THE PEOPLE, PLACES & HAPPENINGS OF THE TREASURE COAST
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October, coast to coast
Looking ahead · September 28, 2026
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Treasure Coast waterfront. Editorial image: On The Treasure Coast.
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October gives us five Fridays and five Saturdays this year: plenty of room for art, music by the water, pumpkins and a few different versions of Halloween.
Here are the dates I would circle from Sebastian and Vero Beach through Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie to Stuart and Jensen Beach. Some of these share a Saturday, so pick the outing that actually fits your crew. — Derek
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Put these on the calendar |
Vero Beach
Start the month on 14th Avenue in Vero’s historic Arts District. Galleries are open to the public from 5–8 p.m. for a free stroll; shops and restaurants make it easy to turn the outing into an unhurried Friday night.
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Port St. Lucie
The city’s free celebration runs 5–9 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center, with German music, dancing, a wiener dog race and a kids’ zone. Food and drinks are sold separately. Come for the dogs if a full festival evening is more than you need.
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Jensen Beach
The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast has set aside 9:30–11:30 a.m. for families with children who have special needs. Expect festive activities and trick-or-treating in a more supportive setting. Registration is required; the museum says there will be no walk-ups.
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Port St. Lucie
The free riverside concert series opens 5:30–8:30 p.m. on the Event Lawn at The Port District, with Reaxtion Band and food trucks. Park at Veterans Park at Rivergate, Tom Hooper Park or the listed post office, then walk the boardwalk; the surrounding business plazas are off-limits for event parking.
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Jensen Beach
Martin County’s free evening at Langford Park runs 5:30–9:30 p.m. with games, costumes, food trucks and family activities. Coco starts at 8 p.m. on a large outdoor screen. Bring a blanket or chairs and make the movie the anchor of the night.
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Jensen Beach
A short candy route for children through the Children’s Museum runs 4–6 p.m.; members can enter at 3:30. It costs $3 for everyone age 1 and up. Bring your own treat bag. The exhibits are closed to play during the moving line, and regular museum hours end early at 2 p.m. that day.
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Palm City
For an afternoon at a farm, Newfield has a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, live music and vendors from noon–6 p.m. both days. Admission is listed as free; check the event page for any activity or purchase costs before you go.
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Sebastian
The Pelican Island Conservation Society’s juried show fills the old Sebastian Public School at 1235 Main Street with art drawn from nature. Visit either Saturday or weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; the October 10 reception runs 2–4 p.m. The owl and scrub-jay walks require separate reservations and fees.
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Vero Beach
Riverside Theatre’s musical for two performers follows Jack Donahue and his mother through ambition, tap numbers and show business sacrifice. It is a good indoor evening for anyone who wants a break from the costume calendar. Single tickets are on sale; choose a performance time on the theater’s page.
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Stuart
The City of Stuart is planning a free Halloween evening at Memorial Park, 6–8 p.m. The activity lineup is still to come, so this is one to circle now and check again closer to the date. Costumes are welcome.
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Vero Beach
A separate celebration runs three days at the Indian River County Fairgrounds: Friday 3–10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Expect a large beer garden, music, food, vendors and a daytime kids’ zone. Admission is $8 per person, free under 13; parking is free.
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Stuart
The Elliott Museum’s Halloween dance party for ages 21 and up runs 6–9 p.m. with a DJ, light bites, one included drink, a photo booth and costume prizes. Tickets are $30 for members or $40 for nonmembers. Space is limited, so reserve ahead.
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Stuart
Downtown Stuart’s free 27th edition runs noon–3 p.m., beginning at the Riverwalk Stage. The Hobgoblin Parade, trick-or-treat trail and costume contests for children, families and pets make this the big walkable Halloween afternoon. Arrive in costume and expect a lively waterfront crowd.
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Port St. Lucie
The MIDFLORIDA Event Center closes October with live music, food, a marketplace and carnival rides. Friday is 5–10 p.m.; Halloween Saturday is noon–10 p.m. and includes the Street of Treats; Sunday’s carnival continues 1–6 p.m. Admission is free, with ride tickets and food extra. A canned-good donation for Treasure Coast Food Bank is encouraged.
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Vero Beach
The city’s 66th annual parade lines up at 9:30 a.m. at the Women’s Club parking lot, 1534 21st Street, and steps off at 10. It travels along 21st Street and 14th Avenue to the Community Center for the costume contest. There is no entry fee; children 0–17 can receive a goody bag while supplies last.
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More things to do in October |
Make Saturday a market morning. The Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market shifts to its October–May hours, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. on the waterfront. The Vero Beach Farmers Market runs 8 a.m.–noon on Ocean Drive. Both make an easy start before an afternoon event. |
Find a pumpkin stop that fits the day. Our Treasure Coast pumpkin patch guide separates quick pumpkin and photo stops from farm outings. Its last full verification was in March, so use it to choose a style, then confirm this season’s hours directly with the operator before driving. |
Keep one indoor plan in your pocket. The Vero Beach Museum of Art has James Prosek: At Work through October 25, while Indoor Play Atlas can help families find a nearby play option when rain interrupts a festival plan. Check admission and hours with the chosen venue. |
Plans can shift with weather and late host updates. Tap the linked event before you leave, especially for ticketed or outdoor plans.
Have a small local October tradition I missed? Reply and tell me the place and the detail that makes it work. Feel free to forward this to the person who always asks what is happening next weekend.
See you out there,
Derek
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On The Treasure Coast · onthetreasurecoast.com
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