Unlike the dreaded words "Winter is coming" stated repeatedly in the "Game of Thrones" series, in South Florida we welcome it with open arms! Bring on the white walkers, the Night King, Frosty the Snowman and whoever else, as long as it means some cooler weather. While winter might be a few months away, fall officially began on Sept. 23 and, hopefully, will mean lower temperatures and humidity. Get out this weekend and hoist that stein at Oktoberfest at the American German Club of the Palm Beaches, get you and your pup in the Halloween spirit at Mounts Botanical Garden, see and hear the Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches' season-opening concert and more.
In addition to the top five events listed there's always something great happening at places
like The Norton Museum of Art or the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. On top of that you could always just enjoy a great meal with an equally great view at one of Palm Beach County's waterfront restaurants from Jupiter to Boca Raton. Plus, we've curated a list of the best things to do all year in the county, and here it is: your bucket list of 60 fun must-try things to do in Palm Beach County.
1. Oktoberfest, Lake Worth Beach
The American German Club of the Palm Beaches 52nd annual event will once again feature lively music, authentic German bier and food, traditional dances and nonstop fun that will have guests singing, dancing and toasting all night. There will be schnitzel, sauerbraten, bratwurst and pretzels; two stages with live bands including Forschhaxn Express and the King Guys Band; stein holding contests, keg tapping, carnival rides and more.
The event is 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9; 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11; 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. 5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth Beach. Advance tickets 15 and older $12, at gate $20; advance and at gate ages 7 to 14 $8; 6 and younger free. Information: american-german-club
☕Starbucks, shmarbucks! Here are six Clematis Street coffee alternatives
2. Howl-O-Ween Dogs' Day in the Garden, West Palm Beach
Held at Mounts Botanical Garden in conjunction with Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, this event invites dogs and their owners to dress up in their favorite costumes and strut their stuff around the garden. Don't have a dog? The rescue league will be bringing adoptable pets to the event. Please see rules regarding dogs at Mounts.
The event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Mounts members free; adults $20; seniors, college students, military with ID $18; Mounts member's dogs free; nonmember dogs $5. Information: mounts.org/events
3. Wine Down with Wildlife: All About Owls, Jupiter
Unwind at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary during this adults only experience (must be 21+) that includes beer/wine plus light refreshments and meet the sanctuary's owl ambassadors. Even get hands on and dissect an owl pellet.
The event is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter. $40. Information: buschwildlife.org
4. Cats & Dogs exhibition, West Palm Beach
This exhibition at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, is one of the first large-scale exhibitions dedicated to our cherished furry friends. Take a closer look at what science, sociology and culture have taught us about canines and felines and step into the sensory worlds of cats and dogs to discover how differently they perceive their surroundings.
The exhibition opens Saturday, Oct. 10 and runs through April 16, 2027. 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Adults $26, ages 3 to 12 $11, 13 to 17 $24, seniors $24, member free. Information: coxsciencecenter.org
5. Master Gardener in Residence Tour & Talk with CJ McCartney, West Palm Beach
Don't miss this walking tour of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens with master gardener CJ McCartney. See the garden's rare palm and cycad garden along with the pollinator garden and, hopefully, plenty of pollinators.
The event is 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. 253 Barcelona Road, West Palm Beach. Members free, nonmember adults $15, nonmember seniors $10, students $7, under five free. Information: 561-832-5328; ansg.org
🎃 Pumpkin patches now open in Palm Beach County
Bonus: Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches "Vita Italia," Lake Worth Beach; Palm Beach Gardens
The opening concert of their 66th season, this performance is a musical journey through the heart of Italy featuring a vibrant mix of beloved folk songs, iconic film scores, and grand opera.
The concerts are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, Duncan Theatre, 4200 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 Benjamin School Upper Campus, 4875 Grandiflora, Palm Beach Gardens. $25, school-age children $5-$10. Information: 561-207-5900; symphonicband.org
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Top 5 Things to Do this weekend (Oct. 9-11) in Palm Beach County
