It’s officially fall and we could not be more excited. Bidding farewell to days by the pool and summer sunshine is always a little bittersweet, but the holidays and hot chocolate make the transition a little sweeter. There’s so much going on this time of year, and this month is full of exciting events and things to do in the River City. Here are the top events to add to your October calendar!

Louisville Events: October 2017

Through October 28, 2017: Waverly Hills Haunted House

The Waverly Hills annual haunted house fundraiser, A Time to Fear, is open every Friday and Saturday night through October 28. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and close at midnight. If you are in line by midnight, you will be admitted into the haunted house. Haunted house admission tickets are $20, and VIP tickets are $60. A VIP ticket will get you a 30-minute tour of the upper floors where you learn the history of Waverly Hills and experience the paranormal. Also as a VIP, you get to skip the line because you are led straight into the haunted house at the completion of your upstairs tour. therealwaverlyhills.com

October 6-8, 2017: St. James Court Art Show

Get ready Louisville, because it’s that time of year again. That’s right — it’s time for the St. James Court Art Show. This year marks the 61st year of the Old Louisville favorite, and it will run from Friday, October 6, through Sunday, October 8. You are sure to find something that strikes your fancy, as there are more than 750 artists from across the country gathered together displaying their talents. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will happen rain or shine, and admission is free. stjamescourtartshow.com

October 7, 2017: Bourbon Bash at KMAC

The annual KMAC Bourbon Bash will be held on Saturday, October 7, from 8 p.m. to midnight. This year’s Bash will celebrate 36 years of art and bourbon in their newly renovated space. Chef Paul Skulas of Portage House will be pairing bourbons with his tasty culinary creations, and guest artists will be there to engage with guests as DJ GlitterTitz provides a bumping set during the event. And, of course, enjoy interactive art experiences while you savor fine bourbon tastings. General admission tickets are $100, and raffle tickets are $25 each. KMACmuseum.org

October 12 through November 5, 2017: Louisville Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

The Louisville Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is always a crowd favorite. This year’s event will be held at Iroquois Park, starting on October 12 and running through Sunday, November 5. There are 5,000 uniquely carved pumpkins lighting up the walking trail, which spans one-quarter mile, and carvers work tirelessly throughout the month to constantly keep freshly carved pumpkins out. The pumpkin trail will be illuminated from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Ticket prices vary depending on day. jackolanternlouisville.com

October 14, 2017: Foxhollow Farm Fall Festival

Foxhollow Farm hosts its 10th annual Fall Festival, a fun-filled celebration of autumn, on Saturday, October 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids of all ages can enjoy a corn maze, obstacle course, hayrides, arts and crafts, a kids’ costume parade, games, food trucks, live music and the Squallis Puppeteers. There is no admission charge, but parking is $15 per car for the entire day, and there is a small charge for various activities. Proceeds benefit Dare to Care Food Bank and Foxhollow Farm’s Outreach Program. foxhollow.com

October 14, 2017: Wine on the River

Calling all wine enthusiasts! From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, more than 25 vineyards, distributors and wineries will be on the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park. Attendees will receive a passport to keep track of their favorite red, white or bubbly during this fun and educational event. Your ticket — $55 plus tax in advance or $65 plus tax the day of — includes admission to the event, a souvenir tasting glass and samples of all beverages. Patrons must be 21 or older to attend and present a valid ID. wineontheriverlouisville.com

October 14 & 15, 2017: Bowman Field Aviation & Military Heritage Festival

The Bowman Field Aviation & Military Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15. The Bowman Field Friends are hosting this event to help the community experience the Golden Age of Aviation. Come to Bowman Field to witness rare vintage aircraft from all over the United States and take a rides in an original restored Ford Tri-Motor and a DC-3 aircraft, two airplanes that operated at Bowman Field when it was Louisville’s primary airport. Children under 5 are admitted free of charge; 16 and under are $5; and general admission tickets are $10. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. bowmanaviationfest.com

October 15, 2017: The IRONMAN

The IRONMAN Louisville is shedding its reputation as a hot, difficult race with its cool new fall date on October 15. The new date will provide near-perfect conditions — a calm, rolling swim in the Ohio River to start, then transition onto the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park before taking off on a 112-mile scenic bike ride through the city. After the cycling portion of the event is complete, a mere 26.2-mile flat running course, which passes by Churchill Downs and the University of Louisville, will lead you to the finish line at Fourth Street Live! Presented by Norton Sports Health, this year’s IRONMAN Louisville has 40 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. ironman.com

