Hi October; welcome; I’m so glad you’re here. This month is amazing for a few reasons:
- There SHOULD be a dip in temperatures this month (at least mornings and evenings)
- It’s my birthday month (don’t you dare ask how old I am 🙂 )
- Allllll the spooky things!!
I am a sucker for fall. I love that the holidays are around the corner and it’s a fun and eventful season packed with opportunities to spend time with friends and family. October is the beginning of the BEST time of the year in Lake County, Florida.
Halloween will be here in no time, so I propose we begin making our plans. From haunted houses to dances, pumpkin patches and parties-let’s make this month SO. MUCH. FUN.
Without further adieu, I have tracked down some of the upcoming happenings and am serving them to you on a (proverbial) silver platter below:
Mount Dora:
Haunted Pub Crawl of Mount Dora
Fri, Oct 11, 7 PM – 10 PM
Sunset Park
339 N Alexander St, Mt Dora, FL
The Haunted Pub Crawl of Mount Dora has all the spirits you’re looking for. This three-hour tour takes you to three of Mount Dora’s premier haunted watering holes. Along the way you will hunt ghosts, learn the haunted history of Mount Dora from your tour guide and receive special offers such as samples, BOGO deals and discounts. The evening begins at a historic haunted hotel and tavern built in 1883. Then it’s off to a paranormal underground pub. The last stop is at British Gastro Pub where you will board a derailed 1940’s train car with a dark past.
www.mountdoraghosttours.com
Folklore of Haunted Hometowns
Fri, Oct 25, 11 AM – 12 PM
W.t. Bland Public Library
900 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL
Just in time for Halloween, adults are invited to explore the spookier side of Florida through local ghost legends being told across the state. Part history lesson, part folklore, and part ghost story, author Christopher Balzano (author of the Tripping on Legends podcast) takes you on a journey from the Gulf Coast to the Space Coast, from the swamps to the haunted attractions, from the whispers on college campuses to the roads the kids visit on a dark Saturday.
No registration required. Refreshments will be served.
Howl-O-Ween Parade
Sat, Oct 26, 2 – 3 PM
W.t. Bland Public Library
900 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL
Children ages 12 & under are invited to wear their favorite costumes to the Library for a parade throughout the Butterfly Garden and the Library. They will be joined by the PAWs therapy dogs who will also be in costume! Afterward, children are invited to read stories to PAWs therapy dogs and enjoy free treats as well as a free book.
Eustis:
Night in the Pumpkin Patch
Fri, Oct 25, 1:00 – 4:30 PM
Trinity Church
890 Abrams Rd, Eustis, FL
You are invited to join in the annual pumpkin patch! There is a short corn maze, pumpkins for sale, a live band, food trucks, and some other fun things going on during this Friday night event.
Make sure you wear your halloween costume!
Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest Pumpkin Patch
Sep 28 – Oct 27
Santa’s Farm & Christmas Tree Forest
35317 Huff Rd, Eustis, FL
$6 General Admission includes Santa’s Farm pumpkin patch and photo ops, a hayride, and the farm animal petting zoo. Activities available as add-ons include a giant slide, giant bounce pillow, horse rides, zip line rides, three mazes and a play area. Food, beer and wine will be available.
Phantasmagoria X – “Reckoning”
Thu, Oct 31, 8 – 11 PM
Bay Street Players
109 N Bay St, Eustis, FL
Called “One of the most unique theater troupes in the country.” by Good Day Atlanta, and direct from its ongoing sold out performances in multiple cities and states, Phantasmagoria is proud to present their 10th Anniversary main stage installment of their long running critically acclaimed series PHANTASMAGORIA X “Reckoning” – bringing their unique brand of “Whimsical Macabre” terrors to the 2019 Halloween Season!
https://www.baystreetplayers.org/phantasmagoria
Tavares:
5th Annual Boo Festival!
Fri, Oct 25, 6 – 9 PM
Tavares City Hall
201 E Main St, Tavares, FL
The City of Tavares invites you for an evening of family fun at the 5th Annual Boo Festival! Live music, carnival games, trunk or treat, hayride, giant inflatable corn maze, food vendors, a lumitron stilt walker and more!
