Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read October 2022 — With the turn of the season in full swing, here are five ways in Fort Lauderdale to get into the autumnal spirit and start to ring in the coming holidays.
While South Florida is known for remaining tropical in its disposition regardless of the time of year, Fort Lauderdale certainly knows how to get into the holiday mood, kicked off by Halloween. The city and Broward County both have a number of activities and events on this month’s calendar, from savoring tasty eats, the thrill of competitive sports and community gatherings to bring everyone together. While the temperatures start to cool (if only slightly) here’s what to do around the Venice of America this October.
1. The Fort Lauderdale Ale Trail
While Fort Lauderdale may immediately conjure imagery of sun-kissed waters and sleek watercraft, the city – and Broward County overall – is home to a number of breweries, distillers, speakeasies and pubs offering a variety of local brews. From Oakland Parks’ Funky Buddha, Pompano Beach’s Old Breed Wild Ales and Tarpon River Brewing a block away from the banks of the New River, Visit Lauderdale’s Ale Trail passport offers residents and visitors the opportunity to patronize over a dozen participating restaurants and bars, all in time for Oktoberfest celebrations put on across the region by local German heritage clubs and associations.
2. Palms & Pumpkins
While South Florida is decidedly palm tree territory, with little in the way of autumnal orange hues coloring the local foliage, that doesn’t mean the family can’t enjoy their local pumpkin patch. Toward the end of the month, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort Lauderdale Beach and The LOOP Fort Lauderdale will be hosting the second annual Pumpkins & Palm Trees event, featuring a pumpkin patch and painting, a pie baking competition, fall- and halloween-themed photoshoots, a 1,600-foot inflatable corn maze and over 40 different vendors where visitors can sip, snack, and shop while looking for a preferred seasonal gourd to take home and decorate for the spooky season to come.
3. Fort Lauderdale’s 7th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival
Taking advantage of Fort Lauderdale’s natural geography and giving visitors the opportunity to stretch their legs while getting in the fall spirit is the Annual Fall Festival, hosted by Go Riverwalk. Offering free entry at the city’s Esplanade Park and with School of Rock performing, enjoy taking in the sights of Downtown Fort Lauderdale with games, pumpkin decorating and food and beverage options available. Take advantage of registering early, with Beer Garden vouchers only $21.99 if purchased prior to Oct. 7 and $25 at the event.
4. Catch a ‘GOOOAAAL’ at DRV PNK Stadium games
While their colors are pink instead of orange and sporting herons instead of pumpkins, Inter Miami CF will be playing two games over the course of the month, with the first, on Oct. 5, against Orlando City at 8 p.m. and the second against budding rivals CF Montreal. Both games are set to be nail-biters, with Miami and Orlando competing to secure their spot in the Audi 2022 MLS Playoff. Against Montreal, Miami will be looking to settle the score after their last August match ended with Miami clawing back a draw, 2-2, after two early goals by the visiting Canadian team. The second game, hosted at DRV PNK Stadium, will be played Oct. 9 during the early afternoon, at 2:30, with tickets starting at just $25.00 for what’s shaping up to be a decisive game between the two teams.
5. Spooktacular Science Weekend!
Hosted by the Museum of Discovery and Science, learn about the science behind the scaries, with lessons and family-friendly activities demonstrating how the creatures that might give you the heebie-jeebies, from snakes and lizards to tarantulas and scorpions, are important critters playing a key role in our world, and what can be done right here in Florida to help protect them. The museum will also host activities at The Hangar, MODS’s maker space, where visitors can create their own haunted house using dry ice and soap, or have the children make their very own spiders at the Sprouting STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab and dance around to the monster mash music time. With activities for the whole family, the event is free with the cost of museum admission.
For more information, visit:
https://www.visitlauderdale.com/ale-trail/
https://www.goriverwalk.com/greater-fort-lauderdale-events/riverwalk-fall-festival
https://www.intermiamicf.com/club/facilities/drive-pink-stadiumc
