Best Fall Ice Cream Flavors to Try in 2026

Best Fall ice cream selections from Trader Joe's and Target, Jet-puffed candy corn marshmallows

Pumpkin spice gets most of the attention once September arrives, but personally, I think fall ice cream flavors are a lot more fun.

Pumpkin, apple cider, caramel, maple, cinnamon, brown sugar, pecan—ice cream shops and grocery-store freezer aisles start filling up with flavors that taste like fall even when it's still 80 degrees outside.

Which, living in Southern California, is pretty much my ideal way to celebrate the season.

I originally wrote this post way back in 2019 as a hunt for the best fall ice cream flavors around Los Angeles. A lot has changed since then, so I'm giving it a major update for 2026 with seasonal ice cream you can find around the country, grocery-store finds we've actually taste-tested, some of my favorite Los Angeles ice cream shops, plus Halloween and Thanksgiving ice cream ideas.

🍂 In This Fall Ice Cream Guide 🍦

Scoop Shop Flavors Grocery Store Finds Our Taste Test Los Angeles Ice Cream Halloween Treats Thanksgiving Ice Cream

What Are the Best Fall Ice Cream Flavors?

Pumpkin is the obvious answer, but there are so many more autumn ice cream flavors than pumpkin spice.

Apple and apple cider are especially big this year, along with caramel, maple, cinnamon, brown sugar, hazelnut, pecan, butterscotch and pie-inspired flavors.

You'll even find fall gelato and sorbet flavors, so I wanted this guide to go beyond a simple list of pumpkin ice creams.

And after doing our own fall ice cream taste test this year, I have to say: apple might actually be giving pumpkin some serious competition.

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Fall Ice Cream Flavors at Scoop Shops

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Jeni's is always one of the first places I look when seasonal ice cream flavors start appearing.

For fall 2026, Pumpkin with Brown Sugar Blondies combines heirloom pumpkin ice cream with warm spices, caramel and brown sugar blondie pieces. The current lineup also includes Miso Butterscotch Brownie and Hazelnut Stracciatella. Jeni's also ships its ice cream, so you don't necessarily need a scoop shop nearby to try the seasonal collection.

Pumpkin, caramel and blondies all in the same pint sounds exactly like what I want from fall ice cream.

My pick:Hazelnut Stracciatella

Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw apparently decided apple deserved its own pumpkin-spice moment this year, and I'm here for it.

Its September Apple Series includes Apple Cider Donuts, Apple and Cheddar Cinnamon Rolls, Salted Caramel Apple Pie, Vanilla Apple Custard Tart and Hoppy Apple Cider Sorbet.

Apple Cider Donuts combines cider-donut flavor with everything I want from fall, while Salted Caramel Apple Pie takes the apple-pie route.

And then there's Apple and Cheddar Cinnamon Rolls.

That's weird enough that I obviously want to try it.

If you're specifically searching for fall sorbet flavors, the apple cider sorbet also makes this lineup particularly fun.

My pick:Apple Cider Donuts, although Salted Caramel Apple Pie is a very close second

Baskin-Robbins Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you want a true fall flavor that's easy to find around the country, Baskin-Robbins Pumpkin Cheesecake is back.

It combines pumpkin and cheesecake-flavored ice creams with cinnamon cream cheese swirls and gingersnap cookie pieces and is available nationwide for a limited time beginning September 1.

This might be one of the easiest pumpkin ice creams on the whole list to actually go out and get.

My pick:Pumpkin Cheesecake

Dairy Queen Fall Blizzards

Dairy Queen is leaning hard into fall too.

The Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is back with real pumpkin pie pieces, and the 2026 fall collection also includes the new Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard. DQ started the season even earlier with a Caramel Apple Cheesecake Blizzard.

Pumpkin Pie is the classic, but brown sugar cookie dough sounds dangerously good.

My pick:Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard

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Fall Ice Cream Sandwiches from Target and Trader Joe's

Fall Ice Cream Flavors at the Grocery Store

You definitely don't need to track down a specialty scoop shop anymore to find interesting fall ice cream.

In fact, some of the things we liked most this year came straight from regular grocery-store freezer aisles.

Target Favorite Day Fall Ice Cream

Target Favorite Day Fall Ice Cream

Target has a surprisingly good fall freezer section.

Its current fall assortment includes Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream, Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream, Caramel Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie Ice Cream, Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Bites and the adorable Pumpkin Jack-o'-Lantern Ice Cream Sandwiches. Target is also currently selling Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwiches.

At my local Target, I found even more to try, including Apple Cider Ice Cream and Caramel Cinnamon Ice Cream, so definitely check the actual freezer case because the assortment can vary.

And we did not just look at them.

We brought a whole pile home.

The Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich ended up being much better than I expected. The cookie had an almost graham-cracker-like flavor that gave it a really familiar, cozy taste and worked surprisingly well with the apple ice cream.

The Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich wins on looks alone. The little jack-o'-lantern face is ridiculously cute.

My pick: Apple Cider Ice Cream for the pint; Caramel Apple for the sandwich

Pumpkin, apple, maple leaf ice cream sandwiches

Trader Joe's Fall Ice Cream

Trader Joe's in fall is basically its own seasonal activity.

Their Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches are made with maple-flavored ice cream containing real maple syrup between maple leaf-shaped cookies. Trader Joe's even calls them an ideal size to share with kids.

And they are easily the prettiest ice cream sandwiches we tried.

The maple leaf cookie has a beautiful embossed design, and the maple flavor is subtle rather than overwhelming.

Trader Joe's also has a current Apple Pie à la Mode Ice Cream in its new-product lineup, so apparently apple really is having a moment this fall.

My pick: Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches

Also Spotted at Trader Joe’s

Two more fall flavors I somehow left behind: Pumpkin Ice Cream and Salted Maple Ice Cream.

I haven’t tried either one yet, so consider these my honorable mentions / next-trip picks.

The Salted Maple is especially tempting after trying the Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches. We really liked the maple ice cream in those, so if the Salted Maple Ice Cream has that same maple flavor with a little salty contrast, it could be a game changer.

And of course, Pumpkin Ice Cream is about as classic as a fall freezer find gets.

To try next: Salted Maple Ice Cream

Kroger Private Selection Fall Ice Cream

Private Selection is one of my favorite grocery-store ice cream brands, and Kroger currently has two flavors that fit this list perfectly.

New York Style Pumpkin Cheesecake is currently available alongside limited-edition Amaretto Cookie and Apple, which combines apple with an amaretto-cookie swirl and cinnamon-spiced elements.

I especially like that the apple flavor is something a little different from the endless variations of pumpkin cheesecake.

My pick: Amaretto Cookie and Apple

Talenti Fall Gelato

If you're searching specifically for fall gelato flavors, Talenti is worth checking.

Talenti lists Pumpkin Pie Layers and Caramel Apple Pie among its seasonal flavors.

My pick: Pumpkin Pie Layers

Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ben & Jerry's also makes a Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with a graham cracker swirl.

So if pumpkin cheesecake is your fall flavor of choice, there are plenty of ways to get it without having a specialty scoop shop nearby. I found this one at Target!

My pick: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Fall Ice cream sandwiches - pumpkin, apple and maple flavored

Our Fall Ice Cream Taste Test

We brought home a mix of fall ice cream pints and sandwiches to figure out which ones were actually worth buying again. We subjected our besties to help with this assignment!

And the biggest surprise?

We really liked the apple flavors.

Pumpkin seems like the automatic winner when you think about fall ice cream, but apple kept beating our expectations.

Among the pints, Apple Pie à la Mode and Apple Cider were the clear winners. I also really liked the Pumpkin Cheesecake, while the caramel ice cream was just okay compared with everything else we tried.

The sandwiches were fun for completely different reasons.

The Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich surprised us with that graham-cracker-like cookie, which gave it a familiar fall-dessert flavor.

The Trader Joe's Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwich was easily the prettiest.

And the Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich was definitely the cutest.

We also grabbed the Jet-Puffed Candy Corn Marshmallows for our tasting board. Despite the name, they’re not candy-corn flavored—they’re just marshmallows shaped and colored like candy corn. They tasted like regular marshmallows, but the little orange, yellow and white pieces made the whole fall ice cream board look so much cuter.

Our 2026 Fall Ice Cream Awards

• Favorite pint: Apple Pie à la Mode + Apple Cider — basically a tie

• Biggest surprise: Apple Cider

• Favorite unexpected sandwich flavor: Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich

• Prettiest: Trader Joe's Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwich

• Cutest: Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

• Best pumpkin: Pumpkin Cheesecake

• Just okay compared with the others: Caramel Commotion

Apparently the moral of this taste test is that we should stop automatically assuming pumpkin wins fall.

Apple showed up.

Fall ice cream in Los Angeles

Where to Find Fall Ice Cream in Los Angeles

This post originally started as my guide to fall ice cream flavors in Los Angeles, and I didn't want to completely lose that part of it.

Plus, there are a few California ice cream shops I still genuinely love.

Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams

Ginger's is one of the shops from my original fall ice cream hunt that I still love.

The menu rotates, which is actually part of the fun.

This is the kind of place where I'd rather walk in, look at what's in the case and pick whatever sounds most interesting that day than show up for one specific mass-produced seasonal flavor.

Previous Fall Flavors included:

1. Butterscotch Pumpkin Brulee

2. Ginger Cinnamon

3. Browned Butter Apple Spice Cake

4. Vegan Pickled Strawberry & Boysenberry Pie

5. Sweet Corn Blueberry & Thyme

My pick:Whatever sounds weirdest that day.

