To many people, the fall season brings about thoughts of cool, crisp breezes and scattered showers. However, the best part about living in Florida during autumn is that you get to experience bonfires, Halloween and many other fall-like activities, all while enjoying the 70-80 degree temperatures. While it may not be hot enough to spend a day at the beach, you can comfortably enjoy the outdoors while sporting a light jacket or a thin sweater!

• FESTS are happening all over the city! The warm weather is sure to bring out hundreds, even thousands of city-dwellers and suburbanites out of the house and into the fairs of food and fun!

Oktoberfests in Orlando : This authentic German fiesta is being celebrated all over the city center and even in greater Orlando, typically in the middle of October. Enjoy German food, beer and music, and surround yourself with hundreds or thousands of fellow Oktoberfest goers. Some places hosting this fantastic celebration include Osceola Heritage Park, the Celebration Town Center and Avalon Park!

Biketoberfest in Orlando: Just east of Orlando, Daytona Beach is home to the international, award-winning motorcycle festival known as Biketoberfest. Popular activities include motorcycle rallies, vintage bike showings, live music and more! Charity rides and celebrity appearance also add to the worldly charm of this renowned celebration.

International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot (9/26 – 11/9): This year’s theme is called “Cities in Wonderland.” The fest will feature authentic cuisines from places like Cork, Ireland, Shanghai, China; Cape Town, South Africa; Bologna, Italy; and Tokyo, Japan. Some dinners will even be overseen by Disney chefs! Admission into Epcot is all that is needed to participate in this highly popular event.

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens in Tampa: During 17 ruthless nights in October, this Florida theme park is transformed into a nightmarish exhibit intended only for the fearless. Howl-O-Scream sends brave souls through six haunted houses and three scare zones. There are also bone-chilling thrill rides and freighting live action shows. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in October.

Broward County Fair in Fort Lauderdale (November 20 – 30): This spectacular sight of food and fun is set up in the parking lot of a huge entertainment facility. The grounds of the Broward County Fair allow for an efficient of use of outdoor space to host petting zoos, family exhibits, carnival rides and more! You could even volunteer to work at the fair!

FLORIDA SPORTS are a hot topic in the Sunshine State! The Tampa Bay Rays have come out of nowhere this MLB season, clinching the AL East Division and keeping the world-famous New York Yankees out of the post-season for the first time in 13 years. These are just two of the accomplishments that make this former underdog a force to be reckoned with this October. Here come the Rays! You may also want to check out some Tampa Bay Buccaneers games during football season. And don’t forget about the Miami Heat, the Orlando Magic and the Tampa Bay Lightning! Their seasons start in October.

CONCERTS abound all over this panhandle paradise! Search Ticketmaster.com for upcoming shows that interest your tastes.

Some upcoming shows include:

Counting Crows & Maroon 5, Oct. 3 at the Ford Amphitheatre at Florida State Fair Grounds in Tampa
Dolly Parton, Oct. 18 at New UCF Arena in Orlando
The Cheetah Girls, Oct. 24 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville
Metro Station, Nov. 7 at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale

EVEN MORE IDEAS:
Take a boat tour! The Historical Museum of Southern Florida offers a Key Biscayne Boat Tour that last for three hours, led by a South Florida historian named Dr. Paul George. You get to see amazing oceanic sights that only a boat tour can provide! You may catch a glimpse of celebrity homes. You will also view the Cape Florida Lighthouse and Stiltsville, where a group of homes are nestled far out into the ocean and rest on nothing but stilts!

Looking to get your feet wet? Take scuba diving lessons at a number of places throughout Florida.