October in Tallahassee: Movies in the Moonlight and FSU vs. Clemson Oct. 17, Zoobilee Oct. 23, FAMU homecoming Oct. 24 and Night Prowl.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Rebuilt on the first of each month. Every listing links to the organizer, and times are as the organizer published them. For this weekend only, see things to do this weekend.

October in Tallahassee is football and fall. The middle of the month is packed: Saturday, Oct. 17, has a free outdoor movie downtown and Florida State’s only October home game. FAMU holds homecoming a week later.

What this means for you

  • Game days: expect heavy traffic around Doak Campbell Stadium on Oct. 17 and Bragg Stadium on Oct. 24 and 31.
  • Free this month: Movies in the Moonlight (Oct. 17) and the Riley Museum, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 850-891-3560.
  • Hurricane Isaias: check organizers’ pages before you go; outdoor events can move or cancel.

Oct. 13: Mayoral candidate forum

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Public Library, The Women & Girls Collaborative holds a candidate forum for the Tallahassee mayor’s race, on the city’s calendar. See voting in Leon County for the Nov. 3 election.

Oct. 17: The big Saturday

  • Cash for Trash, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2727 Major James Morgan Jr. Way. City residential customers with garbage service get a $5 utility credit for dropping off bulky items, tires (four maximum) and household chemicals. Details on our trash and recycling page and the city’s notice.
  • Boo’s and Books, 11 a.m., Tallahassee Museum: free books for VPK to fifth-grade students who qualify through New Worlds Reading, per the museum.
  • Movies in the Moonlight, free. Mario-themed activities start at 6 p.m. in the Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park; “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” (PG) starts at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn while it lasts, food vendors on site, seats first-come, first-served, or bring a blanket for the lawn, the city says. Costumes encouraged.
  • Florida State vs. Clemson, 7 p.m., Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. It is Military Appreciation game, per the Seminoles’ schedule.

Oct. 23-24: Zoobilee and FAMU homecoming

  • Zoobilee, 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, Tallahassee Museum. The museum calls it “Tallahassee’s Spookiest Celebration.” Proceeds support museum programs; tickets include tastings from more than 20 food vendors and an open bar. Tickets through the museum.
  • FAMU homecoming, 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium, per FAMU Athletics.
  • Night Prowl, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Tallahassee Museum. $16, $14 for members, per the museum.

Oct. 31: Halloween Saturday

FAMU plays Southern at 3 p.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium. For trick-or-treat hours and trunk-or-treats, see trick-or-treat hours in Tallahassee. For pumpkin patches and festivals, see fall festivals and pumpkin patches.

Coming up in November

  • North Florida Fair: the carnival runs Nov. 5-15, per the fair’s operating hours page. Tickets, specials and parking: our North Florida Fair guide.
  • Canopy Oaks Storytelling Festival: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Tallahassee Museum, included with museum admission, per the museum.

Every week

Frequently asked questions

What is happening in Tallahassee this weekend in October?

Saturday, Oct. 17, is the busiest day: Cash for Trash in the morning, free Movies in the Moonlight at Cascades Park from 6 p.m. and Florida State vs. Clemson at 7 p.m.

When is FAMU homecoming 2026?

FAMU’s homecoming game is Saturday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

When does FSU play at home in October 2026?

Florida State hosts Clemson at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. It is the Seminoles’ only October home game; they play at Boston College on Oct. 31.

When is the North Florida Fair in 2026?

The fair’s carnival runs Nov. 5-15, 2026, according to the fair’s operating hours page.