Butterscotch Pumpkin Brulee and Browned Butter Apple Spice Cake at Ginger’s

McConnell's Fine Ice Creams

McConnell's is another California favorite I wanted in the updated guide.

Its current lineup includes Miso Sticky Toffee, made with white miso in milk and cream with ribbons of butterscotch, and McConnell's also has a Cozy Fall Flavors collection featuring Salted Caramel Chip.

The Miso Sticky Toffee is exactly the sort of slightly unusual flavor that makes me want to order a scoop just to see if it works.

My pick: Salted Caramel Chip

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Minnie Witch Shake at Schmoozies - Disneyland California Adventure

Halloween Ice Cream Treats

Fall ice cream gets even more fun once October arrives.

September tends to be about pumpkin, apple, caramel and maple. By October, candy, chocolate, cookies, Halloween colors and novelty desserts start taking over.

And after seeing the actual Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich outside its box, I can confirm that it is every bit as cute as it looks.

I'll keep updating this section as more 2026 Halloween ice cream flavors are released.

More Not-So-Spooky Halloween Fun With Kids

And if you're looking for something to do between ice cream runs, I have plenty of Halloween ideas around here too.

🎃 10 Easy Not-So-Spooky Halloween Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

If your kids are into Cars, we also turned an old Radiator Springs playset into a tiny Halloween town for less than $10.

🏎️ Halloween Radiator Springs: An Easy Cars Halloween Activity for Kids

For something edible:

👻 Chocolate Haunted Cookie House: How to Make a Cute Halloween Cookie House

And if you're headed to Disneyland:

🏰 Disneyland Halloween Time: Decorations, Rides, Food & Tips

A Halloween Book for Kids Who Love Trucks

If your kids happen to love trucks as much as mine do, The Trucks That Saved Halloween is my not-too-spooky Halloween picture book about a group of trucks working together to transform an old farm into a Halloween carnival, complete with pumpkins, costumes, carnival rides and truck-or-treating.

🚚 See more about THE TRUCKS THAT SAVED HALLOWEEN

And if you need more Halloween read-aloud ideas:

📚 15 Halloween Books for Kids Who Love Trucks, Cars & Things That Go

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Mozart Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Liqueur - Boozy Milkshake Recipe

For the Adults: A Throwback Pumpkin Spice Milkshake

There's one piece of the original 2019 post I'm keeping as a little throwback.

I originally created this boozy Pumpkin Spice Milkshake as part of a past sponsored partnership with Mozart Chocolate Liqueur.

And surprisingly, the Mozart Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Liqueur is still an active product, made with chocolate, caramel, pumpkin, cinnamon, clove and vanilla.

My original recipe used:

• 1 graham cracker

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 shots Kahlúa

• 2 shots Mozart Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Liqueur

• 3–4 scoops ice cream

This portion of the original post was created as part of a past brand partnership with Mozart Chocolate Liqueur.

I wouldn't make a special trip for this section anymore, but if you still have a bottle—or happen to spot one—it is a fun adults-only way to turn fall ice cream into a cocktail.

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What I'd Bring to Thanksgiving: Ice Cream Edition

Ice cream doesn't have to disappear once Halloween is over.

In fact, I think Thanksgiving might be one of the best excuses to turn ice cream into something ridiculous.

Everyone laughed at my Turkey Ice Cream Pie - but it was delicious and I didn’t have to bake it!

Easy 3-Ingredient Turkey Ice Cream Pie

Years ago, I made this little turkey ice cream pie, and it might be one of the easiest Thanksgiving desserts I've ever made.

You only need three things:

• One prepared graham cracker pie crust

• About 1 quart of your favorite ice cream

• M&M's

Let the ice cream soften just enough that you can spread it, then spoon it into the pie crust and smooth out the top.

Next comes the important part: the turkey.

Arrange brown M&M's in the center for the turkey's body, then fan colorful M&M's out around it to make the tail feathers. Add two candies for eyes and a few more for the legs and feet.

Once your turkey is finished, put the pie back into the freezer until the ice cream is completely firm. I would give it at least a few hours, or just make it the night before Thanksgiving.

When you're ready to serve it, let the pie sit out for about 5–10 minutes so it's easier to slice.

I used a light-colored ice cream when I made mine, but this would be really fun with pumpkin, caramel, maple or even apple pie ice cream too.

And since it's basically decorating with M&M's, this would also be an easy Thanksgiving dessert to let kids help make.

The Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake we brought to Thanksgiving.

Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake

Or, if arranging M&M's into a turkey sounds like too much work, there's the considerably more dramatic option.

The famous Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake looks like a roasted Thanksgiving turkey but is actually an ice cream cake with sugar-cone drumsticks, caramel praline glaze and a customizable ice cream center. Baskin-Robbins brought it back again for Thanksgiving 2025.

