Orlando fall festivals and corn mazes: How to celebrate the season safely
As fall approaches — even though Florida’s temperatures might not suggest the changing seasons — Central Florida farms are again opening their doors and fields for family fun.
Fall festivals, pumpkin patches and corn mazes are returning for visitors to enjoy autumn activities, even amid the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing on Orlando-area acreage should be achievable while searching for the perfect pumpkin or the correct route out of a maze.
Here are some fall festivals, mazes and events ushering in autumn in Central Florida.
Southern Hill Farms
This Clermont U-pick farm is celebrating its fifth year of pumpkins, apple cider, craft beer, children’s activities, food trucks and big-screen TVs to catch sports. Find a wide variety of gourds and relish a day of socially distanced family fun.
HOURS: Sept. 26-Nov. 8; times TBD
ADDRESS: 16651 Schofield Road in Clermont
MORE INFO: southernhillfarms.com
Lake Catherine Blueberries
In Groveland, this Upick blueberry farm is hosting a family-friendly scavenger hunt maze, plus two haunted trails for those who dare to enter. On Friday and Saturday nights, brave souls can attempt the Haunted Halloween Maze
or Dark Forest Trail of Terror. Or visitors can attempt a new experience, Catherine’s Escape Room. The experience can be topped off with food available at the farm, plus alcoholic beverages.
HOURS: Sept. 25-Oct. 31; 6-10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland
PRICE: $5 per person (fall maze and scavenger hunt), $10 per person (haunted maze, advance ticket), $15 (dark forest, advance ticket), $95 per team (Catherine’s Escape Room, up to six guests)
MORE INFO: lakecatherineblueberries.com
Painted Oaks Academy
Painted Oaks, an East Orlando equestrian facility and ranch, is bringing back its annual fall festivities with a few modifications. The pumpkin patch will be open for pre-sale tickets only but will still feature pony, hay and train rides. In addition, the ranch will offer a drive-thru pumpkin
patch with some views of the farm’s animals from the car.
HOURS: Oct. 3-31; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (festival), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (drive-thru pumpkins)
ADDRESS: 15100 Lake Pickett Road in Orlando
PRICE: $5 per adult, $3 per child admission for festival; pumpkins and attractions extra. Drivethru pumpkin patch free to enter.
MORE INFO: paintedoaksacademy.com
Corn Maze Orlando
Next door to Painted Oaks, Corn Maze Orlando is sporting a “Mission to Mars” theme for this year’s event, allowing visitors to get some “space” within the large maze. Masks will be required, and no tickets will be sold at the gate. A new mobile app helps visitors if they get lost.
HOURS: Oct. 1-Nov. 30; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
ADDRESS: 15239 Lake Pickett Road in Orlando
PRICE: $15 per adult, $10 per child (before fees)
MORE INFO: cornmazeorlando.com
Showcase of Citrus Pumpkin Ponderosa
At Clermont’s Showcase of Citrus, join in some fall fun during the second annual Pumpkin Ponderosa. Families can pick pumpkins, enjoy fall-themed arts and crafts, play outdoor games, go on hayrides and indulge in autumn bites and beverages.
HOURS: Oct. 1-Nov. 27; 9 a.m-7 p.m. daily
ADDRESS: 5010 U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont
PRICE: Free admission; some activities extra
MORE INFO: showcaseofcitrus.com
Stanley Pond Adventure Farm
On this Central Florida “adventure farm,” enjoy a range of experiences from cornhole to a super slide to a tricycle track and more. In addition, the property is currently offering U-pick sunflowers in a field perfect for photos.
HOURS: 10 a.m-5 p.m. daily
ADDRESS: 15426 County Road 48 in Astatula
PRICE: $10 per person age 3 and older
MORE INFO: stanleypondfarm.com
Santa’s Fall Fun Farm
In Eustis, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest transforms into a destination for fall fun, now celebrating 12 years of the “A Lot of Pumpkins” pumpkin patch. Entry to the farm will be timed with limited capacity . Families also can opt to visit the petting zoo, take a hayride or enjoy the Jolly Ares play area.
HOURS: Sept. 26-Oct.
31; Saturday-Sunday, plus Oct. 12 and 20 (check website for hours)
ADDRESS: 35317 Huff Road in Eustis
PRICE: Admission prices start at $6 and vary by date and package.
MORE INFO: santaschristmastreeforest.com/pumpkins/
Long and Scott Farms
This 1,200-acre family farm in Mount Dora is bringing back their annual corn maze tradition for visitors. Guests can also find a country market, a cafe and hayrides. This season, the farm also will host three nighttime maze opportunities.
HOURS: Oct. 3-Dec. 13; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora
PRICE: Maze admission ($12) includes two corn mazes, a tree maze, rope maze, mist maze, super slide and more. Hayrides are $4 and fishing for kids is $2.
MORE INFO: longandscottfarms.com
Partin Ranch Corn Maze
This farm, about 13 miles south of St. Cloud, features two mazes, a pumpkin patch and general store, kids’ activities, combine harvester rides, vendors, pony rides and more. The farm advises visitors to bring cash for vendors and to check their Facebook page for closures based on weather.
HOURS: Oct. 17-Nov. 8; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
ADDRESS: 5601 N. Canoe Creek Road in Kenansville
PRICE: $10 for ages 3 and older, $20 for season passes (discounts for military, first responders, seniors, groups and scouts in uniform)
MORE INFO: partinranchcornmaze.com
Harvest Holler Corn Maze
This “down-home farm” near Lakeland features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, hayride, a “hay mountain,” miniature golfing and a store with Maw-Maw’s homemade jams and baked goods.
HOURS: Sept. 18-Nov. 15; 4-8 p.m. Fridays, 12-8 p.m. Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 950 Tavares Road in Polk City
PRICE: Kids ages 3-12, 65 and older, military — $8.50, Adults 13 and older — $10.50. Attractions included in price.
MORE INFO: harvestholler.com
The BackWoods Family Farm
This small family farm in Groveland is hosting its third annual Central Florida Fall on the Farm. Join for a weekend of fall activities, including a farmer’s market, pumpkin patch and activities for visitors of all ages.
HOURS: Oct. 10-11; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
ADDRESS: 7940 Indianhouse Lane in Groveland
PRICE: $1 per person to reserve a space and “keep the crowds down” on the farm
MORE INFO: eventbrite.com
Community United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch
Casselberry’s CUMC Pumpkin Patch is an annual tradition that started in the ’80s. Find pumpkins at the church beginning Sept. 27.
HOURS: Sept. 27-Oct.
31; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. MondaySaturday and 12-9 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 4921 S. U.S. Highway 17⁄ in Cassel
92 berry
MORE INFO: casselberrychurch.org/pumpkinpatch
Did I miss any fall festivals or events? Find me on Twitter @PConnPie, Instagram @PConnPie or send me an email: pconnolly@ orlandosentinel.com.