Fall Events in Fort Myers & SWFL: October 2026 Guide

Pumpkin patches. Oktoberfest. Halloween all month long.

Fall in Southwest Florida doesn't come with falling leaves, but it does come with cooler mornings, pumpkin patches, Oktoberfest and plenty of Halloween fun. Here are 18 events worth putting on your calendar for the rest of October 2026, close to home in Gateway and all around Lee County: Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Estero and Bonita Springs.

I've lived in Gateway for 20 years, and October is when our corner of Fort Myers starts to feel like itself again. The weather breaks, seasonal neighbors come back, and the weekends fill up fast. Every event below includes a map link so you can see how close it is to home.

QUICK PICKS NEAR GATEWAY

• ✦ Oktoberfest at Fort Myers Brewing Company, Oct 15 to 18 (free)

• ✦ Boo-vies at Backyard Social, Wednesdays Oct 21 & 28 (free)

• ✦ Frightfully Fun Fest, Sat Oct 24 (free)

• ✦ Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival, weekends through Nov 1

🎃 Watch: 5 spooky things to do near Fort Myers this Halloween

October 2026 at a Glance

✦ Gateway & the Treeline Corridor (33913 · 33912)

Oktoberfest at Fort Myers Brewing Company

When: Thu, Oct 15 to Sun, Oct 18
Where: 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr, Fort Myers 33913
Cost: Free entry

Four days of craft beer, food trucks, live bands and a stein hoisting contest. Dogs welcome.

Boo-vies at Backyard Social

When: Wednesdays, Oct 21 & 28 · 7 PM
Where: 16371 Corporate Commerce Way, Fort Myers 33913
Cost: Free

Free Halloween movie nights on the lawn, right around the corner from Gateway. Bring a blanket.

Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival

When: Saturdays & Sundays through Nov 1 · 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: 8500 Penzance Blvd, Fort Myers
Cost: Some activities extra

Pumpkins, farm animals, food trucks and vendors just off Six Mile Cypress.

Frightfully Fun Fest

When: Sat, Oct 24 · 10 AM to 2 PM
Where: 13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers 33912
Cost: Free

Trunk or treat, pumpkin decorating and a costume parade. Open to everyone.

✦ Fort Myers

Scarecrows in the Park & Fall Festival

When: Through Oct 31
Where: Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr

Pumpkin patch, hayrides, scarecrows and the Railroad Museum Halloween Express train rides.

Haunted Walk at Calusa Nature Center

When: Fri to Sun through Oct 31 · 7:30 to 10:30 PM
Where: 3450 Ortiz Ave
Cost: $20 advance, $25 at the door

Outdoor haunted trails for teens and adults.

Downtown Music Walk

When: Fri, Oct 16 · 6 to 10 PM
Where: First & Hendry Streets, River District
Cost: Free

Bands, DJs and street performers all over downtown.

Halloween Spooktacular at Bell Tower

When: Sat, Oct 24 · Noon to 3 PM
Where: 13499 S Cleveland Ave
Cost: Free

Daytime Halloween fun for little ones.

Edison & Ford Fall Festival

When: Sat, Oct 31 · 9 AM to 4 PM
Where: 2350 McGregor Blvd
Cost: Festival entry free; museum admission extra

Crafts, food, live music and pumpkin activities.

✦ North Fort Myers

Monster Bash

When: Fri, Oct 30 · 6 to 9 PM
Where: Hancock Animal Hospital, 3405 Hancock Bridge Pkwy
Cost: Free

A Halloween bash with costumed pets included.

✦ Estero & Coconut Point

Coconut Point Farmers Market

When: Every Thursday · 9 AM to 1 PM
Where: Coconut Point, Estero

The Local Roots market is back for the season, running every Thursday through April.

Florida Everblades Home Games

When: Oct 17, 23 & 24
Where: Hertz Arena, Estero

Hockey season is here. Halloween costumes in the stands are always a hit.

Spooktacular Night at Estero Park

When: Sat, Oct 17 · Trunk or treat 5 PM · Movie 7:15 PM
Where: Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd

Trunk or treat, food trucks and music, followed by a movie under the stars.