As of this September 2026 update, the 2026 Thanksgiving version hasn't been announced yet, so I'll update this section when the November menu comes out.

I've had one before, and honestly, putting something on the Thanksgiving table that looks like a roasted turkey but turns out to be ice cream is very hard to beat.

My pick: If I'm hosting? The ridiculous turkey. Obviously.

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What About Fall Sorbet and Gelato Flavors?

Ice cream isn't the only frozen dessert that works for fall.

Some of the best fall gelato flavors use pumpkin, hazelnut, caramel, apple and maple.

Fall sorbet can be harder to find because we tend to associate sorbet with summer fruit, but Salt & Straw's apple cider sorbet is a perfect example of how apple can turn sorbet into an autumn dessert.

And Talenti makes it easy to find fall gelato in the grocery-store freezer.

When Do Fall Ice Cream Flavors Come Out?

Most fall ice cream flavors start appearing sometime between late August and September.

September is usually heavy on pumpkin, apple, apple cider, maple, caramel and cinnamon.

October brings more Halloween-themed desserts, while November shifts into Thanksgiving flavors, pies and seasonal ice cream cakes.

The only downside?

If there's one you really want to try, don't wait too long. Some of these disappear almost as quickly as they arrive.

What Is the Best Fall Ice Cream Flavor?

Going into our taste test, I probably would have said pumpkin.

Now?

Apple.

Apple Pie à la Mode and Apple Cider were the clear winners among our pints, and even the Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sandwich surprised us with that graham-cracker-like cookie.

I still really liked Pumpkin Cheesecake, and I'll never say no to pumpkin when September rolls around.

But in 2026, apple officially gave pumpkin a run for its money in our house.

And I'll keep updating this guide as more fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving ice cream flavors are announced throughout the season.

Have you found a fall ice cream flavor I need to try? Let me know—especially if it's something weird!

Seasonal flavors and availability change frequently and can vary by location. This guide was updated in September 2026, so check directly with individual stores or ice cream shops before making a special trip for one particular flavor.

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More Ice Cream Adventures:

The Trucks That Saved Halloween: A Not-So-Spooky Halloween Book for Kids Who Love Trucks

The Trucks that Saved Halloween artwork from start to finish

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have officially published THREE children’s books!

The Trucks That Saved Halloween is the newest adventure in The Trucks That Saved series, and I wrote it for the same reason I started this whole adventure in the first place: my boys.

I wanted to create books they would be excited to pull off the shelf again and again—full of the trucks they love, bright colors, silly little details, and stories about friendship and helping others.

And while I absolutely love how The Trucks That Saved Halloween turned out, I have to admit something:

This one was hard to write!

Get your copy - The trucks that Saved Halloween is AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!

Coming Up With The Trucks That Saved Halloween

The idea for this book didn’t come together quite as easily as my previous stories.

I knew I wanted to write a Halloween book. We have a TON of Halloween books in our house, and I was so excited about the idea of adding one of my own to our Halloween library.

I also knew one thing from the very beginning:

I wanted to dress the trucks up in costumes.

I could picture Dump Truck, Excavator, Crane Truck and their friends dressed up for Halloween, and the idea made me so happy.

But…what were they actually going to do?

Some of my favorite fall memories are going to the pumpkin patch and attending the carnival at my best friend’s school. I love everything about that classic fall festival feeling—the pumpkins, games, treats, decorations and especially the tractor ride.

My mom was actually the one who suggested that the trucks could build a carnival.

And I thought…why not build one for Halloween?!

Suddenly, I had my setting.

There was just one problem.

Were the Carnival and Costumes Two Different Books?

For a while, it really felt that way!

I had one story about the Truck Team building this amazing Halloween carnival, and another story in my head about all of the trucks choosing silly Halloween costumes.

I loved both ideas and didn’t want to give either one up.

But getting them to feel like one story instead of two stories smashed together was surprisingly difficult.

I tinkered. And rewrote. And moved things around. And tinkered some more.

Eventually, everything clicked.

The trucks could work together to transform an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival—and then, before it was time to truck-or-treat, there was one more problem to solve.

Crane Truck couldn’t decide what to be for Halloween!

That finally gave me a way to bring the carnival, the costumes, the friendship story and the Halloween fun together.

And I got to dress up my trucks after all.

Sketch of Dump Truck dressed as a Vampire for Halloween

Creating a Bright, Colorful Halloween

Once I had the story figured out, I couldn’t wait to start working on the illustrations.

Fall is SO much fun to draw.

I knew I wanted this book to have tons of beautiful fall colors—bright orange pumpkins, golden leaves, reds and yellows—but I also wanted it to feel different from the other books in the series.

So I brought in more pinks and purples.

The story starts in a bright autumn afternoon and gradually moves toward a colorful Halloween evening filled with pink, lavender, purple and blue instead of becoming dark or scary.

