Top 10 Spooky Things to Do in Indian River County: October 2025

As October rolls in, Indian River County becomes a canvas for autumn magic and a little bit of mischief. The sun sets a little earlier, the air feels lighter, and the energy around town turns festive. Whether you crave haunted thrills, local festivals, or peaceful, scenic moments by the water, October brings the best of both spooky and scenic to every corner of our community.

Here are the top ten things to do this October that will get you in the spirit of the season while showing off the beauty, creativity, and fun that make Indian River County shine.

For the Thrill-Seekers & Festival Lovers

1. The Haunted Barn - If you are in the mood for a scare, The Haunted Barn delivers. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in October, brave souls can wander through eerie halls and experience theatrical frights that get your heart racing. It is a local favorite for thrill seekers and anyone ready for a good Halloween scare.
2. Sebastian Scream 5K and Haunted Rail Trail brings fitness and fright together on Saturday October 25th for one unforgettable night. Come dressed in costume and join the fun with their community 5K run followed by a spooky haunted trail experience. It is a great way to celebrate the season while supporting local causes and enjoy the cool October air.
3. Vero Beach Oktoberfest - This weekend, October 18th and 19th, Celebrate the season Bavarian style at Vero Beach Oktoberfest. This festival brings the community together for live music, great food, local vendors, and plenty of good cheer. It is the perfect mix of festive fun and coastal charm that will have you raising a stein to fall in Florida.
4. Downtown Friday: Main Street Monster Mash - Main street Vero Beach is bringing the Halloween spirit to life with Downtown Friday's Monster Mash celebration. Taking place on Halloween, this family friendly street party will feature live music, costumes, food vendors, and activities for all ages. It is the perfect way to wrap up the month with local flavor and festive fun right in the heart of downtown Vero Beach.

Family-Friendly Fall Fun

5. Master's Stables Fall Festival in Fellsmere - This weekend, Master's Stables is hosting the final weekend of their charming fall festival in Fellsmere. Expect hayrides, corn pits, pumpkins, face painting, farm animals, local vendors, and a costume contest (the more personalized the better, just nothing scary please!) It is a family favorite and a great way to enjoy the feeling of fall surrounded by wide open spaces and community fun.
6. A Night at the Patch - For a cozy evening outdoors, A Night at the Patch is the perfect pick. Enjoy pumpkin picking, live music, lawn games, food trucks, and a showing of Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. This family friendly event captures everything you love about fall in one relaxing evening under the stars.

Arts, History, and Hauntings

7. Live Theatre with Halloween Flair - October brings two theatrical performances that fit right in with spooky season: Riverside Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors, a musical favorite full of quirky characters and playful scares, running October 16 through November 9; and The Vero Beach Theatre Guild features Young Frankenstein (starring our Tourism Director, Ben Earman), which brings laughs and lighthearted fright to the stage October 17 through November 2. Both shows are must-sees for theatre lovers who want to add a little Halloween flair to their night out.
8. Indian River Hauntings Tours - Join Indian River Hauntings for a chilling yet fascinating look into the county's haunted past. Their guided tours uncover real ghost stories, historical secrets, and mysterious local legends at some of the area's most intriguing sites. It is a fun and spine tingling way to learn about the area's history and maybe even encounter something supernatural along the way.
9. Explore Historic and Haunted Sites - Step back in time and uncover some of Indian River County's oldest stories with a historic walk or ghost tour. Visit sites like the historic Vero Theatre for a great photo op or the Archie Smith Wholesale Fish Company in Sebastian and imagine the tales those walls could tell. Whether you believe in ghosts or just love local history, these spots add a little mystery to your evening.

A Peaceful Pause

10. Sunrise & Sunset Beach Walks - There is something special about October sunrises and sunsets in Indian River County. The skies turn shades of gold and lavender, and the beaches grow calm as the day fades away. Stroll along Ampersands Beach Park, Golden Sands Park, or Humiston Park to watch the colors shift and feel the season settle in. It is peaceful, photogenic, and a beautiful reminder of why fall is such a great time to be here.

Fall is the time when everything slows down just enough to savor. Sunsets glow a little longer and there is a feeling of excitement in the air. Local Businesses and community groups come together to create events that celebrate the season and the spirit of our home. So grab your pumpkin spice, pull out your favorite cozy outfit, and make this October one to remember in Indian River County.