In Florida, the presence of fall is marked not by cool temperatures but by pumpkin spice drinks popping up at cafes and Halloween decorations lining the aisles of stores. If Central Floridians are lucky, the overnight low may dip below 70 degrees.
In addition, several Central Florida farms and venues also step up to usher in autumn, bringing pumpkin patches, corn mazes and fall-themed fun to the Sunshine State. Friends and family can go for hayrides, try apple cider doughnuts and find petting zoos at many Orlando-area fall festivals.
Here are some festivals, mazes and events celebrating autumn in Central Florida.
Southern Hill Farms owners David and Lisa Hill hold a plate of their apple cider donuts in the sunflower fields on their farm in Clermont in 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
Southern Hill Farms
This Clermont U-pick farm is celebrating its 10th year of pumpkins, apple cider donuts, craft beer, handmade goods, children’s activities, a corn maze, food trucks and big-screen TVs to catch sports. Enjoy the wide array of activities for a full day of family fun.
HOURS: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. select Thursdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays; Sept. 27-Nov. 23
ADDRESS: 16651 Schofield Road in Clermont
PRICE: $28.92 per person (before fees). Tickets must be purchased in advance. Children ages 2 and younger enter for free.
MORE INFO: southernhillfarms.com
Amber Brooke Farms
This Florida family farm hosts visitors in Eustis for live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a farm tour, a sunflower field and more. Visitors can snack, have lunch or play corn hole in between exploring all the offerings.
HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Every Saturday-Sunday and select dates Sept. 20-Nov. 2
ADDRESS: 36111 County Road 44A in Eustis
PRICE: $15.95 online (before fees). Children who are 2 and younger enter for free.
MORE INFO: amberbrookefarms.com
Showcase of Citrus in Clermont features U-pick citrus, a monster truck tour and an old-time country store. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Showcase of Citrus Pumpkin Ponderosa
At Clermont’s Showcase of Citrus, join in for fall fun with a pumpkin patch, autumn-themed festivities and a haunted monster truck ride. Visitors can also indulge in seasonal treats and beverages.
HOURS: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily beginning Sept. 19; Haunted monster truck rides every Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m.
ADDRESS: 5010 U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont
PRICE: Free parking and admission; $25 per person for monster truck rides
MORE INFO: showcaseofcitrus.com
Lake Catherine Farms
In Groveland, this U-pick blueberry farm is hosting a family-friendly scavenger hunt maze, plus two haunted trails for those who dare to enter. Brave souls can attempt the “Catherine’s Nightmare Before Christmas Maze” or Dark Forest Trail of Terror on Friday and Saturday nights. The experience can be topped off with food available at the farm, plus alcoholic beverages.
HOURS: 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; Sept. 26-Oct. 31
ADDRESS: 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland
PRICE: $6 per person (fall maze and scavenger hunt), $17 per person (haunted maze, advance ticket), $24 (dark forest, advance ticket)
MORE INFO: lakecatherineblueberries.com
Sunsational Farms
This Umatilla farm brings family fun to visitors with a pumpkin patch, carnival games, bounce houses, ice cream, face painting, food trucks and more. Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail pops up on select nights for visitors looking for a fright.
HOURS: Fall festival: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays; Oct. 4-Oct. 18. Haunted Trail: 7:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 3-Nov. 1
ADDRESS: 40541 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla
PRICE: Free parking and admission; activity ticket prices vary
MORE INFO: facebook.com
Jodi Utsman, the “head elf” at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis, stands with one of the farm’s donkeys on in 2023. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa’s Fall Fun Farm
In Eustis, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest transforms into a destination for fall fun, now celebrating 18 years of the “A Lot of Pumpkins” pumpkin patch. The farm features a bounce pillow, a maze, a hayride and other activities for children. Families can also opt to visit the petting zoo or explore food and drink options.
HOURS: Open select dates Sept. 27-Nov. 1 (check website for hours)
ADDRESS: 35317 Huff Road in Eustis
PRICE: Admission prices start at $10 and vary by date
MORE INFO: santaschristmastreeforest.com/pumpkins
What was formerly known as Scott’s Maze Adventures has become Great Scott Farms in Mount
Dora. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Great Scott Farms
This 1,200-acre family farm in Mount Dora is bringing back its annual corn maze tradition for visitors. Guests can also find a pumpkin patch, country market, a jumping pillow, a zip line, family activities and hayrides.
HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Sept. 27-Nov. 16
ADDRESS: 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora
PRICE: General admission is $16 online. Children who are 2 and younger get in for free.
MORE INFO: visitgreatscott.com
Harvest Holler Corn Maze
This “down-home farm” near Lakeland features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, hayride, a “hay mountain,” miniature golfing, a store with Maw-Maw’s homemade goods and Paw Paw’s Vittles for some “country fixins.”
HOURS: 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays; Sept. 19-Nov. 16
ADDRESS: 950 Tavares Road in Polk City
PRICE: Kids ages 2-12, those 65 and older and military members are $14, Adults 13 and older are $17. Attractions are included in the price.
MORE INFO: harvestholler.com
Did I miss any fall festivals or pumpkin patches? Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
