Things to do in Fort Myers this month: October 2026

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Rebuilt on the first of each month. Sources: the City of Fort Myers events calendar and the Fort Myers River District calendar. Times and prices are as the organizers publish them; check the linked page before you go. For this weekend’s full list, see things to do this weekend.

October in Fort Myers is the month the outdoor season starts again: the city’s free movies move from the Riverside Community Center to outdoor spots, Halloween walks fill the weekends, and the downtown Music Walk returns on the third Friday.

Who to call

• City of Fort Myers events and parks: City Hall, 239-321-7000
• Calendars: the city events calendar and the River District calendar

Free movie on the river: Friday, Oct. 9

The city’s Palm City Cinema: Reels on the River shows Minions and Monsters on a big screen on a boat at Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., starting at 6:30 p.m. It is free, and boat-friendly: you can watch from the water or the lawn. Bring a chair or blanket, snacks and drinks; no alcohol or glass. Food trucks will be there. The series runs on the second Friday of every month, outdoors from October through March. Details.

Haunted Walk at the Calusa Nature Center: Oct. 9-31

The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., runs its Haunted Walk from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and a VIP fast pass is $100, on sale at calusanature.org. Overflow parking is at a Seventh-day Adventist church, with shuttles on Fridays and Saturdays. Details.

Music Walk: Friday, Oct. 16

Local and regional musicians, from jazz and blues to rock ‘n’ roll, play along First Street downtown from 6 to 10 p.m. The lineup changes each month, and it is free. The city points drivers to Denison Parking’s downtown garage information. Details.

Trunk-or-treat: Saturday, Oct. 17

First Christian Church, 2061 McGregor Blvd., holds a free trunk-or-treat from 5 to 6:30 p.m., open to the public, with preregistration at fccfm.org. Details. More Halloween hours and events are in our trick-or-treat guide.

Wicked Walk: Oct. 22-23

The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., stages “Frightening Fairy Tales,” student artwork and performances, with tours from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students at SBDAC.com. Details.

CAKE at Caloosa Sound: Saturday, Oct. 24

The band CAKE plays Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Drive, on the riverfront. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. The amphitheater has food concessions and cash or credit bars. Details.

Ghost of the Coast 5K: Saturday, Oct. 31

A Halloween costume run at Eastwood Golf Course, 4600 Bruce Herd Lane, at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds go to the Fort Myers Police Department Athletic League. Register at apexpromoz.com; questions to the organizer at 910-200-8994. Details.

Every Saturday: the downtown farmers market

The Fort Myers Culinary District Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown. It began an expanded fall season on Oct. 3 with more than 70 returning and new vendors selling bread, produce, cheese, juice, plants, skin care and jewelry, the city’s announcement says. Some entries on the city calendar show the market on Sundays; the announcement says Saturdays. More in our farmers markets guide.

City meetings this month

The City Council meets at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at City Hall, 2200 Second St. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board meets at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, and the Historic Preservation Commission at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, both at City Hall.

What this means for you

• Free nights out: the river movie Oct. 9 and the Music Walk Oct. 16.
• Haunted Walk tickets are $5 cheaper bought ahead.
• Halloween falls on a Saturday this year; see the trick-or-treat guide and fall festivals and pumpkin patches.

Related: parks and trails and getting around Fort Myers.

The big annual events, each on its own page: ArtFest Fort Myers (Feb. 5-7, 2027), the Edison Festival of Light parades (Feb. 14 and 20, 2027) and the Southwest Florida Reading Festival (March 6, 2027).

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Fort Myers in October 2026?

Highlights include the free Reels on the River movie at Centennial Park Oct. 9, the Calusa Nature Center’s Haunted Walk on 11 nights from Oct. 9, the free Music Walk downtown Oct. 16 and CAKE at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater Oct. 24.

Are there free events in Fort Myers this month?

Yes. The city lists the Reels on the River movie Oct. 9, the Monthly Music Walk Oct. 16 and First Christian Church’s trunk-or-treat Oct. 17 as free.

When is the Fort Myers Music Walk in October 2026?

Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m. on First Street downtown. It is free.

How much is the Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk?

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, the city’s calendar says, with a $100 VIP fast pass. It runs 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 9 to 31.