Rochester in October 2025: Fall Foliage, Pumpkin Picking, and Paranormal Fun

Read the latest Rochester This Week on Substack

Last updated: October 5, 2025

---

October in Rochester is a season of gold-tipped trees, crisp air, and cozy adventures. Local farms brim with pumpkins and cider donuts, heritage train rides roll through colorful countryside, and spooky stories fill the night air. Whether you’re chasing fall colors or ghostly fun, this guide will help you plan the perfect autumn day.

Explore the Best Pumpkin Patches Around Rochester

Rochester’s pumpkin farms offer a vibrant fall experience, where you can explore corn mazes, pick your own pumpkins, and enjoy a lively harvest festival atmosphere. These farms truly embody the spirit of the season, whether during the day or under the full Hunter’s Moon.

Wickham Farms, Penfield

At Wickham Farms in Penfield, the season’s fun amps up from September 5 through early November, as their Fall Festival brings stunning scenery, autumn décor, hayrides, orchard walks, pumpkin picking, giant slides, cider donuts, kettle corn, and even hard cider in the barn—all served in a festive rural setting.

Stokoe Farms, Scottsville

For over a quarter-century, Stokoe Farms has been the go-to fall tradition in Scottsville, celebrating its 25th annual Harvest Fest from September 20 to October 26, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors enjoy over 40 interactive activities—hayrides, corn mazes, a candy cannon show at 4:30 p.m., the area’s largest petting zoo including kangaroos, the Canine Spectacular dog show, and endless fall treats like cider donuts and kettle corn.

Long Acre Farms, Macedon

Starting September 20, Long Acre Farms kicks off its fall festivities anchored by New York’s longest-running corn maze—The Amazing Maize Maze—along with the lively Back 40 play area, wagon rides, cow train rides, gemstone panning, ice cream, and pumpkins. Plus, don’t miss their magical Moonlight Maze on select Friday nights (Sept 26–Oct 24) and a bonus Saturday, complete with late-night offerings like wood-fired pizza, snacks, and wine.

Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua

Just over the county line in Canandaigua, Lincoln Hill Farms transforms each October weekend into a family-friendly Halloween spectacle. Guests enjoy a walking trail with photo ops, live DJs and bands, food and drinks from the Silo Bar and Food Lane, interactive games, and a spooky yet lighthearted Zombie Hunt Wagon Ride. The farm is open Fridays–Sundays 5–10 PM (weekdays and times vary), with weekends extending to October 26, and the experience includes haunted décor, live music, and fall fare.

Paranormal Activities & Halloween Events

Let the shadows of fall guide you through Rochester’s spookier side. Whether you’re walking through historic haunts or getting pulled into the world of ghostly legends, Rochester’s ghostly offerings are bound to give you goosebumps. From costume parties to creepy concerts, Halloween spirit takes over the region by mid-October. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids or partying late in costume, there’s a spooky event for you.

The Haunted Housel on CR 4

Operating daily from September 26 through October 31, 2025, Haunted Housel invites visitors to explore an immersive Halloween display every evening from 3–9:30 p.m. At this homemade spectacle, guests walk through three captivating zones: the elaborate Skeleton Army, a spine-tingling Backyard Cemetery, and a Haunted Corn Maze with actors and lighting that intensify after dark. Entry is modestly priced—typically around $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6–12, and free for ages five and under.

More hauntingly fun events include:

• GCVM Spooky Saturday (Oct 11)
• RPO: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2— In Concert (Oct 18–19)
• Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Temple Theater (Oct 23)
• Halloween at the Market (Oct 26)
• GCVM All Hallows’ Tea (Oct 26)
• RPO: Monster Melodies (Oct 26)
• GCVM A Night with Edgar Allan Poe (Nov 1)

Apples & Apple Tasting Tour

All October long, Wayne County invites you to celebrate its apple harvest through a self-guided tasting tour. With scenic drives, U-Pick orchards, cider tastings, and baked goods at every stop, it’s a sweet way to experience autumn.

• Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour (Oct 1–31; Signature Weekend Oct 10–13)
• Hilton Apple Festival (Oct 4–5)

Train Rides Themed Around Fall

All aboard for fall foliage views, pumpkin patches, and vintage rail experiences. These special October train rides offer a charming blend of scenery, nostalgia, and seasonal fun—perfect for families and train lovers alike.

• R&GVRR Museums Pumpkin Patch Train Rides (October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Nov. 1)
• BC&J Fall Foliage Train Rides (Oct 4 & 11)
• NYMT Fall Foliage Trolley Rides (Oct 5, 12, 26)
• NYMT Halloween Trolley Express (Oct 19)
• Medina Railroad Fall Foliage Excursions (Oct 18, 19, 25, 26)
• Arcade & Attica Railroad Fall Foliage Train Rides (Multiple Oct dates)
• Arcade & Attica Railroad Haunted Halloween Train Ride (Oct 25 & 26)
• BC&J Halloween Train Rides (Oct 25–26)

Fall Foliage Hikes

October’s crisp air and brilliant leaves make it the best time to hit the trails. Rochester’s parks and nature preserves, along with nearby New York State Parks, are glowing with reds, oranges, and golds—so lace up your hiking boots and take it all in. Here are the most scenic fall foliage hikes around Rochester.

• Fall Foliage at Mount Hope Cemetery (Oct 18)

Take a Scenic Drive

You don’t have to be in the Catskills or Adirondacks to find an inspiring view. Pick any slow road leading out of Rochester. There are lots of scenic overlooks to enjoy along the way.

• My personal favorite! Take County Road 21, 12, 33, 34, or 36 to Naples. Stop at the “jump off” in Ontario County Park, Harriet Hollister, or Bristol Mountain.

• Lake Ontario Seaway Trail east to Huron or west to Olcott
• Route 96 to Seneca Falls and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
• Route 15-15A loop around Hemlock Lake
• Drive through Letchworth from Mt. Morris to the Glen Iris Inn.
• Route 20 east to Skaneateles or Lafayette or Cazenovia
• Route 98 to Salamanca and Little Rock City
• Route 20A west to East Aurora
• Route 19 to Rushford Lake

Seriously, I could keep going! If you have a favorite, let us know in the comments. And check out our Google Maps, pinned with overlooks and scenic vistas.

View the map separately on Google Maps.

Last-Chance Adventures

Before the season wraps, make time for warm-weather-only experiences. Many parks, boat tours, outdoor museums, and gorges close for the winter. This is your final month to walk those trails, paddle the Erie Canal, and sip craft beverages outdoors.

October 2025 Events Listing

Chronological highlights for 2025—verify hours, tickets, and venue updates before you go.

