website for updates, or to book a tour and event, because details tend to change.
Fall Family Fun Events at Showcase of Citrus:
- Pumpkin Ponderosa 9:00am – 6:30pm FREE
September 24th – November 24th
Hours of Operation: Daily 9:00am – 7:00pm
Located: 5010 US Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34714
Contact: 321-394-4377 or info@showcaseofcitrus.com
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!
What a fabulous guide for fall family fun near Lake County, Florida. Loving the pumpkin festival season!
Thank you! We have really been loving all these farms this season too.
I love Fall festivities! When my kids were younger, we always took them to fun farms and to go pumpkin picking.
I have always loved fall activities myself. We get the pumpkin patches, but no picking down here. They save that for the flowers.
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!
And they were just as good, so that made me happy!
There are so many fun fall activities in Lake county to check out! I love the donut/apple picture!
We are certainly blessed with choices! Not something people would think of when it comes to Central Florida.
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.
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.
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.
We have really enjoyed the corn mazes too! We are lucky to have so many to choose from.
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!
Looks like some great Fall family fun in your area! What would fall be like without a good apple cider donut?
Fall Festivals and other events this time of year are fantastic! Thank you for sharing Lake County and what all there is around it!