There are many kid-friendly and spooky events happening in and around Gainesville as we creep up on Halloween and Halloweekend 2021, including fall festivals, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and more. By night we’ve got you covered on all things haunted: from haunted hayrides to haunted paddles down the Santa Fe River to… haunted miniature golf??
Here are the best ways to spend your Halloweek!?
Halloween Weather
As of now, the forecast for October 31 is looking ideal for outdoor Halloween activities. The temperatures are expected to be in the 70s and sunny! ☀️
Halloween Events
Pumpkin Patches for Good Causes
Alachua Pumpkin Patch by First United Methodist Church of Alachua
Pick out a pumpkin of your own or try some of the church’s homemade pumpkin bread, which also has a gluten-free version for sale. They also have hayrides on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Proceeds benefit the UMC youth group and mission work.
Through Oct 31 or until pumpkins run out.
Monday through Friday, 2pm to 8pm, Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm
14805 NW 140th St, Alachua, FL
Abiding Savior Lutheran Youth Pumpkin Patch
This patch has a variety of differently colored pumpkins for sale, along with free train rides for children on weekends. Money raised helps fund the church’s youth group service work.
Through Oct 31
9700 W. Newberry Road, Gainesville
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactpumpkinpatch/
Buy a Pumpkin Feed a Child by Gainesville Church of God
Outdoor games, pumpkins and carving kits, a giant slide, and lots of fun photo ops in a family-friendly environment. Pumpkin bread, Guatemalan coffee, food, drinks and cotton candy are available for sale. All proceeds go directly to help feed children and families in Gainesville, Guatemala and other areas.
Through Oct 31
7003 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville
Website: http://www.buyapumpkinfeedachild.com/
Fall Festivals, Corn Mazes and Equestrian Surprises
Coon Hollo Fall Festival
Take a hay ride, visit farm animals, try putt-putt golf and archery and check out the crop maze, hay fort, pumpkin patch and more. Treats also are available at the Feed Trough Concessions and Nanas Bake Shop and Country Store.
22480 N. US Highway 441, Micanopy, FL
Through Nov. 7, Fridays from 4pm to 7pm, Saturdays from 10am to 7pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 7pm
Website: https://coonhollo.com/fall-festival
Newberry Cornfield Maze at Hodge Farm
Maze (kid-friendly) – Take a nice stroll through the maze during the day.
Haunted hayride – When darkness falls, embark on a hayride adventure through the eerie Sullivan trail.
Through October 30, Fridays from 5pm to 11pm, Saturdays from 3pm -to 11pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newberrycornmaze/
Halloween at Haile Equestrian
Horse lovers, be sure to check out Halloween at Haile Equestrian, a day of free pony rides, games, prizes, and “spooky horsey surprises”. A completed Liability Release is your
“Fast Pass” into this free event. See their website for details.
October 31, 1pm to 5pm
7680 SW 46 Blvd
Website: https://www.haileequestrian.com/events
Haunted Houses (and Hayrides and Paddles and Miniature Golf)
Kirby Family Farm Lost Railroad Scary Train
A scary train ride and more nerve-rattling experiences including woods trails, haunted houses, and a corn maze.
Through October 30, weekend nights from 7pm to 10pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kirbyfamilyfarm?fref=ts
Nightmare on the Santa Fe: Haunted Paddle
“The dark waters are rising on the Santa Fe… who knows what horrors lurk beneath the surface…” All are welcome to witness the horrors of the deep on October 28th, a leisurely 30 minute sunset paddle loop. Launch from Santa Fe Canoe Outpost in High Springs at 6pm or 6:30pm.
October 28, 6pm and 6:30pm
Canoe Outpost in High Springs, FL
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-haunted-paddle-on-the-santa-fe-river-tickets-174431929597
Spooky Golf and Haunted House at Pink Flamingo Diner
Put on your Halloween costume and come play mini golf, get candy and even a complimentary hayride over to The Opera House for an unforgettable haunted house experience.
October 30, 6pm to 10pm
19726 US-441, High Springs, FL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/4157568704353611
Studio Glam Halloween Carnival
Experience a night of fright and terror inside Studio Glam’s haunted house. Enter with caution and exit to a night jam packed with fun activities, games and treats at Studio Glam’s Halloween carnival!
October 30, 4pm to 9pm
1109 NW 13th St
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2972240746438928
Explore Haunted Gainesville
Want to skip the haunted house and encounter a real ghost in the wild? Check out some of these places around Gainesville that have long been associated with hauntings.
The Hippodrome Theater
Formerly the Federal Court House, the basement of the Hipp is rumored to be haunted by the mother of a prisoner who couldn’t make it in time to stop him from being hanged. Hippodrome employees have reported feeling the ghost’s presence, and spotting the woman in the ladies restroom or behind the main stage. She is dressed in white, early-1900s garb, and she is usually crying.
The Herlong Mansion
This stately B&B and inn in Micanopy is said to be haunted by the ghost of a previous owner who died in her childhood bedroom after hacking off the siblings with whom she had been feuding over ownership of the inherited estate. The current owner has heard stories of items being rearranged, radios cutting on and off, a strong lilac scent enveloping the room, and the occasional touch of a ghostly hand.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
The back part of this cemetery has been left to ruin, and supposedly its in that area that ghost hunters have the most success capturing orbs on their digital cameras.