It’s our favorite time of year… grab your kids, family and friends and get ready for pumpkin patches, haunted corn mazes, and trick-or-treating in Southwest Florida.
I’m sure you already have your pumpkin spice coffee in one hand and wearing your fall boots, so here is a list of all of the local annual events happening in our area thanks to the Facebook group called Events in SW Florida!
Farmer Mike's U Pick Pumpkin Patch
In Bonita Springs, open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October beginning on the 1st. More info here.
Southern Fresh Farms Pumpkin Patch
In Fort Myers, open every Saturday and Sunday in October beginning on the 2nd. More info here.
Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning on October 22nd. More info here.
Farmer Mike's Corn Maze and Fall Festival
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only in October. More info here.
Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival
Open every Saturday and Sunday in October, 10am-4pm. More info here.
Lakes Park Scarecrows in the Park, Halloween Express and Pumpkin Patch
For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Howloween Yappy Hour and Costume Contest
Friday, October 8th, 6pm-8pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Pumpkin Palooza
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 8, 9 and 10th, 9am-5pm. For more information, click here.
Bonita Springs YMCA Family Open House
Saturday, October 9th, 10am-1pm. For more information, click here.
Gulf Coast Town Center Barktober Fest
Friday, October 15th, 6pm-8pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Rocky Horror Picture Show Outdoor Movie
Saturday, October 16th, 6pm-10pm. For more information, click here.
Naples Mercato Hocus Pocus Hullabaloo
Tuesday, October 19th, 5:30pm-9pm. For more information, click here.
Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 22nd, 6pm-9pm. For more information, click here.
Naples Eagle Lakes Park Halloween Spectacular
Friday, October 22nd, 6:30pm-9:30pm. For more information, click here.
Immokalee Pioneer Pumpkin Palooza
Saturday, October 23rd, 11am-3pm. For more information, click here.
Cape Coral Halloween Business Trick or Treat
Saturday, October 23rd, 12pm-4pm. For more information, click here.
Ave Maria Jack-O-Lantern Carving Contest
Saturday, October 23rd, 1pm-3pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Spooktacular Pet Costume Contest
Saturday, October 23rd, 1pm-4pm. For more information, click here.
Collier Sheriff Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 27th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. For more information,facebook.com/events/392249299195266
Naples Mercato Hallowine Wine Walk
Wednesday, October 27th, 6pm-9pm. For more information, click here.
Naples Trunk and Treat at FCBN
Wednesday, October 27th, 6:30pm-8pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Howl-O-Ween Haunted Trunk or Treat
Thursday, October 28th, 5pm-7pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Hocus Pocus Outdoor Movie Night
Thursday, October 28th, 6pm-8pmFor more information, click here.
Naples North Collier Regional Park Boo-Tacular Halloween
Friday, October 29th, 6pm-9pm. For more information, click here.
Naples Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest
Saturday, October 30th, 9am-11am. For more information, click here.
Bonita Springs Halloween Flamingo Follies
Saturday, October 30th, 9am-3pm. For more information, click here.
Koreshan State Park Halloween Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 30th, 12pm-5pm. For more information, click here.
Marco Island Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 30th, 4pm-6pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Trunk or Treat at Park Alliance Church
Saturday, October 30th, 6pm-8pm. For more information, click here.
Naples Swamp Buggy Drive-Thru/Walk-Thru Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 30th, 6pm-8:30pm. For more information, click here.
Fort Myers Fleamasters Trick or Treat
Sunday, October 31st, 8am-4pm. For more information, click here.
Naples Halloween Spooktacular on 5th Ave South
Sunday, October 31st, 12pm-3pm. For more information, click here.
Cape Coral Halloween at Spooky Alley
Sunday, October 31st, 7pm-10pm. For more information, click here.
Looking for fun ideas to celebrate the season at home? Here are 11 Ideas For Halloween Pumpkin Carving:
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1. Choose a pumpkin that's fresh, with a sturdy stem, no bruises, and a flat bottom so it won't roll while you carve.
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2. Cut from the bottom. Cutting your "lid" from the bottom of the pumpkin helps prevent the sides from caving in later.
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3. If you are going to carve from the top, cut out the lid on an angle, so it won't drop inside the pumpkin when you put it back on top, like it would with a straight up-and-down cut.
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4. Scoop out all the pulp. You can use an ice cream scoop. Thin the inner wall of the "face" area to 1¼-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.
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5. Sketch your design on paper first. If you draw your jack-o'-lantern face to size just tape it to the front of your pumpkin and use a fork or pencil to poke holes along the lines you want to carve.
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6. Hold the pumpkin in your lap.
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7. Start by making simple rough cuts. If you get the big pieces of pumpkin out of the way first, you can go back and clean up the edges of your design later.
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8. Use your scraps creatively to make tongues, pipes, or hair accessories.
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9. Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture and keep the pumpkin fresh.
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10. Create a chimney. First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened.
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11. Sprinkle cinnamon inside the lid. That way, when you light the candle, your jack-o'-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie.
Check out our Fall Guide for a treasure trove of articles, how-to’s, photo galleries and lists to help you make the most of the holiday season. Click here to check it out.