• Through Oct 19: OFC Finding Neverland
• Oct 1: Arcade & Attica Railroad Fall Foliage Train Rides (Multiple Oct dates)
• Oct 1: Penn Dixie Fossil Park Earth Science Day
• Oct 1–31: Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour
• Oct 2: Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour at Blue Cross Arena
• Oct 2: The Mountain Goats at Water Street Music Hall
• Oct 3: First Friday
• Oct 3: Front Line Assembly at Water Street Music Hall
• Oct 3–4: RPO: Summer Breeze – Yacht Rock Classics
• Oct 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25: Halloween Fest at Lincoln Hill Farms
• Oct 4: Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Innovative Field
• Oct 4: ROC in the Ruins at St. Joseph’s Park
• Oct 4 & 11: BC&J Fall Foliage Train Rides
• Oct 4–5: GCVM Agricultural Fair
• Oct 4–5: Hilton Apple Festival
• Oct 4–5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, Nov 1: R&GVRR Museums Pumpkin Patch Train Rides
• Oct 5: Corning Wineglass Marathon
• Oct 5: Italian American Heritage Day at the Market
• Oct 5: EPI’s One in 26 Walk
• Oct 5 & 12: Colonial Belle Fall Foliage Cruises to Downtown Rochester
• Oct 5, 12, 26: NYMT Fall Foliage Trolley Rides
• Oct 7: Pat Metheny at NAZ
• Oct  9 & 11: RPO: Fire & Fantasy
• Oct 10: Taylor Goes Emo: A Taylor Swift vs. Emo Night Party at Photo City Music Hall
• Oct 11: Spooky Saturday at the GCVM
• Oct: 11: Colonial Belle Oktoberfest Cruise
• Oct 11: ROCtoberfest 5K presented by Strangebird
• Oct 11: Genesee Valley Hunt Races
• Oct 11–12: Bristol Mountain: Fall Festival
• Oct 11-13, 18-20, & 25-28: Tompkins County Book Sale
• Oct 12: Spoopy Market at OFC’s The Old Farm Cafe
• Oct 12: Modest Mouse and Built to Spill at Kodak Center
• Oct 12–13; 19–20; 26–27: RGVRR Pumpkin Patch Train Rides
• Oct 13: Indigenous Peoples Day in Cobbs Hill Park
• Oct 13–16: Gateways Fall Festival
• Oct 17, 18, 25 & 26: Spooktacular at Seneca Park Zoo
• Oct 17, 18, 24 & 25: Haunted House – Survive the Sanitorium
• Oct 18: Fall Foliage Walk at Mount Hope Cemetery
• Oct 18: GCVM Coffee & Doughnuts Workshop
• Oct 18: RMSC After Dark: Carnival of Curiosity
• Oct 18: Walk with Willow at the Times Square Building
• Oct 18–19: RPO: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2— In Concert
• Oct 18, 19, 25, 26: Medina Railroad Fall Foliage Excursions
• Oct 19: Ben Folds Concert at NAZ
• Oct 19: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
• Oct 19: NYMT Halloween Trolley Express
• Oct 19 & 25: Colonial Belle Halloween Brunch Cruises
• Oct 21–26: CLUE at RBTL
• Oct 23: Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Temple Theater
• Oct 24: MAG Museum of the Dead: Killer Art
• Oct 24: Halloween Silent Disco at Montage Music Hall
• Oct 24 & 26: OFC: Stage Fright: A Broadway Halloween Cabaret
• Oct 25: Spooky Witches & Potions Market
• Oct 25: Pumpkins In The Park 5K & Kids ½ Mile
• Oct 25: Mischief, Murder, and Mayhem Walking Tour at Mount Hope Cemetery
• Oct 25: Hotel California: A Salute to The Eagles at the Kodak Center
• Oct 25: RMSC Cumming Nature Center’s Enchanted Forest
• Oct 25–26: Arcade & Attica Railroad Haunted Halloween Train Ride
• Oct 25–26: BC&J Halloween Train Rides
• Oct 26: Halloween at the Rochester Public Market
• Oct 26: Halloween Market
• Oct 26: RPO: Monster Melodies
• Oct 26: GCVM All Hallows’ Tea
• Oct 26: RMSC Family Fun Day: Tricks & Treats
• Oct 26: Mischief, Murder, and Mayhem Walking Tour at Mount Hope Cemetery
• Oct 28: Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! at the Kodak Center
• Oct 29: MANIA: The ABBA Tribute at the Kodak Center
• Oct 30 & Nov 1: CLICK! (World Premiere) at Eastman School of Music, Kilbourn Hall
• Oct 31: Carn-EVIL Halloween Party
• Nov 1: Schutt’s Cider Mile Race
• Nov 1: A Night with Edgar Allan Poe at the GCVM
• Nov 1: Lincoln Hill Farms Harvest Fest

What are your favorite October activities around Rochester?

🍂 Did this guide help you plan your October adventures? Sign up for weekly inspiration straight to your inbox!

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.