October at the beach is a beautiful thing! There are so many things to do in addition to your time spent on the Florida Gulf Coast beaches and alongside the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico. Here are the highlights of the local events and activities that you and your family are sure to love. Grab your calendar and save these dates. If you haven’t booked your Indian Rocks Beach vacation rental for your Florida fall beach vacation, now’s the time. Happy October!

🐕 FOR THE ANIMAL LOVERS

October 6, 2019: Blessing of the Animals & Wildlife Awareness Event

From 3-6p.m., bring your pet, an artifact, or a photo of your pet for a special blessing on St. Francis of Assisi’s Day at Calvary Episcopal Church & Church of the Isles in Indian Rocks Beach. Make this your new annual tradition while also enjoying family fun, pet adoptions, arts and crafts, food vendors, helping to stock the local pet food pantry, and learning more about local pet services. The Florida Wildlife Commission is also on hand for this event. Get a free photo with your pet! Event details here.

🍺 FOR THE BEER LOVERS

October 12, 2019: Indian Rocks Beach Oktoberfest

Come on out to Kolb Park for the annual Oktoberfest fun from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Cold beer, live music, food vendors, and all the German-themed fun you’d expect can found here including stein carrying contests and keg tosses. Enjoy a day out with the family and be sure to bring the kids over to Kinderfest from 11a.m. to 2p.m. Event details here. 

All Month Long: Florida Gulf Coast Craft Beer, Micro Brewery Tours & More

Did you know that there are a lot of new micro breweries and craft beer experiences to be had this month and every month on the Gulf Coast of Florida? There are. The Tampa Bay area has grown from just  5 breweries in 2007 to over 85 fresh and unique craft beer and micro breweries for you to enjoy.

•  The Thirsty Pelican offers guided brewery tours where they do the driving and you do the drinking.
•  Arkane Aleworks in Largo and Rapp Brewing Company in Seminole are close and convenient to your Indian Rocks Beach vacation rental. 
• If you’re looking for a more family-style brewery, there’s Mad Beach Brewing at  John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk offering corn hole, air hockey and pool tables. 
• Last but not least, try the Gulp Coast Craft Beer Trail that runs north to south from Tarpon Springs to St. Pete and is about an hour’s drive from end to end. Get your craft beer trail passport for a chance to win prizes. Cheers!

🎼 FOR THE MUSIC LOVERS

October 17-20, 2019: Clearwater Jazz Holiday

Experience a Clearwater celebration tradition in October at Coachman Park with 4 days and 4 nights of hot performances and cool jazz. This Florida music festival offers up the best local, regional and national musicians performing for your listening enjoyment. Big-name headliners this year include Boyz II Men and Alison Krause. Daily, 4 Day and Weekend tickets are available. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Event details here. 

📚 FOR THE LIBRARY LOVERS

October 2019 City of Indian Rocks Beach Library Events

Don’t overlook the fun and festivities offered by our local library! From story time and book clubs to meditation and ukulele lessons, you’ll find some interesting events and offerings each month at the library. Come explore what they have to offer while you’re visiting. The library also offers four Take a Book, Leave a Book boxes all around town and perfect for your Indian Rocks Beach vacation reading. Learn more about the Indian Rocks Beach Library here.

🌴 FOR THE BEACH & NATURE LOVERS

October 19, 2019: Coastal Cleanup in Indian Rocks Beach

GreenTown Kids, along with project partners Keep Pinellas Beautiful and the City of Indian Rocks Beach, is hosting this year’s International Coastal Cleanup in Indian Rocks Beach. Bring the whole family! Kids of all ages are welcome to participate to help pick up trash along the beach. They’ll have all the supplies, shirts, water, and snacks necessary for the day. Please bring your reusable water bottles to refill and a reef safe sunscreen. Park at the County Park lot (1700 Gulf Blvd) for free, then head to 18th Ave beach Access to sign-in and get supplies. Event details here.

🎃 FOR THE HALLOWEEN LOVERS

October 20, 2019: Hallowfest in Indian Rocks Beach

The community comes together at Kolb Park for this is a great local events for the kids to enjoy. Family-friendly activities centered around the kids, October fun and seasonal festivities, and more are part of this fun-filled day. Stay tuned for more information as the event approaches. Call the City of Indian Rocks Beach for more information about this year’s event at 727.595.2517.

October 26, 2019: Country Jubilee at Heritage Village  + Halloween Trick or Treat

It’s time for the 41st annual Country Jubilee! The event features the opportunity to shop for a wide selection of handmade arts, crafts and seasonal decorations from 10a.m. to 4p.m. You’ll also enjoy music, tours of select historic structures and demonstrations of traditional folk art. This event is sponsored by the Pinellas County Historical Society. Calling all kids! Wear your Halloween costume and trick or treat around the Village from 2–3p.m. The suggested donation for ages 12 and up is $5. Event details here.

October 27, 2019:  Pumpkin Fest at Florida Botanical Gardens 

Start with a pumpkin and leave with a Jack-O-Lantern, just in time for Halloween. Templates, pumpkin carving stations and kid-friendly carving tools are provided. Kona Ice of Seminole is scooping up shaved ice for the 2nd year in a row. This year, the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (Pinellas Chapter – FNGLA) join in the fun, hosting a Spooky Planter Workshop, to make your own ghoulish creations. Halloween-themed music sets the tone for our Scarecrow Contest, presented by Pinellas County 4-H. Cost is $5 per pumpkin, or you may bring your own. Purchase your pumpkin in advance! If not, we cannot guarantee a pumpkin when you arrive. There will also be a photo station for you to capture your masterpiece. Don’t worry, the clean up is on us. No mess, no fuss— just fun! We hope to see you there. Event details here.