City of Tavares Annual Trunk or Treat
Fri, Oct 25, 6 – 9 PM
Wooton Park
100 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL
Welcome to the 4th Annual City of Tavares Trunk or Treat Festival, on Friday October 25th, 2018 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in downtown Tavares. This event features Live Entertainment and much more. Come and enjoy Free Family Fun with classic car show, story-telling, kid’s costume contest, food vendors and much, much more!
http://www.tavareschamber.com/events/details/city-of-tavares-annual-trunk-or-treat-1553
Halloween Costume Dinner & Dance (21 & older only)
Sat, Oct 26
Hurricane Dockside Grill
3351 W Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL
Mix N’ Mingle – Meet new local friends. Costume Contest – Dress up in your FAVORITE & imaginative attire. Dancing – DJ Martin – Playing ’80’s dance tunes on the patio. The Hurricanes’s Restaurant/Bar in Lake County is HUGE and right on the Dead River so come on out and join in on the fun! No Cover Charge or Drink Minimum – This Halloween Costume Party is Free to attend
https://nextdoor.com/events/fl/tavares/halloween-costume-dinner-dance-party-21-older-only-3183959
Halloween Party at Puddle Jumpers
Sat, Oct 26, 8 PM – Sun, Oct 27, 12 AM
Puddle Jumpers
111 W Ruby St, Tavares, FL
Halloween Party with live music from September Dogs.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1129522320585291/
The Royal Palm Ghost Train Phantasmagoria
Oct 1 – Nov 3,
The Royal Palm Railway Experience
305 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. . . .”
The Royal Palm Railway celebrates the Halloween Season as critically acclaimed Victorian Horror Troupe “PHANTASMAGORIA” brings its unique brand of “Ghostly” storytelling for it’s first ever “Royal Palm Ghost Train”!
Called “One of the most unique theater troupes in the country” by Good Day Atlanta, this evocative troupe will weave their tapestry of haunting tales in a very special custom performance for passengers . . . if you dare!
Departs: Tavares Union Station
Every Sunday at 3:45pm and 6:15pm
Clermont:
Halloween Havoc on the Hill Car Show
Sat, Oct 5, 10 AM – 2 PM
Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson
2480 US-27, Clermont, FL
Stormy Hill Harley Davidson is having a Car, Bike, and Truck Show. On Saturday, October 5th from 10am to 2pm. Open to all Cars, and Trucks of every year, make and model. There will be awards, DJ, 50/50 drawing, food, dancing and vendors. $10.00 registration fee for all vehicles. The Award Presentation is scheduled for 2:00pm.
Halloween Month! Zombie Night
Sat, Oct 5, 7 PM – Sun, Oct 6, 2 AM
Tower Arcade and Lounge at Citrus Tower
141 US-27, Clermont, FL
It’s our favorite time of the year! Come out and participate in our costume contest to see who can be the best Zombie! Zombie shots available for one night only. All zombies participating in costume contest will receive 10% off their tab, and the winner will receive 4 free entries! Halloween decor everywhere, don’t miss out!
Monster Mash Halloween Party @ Growler USA Orlando West (18 & older only)
Sat, Oct 12, 8:30 – 11:30 PM
Growler USA – Orlando West
2507 S Hwy 27, Clermont, FL
Growler USA presents its first ever Halloween party! Dress up in your best costume and head out for a night of brews, tunes and grooves! This is an Adults Only party!
There will be a DJ playing your fave dance tunes, beer and drink specials, bites menu for munchin, and brewery prizes for best costumes.
Seating is limited, so reserve your table now. Call 352-988-5795.
Halloween PotLuck Costume Party!
Sat, Oct 19, 6 – 9 PM
Family Martial Arts Center
638 FL-50, Clermont, FL
The Family Martial Arts Centers of Mount Dora and Clermont would like to invite you to the event of the year! This is no ordinary costume party. Games, prizes and oh yes bobbing for apples! Make sure you bring great food to share.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-pot-luck-costume-party-tickets-73143268485
Nightmare on the Clermont Trails 5K
Sat, Oct 26, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
490 West Ave, Clermont, FL
A Spooktacular 5K Night Run in the spirit of Halloween! The race starts & finishes in Historic Downtown Clermont. A minimum of eight Spook Zones will line the out and back course on the South Lake Trail, with a spooky loop through Hiawatha Preserve.