That was really important to me.

I wanted Halloween to look magical, colorful and fun.

My sketches and colors needed to make me happy—and hopefully make little kids happy when they turn the pages too!

Of Course There Had to Be a Tractor Ride

One of my absolute favorite things to do at the pumpkin patch is the tractor ride, so there was no way I was making a Halloween carnival without one.

The farm became such a fun backdrop for the story.

There are pumpkins, hay bales, fall trees, a red barn, a corn maze and all those little things that remind me of going to the pumpkin patch in the fall.

It was so much fun getting to create my version of the perfect kid-friendly Halloween carnival.

Colorful cauldron element from The Trucks that Saved Halloween

The Little Details Are My Favorite Part

Some of my favorite parts of the book probably aren’t the things most people will notice first.

They’re the tiny details I added for my boys.

At one point, a leaf lands right on Crane Truck’s nose.

It makes my little one laugh, so of course it stayed.

There’s also some silly witch’s brew involved—including stinky socks.

Why stinky socks?

Because taking off our shoes and joking about everyone’s stinky feet is apparently hilarious in our house.

And the potion colors?

Blue and green, because those are my boys’ favorite colors.

Those are the kinds of details I love sneaking into these books. They may seem completely random to everyone else, but I know exactly why they’re there.

Princess Monster Truck sketch for The Trucks that Saved Halloween

Adding a Princess Monster Truck

One of my son’s friends had a very important request when she heard about the book:

It needed a princess!

And she was right.

So I added a Princess Monster Truck.

I loved getting to bring another girl character into the Truck Team world while still keeping everything silly, colorful and truck-filled.

Because princesses and monster trucks absolutely belong in the same book.

“Truck-or-Treat!”

Another idea I knew I wanted to use was truck-or-treating.

It’s such a simple little play on “trick-or-treat,” but it felt perfect for the world of the Truck Team.

It also helped me make the Halloween celebration feel especially fun and approachable for toddlers and preschoolers.

Instead of making Halloween about things being frightening, I wanted the story to focus on the parts little kids tend to love: costumes, pumpkins, candy, friends, silly surprises and getting to celebrate together.

Ice Cream Truck sketch as a witch for Halloween

My Favorite New Character: Witch Ice Cream Truck

Okay, I might have saved my favorite part for last.

I turned Ice Cream Truck into a witch.

And I LOVE her.

I knew immediately that I wanted her Halloween colors to include pink and green, which is a color combination I’ve loved forever.

There’s actually a very random childhood reason for that.

My bedroom growing up was pink, and I had a pink-and-green Laura Ashley comforter with a matching border around the room. Apparently that color combination stuck with me because all these years later, here I am putting it on a witch ice cream truck!

She has a giant floppy witch hat, pink details, a broom, Halloween treats and a candy-filled cauldron.

But there was one more thing she absolutely needed:

A black cat.

I LOVE cats, and I had a couple of black cats growing up, so there was really no question about whether my Halloween book needed one.

Of course it did.

Witch Ice Cream Truck ended up becoming one of my favorite characters I’ve created. She’s colorful and sweet and just the right amount of witchy without being scary.

Ice Cream Truck as a witch from The Trucks that Saved Halloween

A Halloween Book for Little Truck Lovers

At its heart, The Trucks That Saved Halloween is about the same things I want all of my Truck Team stories to celebrate: friendship, teamwork, helping others and having fun together.

Dump Truck, Excavator and Crane Truck realize that Halloween needs a little help, so they do what the Truck Team does best:

They get to work.

Together they transform an old farm into a cheerful Halloween carnival filled with rides, games, pumpkins, a corn maze and plenty of treats.

And when Crane Truck needs a little help of his own, his friends are there for him too.

It’s a Halloween story filled with construction trucks, costumes and plenty of silly Halloween magic—without making Halloween too scary for little readers.

The Trucks That Saved Halloween

is especially fun for kids who love:

• Construction trucks

• Dump trucks, excavators and cranes

• Halloween and costumes

• Pumpkin patches

• Tractors and hayrides

• Carnivals and fall festivals

• Candy and Halloween treats

• Bright, colorful picture books

• Silly, not-too-spooky Halloween stories

• Friendship and teamwork

It’s written especially with young truck lovers and preschool-age kids in mind.

Three Books!

It still feels a little surreal to say that.

What started with me wanting to make something special for my boys has turned into three books, and seeing these characters continue to have new adventures has been so much fun.

And this book may have been the hardest one for me to figure out, but that almost makes me love it even more.

There were so many moments when I couldn’t quite figure out how the carnival and costume stories belonged together.

Now I can’t imagine the book without either one.

And after all that tinkering, I’m thrilled that The Trucks That Saved Halloween finally gets to join the very large stack of Halloween books we pull out every fall.

