October is when the calendar in northern Palm Beach County really fills up: markets reopen, stone crab season starts and Halloween events pop up in every town. Here are my ten picks for the month, from Palm Beach Gardens to Tequesta.
🥕 1. The Gardens GreenMarket Season Kickoff
Palm Beach Gardens City Hall Municipal Campus, 10500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Sunday, October 4 | 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Free
The GreenMarket's main season is back, with local farmers, bakers and artisans plus live music. For South Florida, this is how you know fall has arrived.
🎃 2. 10th Annual Pumpkin Fest
Harbourside Place, 200 N US Highway 1, Jupiter, FL 33477
Saturday, October 10 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Free
Harbourside's waterfront fall festival features a pumpkin patch, a haunted house, trick-or-treating with more than 50 vendors, live music, face painting and stilt walkers, all benefiting Chasin' A Dream Foundation.
🍂 3. FALLoween Festival
The Els Center of Excellence, 18370 Limestone Creek Road, Jupiter, FL 33458
Saturday, October 10 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Els for Autism hosts a sensory-friendly Halloween morning for families with a Haunted Hallway, costume contest, carnival games, crafts and trick-or-treating.
🦀 4. Stone Crab Season Opens
Local seafood markets and waterfront restaurants
Thursday, October 15
Stone crab season opens statewide, and fresh claws start appearing at local markets and restaurants. Think of it as our fall harvest. Ask your favorite seafood spot, or message me for my recommendations.
⚓ 5. Jupiter HarbourFest
Friday tastings at Harbourside Place | Saturday at The Plaza Down Under on the Riverwalk, 25 S. Coastal Way, Jupiter, FL 33477
Friday and Saturday, October 16 to 17 | Tastings Friday 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Jupiter's waterfront festival returns for year two, starting with Friday tastings and continuing Saturday with live music, local food and artisan vendors beneath the Indiantown Road bridge.
🎸 6. Live Concerts at Downtown Abacoa: Rolling Stones Tribute
Downtown Abacoa Amphitheater, 1267 Main St, Jupiter, FL 33458
Saturday, October 17 | 7:30 PM | Free (optional reserved lawn seating available)
This month's Legends Radio 100.3 tribute show brings Rolling Stones hits to the amphitheater lawn. Arrive early to meet adoptable dogs from Big Dog Ranch Rescue starting at 5:30 PM.
🍺 7. Oktoberfest of the Palm Beaches (Worth the Drive)
American German Club, 5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463
October 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 | Friday 6 to 11 PM, Saturday 2 to 11 PM, Sunday 12 to 8 PM
The region's longest-running Oktoberfest serves German bier and food, with a stein-holding contest, two bands from Munich's Oktoberfest and carnival rides.
🧛 8. Town of Jupiter Halloween Spooktacular
Jupiter Community Center, 200 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458
Late October | Free
Jupiter's yearly family Halloween night brings trick-or-treating, inflatables, a monster maze, a tot zone, crafts, a live DJ and food trucks. Bring your own bag for treats!
👻 9. Kids’ Halloween Party at We Rock the Spectrum
223 S US Highway 1, Tequesta, FL 33469
Friday, October 23 | 4:30 to 6:00 PM | $20 per child, advance registration required
A sensory-friendly indoor Halloween party with crafts, play and costumes. Spots are limited, so register early.
🦉 10. Feathers, Fangs, Fur & Fun Halloween
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter, FL 33478
Sunday, October 25 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Donation-based admission
Kids can trick-or-treat along the sanctuary's nature trails and enjoy Halloween-themed wildlife programs. Expect a crowd and allow extra time to park.
Planning Tips for October
- Several picks are free, including the GreenMarket, Pumpkin Fest and the Abacoa concert.
- Halloween events fill up quickly, so register early where registration is listed.
- New to the area? My neighborhood guides give a quick overview of each town.
Want local recommendations or have questions about living here? Call (561) 632-7705 or email slevine@ipre.com.
Explore the area: browse all six neighborhood guides covering Jupiter, Tequesta, Abacoa, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens.
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