Fall in Florida may not always mean sweaters and chilly weather, but it definitely means festivals, hayrides, candy, food trucks, pirates, pumpkins and plenty of reasons to get the kids out of the house. From Panama City and Panama City Beach to Chipley, Wausau, Bonifay, Marianna and beyond, we’ve rounded up some of the family-friendly fall fun happening across our area this season.
Save this guide — we’ll keep adding events as we find them!
Main Street Marianna Fall Festival — Friday, September 25
5:30 PM | Madison Street Park, Marianna
Kick off fall with music, food trucks, drinks, games and vendors in downtown Marianna. Admission and parking are free.
https://facebook.com/events/s/main-street-marianna-fall-fest/2347117706049657/
Special Needs Fall Festival — Saturday, September 26
12–2 PM | Triple H Ranch, 3157 Johnson Rd., Bonifay
An afternoon designed so everyone can join the fun! Families can enjoy games, face painting, a hayride, pony rides and free food, with activities adapted as needed. There is no age limit.
https://facebook.com/events/s/special-needs-fall-festival/1095864279767094/
Rusted Charm Fall Market — Saturday, October 3
9 AM–3 PM | 7315 Hwy. 231, Panama City
Shop local creators, hunt for vintage finds, grab something from the food trucks and enjoy a day of fall market shopping.
https://facebook.com/events/s/rusted-charm-fall-market/1546206897055220/
Touch-A-Truck — Saturday, October 3
10 AM–1 PM | Carl Gray Park, Panama City
If your kids love big trucks, loud engines and cool machines, this one's for them. Kids can get an up-close look at vehicles from local fire, police, public works, emergency services, Tyndall Air Force Base and more. Food trucks will also be available.
https://facebook.com/events/s/touch-a-truck/1839560667015997/
Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest — October 9–11
Panama City Beach | FREE
Ahoy, mateys! Panama City Beach turns into a pirate playground for three days with parades, fireworks, live mermaids, a fire circus, sword demonstrations, Renaissance entertainment, a kids' zone and plenty more swashbuckling fun.
https://facebook.com/events/s/pirates-of-the-high-seas-renai/1814111836432448/
2nd Annual PCB Seafood Festival & Fishing Rodeo — October 9–11
Capt. Anderson’s Marina, Panama City Beach | FREE admission
Bring your appetite! This three-day waterfront celebration features fresh seafood, vendors, live entertainment, Fishing Rodeo activities and plenty of family fun.
https://facebook.com/events/s/2nd-annual-pcb-seafood-festiva/3532013456946610/
Night of Worship at Emerald Coast Zoo — Friday, October 9
6:30 PM | Emerald Coast Zoo, Crestview | FREE
Spend an evening surrounded by faith, worship and community in one pretty unique setting — the zoo! The event includes worship, special guest speakers from Facing the Giants, food trucks and commemorative shirts available for purchase.
https://facebook.com/events/s/night-of-worship/2174502330151384/
Not-So-Fright Night — Saturday, October 17
6–9 PM | The Portal Downtown
Looking for Halloween fun without quite so much fright? This sensory-friendly event is designed as a gentler Halloween experience for kids and kids-at-heart. Kid-friendly cosplayers will be handing out candy while the scarier Fright Nights festivities happen across the street.
https://facebook.com/events/s/not-so-fright-night-downtown-p/1779593666518316/
First Baptist Panama City Trunk or Treat
October 18th 4pm Trunck or Treat Music, Face Painting, Cake Walk and more
640 Grace Ave Panama City, FL 
Tyndall FSS Fall Fest & Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 23
5–8 PM | Community Commons Parking Lot, Tyndall AFB
Expect candy, carnival fun, music, inflatables, a corn maze, food trucks and more. Candy begins at 5:30 PM.
https://facebook.com/events/s/fall-fest-trunk-or-treat/2034430000531473/
6th Annual Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-Off — Friday, October 23
5–7 PM | Panama City
Trick-or-treating for the kids and chili for the grown-ups? Sounds like a pretty good combination. Beachy Beach Real Estate's annual event benefits the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. Trunk-or-treat admission is free.
https://facebook.com/events/s/trunk-or-treat-chili-cook-off/2150123492547860/
Faith Festival 2026 — Saturday, October 24
9:30 AM–6 PM | Aaron Bessant Park, Panama City Beach | FREE
The day begins with an opening ceremony and prayer at 9:30 AM, followed by live Christian music, food trucks, local vendors, bounce houses, games and more beginning at 10 AM.
https://facebook.com/events/s/faith-festival-2026/940316022196661/
2026 Wausau Fall Festival — Saturday, October 24
5–7 PM CST | Possum Palace, Wausau
Small-town fall fun at its finest! Look for hayrides, games, trunk-or-treating, hot dogs, chips, drinks, popcorn, cotton candy, candy, s'mores and plenty of family fun.
https://facebook.com/events/s/2026-wausau-fall-festival/1567501445073524/
Trick or Treat @ The Studio — Sunday, October 25
5–7 PM | Photography by Amanda Jones, 2611 W. 23rd St., Panama City
Photography by Amanda Jones and Color Me Casts are inviting local families out for an evening of trick-or-treating at the studio.
https://facebook.com/events/s/trick-or-treat-the-studio/3626323057532125/
Bayside’s Annual Trunk or Treat — Sunday, October 25
5–7 PM | Bayside Church, 1598 Balboa Ave., Panama City
Grab those costumes and candy buckets and head over to Bayside Church for its annual Trunk or Treat.
https://facebook.com/events/s/baysides-annual-trunk-or-treat/1748866436211444/
Trunk or Treat at High Praise — Friday, October 30
5:30 PM | High Praise Panama City | FREE
Expect decorated vehicles, food trucks, live characters for the kids and, of course, lots of candy. Costumes are encouraged, and the whole family is invited. Food truck purchases are separate.
https://facebook.com/events/s/trunk-or-treat-at-high-praise/1283180063723118/
River Bend Fall Festival — Saturday, October 31
11 AM–7 PM | River Bend General Store, Bonifay
Spend Halloween surrounded by some serious fall vibes at River Bend General Store's Fall Festival.
https://facebook.com/events/s/river-bend-fall-festival/893357926961177/
One More We're Watching
We also found last year's First Baptist Chipley Fall Festival, with its candy walk, hayrides, games, food and petting zoo. Since the Facebook event you found is from 2025, I would leave it out of the active 2026 listings unless they announce an updated event.
https://facebook.com/events/s/fall-festival-at-first-baptist/1354961409354053/
A quick reminder: Event details can change, especially as we get closer to October. Always check the event's Facebook page before loading everybody into the car.
And if you know about a fall festival, trunk-or-treat or family event we missed, send it our way! We want this to be the go-to Fall Family Fun Guide for families across our area.