Only now, one of them is ours. 📚🎃🚜

Where to Buy The Trucks That Saved Halloween

The Trucks That Saved Halloween is part of The Trucks That Saved children’s book series and is perfect for little readers who love trucks, Halloween and colorful adventures.

Get your copy - The trucks that Saved Halloween is AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 1st!

And if this is your first adventure with the Truck Team, you can also meet Dump Truck, Excavator, Crane Truck and their friends in The Trucks That Saved the Park.

Happy truck-or-treating! 🎃

The Trucks that Saved Series and Activity Books

Maui in October: 10 Reasons It’s the Best Time to Visit Maui

Maui in October is the best month to visit Maui, Hawaii

Updated August 26, 2026

No Tricks, Just Treats: Why October is our Favorite Month to Visit Maui

Is October a good time to visit Maui? Yes! After visiting Maui many times throughout the year, October has become one of our favorite months to go. You'll generally find warm weather and ocean temperatures, somewhat lighter crowds than peak travel periods, and a few fun seasonal activities you can only experience in the fall.

Maui is our happy place and our favorite island in Hawaii. We got married there in October and have gone every year since 2014.

After over a dozen trips—yes, we're basically part-time locals—we've discovered that while Maui is wonderful year-round, October is when she puts on her most charming outfit.

Here are all the adorable, quirky, and outright excellent reasons why you should book your next Hawaiian escape for the spooky, sunny season!

Related Post: Planning a Maui vacation right now? Save our Ultimate Maui Travel Guide for easy reference while booking flights and hotels.

🌺

Maui in October at a Glance

What to expect when you visit Maui in October

☀️ Weather

Warm — Kahului's October climate normal is about 89°F for the average high and 70°F for the average low.

🌊 Ocean

Very warm; Hawaiian waters are near their annual warmest around late September and early October.

🏖️ Crowds

Generally a shoulder-season period compared with major holiday travel periods.

🐋 Whales

Possible early sightings, but October is not peak whale season.

🎃 Fall Fun

Pumpkin patches, local events and family-friendly Halloween activities.

🌴 Best For

Beaches, snorkeling, family trips, the Road to Hana and travelers who don't need peak whale season.

Our take: If you want warm beach weather, fall fun and a potentially quieter time to explore Maui, October is one of our favorite months to go.

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Is October a Good Time to Visit Maui?

Yes, especially if you want warm beach weather and fall activities without planning your vacation primarily around humpback whales. Let’s be honest, ANY month is really a great month to go to Maui! For instance, January–March is better for serious whale watching.

Kapalua Bay and the weather is beautiful in October

1. Maui Is Less Crowded in October ☀️

Not as crowded. Think of Maui's high season as a packed escalator—lots of beautiful people, but you're constantly bumping into someone's camera bag. October? It's like the escalator is moving at a leisurely pace, and you can actually stop to admire the view!

While the island doesn't exactly roll up its sidewalks, the sheer volume of visitors drops significantly from the summer frenzy and spring break rush. This means shorter lines for shave ice, an easier time snagging that perfect sunset table, and feeling like you have a little more personal beach bubble at your favorite snorkel spot. Your inner introvert will thank you!

Related Post: See our FAVORITE Restaurants in Maui

Sunset jump in Kapalua on a warm October evening

2. October Can Be a Better-Value Time to Visit Maui 💸

October can offer better value! Let’s be honest: a trip to Maui isn't exactly a spontaneous Target run. However, traveling in the shoulder season of October is like finding a really good coupon code for paradise.

Flights tend to breathe a sigh of relief, room rates dip a delightful amount, and those pesky rental car prices aren't quite as aggressively priced as they are in March or July.

While you'll still be paying for premium tropical bliss, you'll feel better knowing you scored a savvy deal. That little bit you save? Hello, extra mai tai!

Related Post: Don’t miss our post - What does a trip to Maui cost?

Pink Hawaiian Sunset in Maui In October at Honua Kai

3. The Ocean Is Warm in October 🌊

Snorkeling is great! We’re not going to lie; we’ve had a few trips where a rogue storm decided to stir up the waters like a giant ocean blender. But typically, October offers up some of the clearest, most dazzling water days of the year. Conditions to vary by weather and location.

The water temperature is wonderfully warm (more on that later!), and the visibility for spotting those brilliant Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (say that five times fast!) is usually spectacular. It’s like the ocean decides to polish its windows just for the October crowd.

Grab your mask and prepare to hang out with some very colorful neighbors.

🤿 Related Post: See our Favorite Snorkel Spots

Kula Farms LOVE sign - Maui in October

4. Visit the Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch 🎃

The pumpkin patch! Hold on, pumpkins in paradise? YES! Head up the slopes of Haleakalā to Kula and prepare for a view that will make your jaw drop. You can pick out a pumpkin with a sweeping, breathtaking view of the island, which is easily the most photogenic pumpkin patch in the world.