Walk for Wishes

When: Sat, Oct 24
Where: Miromar Outlets, Estero

A community walk benefiting Make A Wish Southern Florida.

✦ Bonita Springs

Farmer Mike's Fall Festival & Corn Mazes

When: Through Oct 31 · Fri 6 to 9:30 PM, Sat 9 AM to 10 PM, Sun 9 AM to 9 PM
Where: 26031 Morton Ave

Pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides and a haunted maze on select nights. Buy maze tickets online.

Happy Haunts Halloween Stroll

When: Nightly, Oct 22 to 31 · 5:30 to 10 PM
Where: Downtown Bonita Springs
Cost: Free

Lights, music and Halloween shows projected on downtown buildings.

Bonita Springs Fall Art Festival

When: Sat, Oct 24 & Sun, Oct 25
Where: The Promenade at Bonita Bay

Paintings, jewelry, photography and sculpture along shaded walkways.

Trick or Treat on Old 41

When: Sat, Oct 31 · 5 to 8 PM
Where: Downtown Bonita Springs

Candy, costumes and the Happy Haunts stroll, all in one night.

Season Is Starting in Southwest Florida

A busy event calendar is one of the first signs that season is here. Our seasonal neighbors are heading back to Fort Myers, Estero and Bonita Springs, and buyers are starting to shop. For Gateway homeowners, fall is when real local numbers matter most: what's sold nearby, what's pending, and how long homes are taking to go under contract.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Gateway or Fort Myers?

If you're curious what your home is worth right now, or thinking about a move in the months ahead, I'm happy to share what we're seeing in your neighborhood. No pressure, just real local numbers. We can talk by phone at (239) 898-1463, or you're welcome to meet me at my home office in Gateway.

WHAT'S MY HOME WORTH?

Buying this season? Grab my free First Time Buyer's Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fall events are happening in Fort Myers in October 2026?

Fort Myers has a full calendar for the rest of October 2026: Scarecrows in the Park at Lakes Park through Oct 31, the Haunted Walk at Calusa Nature Center, the Downtown Music Walk on Oct 16, Oktoberfest at Fort Myers Brewing Company Oct 15 to 18, and the Edison & Ford Fall Festival on Oct 31.

Where is there a pumpkin patch near Fort Myers and Gateway?

The closest pumpkin patches to Gateway are Southern Fresh Farms at 8500 Penzance Blvd in Fort Myers, open Saturdays and Sundays through Nov 1, and Scarecrows in the Park at Lakes Park through Oct 31. In Bonita Springs, Farmer Mike's at 26031 Morton Ave adds corn mazes through Oct 31.

Are there free Halloween events near Gateway in Fort Myers?

Yes. Near Gateway, Backyard Social shows free Boo-vies on Wednesdays, Oct 21 and 28 at 7 PM, and the Frightfully Fun Fest at 13411 Shire Ln in Fort Myers is free on Saturday, Oct 24 from 10 AM to 2 PM with trunk or treat and a costume parade.

When is Oktoberfest in Fort Myers in 2026?

Fort Myers Brewing Company in Gateway hosts a free Oktoberfest from Thursday, Oct 15 through Sunday, Oct 18, 2026, with craft beer, food trucks, live bands and a stein hoisting contest. The brewery is at 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr, Fort Myers 33913, minutes from Gateway and the Treeline corridor.

Where can you trick or treat on Halloween in Bonita Springs?

Trick or Treat on Old 41 runs Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 from 5 to 8 PM in Downtown Bonita Springs, alongside the Happy Haunts Halloween Stroll. The stroll runs nightly Oct 22 to 31 from 5:30 to 10 PM, with lights, music and Halloween shows projected on downtown buildings at no cost.

When does season start in Southwest Florida?

In Southwest Florida, season generally begins in the fall as seasonal residents return to Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples, and it runs through spring. Buyer activity in Lee County typically picks up as they arrive, which makes October a practical time for homeowners to check their home's current value.

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Event details come from organizer and local event listings and can change. Please confirm dates, times and tickets with each organizer before you go. Photos are representative.