Fall has officially arrived in Cleveland this month! October is the best time of year to soak up the autumn ambience in and around Cleveland.
From visiting a local pumpkin patch or a corn maze, to attending a fall festival, to checking out some of the best fall foliage and scenery around Cleveland, there are plenty of things to do this month.
When it comes to holidays this month, Indigenous Peoples’ Day occurs on Monday, October 13, and Halloween falls on Friday, October 31. (Find my full Halloween in Cleveland guide here.)
Weather in Cleveland in October
October means cool fall weather in Cleveland. This month, things start getting a little chilly, with an average daily high of 63° F and an average low of 50° F.
It’s still nice enough to enjoy sitting outside, but don’t forget to bring a light jacket when you head outside in October.
This month, there’s an average of 9 days of precipitation, so don’t forget an umbrella either!
Top 10 Things to Do in Cleveland in October
1. Enjoy a fall festival
When: All month long
Where: Various locations
One of the best things to do in Cleveland this month is to attend a fall festival. Many of the farms near Cleveland run festivals with all kinds of activities, including pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hayrides, farmers’ markets, kids’ activities, and more.
A few of my favorites include:
- Corn & Pumpkin Weekends at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland – Head to the Farmpark on weekends for harvest-themed crafts, live animal demonstrations, and more. They are also doing a drive-through Halloween event this year.
- The Old West Pumpkin Fest at Rockin R Ranch in Columbia Station – Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch, and visit the petting farm, straw mountain, and more. They also have a haunted attraction called the Spooky Ranch.
- Pumpkin Village at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick – This family-friendly event spans several weekends in September and October (each with a special theme), and includes lots of activities like corn mazes, train rides, a super slide, and more.
READ MORE: The Best Farms Near Cleveland for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, and More Fall Fun
2. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
When: October 7-12, 2025
Where: Chagrin Valley, Ohio
The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival is a unique event happening in October that is perfect for anyone interested in documentaries.
This annual festival celebrates documentary filmmaking with documentary screenings, events, and interviews with the filmmakers. Many of the screenings and events are free and open to the public, while others are ticketed ($0-$12).
3. Attend the Cleveland Comedy Festival
When: October 8-11, 2025
Where: Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Comedy Festival is a fun event happening in October to celebrate local comedy. This multi-day festival features live comedy shows around Cleveland.
Most of the shows take place at local breweries, bars, and other venues around the city. Tickets are on sale now. All-Access Passes are available for $100, or you can simply purchase tickets for individual shows.
4. Spooky Pooch Parade
When: October 11, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: 13201 Madison Ave, Lakewood
There’s nothing cuter than seeing dogs dressed up for Halloween! Don’t miss the 16th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade in Lakewood this month.
You can watch the parade of costumed canines as a spectator, or enter your own pooch (pre-enrollment costs $15 per dog, while day-of registration is $20) for a chance to win a year’s worth of dog food as the prize.
5. Christmas Ale First Pour at GLBC
When: October 16, 2025
Where: 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland
It may only be October, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start getting into the Christmas spirit at Great Lakes Brewing Company. Head to the brewery on October 16th for the famous First Pour, an event celebrating the tapping of the first keg of Christmas Ale.
There will be Christmas carolers, live music, Christmas-themed food specials, and more fun happening all afternoon. This is a big event in Ohio City each year!
6. Go in search of fall colors
When: All month long
Where: Various locations
October is the peak time of year for “leaf peeping” in and around Cleveland. You can spot beautiful fall foliage in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold in various locations around the city this month.
Here are some of the best destinations for fall colors:
- Rocky River Reservation
- Holden Arboretum
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
You can find more places to see fall colors in Cleveland on this list.
This year, due to a dry and hot September, color might not “peak” at one time. But mid-October is probably going to be the best time to go leaf-peeping overall.
READ MORE: Visit These Spots to See the Best Fall Colors in Cleveland
7. Go on a haunted tour
When: All month long
Where: Various locations
In celebration of spooky season, why not go on a haunted tour this month? There are several to choose from in and around Cleveland.
The iconic Great Lakes Brewing Company offers a Haunted History Tour of their brewpub and the associated ghost stories that go along with it, while spooky Franklin Castle has a Mysterium Tour that takes you inside this haunted Victorian mansion.
There’s also a nightly Cleveland Ghost Tour throughout the month of October that will take you through some of Cleveland’s most haunted spots.
RELATED: 10 Spooky Things to Do for Halloween in Cleveland
8. Visit the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
When: All month long
Where: 2155 Broadview Rd, Cleveland
One of the most eclectic museums in Cleveland is the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick, and there’s no better time of year to visit than during October.
This spooky museum located in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood is dedicated to the history of witchcraft in America and beyond. You’ll find many artifacts of the occult inside this museum, and guided tours are available. Regular tickets are $8.
9. Attend a local clam bake
When: All month long
Where: Various locations
Fall is the start of the season for fresh clams, and what better way to kick that off than with a clam bake? There are lots of clam bakes happening in Cleveland this month.
Here are some of the best ones to check out this year:
- Rustic Grill at Stonewater on October 9 and 10, 2025
- Debonné Vineyards Clam Bake on October 3, 10, and 17, 2025
- Winking Lizard – various dates and locations, Friday-Sunday through October
- Stancato’s in Parma on October 4, 11, 15, and 25, 2025
- Wild Eagle Steak & Saloon “Clam Slam” in Broadview Heights October 11-12, and in Streetsboro October 18-19.
- Blue Canyon Kitchen + Tavern in Twinsburg – every Thursday and Friday through October; go early, as they may run out!
- Alfredo’s at the Inn in Mayfield Heights – Fridays and Saturdays through November 1
10. Go to Trick-or-Treat Fest at the Zoo
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October
Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
Trick-or-treating is a classic Halloween tradition for kids, but you can make it even more special this year at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo.
This event is $20 for zoo members and $22 for non-members (advance online purchase price), and it includes access to meet-and-greets with costumed characters, more than 20 trick-or-treat stations, free train rides on the Pumpkin Express, and more.
The Akron Zoo is also doing its annual Boo at the Zoo event, which allows kids to trick-or-treat around the Zoo on weekends from October 11-26. Boo at the Zoo runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on those weekends.
And even the Greater Cleveland Aquarium is getting in on spooky season with their “Pumpkins & Piranhas” event October 17-25 from 5-8 p.m. During these days, kids are encouraged to wear costumes and look out for costumed SCUBA divers, themed decor, and more throughout the aquarium.
What are you most excited for in Cleveland in October?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’s sharing her love of the Cleveland area, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.