By Kate Cohen
Updated July 7, 2025

 

Fall is finally here. School is back in session, the leaves are starting to change color, and there’s a cool, crisp breeze in the air.   

Okay, maybe up north.  

But here in Orlando, we’re still kicking back with beautiful sunny weather, tropical palm trees, and flip flops.   

While our season may look a little different than other parts of the world, here in Central Florida, we love to celebrate autumn. We’re happy to trade in our fresh citrus and pina coladas for pumpkins and apple cider with everyone else (at least for a little while).   

 

Here are some of our favorite festivals, parties, and events for tons of fall family fun in Orlando this year.   

 

Key Takeaways

• Southern Hill Farms
• Fiesta in the Park
• Oktoberfest in Avalon Park
• Happy Frights
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium
• Fall into Fun at Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista

 

Southern Hill Farms 

 

 

A trip to Southern Hill Farms is the perfect way to celebrate all things autumn with family fun.  

Harvest all the autumnal warm fuzzies with pumpkins, sunflowers, apple cider, and more.    

This ticketed event runs Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., starting late September until late November.  

You can choose pre-cut pumpkins of all shapes and sizes from the pumpkin patch barn, which is also the perfect spot for family photos.  

If U-pick is more your style, venture out to the sunflower and zinnia fields to choose the perfect blooms for an autumnal bouquet.   

Kids of all ages will love attractions at the Kid Zone, including carnival rides like a carousel, cyclone swing, and bungee jump trampolines.  

Feed friendly farm animals at the petting zoo and take a wagon ride through their blueberry patches.   

 When you’ve worked up an appetite, grab snacks and drinks from one of the local food trucks stationed onsite. A “must try” includes their signature apple cider donuts, preferably with a cup of frozen or hot apple cider.   

You don’t have to worry about missing the big game when you spend the day at Southern Hill Farms; the food truck barn has flat-screen TVs that play college and pro football games all weekend long.  

  

Fiesta in the Park   

This year marks the 54th Fall Fiesta in the Park event at Lake Eola Park. This beloved free festival brings together hundreds of artists and crafters to showcase and sell their work.  

It’s the perfect excuse to spend a day at the beautiful Lake Eola Park while supporting local artisans.   

Fiesta in the Park is a family-friendly and pet-friendly event, so everyone can enjoy a day in downtown Orlando.   

When you need a break from browsing and shopping, grab a seat and enjoy live entertainment at the amphitheater stage.  

Food vendors are stationed nearby when you need a refreshment, and the beer garden is a great gathering spot for grownups looking to enjoy a cool, crisp beverage.   

Kids will love the AdventHealth for Children Kid’s Zone, full of fun activities and treats perfect for keeping little ones entertained.   

This year’s Fall Fiesta in the Park event will be held Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.   

Check out the Fall Fiesta in the Park for a beautiful day in support of The City Beautiful and the talented creatives who make it such a wonderful place to be.   

 

Oktoberfest in Avalon Park  

Oktoberfest is a classic fall celebration, and Avalon Park’s Oktoberfest event is the perfect way to share it with the whole family.  

Located in East Orlando, Avalon Park is a charming neighborhood community known for its quaint town center and lively events. Oktoberfest is one of their most popular annual family-friendly and free festivals.   

This year, Oktoberfest in Avalon Park is held on Saturday, October 11, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with an adults-only Beer Garden Preview the night before.  

The festival has two stages, each hosting a variety of polka bands to set the scene for an authentic Oktoberfest celebration. Take in Alpine Dancing by Schuhplatter Gruppe Alpenrose, a German dance studio in Orlando, as well as other community performances.   

Of course, it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without great food. The festival will feature a variety of food trucks to satisfy any appetite, including classic German treats like sausages and pretzels.   

Kids will love the setup of bounce houses and activities just for them. It’s truly an autumn event that everyone in the family can enjoy!  

 

 

Happy Frights at Leu Gardens 

Fall is often synonymous with Halloween.  

While Orlando is known for its super scary and horror-filled events, it’s also a great place for family-friendly holiday fun. One option is Happy Frights at Leu Gardens, an immersive trick-or-treating event for guests of all ages.   

There are two Halloween events at Leu Gardens this year. Happy Frights is the perfect event to enjoy with younger kids. Haunting Nights is better suited for teenagers and adults.  

For the sake of family-friendly fun, let’s focus on Happy Frights.   

There are still plenty of spooky elements in Happy Frights that will make Halloween-lovers swoon, just at a more age-appropriate level for younger kids.  

In 2024, guests enjoyed an immersive experience that guided them through 12 worlds of magic and mystery. Giant, deadly plants, hip-hop dancing aliens, a witch and her bubbling cauldrons, and a vibrant Dia de Muertos celebration were all part of the experience last year. 

As guests made their way throughout the event, kids could trick-or-treat at 8 candy stations along the way. Costumes were encouraged.  

Details about the 2025 Happy Frights event haven’t yet been released. We’ll let you know as soon as ticket information and dates are available.  

 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 

 

 

Of course, if we’re going to talk about family-friendly Halloween celebrations, we have to mention one of our favorites: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. 

Held at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, this seasonal event has become a favorite amongst Disney enthusiasts and Halloween fans alike.   

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has something for everyone.  

Their Boo-to-You Halloween Parade features a masquerade of characters in their spookiest attire, including more than a few dastardly villains and ghouls. This year, the parade is being held at an earlier time (8:15 p.m.) to make it even easier for younger guests to attend.  

The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, is a must-see show performed on the Cinderella Castle stage.  

Gather back around the castle later in the evening for the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, a dazzling fireworks show hosted by none other than Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

Throughout your visit, indulge in specialty Halloween-inspired bites and beverages brewed for the event.   

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event, and you’ll want to purchase tickets in advance to ensure you can visit on your preferred date.  

In 2025, the event is offered on select evenings starting August 15 and running through October 31, from 7 p.m. until midnight.   

Ticket prices depend on which date you select, but they start at $109 for little ones ages 3 – 9 and $119 for anyone 10 and older.  

 

Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium 

 

 

Fans of R.L. Stein’s spooky Goosebumps series will love sharing the classic story of Phantom of the Auditorium with the whole family.  

Orlando Family Stage (OFS) is Central Florida’s only family theatre, producing colorful and engaging shows for audiences of all ages.  

This fall, OFS will present Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium, a fun and spooky show ideal for kids ages 8 and up.  

Get a sneak peek of the music and read the full synopsis on the official Goosebumps the Musical website.  

The show will be performed on select dates from Oct. 4 through Nov. 2, 2025. Tickets for the entertaining and spooky musical will go on sale later this summer. 

 

 Fall into Family Fun at Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista 

 

 

When you stay at Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista, you’ll be close to some of Orlando’s best events and activities for fall family fun. Our comfortable, clean rooms are the perfect place to rest and recharge after a day of enjoying your autumn festivities.   

BONUS: Since Orlando’s fall weather closely resembles summer, spend time at one of our two sparkling, seasonally-heated swimming pools or our poolside splash pad for fall fun in the sun.  

Book your stay soon so and rest easy knowing you’ll be welcomed and cared for by our incredible staff on your next memory-making visit.