Fall into October Events on Florida’s Forgotten Coast

If you enjoy exciting events and fall festivals, Florida’s Forgotten Coast is the place to be this October. There’s always something shaking here, and autumn is one of our most action-packed seasons. After all, we have a lot to celebrate this time of year. The air is a bit crisper and cooler, the sky is brilliantly blue and migrating monarch butterflies are all a-flutter across Franklin County. It’s the perfect time to get outside for some fall-time fun!

From all around the county, our area hosts tons of awesome outdoor events throughout the month. Here are a few of the festivities we have on tap for October 2019:

Apalach Oktoberfest

Friday, October 11 – Sunday, October 13
If you’re a beer buff, you won’t want to miss our annual three-day Oktoberfest in hip and historical downtown Apalachicola. This year’s event will feature live music, specially crafted Oktoberfest beers, fabulous food, contests and plenty of merriment.

St. George Island Art & Wine Splash

Saturday, October 12 @ 2 – 5 pm
Sponsored by The St. George Island Business Association, the Art & Wine Splash features talented artists and craftsmen offering original and unique items. During this inspired event, artists will demonstrate their talents and sell their distinctive handiwork at locations all across St. George Island.

Full Moon Lighthouse Climbs

Sunday, October 13 @ 7 pm
What could be more magical than an autumn full moon? Watching it rise from the top of a lighthouse! Both historic lighthouses in Franklin County will host sunset and full moon climbs on Sunday, October 13th. The October full moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon.

The climb at The Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle will take place from 7 pm to 10 pm. Visitors can hike to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast to take in breathtaking views of the bay under the glow of the sunset and the rising moon. This special October full moon climb will feature s’mores around the fire pit and live music.

Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will also host a full moon climb on October 13^th from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Climb to the peak of this beautifully restored lighthouse to admire the sunset and full moon and enjoy light refreshments.

Lantern Fest

Saturday, October 19 @ 6 – 10 pm
Join us for Lantern Fest to celebrate the 124^th birthday of Carrabelle’s Crooked River Lighthouse! Best known for its magical display of more than a hundred colorful lanterns, this unforgettable festival features tons of special activities. This year’s event will showcase amazing Celtic music by Aisha Ivey and Stephen Hodges, a magnificent glow-in-the-dark performance by the Tallahassee Community College Dance Company, special evening lighthouse climbs, ancient crafts, delicious food and more.

Ghostwalk, Saturday

October 26 @ 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Want to get spooked just in time for Halloween? Don’t miss the annual Ghostwalk at the Chestnut Street Cemetery in Apalachicola. This haunting tour features historical figures who are buried at the cemetery, portrayed by longtime residents of Apalachicola and actual descendants in costume. The ghostly journey will take you all the way back to the early 1800s, when the city was a hub for the maritime industry.

All of these October events lead up to one of Franklin County’s biggest celebrations of the year: The Florida Seafood Festival! Stay tuned for more details about the 2019 festival, scheduled for November 1^st and 2^nd in Apalachicola’s Battery Park.

Book your fall getaway to the most eventful destination in the Sunshine State today!