But the real, must-get, life-changing prize is the pumpkin bread at their general store. It is dense, moist, and tastes like a fluffy slice of autumnal heaven. It's the perfect quirky, non-traditional October treat that reminds you that Maui truly has everything.

Kula Country Farms has already confirmed that its 2026 Fall Pumpkin Patch will be open throughout October, with pumpkin picking, the children's garden, farm animals and sunflower patch.

Our boys really loved the experience!

Beautiful Maui sunset with pink and orange skies in October

5. You Might Spot an Early Whale — But It’s Not Whale Season Yet 🐳

This one is pure quirky tragedy, but we've held onto hope for a decade! Every. Single. Time. we go in October, someone enthusiastically tells us, "Oh, you just missed the first whale of the season!" It's like Maui enjoys giving us a marine high-five followed by a gentle, ocean-sized slap in the face.

The migratory season for the majestic Humpbacks begins in late fall, and October is when those first few adventurous pioneers show up.

NOAA says humpbacks are generally seen in Hawaii from November through April, with the peak January through March; limited sightings can happen outside that window.

Hopefully, you will be the lucky one who spots that first beautiful breach and can then, naturally, text us the news! (We'll try not to cry.)

6. Maui Weather in October Is Warm and Beautiful

The best time of year to visit Maui island in October is because the weather is perfect. Forget the sweltering heat of August. October in Maui is that glorious, just-right temperature that makes you realize you were born to wear shorts and a lightweight linen shirt. While Maui is generally 79°F–89°F year-round, October seems to settle comfortably into the mid 80s/high 70s, which is our version of atmospheric bliss.

And remember that warm ocean we mentioned? It stays so toasty that you can leave the bulky dive gear at home. The water is your second skin, and that, my friends, is pure vacation luxury.

🏝️ Related Post: See the Best Beaches to visit with Kids

7. October Is a Great Time for the Road to Hana

Road to Hana is a great drive! If you've been hesitant about this iconic, winding drive, October is your time. The weather is generally sunny, the slight dip in crowds makes it easier to pause at those waterfall-laden stops.

Fewer cars means less stress and more time to truly soak in the bamboo forests, the black sand beach, and the sheer, stunning lushness of the eastern coastline.

Generally lighter fall travel period can make October a nice time for the drive, while Road to Hana traffic and weather vary day to day.

Want to tackle the drive? Check out our complete Road to Hana guide

8. A Hint of Holiday Sparkle!

Some Christmas decorations come out! Okay, we know it's only October, but if you love that tiny, early dose of holiday cheer, you'll catch a glimpse of it here. In late October, some stores start to put out a few festive touches. Seeing a Christmas lei or a string of lights twinkling against a backdrop of palm trees is the sweetest, most charming kind of holiday collision.

Pumpkin Crunch Ice Cream at Island Cream Co in October in Maui

9. Try Pumpkin Crunch Ice Cream

Yup, couldn’t make it through a post without mentioning ice cream! At Island Cream Co, you must try their Pumpkin Crunch ice cream! It’s filled with pumpkin, cinnamon crumbles and roasted pecans! That says fall to me!

Pumpkin Patch with ocean views at Kula County Farms

10. October Brings Fun Fall Events to Maui

There are many Halloween events in Maui! Cannery Mall in Lahaina has activities and Trick or treating day of Halloween!

Maui Fall Events in October 2026

One of the fun things about visiting Maui in October is that you get a little taste of fall without giving up the beach weather! Along with pumpkin picking and Halloween activities, October brings fairs, markets, food festivals and family events around the island.

Here are some of the Maui events already scheduled for October 2026:

🎡 Maui County Fair — October 1–4, 2026

The Maui County Fair is back at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku from October 1–4, 2026.

This is a true local fair with rides, food, live entertainment, exhibits and plenty for kids to do. The fair parade kicks everything off on October 1, making this an especially fun event if your Maui trip happens to fall at the beginning of the month.

🎃 Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch — Throughout October

Yes, you really can go pumpkin picking in Maui!

The Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch is scheduled to be open throughout October 2026. Along with choosing a pumpkin, families can explore the children's garden, see farm animals, wander through the sunflower patch and take in some pretty spectacular Upcountry Maui views.

This is one of my favorite reasons to visit Maui in October.

🌺 Wailea Village Markets — Throughout October

If you're staying in Wailea or Kihei, Wailea Village has several easy-to-add local events during October.

The Farmer's Market is scheduled for Tuesday mornings throughout the month, and the Wailea Village Sunset Market is scheduled for October 15 from 4–7 p.m.

These aren't specifically Halloween events, but they're a fun way to shop local vendors and add something different to a beach day.

