Fall Activities for Kids in Jacksonville: 2026 Guide

Pumpkin festivals, zoo trick-or-treating, nature trails and gentle Halloween fun around Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Fleming Island and Amelia Island, with 2026 dates, costs and tips for the grown-up doing the driving.

The best fall activities for kids around Jacksonville in 2026 include Pioneers & Pumpkins at Geiger Pioneer Farm, the Jacksonville Pumpkin Festival at Amazing Grace Family Farms, Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo, the Arboretum’s Family Fall Fest and free Halloween events at the Cummer Museum and local libraries. Most run through October.

Whether you are a nanny in San Marco or Nocatee or a parent in Ponte Vedra, St. Johns or Fleming Island, we checked every date, hour and price below on the venue’s own website in late September 2026. Where a detail is not posted, we say so, and age ranges we suggest ourselves are labeled “suggested.” Drive times are no-traffic estimates. Check the site before you go.

Which Jacksonville fall activities fit your kids?

Activity	Area	Ages	Cost	2026 dates
Pioneers & Pumpkins, Geiger Pioneer Farm	Northwest Jacksonville	Ages 3 and under free (venue)	$15.99 (ages 4 and up)	Sat–Sun Oct 10–25, plus Sat Oct 31
Jacksonville Pumpkin Festival, Amazing Grace Family Farms	Green Cove Springs (near Fleming Island)	Admission required ages 3 & up (venue)	$17.95 online, $24.95 gate	Fri–Sat Oct 2–31, plus Mon Oct 12
Spooktacular, Jacksonville Zoo	North Jacksonville	All ages (venue)	From $25 members / $35 non-members; 2 and under free	Oct 10, 15–18, 22–25, 29–31
Ghoulish Gallery & Garden Night, Cummer Museum	Riverside	Suggested: all ages	Free	Thu, Oct 15
Family Fall Fest, Jacksonville Arboretum	Arlington	Suggested: toddler–school-age	Members free; check site	Sun, Oct 25
Tree Hill Nature Center	Arlington	Suggested: toddler–school-age	$4 children 3–17; 2 & under free	Mon–Sat year-round
GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center	Ponte Vedra Beach	Suggested: all ages	$3 per group (ages 12+); under 12 free	Tue–Sat
ESTUSCARY Haunted Trail	Ponte Vedra Beach	Recommended 10 and older (venue)	$20 online, $30 at trail	Oct 29–31
Halloween Movie Night, Ponte Vedra Beach Library	Ponte Vedra Beach	Age 5 and above (venue)	Free (registration required)	Wed, Oct 7
Not-So-Spooky Halloween Celebration, Fleming Island Library	Fleming Island	Ages 5–11 (venue)	No fee listed	Fri, Oct 30
Fort Clinch State Park	Fernandina Beach (Amelia Island)	Suggested: preschool–school-age	$6 per vehicle + $2.50 fort admission per person	Daily
Creatures of the Night, St. Augustine Alligator Farm	St. Augustine	Suggested: toddler–school-age	Children (2–11) $16 non-members	Fri–Sat, Oct 23–24
Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair	Westside	Children 5 and under free (venue)	Child (6–12) $5 advance, $10 after Nov 4	Nov 5–15

Where are the best pumpkin patches near Jacksonville?

Pioneers & Pumpkins at Geiger Pioneer Farm (Northwest Jacksonville)

Kids do: A pumpkin patch, a standard crop maze and a mini maze for little ones, a playground, games, face painting, a bubble barn, wagon rides and farm animals
Ages: Ages 3 and under are free; everyone ages 4 and up pays the same price
Cost: $15.99 per ticket
2026 dates/hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Oct 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31

Nanny tip: Wear closed-toe shoes, since the farm says the ground is uneven in spots. No pets are allowed (service animals are welcome). The farm is right off I-295 on Dunn Avenue.

Jacksonville Pumpkin Festival at Amazing Grace Family Farms (Green Cove Springs)

Kids do: Explore the crop maze, visit the pumpkin patch and enjoy the farm’s family attractions
Ages: Admission is required for ages 3 and up. The farm requires children 12 and under to be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $17.95 online or $24.95 at the gate, plus taxes and fees. One ticket covers a single entry on any festival day.
2026 dates/hours: Oct 2–31. Fridays 4–9 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.–9 p.m., plus Monday, Oct 12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Halloween (Saturday, Oct 31) closes early, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The admission gate closes one hour before closing.
Drive time: About 46 minutes from downtown Jacksonville to Green Cove Springs (no-traffic estimate); allow a little extra to reach the farm on SR 21. It is a shorter drive from Fleming Island.

Nanny tip: Buy online to save $7 a ticket. Monday, Oct 12 is the only weekday, and a Saturday morning is the calmest weekend option. Pets are prohibited (service animals are allowed).

