2025's Towns In Florida That Come Alive In The Fall

While we rarely associate Florida with fall, the Sunshine State may just surprise you with its autumn charms in 2025. Fall festivals, costume contests, and pumpkin patches are just some of the ways to savor the season, paired with tucked-away leaf peeping, welcoming locals, and Hallmark-worthy main streets. Not to mention, with summer tourist crowds at bay, October and November illuminate a quieter side of the state, making things that much cozier. All in all, these Florida towns not only come alive in the fall but prove that the spirit of the season belongs to everyone.

Chipley

Scheduled for October 23, 2025, Chipley's Downtown Fall Block Party is the perfect prelude to Halloween, with fun for the whole family. Spanning 5th Street, 7th Street, the Railroad, and Main, the event will showcase seasonal vendors, live music, games, a pumpkin patch, and ghost stories performed by the Washington County Historical Society museum staff. On the festival’s Facebook, the page states: “If we could turn downtown into an episode of Gilmore Girls… this would be it!”

Like other Florida Panhandle towns, Chipley isn’t known for its fall foliage. However, autumn is still a gorgeous time to visit its gateway attraction, Falling Waters State Park. According to Florida State Parks, wildflowers bloom in Falling Waters every fall, brightening its 3 stunning nature trails. With summer crowds long gone, it is also easier to enjoy views of its 73-foot cascade, renowned as the tallest waterfall in Florida.

Sneads

If fall foliage is your favorite way to embrace the season, consider heading to Snead, a gateway to Three Rivers State Park. Florida State Parks notes that if you want to see “those classic warm, comforting colors in mid-November,” Three Rivers State Park is one of the rare places to see autumn leaves in the Sunshine State. Anchored by beautiful Lake Seminole, this peaceful park can be paddled, hiked, and picnicked for views of its warm hues.

Also along the shores of Lake Seminole, Sneads Park will celebrate the season with its own festivities. On October 11th, 2025, the First Ladies of Sneads will host their Pumpkins By the Lake Fall Festival, celebrating the shift in seasons with a full day of fun. Along with vendors and food trucks, planned activities include a pet costume contest, a pumpkin decorating station, fall-themed photo spots, and a scarecrow competition.

Bristol

With Torreya State Park right in its backyard, Bristol is another gorgeous town to witness fall’s vibrant hues. Set in the rugged “Mountains of Florida,” Torreya’s elevation and diverse mix of hardwood trees allow fall hues like gold and amber to thrive here. Travel + Leisure suggests visiting between late October and November to see the foliage at its brightest, with 16 miles of nature trails to breathe in the views.

Bear in mind, seasonal foliage is just the tip of Torreya State Park’s natural beauty, with plenty else to see in the fall. The park is known for its high plateaus and bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River, dense with flora and wildlife, including over 100 bird species and the rare Barbour’s map turtle. People also flock to Torreya for views of the Florida Torreya, one of the rarest trees in the world. The endangered species can be spotted in the park growing high on the bluffs over the river.

Dade City

Situated in the scenic hills of Pasco County, Dade City is the perfect place to welcome simple pleasures this fall. While the town’s trees lack seasonal hues, autumn is still a colorful time in Dade City, brought to life with its historic charms and cozy atmosphere. For the best of both worlds, the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village allows guests to travel back to simpler times. On October 11th, 2025, the Village will also host its Scarecrow Festival, celebrating the season with a pumpkin patch, fall-themed vendors, and historic entertainment like a Blacksmith and Traditional Craft Demonstrations.

Downtown Dade City offers its own taste of Old Florida, inviting visitors to explore its quaint streets and attractions. After stopping by cute cafes like Treehouse Mercantile, the walkable district is brimming with antique stores and shops like The Wooden Nickel, Antiques On the Main Street, and The Book Shack. You will pass countless historic structures along the way, and the Historic Dade City Walking Tour guide is also available for free online.

Newberry

Pumpkin patches and sunflower fields are some of the ways you can celebrate fall in Newberry, a rural town with a big heart. Located 35 minutes west of Gainesville, Newberry is a quiet contrast to the city, making it a popular place to embrace the season. For classic fall pastimes, The Bryer Patch farm brings Newberry to life with its nostalgic fall traditions. On October 11th and 12th, the farm will host its family-friendly Pumpkin Festival, with a crop maze, pumpkin patch, and Hayride with ducks and cows. The month after, on November 8th and 15th, the farm will also host its Sunflower Festival, offering U-pick flowers, a petting zoo, and other classic fall-themed activities.

After celebrating the season with hayrides and pumpkins, why not celebrate the harvest at its roots? Much like Dade City, Newberry is a great place to step back in time to a bygone era this fall. Adding to the town’s rural charms, Dudley Farm Historic State Park is an authentic working farm and homestead dating back before the Civil War. Operated by staff dressed in period garb, its 18 historic buildings, crops, and livestock can all be observed on a pastoral stroll, tour, or picnic.

Lake City

Around 40 miles north of Newberry, Lake City pairs fall foliage with good-old-fashioned fun. Although the North Central Florida town is mainly associated with its freshwater springs, its rural surroundings take center stage in the fall. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, driving along Interstate 10 through rural areas around Lake City will showcase a mosaic of fall colors, mainly in November.

For fall fun with a unique twist, Lake City is home to the seasonal Denmark Acres, a Wild West-themed farm. Only open in the fall, this quirky farm has plenty to see and do in the upcoming months, from “classic country fair-style fun” to spookier Halloween festivities. Family-friendly activities include hayrides under the stars, a Sorghum Maze & Kids’ Mini Maze, and the Livery Stable Petting Zoo. For older visitors and the brave at heart, the Restless Slumber Cemetery offers thrills and scares right in time for Halloween.

Crestview

For more Halloween-centered celebrations, Crestview welcomes you to trick-or-treat early at its Fall For Downtown Festival. Just 30 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico (America), this Okaloosa County town is under an hour’s drive from beach towns like Destin. Paired with endless sunshine, some find it hard to get into the fall spirit here. Luckily, Crestview’s Main Street Association strongly believes that fall fun is not just for leaf peepers.

Scheduled for October 25th, 3035, the Fall For Downtown Festival will bring Crestview’s Main Street to life with seasonal vendors, food trucks, carnival games, and a live DJ. As for its Halloween fun, trunk-or-treating and trick-or-treating will both be featured to let your kiddos stock up on free treats. However, guests of all ages can dress to impress for the costume contests, with countless prizes to be won.

Discover Florida’s Best Towns To Visit This Fall

While we tend to associate fall with a classic New England October, Florida offers its own unique celebrations, scenes, and experiences. Whether leaf peeping in Sneads, antique hunting in Dade City, or visiting Newberry for its fall festivals, the Sunshine State is brimming with cozy autumn activities for the whole family in 2025. Coupled with mellow weather, southern hospitality, and gorgeous natural surroundings, not one does fall quite like Florida.