Wednesday September 22nd officially marks the first day of Fall and there is no shortage of places to celebrate the season on the First Coast! We decided to compile a list of local spots that offer you everything you need to celebrate the season.
Fall Festivals Highlights
September 24th will be The Mini Bar’s Annual Harvest Fest at Southern Swells Brewery. The Bold City donut shop will be premiering their pumpkin donuts and lattes. In addition, they will have an interactive petting zoo, local vendors, and Fall craft beers.
The Jax Beach Fall Arts Market will be September 25th at the Seawalk Pavilion and will feature local vendors, food trucks and more.
The City of Atlantic Beach Fall Festival will be held on October 9th from 11 AM-2 PM. This free, family-friendly event will have food, games, music, and crafts. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs!
The St. Augustine Fall Fling will be held on October 23rd & 24th at the St .Johns County Fairgrounds from 10 AM – 5 PM both days. They will have live music, arts and crafts, local vendors, a kids zone, and great food.
First Coast Octoberfests Highlights:
There are a variety of local venues to visit this year to celebrate the beloved German Fall festival with pretzels and pints! A number of local restaurants and breweries are having celebrations for Octoberfest and we’ve highlighted a few below:
A large Octoberfest celebration will be hosted at the German Schnitzel Haus, which begins under a tent outside their restaurant on October 1st and will run for three weeks on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 6 PM-10 PM. They will have live music, draft beer and German food.
Culhane’s Irish Pub – Southside, on September 24th.
Octoberfest at Legacy Ale Works also on September 24th.
An Afternoon in Octoberfest at the JAX Cooking Studio on October 2nd.
The Beaches Octoberfest is Florida’s Largest Oktoberfest and has yet to be announced for 2021 so stay tuned for updates about the event.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes:
Oh my gourd, you know it’s not Fall without visiting a pumpkin patch! Below is a list of places in the area where you can get pumpkins, engage in Fall farm activities and cruise corn mazes.
Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres
Conner’s pumpkin patch and farm which also has train rides, a corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, farm animals and more. There is also a snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, and picnic area available for day trips.
Amazing Grace Family Farms
Located in Green Cove Springs, Amazing Grace Family Farms will be celebrating Fall this year on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month of October. Enjoy time cruising through their corn maze, picking pumpkins, and enjoying their other attractions. Check out more and get tickets here.
Congaree and Penn
The local favorite will be having a pumpkin patch event on their farm on October 9th from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm. Tickets should be purchased in advance so get them here! You will be able to stroll through their pumpkin patch or hop on a wagon ride. They will also have face painting, live music, delicious food and ice cream. Beer, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available to purchase.
Can’t get enough pumpkins? You can also visit these places below:
Cowart Ranch and Farms
Incacheetoo Plantation and Petting Zoo
Sykes Family Farms
Isle of Faith United Methodist Church
Rogers Farm
Cowart Ranch and Farms
Shepherd of the Woods Pumpkin Patch
Spooky Event Highlight:
Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular
Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular is back October 15-17 and 22-31. Enjoy the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens during their most magical celebration with Halloween adventure for kids of all ages. According to their website this year they will be, “combining beloved traditions with all-new frights and delights. Each night from 6-10 pm, guests are encouraged to dress up in their family-friendly costumes to explore the winding pathways of themed decorations. Spooktacular features activities for all ages from trick-or-treating to scare zones.” You don’t want to miss one of Jacksonville’s most exciting Halloween events. Get tickets here
Finally, Fall Treats:
Tis’ the season for pumpkin spice and everything nice. We saved the best for last with a list of local places where you can get your PSL’s and Fall treats.
Cinotti’s Bakery
Cinotti’s Bakery is a beach bakery that never disappoints! Cinotti’s offers a variety of delectable Fall treats. They’re famous for their pumpkin donuts. You can pre-order them to be rolled in a cinnamon-sugar blend or enjoy the traditional glazed pumpkin donuts. They also have a Pumpkin Donut Premier event at midnight where they roll out their first batch of donuts of the season. Other treats they offer are Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Nut Breads, Spice Cake, Spice Cupcakes, and of course, Pumpkin Pie. You also have to try their Harvest Rings, which are similar to a Bundt Cake.
Sweet Pete’s
Sweet Pete’s is a local favorite and this confectionary goes way beyond candy. They offer Fall classes such as Fall apples, and sugar skulls with sangria check them out here. They also have a wide selection of seasonal Fall and Halloween candy. Try their Caramel Chocolate Apples, and the Halloween Gift Box. Check out their full selection online here.
Jax Cooking Studio
Jax Cooking Studio is a local cooking studio for those looking to learn, share, discover and develop their cooking skills. They offer a variety of Fall classes. For the kids they have a Children’s Fall Cooking Series sign up here and for adults they offer classes such as, An Afternoon in Oktoberfest, Fall Doughnuts, Decadent Fall Cupcakes, Ghostly Gingerbread Houses and Halloween Treats. Sign up for those classes here.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier
The Jacksonville chocolatier is gearing up for Fall with Halloween chocolate and seasonal treats. Check out their website here to view the treats and menu.
More Treats!
Here’s a list of other great local places and our recommendation of a seasonal treat to try there.
Community Loaves – Fall Treat to Try: Apple Pie Croissants
Royal Moose Coffee Company – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
Kilwins – Fall Treat to Try: Carmel Apple
Good Dough – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Spice latte with an Apple Fritter
The Mini Bar – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Spice latte with Pumpkin French Toast donut
Sippers Coffeehouse – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Chai with a Pumpkin Muffin
Donut Shoppe – Fall Treat to Try: Old-School Pumpkin Spice Donut
Doughsserts (Foodtruck) – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Cookie Dough Shake
Sweet Theory Baking Co – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll
Urban Bean Coffeehouse – Fall Treat to Try: Pumpkin Cheesecake