1. Overview
Explore unique activities and destinations across the United States this October. From thrilling film festivals to festive culinary experiences, October offers a vibrant array of celebrations that embody the spirit of autumn.
Think beyond Halloween.
Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan
From bountiful harvests to haunted happenings, autumn is in full swing come October. Whether you spend the fall on the east coast or on a tropical island in Hawaii, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season. You could don a costume and join the revelry of a Halloween parade, or you could hop in the basket of a hot air balloon and join the party in the skies over Albuquerque.
Here are some of the best places to visit and things to do in the U.S. this October.
Scare Yourself Silly at a Picture Show in the Rockies
Not your average film festival, the Telluride Horror Show specializes in all things thrilling, gory, and haunting. Every October, horror aficionados gather in the famed Colorado resort town for a weekend-long marathon of scary movies, including full-length features and short films. The schedule is a mix of fresh releases and classics like The Return of the Living Dead and Little Shop of Horrors.
Celebrate the Oyster Harvest in Portland, Maine
Experience Portland, Maine‘s exceptional waterfront during Harvest on the Harbor, an annual three-day food and wine festival where award-winning chefs showcase their talents with the freshest of ingredients from local waters. Given the state’s reputation for extraordinary seafood, you’ll find a delightful array of lobster, oysters, beer, wine, and spirits to sample, accompanied by live musical performances. Sample some of the best lobster, prepared by local cooks vying for the title of Maine Lobster Chef of the Year.
Get Witchy in Salem
With haunted houses, psychic fairs, children’s events, and costume balls, Salem comes to life in October. The city’s annual Haunted Happenings event is a month-long celebration of Halloween in a particularly historic part of Massachusetts. Explore the Salem Witch Museum or the House of the Seven Gables.
Taste Culinary Excellence at the Hawai’i Food and Wine Festival
Indulge in the Polynesian culture and charm of Hawaii during the shoulder season while you eat and drink your fill at the Hawai’i Food and Wine Festival. Every October, this festival brings local chefs together with winemakers, mixologists, and culinary experts from around the globe for a celebration of gastronomy. Events include dining experiences, panels, cooking classes, and golf tournaments, all held across the beautiful islands. There is something for everyone—whether you seek to discover indigenous ingredients or meet your favorite celebrity chef.
Feast on Seafood in Miami Beach
At the South Beach Seafood Festival, sample specialties from some of Greater Miami’s top seafood restaurants, from the iconic Joe’s Stone Crab to the upscale Uchi. Cooking demonstrations, chef competitions, and enticing live music create an electrifying atmosphere while you wander through Lummus Park right on the beach. Don’t leave without indulging in fish tacos, lobster waffle cones, and savory ceviche—as well as enjoying open bars!
Party With the Krewe of Boo! in New Orleans
If you can’t make it to New Orleans in winter for Mardi Gras, be sure to join the festivities on the third weekend in October. That’s when the Krewe of Boo! Halloween parade rolls through the French Quarter and the Warehouse District. A variety of grotesque creatures, morticians, and zombies march, dance, and ride horseback while musicians perform and costumed revelers toss beads and candy from elaborate floats. Once the parade concludes, the fun transitions downtown at the Monster Mash afterparty.
Watch Hundreds of Hot Air Balloons Take Flight in Albuquerque
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest piloted balloon event worldwide, often regarded as the most photographed— and rightly so. Witnessing hundreds of balloons brighten the sky above the Sandia Mountains is an unforgettable experience. Once you’ve enjoyed the aerial display, check out the engaging exhibitions and competitions. Additionally, themed events, such as the Special Shape Rodeo, allow you to discover balloons shaped like dinosaurs, flowers, or even penguins in sunglasses.
Although most hot air balloons at the Fiesta carry crew only, you can hitch a ride on one through Rainbow Ryders, Inc.
Jam Out in Austin
The Austin City Limits Music Festival brings together rock, pop, jazz, and other genres across multiple stages, creating a unique blend of exhilarating live performances and southern hospitality. Hosted at the 351-acre Zilker Park, the festival features an art market and Austin Kiddie Limits, which includes kid-friendly bands and art classes. A dedicated area spotlights Texas craft brews, while food vendors offer an assortment of local flavors.
Eat Apple Everything in Bayfield, Wisconsin
The charming small town of Bayfield, located on the scenic shores of Lake Superior, hosts the Bayfield Apple Festival, celebrating the autumn harvest and the season’s most beloved fruit. Numerous booths offer fresh apples, apple pies and tarts, apple dumplings, caramel apples, apple cider, and apple sundae delicacies. Adventurous eaters will find apple bratwurst, apple mustard, apple butter, and even apple wines. In addition to food, over 100 booths present fine arts, pottery, and woodwork for browsing and purchasing, complemented by a lively parade.
Show Off Your Costume in New York City
Get ready to be thrilled, shocked, or entertained by New York City’s annual Village Halloween Parade. The procession starts at 7 p.m. and marches up Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue, welcoming anyone in costume to join the celebration. Outlandish, frightening, risqué, political, humorous, and downright weird costumes captivate the attending crowds, while live bands add to the lively atmosphere. The revelry continues at the Webster Hell afterparty, for which a ticket is required.