What fall festivals and Halloween events are in Jacksonville?

Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo (North Jacksonville)

Kids do: Follow a one-way nighttime trail with glowing pathways, immersive scenes, trick-or-treat stations and photo spots
Ages: The zoo calls it Halloween fun for all ages
Cost: Advance tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members; day-of tickets are $30 and $40. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are sold online only.
2026 dates/hours: Oct 10, 15–18, 22–25 and 29–31. Choose a timed entry window, 6–7:30 p.m. or 7:30–9 p.m.; the page also lists the event as 6–10 p.m. A Sensory-Friendly Night with adjusted lighting and sound is Sunday, Oct 11.

Nanny tip: Full-face masks are allowed only for guests 10 and under, and inflatable costumes should stay home. The zoo closes at 5 p.m. and reopens at 6 p.m. for the event. It runs rain or shine, and buying a day ahead saves $5.

Ghoulish Gallery & Garden Night at the Cummer Museum (Riverside)

Kids do: Meet GHosts (Gallery Hosts) dressed as artworks, collect trunk-or-treat style prizes and join a drop-in art activity
Ages: Suggested: all ages (the museum calls it family-friendly)
Cost: Free admission
2026 date/hours: Thursday, Oct 15, 5–8 p.m.

Nanny tip: Costumes are welcome, but the museum asks for no masks or large props. For a daytime visit, the first Saturday of the month (Oct 3) is free, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Otherwise, children 5 and under are free and students 6–17 are $15. The museum is closed Mondays, and its lots now use self-paid parking.

Family Fall Fest at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (Arlington)

Kids do: A pumpkin patch, Trunk-or-Treat, plein air artists and hands-on nature activities
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Members get in free. Check the site for non-member tickets.
2026 date/hours: Sunday, Oct 25, 4–7 p.m.

Nanny tip: This is a new, family-focused afternoon. The Saturday event that weekend (Biergarten) is aimed at adults and ticketed separately.

Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair (Westside)

Kids do: Rides, free grounds entertainment, livestock shows in the new barn and art, science and culinary exhibits
Ages: Children 5 and under are free
Cost: Children 6–12 are $5 in advance (through 11:59 p.m. Nov 4) and $10 after; adults (13 and up) are $10 in advance and $15 after. Rides cost extra. A $25 Mega Pass bundles admission with a ride armband.
2026 dates/hours: Nov 5–15. Gates open 5 p.m. on Nov 5, 9, 10 and 12; 3 p.m. on Nov 6 and 13; and noon on Nov 7, 8, 11, 14 and 15. Check the site for closing times.

Nanny tip: Buy tickets by Nov 4 to save. The noon-opening days, including Veterans Day (Nov 11), fit a daytime visit with little ones.

Which Halloween events near Jacksonville are good for younger kids?

Halloween Movie Night at the Ponte Vedra Beach Library (Ponte Vedra Beach)

Kids do: Watch Hocus Pocus (PG) on the big screen, with free snacks from the Friends of the Library
Ages: For registrants age 5 and above
Cost: Free
2026 date/hours: Wednesday, Oct 7, at 5:30 p.m. (listed 5:30–7:30 p.m.)

Nanny tip: Registration is required and closes Oct 7 at 3:30 p.m. Seats were limited when we checked. An easy pick for Ponte Vedra and Nocatee families.

Not-So-Spooky Halloween Celebration at the Fleming Island Library (Fleming Island)

Kids do: Come in costume, trick-or-treat through the library, play games and make crafts
Ages: School-age children 5–11
Cost: No fee is listed; check the library calendar
2026 date/hours: Friday, Oct 30, 2–4 p.m.

Nanny tip: A calm, indoor way to wear the costume before Halloween weekend. Go straight from school pickup.

Creatures of the Night at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm (St. Augustine)

Kids do: Trick-or-treat after dark, meet eerie bugs and beasts and explore the park in costume
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Non-members: adults $20 and children (2–11) $16. Members: adults $18 and children $14.
2026 dates/hours: Friday, Oct 23 and Saturday, Oct 24, 5:30–9 p.m.
Drive time: About 58 minutes from downtown Jacksonville (no-traffic estimate); closer for St. Johns and Nocatee families

Nanny tip: Tickets must be bought in advance, online only. Bring your own treat bag. Croctoberfest on Oct 3 is 21 and older, so skip that one with kids.

Where can kids enjoy the outdoors near Jacksonville this fall?

Tree Hill Nature Center (Arlington)

Kids do: Walk seven short trails (about a third of a mile each), visit the hands-on kids museum of Florida natural history and see the butterfly and hummingbird gardens
Ages: Suggested: toddler to school-age
Cost: Adults $6; children 3–17 $4; seniors, students, military and teachers $5; free for ages 2 and under
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., last admission at 4 p.m. Closed Labor Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Nanny tip: The short trail loops suit little legs. Remember it is closed on Veterans Day (Nov 11) and Sundays.

GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center (Ponte Vedra Beach)

Kids do: Explore exhibits, aquaria and terraria of local estuary, ocean and forest critters, then walk the trails
Ages: Suggested: all ages
Cost: Ages 12 and up are $3 per group (up to 5 people); children under 12 are free
Hours: Visitor Center open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday and state holidays.
Drive time: About 54 minutes from downtown Jacksonville (no-traffic estimate); much closer from Ponte Vedra and Nocatee

Nanny tip: Pair it with a picnic. Trail parking is a separate fee ($3 per vehicle up to 8 people, plus tax).

ESTUSCARY Haunted Trail at the GTM Research Reserve (Ponte Vedra Beach)

Kids do: A haunted trail with scares, surprises and festive Halloween activities
Ages: Recommended for children 10 and older, teens and adults
Cost: $20 online or $30 at the trail
2026 dates/hours: Thursday–Saturday, Oct 29–31, 7–9:30 p.m., at the South Beach Access Parking Lot

Nanny tip: This one is for older siblings. The Reserve held a daytime trunk-or-treat for kids 8 and under in 2025, but no 2026 date was posted when we checked, so check the site. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Fort Clinch State Park (Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island)

Kids do: Explore the fort’s rooms and grounds, see cannons pointing across the St. Marys River and learn about a Union soldier’s life through living history
Ages: Suggested: preschool to school-age
Cost: $6 per vehicle (two to eight people), plus $2.50 per person for fort admission
Hours: Park open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. The fort is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily and the visitor center 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Drive time: About 54 minutes from downtown Jacksonville (no-traffic estimate)

Nanny tip: Go on the first weekend of the month (Oct 3–4 or Nov 7–8), when a soldier garrison fires cannons and shows battlefield skills. The ranger station is temporarily closed for renovations, so check the site for entry details.

What free fall activities can nannies do at home?

These simple, free activities build real skills:

Leaf rubbings and collages: Peeling crayons and gluing leaves (or palm fronds and pine needles) build fine motor control.
Nature scavenger hunt: A list of words like crunchy, spiky and smooth builds language as kids describe what they find. Use pictures for toddlers.
Baking together: Measuring and pouring practice early math and following directions. Try our easy pumpkin muffins for kids.
Pumpkin exploration: Scooping, counting and sorting seeds is a great sensory and counting activity. For more ideas, see our fall crafts for nannies, fall nanny craft ideas and fall craft ideas just for nannies.

Jacksonville Fall Activities — Frequently Asked Questions

Amazing Grace Family Farms runs Fridays and Saturdays Oct 2–31, plus Monday, Oct 12. Geiger Pioneer Farm’s Pioneers & Pumpkins is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Oct 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31. The Arboretum adds a pumpkin patch at its Family Fall Fest on Oct 25.

Spooktacular runs Oct 10, 15–18, 22–25 and 29–31, with timed entry from 6–7:30 p.m. or 7:30–9 p.m. A Sensory-Friendly Night is Sunday, Oct 11. Buying a day ahead saves $5 per ticket, and children 2 and under are free.

Yes. The Cummer Museum’s Ghoulish Gallery & Garden Night (Oct 15, 5–8 p.m.) is free, and so is the Ponte Vedra Beach Library’s Halloween Movie Night (Oct 7, registration required). The Fleming Island Library’s Not-So-Spooky celebration (Oct 30) lists no fee.

Tree Hill Nature Center (Monday–Saturday), the GTM Research Reserve Visitor Center (Tuesday–Saturday), Fort Clinch State Park (daily) and the Cummer Museum (Tuesday–Sunday) have weekday hours. Amazing Grace opens Monday, Oct 12, and Spooktacular runs Thursday and Friday nights.

Try the Arboretum’s Family Fall Fest trunk-or-treat (Oct 25), Spooktacular’s early 6 p.m. entry window (2 and under free) and Creatures of the Night at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm (Oct 23–24). Skip the ESTUSCARY Haunted Trail, which is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Sunscreen, water, bug spray, closed-toe shoes, wipes, a change of clothes and a light layer for evening events. Bring your own treat bag for Creatures of the Night, and buy Spooktacular and Alligator Farm tickets online in advance.

Looking for a nanny, or a nanny role, in Jacksonville?

Great outings come from a caregiver who plans ahead and reads the kids well. If your family is ready for that support, learn how to hire a nanny, or visit our Jacksonville nanny agency and Ponte Vedra Beach nanny agency pages. If you are a nanny looking for your next family, browse our nanny jobs.

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