Costumed runners will compete for lots of great prizes!
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Clermont/Nightmare5K
Haunted Hike
Sat, Oct 26, 7 – 10 PM
Lake Louisa State Park
7305 US-27, Clermont, FL
You are invited to a haunted hike at Lake Louisa State Park. This is not for the faint of heart or those below 13 years of age. Join us for a night of things that go bump in the woods.
Please NO children or scared husbands, we can’t afford to provide therapy.
$4 donation per person for the hike. All donations help to make improvements in the park and provide events like this one.
https://www.facebook.com/events/friends-of-lake-louisa-state-park/haunted-hike/563179584204685/
Halloween High Tea
Thu, Oct 31, 11 AM – 4 PM
Erika’s Tea Room And Gifts
787 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL
Avoid the ghosts and goblins lurking around every corner and celebrate Halloween at Erika’s Tea Room. Enjoy our multi course high tea with featured teas for the day. Who knows what tricks or treats may await.
https://www.facebook.com/events/erikas-tea-room-gifts/halloween-high-tea/873375556359534/
Leesburg:
PumpkinPalooza
Sat, Oct 19, 1 – 9 PM
Florida Army National Guard
400 W Meadow St, Leesburg, FL
In today’s world we are all looking for affordable fun, whether for the kiddies or the adults. When searching for that affordable fun, look no further than PumpkinPalooza!
How about two wrestling shows and Live music? Anyone for games, raffles and costume contests? That’s right a full schedule of fun for all.
The wrestling portion of the day is being split in two. Doors will open at noon. The first wrestling show is from 1pm-3pm and is more for the kids. There will be a costume contest for the young ones. Cash and prizes will be given out to the winners. The second wrestling show is from 6pm- 8pm and includes several “creative” matches. Everyone is highly encouraged to come in costume, as this is Lake County’s Halloween Party!
https://www.leesburgpartnership.com/event/pumpkinpalooza/
CREATE’s Grown-up Halloween
Sat, Oct 19, 7 – 10 PM
Starlight Ballroom & Dance Center
414 W Main St, Leesburg, FL
Come in costume, and prepare for a fabulous evening of dinner, drinks, contests, prizes, and fun! Your $40 ticket purchase, which will serve as a fundraiser for CREATE Conservatory, gets you a full dinner, dessert, one drink, and entrance into our costume contest and silent auction. Tickets can be purchased on their website. We hope to see you there!
https://www.leesburgpartnership.com/event/creates-grown-up-halloween/
Electronic Dreamz Halloween LAN Party – Leesburg, FL – Lake County
Fri, Oct 25, 11:00 AM – Sat, Oct 26, 8:30 PM
101 North Blvd E, Leesburg, FL
Come to Electronic Dreamz to celebrate spooky day. Wear a costume and have a chance at winning the grand prize for our costume contest.
Bring your own PC or just enjoy our VR and Consoles. Either way you’ll have lots of fun. Be sure to invite your friends too!
Spooktacular Halloween Dance
Fri, Oct 25, 7 PM
32624 Blossom Ln, Leesburg, FL
Join in for a SPOOKTACULAR evening. Get your costumes ready for the spirit of Halloween & enjoy ghoulish brews, a costume contest, and more dance festivities on Friday, October 25th at Anastassia Ballroom & Dance Studio.
https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/calendar/event_details.aspx?EventID=20808
Boo Bash
Sat, Oct 26, 10 AM – 1 PM
510 W Main St, Leesburg, FL
Towne Square comes alive as kids of all ages come out for our Annual Boo Bash. Costume Contests, pumpkin painting and more await.
https://www.leesburgpartnership.com/event/boo-bash
10/31 Safe Trick or Treating Lake Square Mall
Thu, Oct 31, 6 – 8 PM
10401 US-441, Leesburg, FL 34788
It’s that time of year again! Want to beat the Florida heat and bring your children somewhere safe to Trick or Treat? Then come out to the Lake Square Mall Thursday October 31st from 6-8 pm for their annual Trick or Treating event!
*The first 100 children will receive a FREE Lake Square Mall and VIA Tote!
Have a fun and safe Halloween, and let’s meet back here soon to chat all things fall in Lake County.
Lake Rising 