We recently saw a meme that said fall in Florida is basically summer with pumpkins. Ha! That’s not entirely true. Yes, the weather is still beautifully sunny and warm—and yes, there are pumpkins—but there are also fall festivities kicking in to high gear with plenty of autumnal activities and things to do during your beach vacation. These local festivals are close and convenient to your Indian Rocks Beach vacation rental, too. So combine everything you love about beach life with the seasonal family fun you know and love, and you end up with the best of both worlds. Fall in Florida!
Here are some wonderful ways to celebrate the season here on the Florida Gulf Coast. Mark your calendars—and just remember that you have to be here to enjoy all this, so save the dates and book your next beach vacation today.
🌅 NIGHTLY: SUNSETS AT PIER 60 FESTIVAL CLEARWATER BEACH
Clearwater Beach is not a far drive north on Gulf Boulevard (about 15 minutes or so) from your Indian Rocks Beach rental, and the coastal drive is a pretty one. It’s worth the trip to visit the Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival at least once during your IRB vacation.
This nightly sunset celebration takes place in Pier 60 Park and is a free family event featuring artisans, crafters, street performers and live musical entertainment. It’s the perfect reason to go stroll the pier, take in the scenery, let the kids play, and catch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
The nights festivals are weather permitting. You can learn more here.
🍺 THROUGH OCTOBER 31: BUSCH GARDENS BIER FEST, TAMPA
Fall is the perfect season to celebrate the beloved beer, or in this case, bier. Sip seasonal brew offerings and new beer-inspired food recipes at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Bier Fest every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the end of October. Bier Fest is included with Busch Gardens Tampa park admission. Food and drinks are available at an additional cost. Find your new favorite brew or beer-inspired bites with a Bier Fest Sampler Lanyard. Stop by the Beach Welcome Center in Indian Rocks Beach to buy your tickets. Find more information about the festival here.
🎷 OCTOBER 14-17: CLEARWATER JAZZ HOLIDAY
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday is a four-day and four-night, world-class, live music festival at the BayCare Ballpark. Music, culture, and food are what you’ll find here in this Florida Gulf Coast favorite. You’ll also find big names in the music industry performing this year including Kool and the Gang, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Gloria Gaynor just to name a few. You can find the full festival lineup for each day on their website. Learn all you need to know about this year’s finger snapping, toe tapping event here, where you can also buy your tickets.
🍻 OCTOBER 23: OKTOBERFEST ON THE BEACH, INDIAN ROCKS BEACH
Is it even fall in Indian Rocks Beach without Oktoberfest? We don’t think so. This signature local event is one not-to-miss.
Enjoy live music, great beer, international food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, the famous Keg Throwing and Stein Carrying contests, and so much more at this German-inspired beer fest that raises money for a community cause.
Oktoberfest at the Beach in Indian Rocks Beach happens at Kolb Park located at 1507 Bay Palm Boulevard from 12pm to 6pm. Free admission and lots of family fun await. Don’t miss out! Details here.
🎃 OCTOBER 23-24: PUMPKIN FEST, FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS, LARGO
See, we told you there were pumpkins—lots of pumpkins! Pumpkin Fest at the Florida Botanical Gardens offers a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, and spooky activities from 12pm to 4pm. Free admission! Bring the whole family for some good ol’ fashioned fall fun. The Botanical Gardens are located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. You can find more information about it here.
🦉 OCTOBER 26: OWL-O-WEEN, MCGOUGH NATURE PARK, LARGO
Stroll along the spooky, haunted trails at McGough Nature Park at 11901 146th Street North in Largo in search of bats, owls, ghosts and goblins. Join in the family fun for crafts, games, and scary stories by the campfire. Preregistration and prepayment are required. $5 per person, under 2 free at 6pm. Call 727-518-3047 to reserve your spot. More details here.
🍽 NOVEMBER 6: TASTE OF IRB
This locally loved event showcases the area’s unique, delectable restaurants all in one place! Head on over to Chic-A-Si Park on 4th Avenue N & 2nd Street in Indian Rocks Beach from 3pm to 9pm to enjoy a Taste of IRB.
There’s a little bit of everything for you and your family to enjoy including food, beer, wine and music.
Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to taste your way through the delicious offerings available from local IRB restaurants. Event details here.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITY IN IRB?
Drop it in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
