October is almost here, bringing a full calendar of fall festivals, seasonal celebrations, and spooky fun to Shores & Islands Ohio! From apple festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations, live music, and colorful autumn traditions to ghostly tours, witches, skeleton hunts, and Halloween happenings, the month is packed with seasonal fun. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly festivities, a little fall flavor, or something that sends a chill down your spine, there’s an October event for you. Grab your sweater and check out these 20 can’t-miss events!
HalloWeekends
Thursday-Sunday, through Nov 1, 2026
Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky
It’s family fun by day and fright by night as HalloWeekends® returns for its 29th year. With daytime family activities like corn and hay mazes, pint-sized tractors for kids, pumpkin decorating, games and trick-or-treating, plus nighttime haunted mazes, scare zones and entertainment, HalloWeekends will send silly and scary chills down the spine.
Oastoberfest 2026
Friday-Saturday, Oct 2-3, 2026
Twin Oast Brewery, Catawba
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of beer, German culture, and fun! With guest breweries, two biergartens, live music and performances, and delicious food, there's something for everyone. Come celebrate and enjoy great beer from a wide selection of breweries.
Downtown Fremont Inc to Host Sauerkraut Oktoberfest and Farmers Market!
Saturday, Oct 3, 2026
Downtown Fremont
There will be a Farmers Market in the morning hours, concurrent with the annual Sauerkraut Social/Oktoberfest Event. There will also be a pageant, drawings, contests, beer tent and more!
Fall Extravaganza & Craft Show
Saturday, Oct 3, 2026
Erie County Fairgrounds, Sandusky
Fall fun is coming to the Erie County Fairgrounds! Bring the whole family and enjoy: peddle pull, food trucks, arts & crafts, train rides, kids zone…and so much more!
54th Annual Woollybear Festival
Sunday, Oct 4, 2026
Downtown Vermilion
Get ready for a fuzzy forecast of fun as Ohio’s most unique and beloved one day festival returns to Downtown Vermilion! The 54th Annual Woollybear Festival will once again celebrate the legendary legacy of Dick Goddard, beloved FOX 8 meteorologist, passionate animal advocate, and founder of this iconic Ohio tradition. Thousands are expected to line the streets of Vermilion for a day packed with family fun, laughter, entertainment, and of course, woollybear caterpillars!
30th Annual Lakeside Marblehead Lighthouse Festival
Saturday, Oct 10, 2026
Lakeside Chautauqua and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, Marblehead
Visit and shop over 100+ talented craft makers and artists. Enjoy the many activities and entertainment held throughout Lakeside Chautauqua for kids and adults alike.
Apple Peak: TEN Year Anniversary
Saturday, Oct 10, 2026
Quarry Hill Orchard, Berlin Heights
Celebrate the true taste of autumn! Guests will have the opportunity to explore the orchard with a self-guided tour as Quarry Hill unveils the history behind the farm with farm history posted throughout the property. Quarry Hill will also be bringing back the apple pie baking competition with surprise guest judges along with other special surprises from historical Apple Peak activities! Local and regional vendors join at the farm with unique food options, keepsakes, 
home décor items, and gifts.
Oak Harbor Apple Festival
Saturday-Sunday, Oct 10-11, 2026
Downtown Oak Harbor
Experience the charm of small-town Ohio at this beloved fall tradition. The community comes alive with 120+ vendors, delicious festival food, live entertainment, one of the area’s largest parades, a classic car show, 5K and kids run, contests, children’s activities, local performances, and plenty of apple-inspired fun. Stroll through historic downtown, discover unique makers and vendors, enjoy live music in the entertainment tent, and experience the welcoming community spirit.
PIB Oktoberfest
Saturday-Sunday, Oct 10-11, 2026
DeRivera Park, Put-in-Bay
This annual two-day festival celebrates German culture with fantastic food, spiced wine, and cold beer. Oktoberfest Put-in-Bay promises a weekend filled with culinary delights and lively entertainment. Live polka and German-style music and traditional dancers. Unique souvenirs and raffles. Celebrating 30+ Years of Tradition!
World Migratory Bird Day Hike
Saturday, Oct 10, 2026
Old Woman Creek Reserve, Huron
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with a guided hike during prime fall migration time. We will make our way through the trails to see (and hear!) what is on the move in our area. Join other birders to learn from each other and practice your ID skills. We will have some binoculars on hand to lend if needed.
