Welcome to the second full week of October, and the week the Halloween season really gets going. Main Street Medina's Ghost Fest returns to the Square with its Ghost & Gobblin' Walk, Downtown Akron Fall Fest turns Lock 3 into a family street party, A Taste of Ireland brings Irish music and dance to the Medina Performing Arts Center, and the park district opens Halloween at Hambley at the end of the week. Boo at the Zoo is running daily at the Akron Zoo, the Saturday farmers markets are still going, and the pumpkin patches are at their peak. Whether you want a spooky night out, a market morning, or a day at the farm, there is something here for you.
Monday, October 12
Boo at the Zoo on a day off school
Monday is Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day, and many schools across the area are closed, which makes it a perfect day for a family outing. Boo at the Zoo is running daily at the Akron Zoo from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM through October 25, with trick-or-treat stations, festive decor, and family-friendly Halloween activities alongside the animals. It is one of the most popular family outings of the season, and a weekday visit tends to be the calmest of the whole run.
Fall scenic rides on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs its fall scenic excursions daily through October, with boarding options at Peninsula, Rockside, and Akron Northside. It is a relaxed, family-friendly way to see the valley's autumn color without a car, and a great pick for a day off.
Tuesday, October 13
Novelist Renee Rosen reads in Akron
Novelist Renee Rosen gives a hometown reading Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Akron-Summit County Public Library's 3101 Smith Road location. Rosen's historical novels have a devoted following, and library author events are free and open to the public. It is a cozy, indoors way to spend a fall evening.
Wednesday, October 14
Natural Discoveries at the park district
The Medina County Park District leads Natural Discoveries Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, a free, no-registration nature program open to all ages. It is a gentle midweek way to get outside while the county's trees are near peak color.
State of the Arts 2026 at House Three Thirty
House Three Thirty, the LeBron James Family Foundation's community venue on West Market Street in Akron, hosts State of the Arts 2026 Wednesday at 4:00 PM, a free community arts gathering. Check the venue's site for the full program.
Thursday, October 15
Medina Ghost Fest: the Ghost & Gobblin' Walk
Main Street Medina's Ghost Fest returns to the Square Thursday night with the 2nd Annual Ghost & Gobblin' Walk from 5:30 to 9:00 PM. The guided, immersive evening winds around the Historic Public Square with five stops serving small plates and specialty drinks, glowing jack-o'-lanterns, and spooky tales of Medina's haunted and historic past. Tickets sold out ahead of the event, but the Ghost Fest continues with the Haunted Cantina Experience at a downtown venue on October 23, and tickets for that one are still available.
Into the Mystic: a Van Morrison tribute at the Knight Stage
The Knight Stage at the Akron Civic Theatre hosts Into the Mystic with Nitebridge featuring Colin Dussault Thursday at 7:30 PM, a Van Morrison tribute in the intimate downstairs venue. Expect the full catalog, from Brown Eyed Girl to Moondance, in a cozy theater setting.
A Healthy Dose of Nature hiking series
The park district's A Healthy Dose of Nature hiking series meets Thursday from 10:00 AM to noon, a free, no-registration guided hike for all ages. A good way to spend a crisp fall morning before the evening festivities.
Friday, October 16
A Taste of Ireland at the Medina Performing Arts Center
A Taste of Ireland brings its Irish music and dance sensation to the Medina Performing Arts Center Friday at 7:30 PM, a high-energy evening of traditional tunes, step dancing, and storytelling. It is the week's marquee show in Medina proper, and tickets are available through the tour's site.
Who's Bad at the Celestia Theater in Wadsworth
Who's Bad, the long-running Michael Jackson tribute band, plays the Celestia Theater at Wadsworth Square Friday at 7:00 PM. A lively classic-pop night out just up State Route 18 from Medina.
Celestia Theater, Wadsworth Square
7:00 PM
Ticketed · See the theater's calendar
Savory S'mores with your Sweetie at the park district
The park district hosts Savory S'mores with your Sweetie Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, a free adults program that puts a savory twist on the campfire classic. Pre-registration is required and spots are limited to 30, so sign up through the district's reservation system.
Medina County Park District
6:00 - 8:00 PM · pre-registration required
Pumpkin Village Fun Friday at Mapleside
Mapleside Farms in Brunswick opens its Pumpkin Village for Fun Friday from 4:00 to 9:00 PM, with corn mazes, hayrides, and the famous Pumpkin Wall under the evening lights. It runs Friday evening through Sunday this weekend.
Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Rd, Brunswick
Fri 4:00 - 9:00 PM · Sat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM · Sun 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Ticketed · mapleside.com
Saturday, October 17
Downtown Akron Fall Fest at Lock 3
The 5th Annual Downtown Akron Fall Fest takes over Lock 3 and Main Street Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with trick-or-treating along Main Street, free crafts and activities for kids, food vendors, and live music. It is the weekend's big family event, and it is free to attend.
