There are so many things to do this fall in Miami that we can’t even list them all! Between the extended Columbus Day weekend celebrations to prepping for Halloween, hopping around town for the many food and beer festivals, and making use of entertainment month’s special discounts, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to what to include in your social calendar this October. Check out details on these and more below:

Miami Entertainment Month: October 1 – November 30

Various venues across Miami

Get ready to entertain and be entertained, as you enjoy exclusive offers and promotions on a host of events in Miami for two whole months. This time, the Miami Temptations Program brings along a series of discounts on concerts to theatrical performances, nightclubs to museums, craft brewery tastings to shopping, and much more, making sure you have as much fun mid-week as you would on the weekend without blowing your pocket.

New Times Iron Fork: October 3

The Hyatt Regency & James L. Knight Center, Downtown

The highly anticipated Iron Fork grand tasting and chef competition is back at the Hyatt. Two of the finest chefs in Miami will each be given a basket of foodstuff to battle it out for the prestigious Iron Fork Award. Guests will be treated to scrumptious creations from some top 50 restaurants in Miami along with great music. A People’s Choice Award is the latest addition this year, where attendees will be asked to vote for their favorite bites of the evening and watch the winning restaurant receive honors.

Burger King Beach Run: October 5

Lummus Park, South Beach

This is a rare opportunity where you rush to Burger King to burn some calories rather than piling them on! The Burger King Beach Run follows a scenic route along Lummus Park this year, as participants have the option to run a 5K or 10K. Kids aged 2-8 will have their own separate Kiddie Dash. There will also be a family zone, Burger King-themed sandcastle design, and DJ beach party for a fun-filled day on the sand.

Luminosa! Festival of Lights: October 5 – January 8

Jungle Island, Watson Island

Kids are going to love this new addition to the Jungle Island for the holidays. Thirteen acres of illuminated trails will take over the tropical night sky for a Miami-esque twist to the Chinese Lantern Festival. Brightly lit silk lanterns and tons of LEDs will feature different themes, capturing the luxuriant plant and animal life privy to this orderly jungle. There will also be food, craft cocktails, and a great nighttime vibe, making it a must-see for the holidays.

Columbus Day Weekend: October 11-14

Various venues across Miami

There couldn’t be a better way to celebrate Columbus Day, except for on the water! Follow in on the adventurous footsteps of the legendary explorer, and go ahead to participate in the Columbus Day Regatta, setting sail from the Coconut Grove Sailing Club on Friday. A dinner and dance party will follow on Saturday, while the awards ceremony will take place at the Coral Reef Yacht Club on the following Saturday.

For the more adventurous, there’s a host of parties that will take place along Elliot Key. These Mardi Gras-like parties on the water will feature loud music, heavy drinking and an everything-goes kind of crowd. Here’s a list of some more parties around town to rock your weekend.

On a more family-friendly note, block your calendars to attend the Miami-Broward Carnival Parade and Concert, Maluma 11:11 World Tour at the AA Arena, Miami Dolphins Vs. Washington Redskins at the Hard Rock Stadium, or the Miami Heat Vs. Atlanta Hawks pre-season game at the AA Arena.

Cinema Italy Film Festival: October 11-15

Regal Cinema, 1120 Lincoln Road, South Beach

Catch the best of Cinema Italia, as ten award-winning films get screened at the Regal in South Beach. English subtitles will accompany for those not well-versed in Italian, making it a great way to expand horizons. While the opening night party will take place rooftop at the Gale Hotel, the closing night dinner and awards ceremony will be held at the Amare Ristorante.

Grovetoberfest: October 12

Regatta Park, 3500 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove

By far the most scenic Oktoberfest there is, this craft beer festival is held against the dazzling backdrop of Biscayne Bay. Sample over 500 varieties of craft beers – from the local to international and rare – along with live music and great grub. Better still, pets are welcome at this ‘21 and older’ outdoor festival.

South Florida Seafood Festival: October 19-20

Miami Marine Stadium, 3501 Rickenbacker Causeway, Virginia Key

It’s Stone Crab season, and this is your chance to chow down on the freshest, most delectable seafood in South Florida. Catch the most refreshing bites from celebrated chefs, pair them with specialty drinks prepared by the best bartenders, and jive to the live music all day long. There will also be a Kitchen Lab with live chef demos and a nautical market, so you know what to buy and how to turn it into a delicacy. A family fun zone and all-you-can-drink beach club simply amp up the vibe.

South Beach Seafood Week: October 22-26

Various venues across South Beach

Save your appetite for this annual event that has been touted the Best Seafood Festival in the US by the Travel Channel. Evolving from a single Saturday chow-down to a five-day-long celebration, guests this year have the option to have an unforgettable Evening at Joe’s, sample six unique courses co-created by Chef Sean Brasel and Goya Foods Executive Chef Fernando Desa at Cooking and Cocktails, indulge in the cocktail-hour-style Crabs, Slabs and Cabs, and ultimately witness the VIP chef showdown to #chooseyourchamp.

Curtis Taylor at MOCA: October 25

Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125th St, North Miami

Ease into a fall weekend, as you catch Grammy Award-winning Jazz trumpeter, Curtis Taylor live in concert at MOCA. Move to the soulful rhythm of some of his most mesmerizing works, as you attend this “pay as you wish” event.

Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival: October 26-27

Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove

Indulge in some pre-Halloween fun with the family as you go pumpkin shopping at Peacock Park. Pick the perfect pumpkin from the patch, go for a joy ride at the carnival, show off your creative skills at the pumpkin decorating tent, click a cozy selfie with the perfect fall backdrop, enjoy sweet and savory pumpkin dishes, or simply chill with a cold one at the pumpkin beer bar as you watch the kids find their way out the cornstalk maze. No matter what you choose to do, there is something for everyone to add to their Insta story at this wonderFALL festival.

Halloween: October 31

Various venues across Miami

There’s plenty of Halloween fun to be had in Miami - from house of horrors to spooky mazes, trick-or-treating to costume parties, and unlimited fun with creepy crawlies. Here’s our quick list of some of the best things to do in town.

Kids and families will love to go trick-or-treating at the Zoo Boo organized by Zoo Miami, as even the residents get to enjoy Halloween treats this day. Water babies should head to the Miami Seaquarium from the 25th to the 27th to shake a leg at Flipper’s Dance Party at Monster Splash. The curious lot will enjoy taking part in the creepy science experiments held at the Annual Spooky Science Monster Mash within the Frost Museum of Science. Craft lovers will enjoy getting their hands dirty crafting their own Jack-o-Lantern with Ghosts in the Garden at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. And, nature lovers will love their little encounters with spiders and carnivorous plants attending the Friendly Creatures of the Night at the Fairchild.

For a bit more daring, a Ghost Tour of the Deering Estate comes highly recommended. The Miami House of Horror Haunted Carnival at the Miami International Mall is another excursion worth exploring this time of year. Though the list of Halloween parties taking place around town is endless, here are a couple of the best picks – Wynwood Fear Factory’s musical and spooky ensemble, Halloween Night on the Terrace at Club Space, the free HalloWYN Block Party in Wynwood, free Halloween on the Mile at Coral Gables, the Halloween at the Biltmore bash, Ghost Town Halloween soiree at E11even, Spooky with Hoj at Do Not Sit On The Furniture, the Miami Nice 2019 Annual Halloween Yacht Party aboard the South Beach Lady, and the free Halloween costume party on Lincoln Road.

So, where will you be spotted trick-or-treating this Halloween? Let us know in the comments below!