Firelands Paracon
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
The Emporium on West Market Street, Sandusky
With your ticket, you'll gain exclusive access, where you'll have the opportunity to meet some of the most fascinating figures in the paranormal world. Special Guests include Patti Negri: Known from "Ghost Adventures" and "Portals to Hell," Ron Murphy: As seen on "True Terror with Robert Englund" and "Beyond Skinwalker Ranch," Vince Kelien: From Beacon TV, Jim Sayers: local psychic-medium, Maureen Grudzinski: a Past Life Regressionist, Christopher J. Brown: A Dream Interpreter and psychic-medium, and Candi Mondo: Representing the Spirit Realm Network.
Sandusky Witches Walk
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
Downtown Sandusky
There is a lot brewing for Sandusky Witches Walk® 2026, and this year is shaping up to be the most ambitious celebration yet. For the first time ever, SWW is an ALL-OCTOBER event, with magic happening across Sandusky all month long—culminating in a main event on Saturday, October 17. And yes, say it loud and proud: Sandusky IS the Halloween Capital of Ohio! A few special ingredients will be added to the cauldron: the Witches Walk & community parade, opening ceremony & Guinness World Records dance, Broadway-style witchy & wicked musical, 90-minute Stevie Nicks “white witch” tribute, VIP costume contests, enchanted market, citywide potion stations, passbook stamp raffle with $5,000 in grand prizes, paranormal experiences, museum access & community events, a 15-year Anniversary living history documentary, and more!
Skelly Hunt
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
Put-in-Bay
The SKELLY HUNT returns! There will be over 30 locations on the island, including some very interesting ones! Head over to the Bay and try to find as many skeletons as you can. There might even be a prize at one of the secret locations!
Undead Revival Music Festival
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Oak Harbor
Ohio's largest, one-day Christian metal festival! Two stages stacked with with more than 20 musical artists. Come throwdown with us THIS FALL!! AGRESSIVE WORSHIP at maximum volume!
Firelands Symphony Orchestra presents: Curtain Up!
Sunday, Oct 18, 2026
Sawmill Creek Convention Center, Huron
The Firelands Symphony Orchestra opens the season with an exhilarating celebration of Broadway’s greatest hits. Joined by acclaimed vocalist Trica Tanguy, the orchestra brings the magic, drama, and excitement of the American musical stage to life. Audiences will experience beloved songs from some of Broadway’s most iconic productions, performed with the power and brilliance of a full symphony orchestra.
Hall-O-Wine Open House
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026
Firelands Winery, Sandusky
Join the fun and celebrate all things spooky! Costume contest, door prizes, food and wine pairing stations, adult trick-or-treat stations, and so much more! Enjoy a super enchanted appearance by The Grand Witch herself, along with other special guests!
Halloween at the Bay
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026
Put-in-Bay
This event invites you to experience Halloween a little early, with a mix of spooky fun and festive excitement. The local taverns will be decorated in Halloween themes, and the downtown streets of Put-in-Bay will be filled with people in costumes. Join in for one of the final weekends of the season, where the island transforms into a Halloween haven!
Downtown Sandusky Ghost Walk
Wednesday-Friday, Oct 28-30, 2026
Shores & Islands Ohio East Welcome Center, Sandusky
Join Doug Hulett, paranormal investigator and local historian, on a 60-minute walking tour of downtown Sandusky. Hear the stories of curious sites, notable people, and of course, the paranormal! Tours are family-friendly. Easy walking distance. Please arrive 15 minutes early and enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and hot cider!
Spirit Stories at Spiegel Grove 2026
Friday, Oct 30, 2026
Spiegel Grove, RB Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Fremont
Enjoy a spooky evening with lantern tours through the dark wooded grounds. Hear spine-chilling tales of ghosts, legends and other-worldly phenomena. Warm yourself by the campfire and enjoy popcorn, apple cider and hot chocolate.
Murder at the Mansion
Saturday, Oct 31, 2026
Historic Lyme Village, Bellevue
1920’s themed Murder at the Wright Mansion. 40 guests will partake in an intimate and immersive experience. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920’s attire and enjoy an evening of mystery, hors d’oeuvres, and “Prohibition Punch” while working together to solve a murder. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
This is just a taste of the fun happening throughout the fall season and all year long in Shores & Islands Ohio! Discover even more ways to make the most of the season on our Fall page and check out our Events Calendar for a full lineup of upcoming festivals, celebrations, entertainment, and more.