October 18, 2017: Taste of Louisville

Louisville has landed the No. 2 spot on USA Today‘s Top Foodie Cities in America. Full of locally owned and operated restaurants ranging from traditional to eclectic in style, there’s a tasty Louisville dish out there for everyone. Wednesday, October 18, marks the 44th annual Taste of Louisville. The Kentucky Restaurant Association’s Louisville Chapter has put together a collection of the city’s finest restaurants and chefs to raise money for local charities. Tickets range from $65 to $750, and you must be over the age of 21 to attend. This year, a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Jill’s Wish and Home of the Innocents. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Louisville Executive Aviation. thetasteoflouisville.com

October 19, 2017: IIDA’s 2017 Product Runway

Head to the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage on October 19 from 6 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to witness the International Interior Design Association’s 2017 Product Runway, a wildly creative fashion show. The runway models will debut local interior designers’ avant-garde garments constructed of interiors-related materials like carpet, wall-covering, ceramic tile, vinyl tile and commercial fabrics. This year’s theme for the event is Architectural Styles Throughout History, such as Art Deco architecture, Ancient Grecian architecture, Persian architecture and many more. Celebrate great design and architecture in the form of high fashion. Tickets range from $30 to $80. eventbrite.com

October 20, 2017: The Pink Prom

On Friday, October 20, at Mellwood Arts Center, get gussied up in your finest prom attire and walk the pink carpet, then dance the night away in support of breast cancer research. Last year, the Pink Prom was named one of the top charity events and among the top best live entertainment events in Louisville. Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October and David Shaw & Zack Feinberg of The Revivalists will provide this year’s live acoustic sets. Tickets range from $35 to $199 with 100% of sales going to KentuckyOne Health Cancer Care. Attendees must be 21 and older. thepinkprom.com

October 21, 2017: JDRF One Walk

Each year, JDRF One Walk brings together more than 900,000 people from across the country to change the future for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This fun, family-friendly event gives people with T1D — and their friends, family and coworkers — the opportunity to raise money for life-changing T1D research. They walk to help JDRF ease the incredible burden of this disease for the millions affected until there is a world without T1D. This year’s walk will be held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, October 21. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 11:30 a.m. jdrf.org

October 21 & 22, 2017: Via Colori Street Painting Festival

Once a year, Kentucky is transformed into a creative canvas. Via Colori Street Painting Festival brings together artists, volunteers, businesses and nonprofits to raise awareness, funds and community partnership for foster children across the state. The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Big Four Lawn at Waterfront Park. There will be street painting, musicians on three stages, vendors to shop and plenty of food. The event will directly benefit New Beginnings Family Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) that provides therapeutic foster care and medically fragile care to special needs children who are displaced from their biological family. viacolorikentucky.com

October 22, 2017: Wanderlust 108

Wanderlust 108 is the world’s only mindful triathlon. Start off the journey with a 5k run or walk, then follow it up with 75 minutes of yoga flow accented with a DJ and top it all off with a 30-minute guided meditation. Once the meditative triathlon is complete, take a stroll through the Kula Market, which will feature local crafts and organic foods. Additional workshops in aerial yoga, acroyoga, hooping and slacklining will also be offered. Wanderlust 108 is sure to clear your mind and relax your body. The fun starts at 7:30 a.m. and lasts until 3:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20, and the event will take place on The Great Lawn at Waterfront Park.  wanderlust.com

October 28, 2017: Boo Dell at Yew Dell

The seasonal favorite Boo Dell at Yew Dell is on Saturday, October 28, at the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. Kids of all ages can enjoy trick-or-treating along the Trail-o-Treats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dozens of local businesses will entertain with their creatively creepy booths and costumes. Hayrides, a straw maze and scavenger hunts round out a day of fun for all. The popular Mr. Magic will perform from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 for seniors, $7 for adults and children are admitted free of charge. yewdellgardens.org

October 28, 2017: Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s Boo La La Halloween Ball

Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s annual Halloween fundraiser party will be held at The Gillespie on Saturday, October 28. The costume and black-tie ball will feature cocktails, dinner, dancing and a costume contest. Cocktails are served at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person with dinner or $75 for admission after 9 p.m. for cocktails and dancing. olmstedparks.org

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Your calendars should be full by now but if you need even more reasons to get out and explore Louisville, download the free SB App. It’s the best of Louisville at your fingertips!