Halloween at Hambley
The Medina County Park District opens Halloween at Hambley Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM, a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration for all ages with no registration required. It is a great low-key pick for little ones, and it runs both weekend afternoons.
Medina County Park District
Sat-Sun, Oct 17-18 · 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Free · no registration · medinacountyparks.com
City of Medina auction
The City of Medina holds its public auction Saturday at the Medina City Garage, 781 W Smith Road. City surplus items go to the highest bidder; check the city's site for the item list and start time.
Saturday farmers markets, still in season
Two Saturday markets are still going strong. The Farmers Market of Medina County runs 9:00 AM to noon at Cornerstone Chapel on Granger Road, with local produce, baked goods, and fall flowers through November 14. The Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market at Howe Meadow in Peninsula also runs 9:00 AM to noon through the end of October, a scenic stop on the way to the valley's fall activities.
Cornerstone Chapel, Granger Rd, Medina · Howe Meadow, Peninsula
Saturday morning · 9:00 AM - noon
Free · farmersmarketofmedina.com · cvfm.org
Basket Weaving 101: Autumn Basket
For a hands-on morning, the park district's Basket Weaving 101 class makes an autumn basket Saturday from 9:30 AM to noon. The $35 fee covers materials, and registration is required with just 12 spots.
Sunset Sip in the Corn Maze at Maize Valley
If you want the maze after dark, Maize Valley in Hartville hosts Sunset Sip in the Corn Maze Saturday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, an adults-friendly evening in the 8-acre maze with drinks on hand. It is a different way to do a fall farm night.
Photo Exploration Hike at Kendall Lake
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park leads a Photo Exploration Hike at Kendall Lake Saturday at 10:00 AM, a guided walk focused on fall color and composition. Meet at the Kendall Lake Shelter.
Akron Zips football on the road
For Zips fans, Akron football plays a MAC game at Miami (OH) Saturday afternoon in Oxford. No home game at InfoCision Stadium this week, but it is a good excuse to follow along from a local spot.
Sunday, October 18
Halloween at Hambley, day two
Halloween at Hambley continues its second day Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM. If you missed Saturday, this is your last chance for the park district's free, family-friendly Halloween celebration this weekend.
Trunk or Treat at Hickory Ridge Cinemas
Hickory Ridge Cinemas in Brunswick hosts a Trunk or Treat Sunday at 10:00 AM in its parking lot, a free, family-friendly candy hunt to start the day. A fun, easy stop before the afternoon farm outings.
Fall on the Farm at Crowley's Tree Farm
Crowley's Tree Farm in Wadsworth hosts Fall on the Farm Sunday at 1:30 PM, an afternoon of farm activities and autumn fun. Check the farm's site for details.
Crowley's Tree Farm, 2150 Greenwich Rd, Wadsworth
1:30 PM
See event for details · crowleystreefarm.com
Nature Rx: Water Stories in the valley
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park closes the weekend with Nature Rx: Water Stories Told Through Mindful Photography Sunday at 4:00 PM, a slow, meditative walk pairing the valley's waterways with photography prompts. A peaceful way to end the week.
Around Town This Week
Boo at the Zoo runs through October 25. The Akron Zoo's big Halloween event keeps going daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, so there is plenty of time to catch it on a calmer weekday.
The Hudson Haunted House is open. The Hudson Jaycees' haunted attraction at Oak Grove Park runs through October 30, one of the region's longest-running nonprofit haunted houses. It is a bigger scare than the family events, so plan accordingly.
Halloween theater is in full swing. Evil Dead The Musical runs at the Knight Stage through November 1, Deathtrap is on stage at Weathervane Playhouse through November 1, and The Rocky Horror Show continues at Greystone Hall in Akron. There is a live show for every taste this month.
Pumpkin season continues. Heritage Farms' Pumpkin Pandemonium in Peninsula, Szalay's Farm's decorated corn maze in Peninsula, and Kingsway Pumpkin Farm in Hartville are all open daily, alongside Mapleside's weekend Pumpkin Village. All are an easy drive from Medina.
Trout stocking wraps up. The annual Cuyahoga River trout stocking with Western Reserve Trout Unlimited finishes Saturday, October 17, in Cuyahoga Falls and Munroe Falls. Good news for anglers and a nice excuse for a riverside walk.
Mark your calendar. The Ghost Fest's Haunted Cantina Experience takes over a downtown Medina venue on October 23, Quirk-O-Ween brings its costumed street party to downtown Cuyahoga Falls on October 23, and the park district's Haunted Hidden Hollow returns October 31. I will have the full details in next week's note.
Thinking about making Medina your home?
Between the Ghost Fest on the Square, the Fall Fest at Lock 3, and a county full of pumpkin patches, this is the season Medina County does best. If you are considering a move to the area, reach out and Jamie can help you find the right property.