🎃 Kamali‘i Elementary Fall Family Festival — October 17, 2026

Families staying in South Maui can also watch for the Kamali‘i Elementary PTA Fall Family Festival in Kihei on October 17.

The 2026 event is scheduled to include food, games, pony rides, a bounce house, crafts, vendors and other family activities.

🐠 Fins & Frights at Maui Ocean Center — October 24, 2026

This one sounds especially cute for families!

The Maui Ocean Center is hosting Fins & Frights Night on October 24, with marine-themed Halloween activities including trick-or-treating, a costume contest, educational activities and special aquarium experiences.

If you're visiting Maui with younger kids around Halloween, I'd put this one on your list.

🍴 Hawaii Food & Wine Festival — October 23–25, 2026

For the grown-ups, the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival comes to Kā‘anapali from October 23–25.

The Maui weekend includes the Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic on October 23, an evening culinary event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on October 24, and a brunch at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on October 25.

This could be a great reason to plan a Kā‘anapali stay toward the end of October if food is a big part of your vacations.

⛳ Kā‘anapali Classic — October 25–28, 2026

Golf fans can also watch the Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER, a collegiate golf tournament at the Royal Kā‘anapali Golf Course from October 25–28.

Admission is free for walking spectators, and there's even a complimentary junior golf clinic scheduled for October 27.

👻 More Maui Halloween Events

More Halloween events are usually announced as October gets closer, especially at Maui's shopping centers, resorts and community spaces.

Events I'm watching for include Halloween celebrations in Wailea, Kihei, Kā‘anapali and Kapalua, along with trick-or-treating and costume events at local shopping centers.

I'll continue updating this list as more Maui Halloween events for 2026 are officially announced.

Speaking of kids and toddlers, check out my top 10 things that I bring for every vacation with the kiddos! You won’t want to miss these toys or snacks.

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FAQs About Maui in October

Is October a good time to visit Maui?

Yes! October is one of our favorite times to visit Maui. You can still enjoy warm beach weather and warm ocean temperatures, while October generally falls outside Maui’s busiest holiday travel periods. You also get a few fun seasonal activities, including the Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch and Halloween events around the island.

What is the weather like in Maui in October?

October in Maui is typically warm and beach-friendly. Daytime temperatures along the coast are generally in the 80s, although temperatures and rainfall can vary quite a bit depending on where you are on the island. Upcountry Maui and higher elevations will be noticeably cooler than Wailea, Kihei, Kā‘anapali and other coastal areas.

October is still warm enough that we plan most of our days around the beach, pool and outdoor activities.

Does it rain a lot in Maui in October?

You may encounter some rain in October, but that doesn't mean you should expect a rainy vacation. Maui has very different microclimates, so it can be raining in one part of the island and sunny somewhere else.

The west and south sides of Maui, including Kā‘anapali, Kihei and Wailea, tend to be drier than areas such as Hana. We always recommend keeping plans somewhat flexible and checking the weather for the specific part of Maui you're visiting.

Is Maui crowded in October?

October is generally considered part of Maui's shoulder season and can feel less crowded than major holiday periods and some of the busiest winter and summer travel weeks.

That doesn't mean you'll have Maui to yourself! Popular beaches, Road to Hana stops and restaurants can still be busy, so I still recommend making reservations for anything you really don't want to miss.

Can you see whales in Maui in October?

You might get lucky and spot an early humpback whale in October, but I would not choose October specifically for whale watching.

Maui's main humpback whale season comes later, with the greatest number of whales typically around during the winter months. If seeing whales is one of the main reasons for your trip, I would plan a winter visit instead.

Is the ocean warm enough to swim in Maui in October?

Definitely. October is a wonderful month for swimming, snorkeling and spending time at the beach because the ocean around Hawaii is still very warm after the summer months.

Of course, ocean conditions can change from day to day. Always pay attention to posted warnings and local conditions before swimming or snorkeling.

What are the best things to do in Maui in October?

You can do most of Maui's classic activities in October, including snorkeling, beach days, driving the Road to Hana, visiting Haleakalā and exploring Upcountry Maui.

October also has a few seasonal extras. We especially love visiting the Kula Country Farms Pumpkin Patch, and there are usually fall festivals, local markets and Halloween events happening around the island.

Is October a good time to visit Maui with kids?

Yes — we especially like October for family trips. The warm weather makes it easy to plan beach and pool days, while seasonal activities like the pumpkin patch and Halloween events give kids something a little different to do.

If you're traveling during a school-break week or close to Halloween, I'd still book your hotel, rental car and any must-do activities ahead of time.

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So there you have it! Maui in October is an absolute dream—a little less busy, a little more budget-friendly, and all the gorgeousness you expect from the Valley Isle. Trust us, it’s the Goldilocks month for Hawaiian travel: just right.

Best month to visit maui is in October

Have you ever visited Maui in the fall? Share your favorite memory in the comments below!

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