It’s Fall, y’all! Pumpkins, spice and everything nice.
Recognizing that many people are pumpkin enthusiasts throughout the Halloween and Thanksgiving season, Sarasota Events Calendar culled the best pumpkin events in Sarasota County that are a requisite for family fall fun! (Perk: many are minimal fee or are free to the public).
Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 23 & 29
10am-5pm
Pumpkins have their own season, so they deserve their own festival. Fruitville Grove will celebrate its 34th Annual Pumpkin Festival every weekend in October from 10 am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission includes access to the playground and petting zoo, live music, the Torres Family Circus show, photo ops and costume contests. Visitors can also partake in a variety of rides and activities like zip lining, pumpkin painting, and shopping at vendor booths. Both the farmers market and the Pumpkin Palace will be open, too. Admission is free; parking is $5.
If you go: 7410 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, (941) 377-0896
Hunsader Farms 31st annual Pumpkin Festival
October 22-23 & 29-30
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hunsader Farms will hold its from on Saturdays and Sundays during last three weekends in October. Admission includes hay rides, the petting zoo, live music and more. Visitors can also enjoy a corn maze, train rides and a “butterfly experience.” Admission is $15; children 10 and under are free. Parking is $5.
If you go: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, (941) 322-2168
Pumpkin Patch Express
Oct. 29
11:00 AM – 8:15 PM
Head north on I-75 just a short drive to Florida Railroad Museum and their annual The Pumpkin Patch Express that is departing the station for a 2.5 hour ride on the Museum’s very own pumpkin patch. Depending on where you live in Sarasota, it’s just a short half hour drive (from Clark Rd., exit 205), but well worth the drive to Parrish.
Lots of activities for all ages are included with your ticket! Hay rides, arts and crafts, Lincoln log building, and games will be available. Children are invited to pick a pumpkin from the patch to take home. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard the train and while at the Pumpkin Patch.
If you go: Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL
Pumpkin Splash
Oct. 22
11am-1pm
Yes, pumpkins float. See for yourself and take a swim in Sarasota’s “floating pumpkin patch” sponsored by The City of Sarasota Parks and Recreation. Swim and pick out your favorite pumpkin from their floating pumpkin patch and then decorate or carve your own pumpkin. (Bring your own pumpkin decorations or use decorations and carving supplies provided). Each participant gets to take their pumpkin home.
$10 per participant
Parent/Guardian assistance is required for carving pumpkins.
If you go: Register at Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex.
2650 Waldemere Street, Sarasota, 941-236-6732
First Annual Pumpkin Palooza
October 22
1pm-8pm
Take a short road trip south on I-95 to North Port for their first annual fall festival, the Pumpkin Palooza! Held at the Dallas White Park, the day-long event is a family-friendly day of fun, activities, food trucks, & live music. With pumpkin putt-putting, spooky house and bounce houses a plenty, and SO much more; there will be no shortage of fun for the whole family. You definitely won’t want to miss the Monster Ball with live music by Tropical Avenue. Enjoy a variety of delicious food truck cuisine, zombie nerf ball, costume contest, all while dancing under the sun and the moon. For all ages.
Tickets $10 – $18 pp (available online)
If you go: Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Avenue, North Port, FL
A Trunk or Treat Fall Festival
Oct. 30
4pm-7pm
HOLY GOURD! A Trunk or Treat/Fall Festival at Abundant Life Church
includes a myriad of activities include Inflatables, a Rock Climbing Wall, Mechanical Bull, Balloon Slingshot and other activities as well! Food will be available from Dog Friendly Gourmet Hot Dogs, Miss Susie’s Newtown Kitchen, Village Pizzas by Emma and Gator Wilderness Camp. EVERYTHING IS FREE!!
Invite your friends, family & neighbors! It’s going to be a blast!
If you go: at Abundant Life Church, 6461 Proctor Rd. Sarasota
***Please keep all costumes family friendly!
Charlie Brown’s “Its the Great Pumpkin!”
Don’t let the flu season and sick kids ruin their Halloween fun. If they take ill, make them smile by tuning into one of the favorite Halloween TV classics of all time: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:
AppleTV+ confirmed that the show will be available on its streaming service for free October 28-October 31. Subscribers can watch them anytime, but non-subscribers can watch it for free during these dates, as long as they have an Apple ID.