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 9, and Halloween falls on Tuesday, October 31.
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 attending 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.
In Downtown Cleveland, you can check out the first-ever Fall Fest at NorthCoast Harbor. On the first three Saturdays of October, you can attend this free festival featuring fall food, games, live music, and more activities.
2. Visit a local corn maze
When: All month long
Where: Various locations
Pumpkin patches and corn mazes are quintessential fall activities, and there are plenty of farms near Cleveland offering these seasonal favorites.
These are some of the best corn mazes near Cleveland to check out this month:
- Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland – The Farmpark has its own 3-acre corn maze, which is open every day the Farmpark is from September 1-October 15, 2023. The corn maze is included in general admission, which is $7-$9.
- Mapleside Farms in Brunswick – This farm offers up a traditional corn maze, a kids’ corn maze, and also a separate maze that melds solving the maze with wine tasting called Vino The Way.
- Szalay’s Farm Market in Peninsula – Szalay’s is a staple in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and their 3-acre corn maze is a great family activity every fall. Their maze takes about 30 minutes to get through and costs $6. It’s open from September 16-October 31, 2023.
- Regal Vineyards in Madison – Use clues to make your way through an 8-acre corn maze on Saturdays and Sundays. On Friday and Saturday nights, they also do a Haunted Winery and Corn Maze.
READ MORE: The Best Farms Near Cleveland for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, and More Fall Fun
3. Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
When: October 4-8, 2023
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).
4. Christmas Ale First Pour at GLBC
When: October 12, 2023 at 11 a.m.
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 12th 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!
5. 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, the week of October 16th is predicted to be peak fall color in northeast Ohio.
READ MORE: Visit These Spots to See the Best Fall Colors in Cleveland
6. Spooky Pooch Parade
When: October 14, 2023 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 is open through October 13 and it’s $10 per dog) for a chance to win a year’s worth of dog food as the prize.
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, as well as the annual Tales of Terror Tour that covers some of the darker moments in Cleveland’s history.
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:
- MadClam Tailgate Bash at The Madison on October 22, 2023 at 12 p.m.
- Sachsenheim Hall Clam Bake on October 7, 2023 at 5 p.m.
- Rustic Grill at Stonewater on October 13 and 18 from 5 p.m.
- Debonné Vineyards Clam Bake on October 6, 2023 at 5 p.m.
- Rosewood Grill (multiple locations) – every Sunday from Oct. 1-Nov. 19
- Blue Canyon Kitchen + Tavern in Twinsburg – every Friday through Oct. 27; reservations required
- Alfredo’s at the Inn in Mayfield Heights – Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 28
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 Trick-or-Treat Fest.
This event is $9 on top of regular zoo admission, 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.
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’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.