One of the best reasons to visit Greater Fort Lauderdale in the fall? It doesn’t mean trading sunshine for sweaters. Instead, it’s a season where locals and visitors alike welcome crisp breezes in the region’s idyllic coastal towns, and the city comes alive with festive energy.
From pumpkin patches and seasonal markets to sporting events and cultural festivals, autumn is an invitation to get out and explore. Whether you’re planning a quick trip or an extended stay, discover plenty of ways to soak up the season the Greater Fort Lauderdale way below.
Fall Festivities
The fall calendar kicks off with Celebrate Davie on Sept. 20 at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie, where families can spend an afternoon watching kids delight in inflatable rides and petting zoo animals. Face painters work their magic while a miniature train chugs around the grounds and local artisans sell everything from handcrafted treasures to everyone’s favorite kettle corn.
Come October, don’t miss Harvest Festival Weekends at Flamingo Gardens Oct. 4-26. Over multiple weekends, the botanical paradise transforms into themed celebrations, including Pirates, Cowboys & Cowgirls, Día de los Muertos, and a Halloween Party. Kids can ride ponies, explore the pumpkin patch, and get spooked by the “Attack of the Bloodsuckers!” exhibit, featuring the spooky science of mosquitoes, leeches, ticks, and other creatures through hands-on activities and displays.
Pioneer Park in Deerfield Beach hosts its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 11, complete with shuttle service for anyone who wants to skip the parking hassle. Grab a cold brew from The Biergarten, courtesy of Cove Brewery and the Rotary Club, and stop by food trucks dishing out everything from traditional German fare to festive treats. Families will love the pumpkin patch, photo ops and Kid Zone, complete with arts and crafts, a hayride, inflatables and more.
Further south in downtown, the ninth annual Riverwalk Fall Festival returns to Esplanade Park on Oct. 18. The celebration features sand art, pumpkin decorating and pumpkin bowling. Plus, grown-ups can savor the fall season with seasonally flavored beverages and libations.
Close out the month with The City of Dania Beach’s annual Fall Festival on Oct. 24 at Frost Park in Dania Beach. Take home a pumpkin after a visit to the pumpkin patch, and enjoy arts and crafts, bounce houses, face painting, live music, and more with the family. There will also be a fun kids trunk-or-treat in partnership with the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Pumpkin Paradise
Looking for the Great Pumpkin? You’ll find plenty to choose from in Fort Lauderdale’s festive patches, where families can snap fall photos, pick the perfect pumpkin, and soak in the seasonal spirit—no scarves required.
Make your first stop at the Flamingo Road Nursery in Davie. This 10-acre nursery is home to a premier garden center, but come September, it transforms into a fall oasis for the Annual Fall Festival. Think cornstalks, hay bales, mums, huge pumpkins, scarecrows and fall colors everywhere you look. The best part? Every week features a new theme, from “Pepper Palooza” to “Tropical Fruit Celebration.” You’ll even get to take a hayride on the tractor to “The Davie Moonshine and Fish Camp.”
Nearby, you’ll find Marando Farms & Ranch in Davie, which feels like a slice of countryside tucked into Greater Fort Lauderdale. The ranch is home to a lively organic farmers' market with fresh produce, juices, and smoothies. Families often head there for the petting zoo filled with rescued animals, weekend pony and hay rides, and seasonal events—like its annual pumpkin patch experience, complete with barrel train rides and so much more.
Sports & Entertainment
Pumpkins aren’t the only things in season! So are big plays and bigger performances. If you’re looking to add a little extra excitement to your trip this fall, here’s where sports and entertainment take center stage.
Located at Las Olas Oceanside Park, Friday Night Sound Waves brings free live music to Fort Lauderdale beach with top South Florida talent every Friday. Starting at 6 p.m., guests can enjoy lawn games, shop local artisan vendors, and grab bites and drinks before settling in for a concert just steps from the sand. This fall, don’t miss acts ranging from an Elton John tribute band to performers channeling the vibrant energy of Coldplay.
Hockey fans should make a point to catch a Florida Panthers game at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise to cheer on the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. The atmosphere will be electric! Don’t forget to grab a soft-serve ice cream cup served in a helmet.
If you’re spending time in Pompano Beach, plan your night around Old Town Untapped, the city’s free, lively cultural arts and music block party that runs from October through May. Catch live bands and a DJ outdoors, wander into the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center for new gallery openings, and browse one-of-a-kind finds from local artists. Food trucks line the streets, serving everything from quick bites to crave-worthy sweets, so come hungry!