🧭 THE WEEKEND COMPASS

🧭 THE WEEKEND COMPASS
October 16–18, 2026 | Treasure Coast
Some fresh air, a little wandering, and good people to enjoy it with.

Florida may still be negotiating with fall, but we can enjoy the pumpkins anyway. 😂 This weekend has gardens to wander, markets to browse, music by the water, and a few reasons to gather up the grandbabies.

You don’t have to spend a pile of money to make a good memory. Here are some places to start.

🍂 FREE & FREE-ADMISSION OUTINGS

🎃 Spooktacular Night at the Park — Stuart
Friday, October 16 | 6–10 p.m.
📍 Memorial Park, 300 SE Ocean Boulevard
A free community evening to get into the Halloween spirit with the family.
💰 Free admission.
Event details (stuartfl.gov)

🌿 Heathcote Fall Garden Festival & Bonsai Expo — Fort Pierce
Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 210 Savannah Road
Garden wandering, plant and craft vendors, children’s activities, and gardening demonstrations. A lovely outing for anyone who says, “I’m just looking,” while mentally rearranging the porch for another plant.
💰 Free admission; $1 donation appreciated. Shopping, refreshments, and select programs may cost extra.
Festival details (heathcotebotanicalgardens.org)

🧩 Super Saturday in the Park — Stuart
Saturday, October 17 | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Kiwanis Park at Woodlawn, 451 S. Colorado Avenue
A morning of children’s activities, including STEM fun, presented by Kiwanis and community partners.
💰 Activities and participation are free. The city lists the accompanying ribbon-cutting event beginning at 9 a.m.; Kiwanis lists activities from 9:30.
Organizer details (kiwanisclubofstuart.org, stuartfl.gov)

🚘 Henry Dana Memorial Car Show — Port St. Lucie
Saturday, October 17 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 Clover Park, 31 Piazza Drive
Classic cars, trucks, live music, vendors, and food trucks at a community fundraiser supporting mental-health awareness and suicide prevention.
💰 Spectator admission is listed as free. Entering a vehicle and purchasing food are separate expenses.
Car show details (visitstlucie.com, happeningnext.com)

🍁 Sunlight Community Church Fall Festival — Port St. Lucie
Saturday, October 17 | 3–6 p.m.
📍 St. Lucie West campus, 477 SW Cashmere Boulevard
Trunk-or-treat, a free hayride, games, a candy cannon, and a Jonah and the Whale theatrical show. Food trucks and vendors will also be there.
💰 Free event; food and shopping extra.
Festival details (sunlightchurch.com)

🎶 Rock’n Riverwalk — Downtown Stuart
Sunday, October 18 | 1–4 p.m.
📍 Riverwalk Stage, 121 SW Flagler Avenue
This Sunday’s scheduled band is Big Al & the Heavyweights. Make a little room for waterfront music and an afternoon with your people.
💰 Free concert.
Concert schedule (stuartmainstreet.org, discovermartin.com, stuartfl.gov)

🥬 MARKET MORNINGS

An easy way to wander, meet local makers, and find something good for supper. Purchases are extra—and I cannot be responsible for what happens when you walk past the bread. 😉

• Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market: Saturday, 8 a.m.–noon, at Marina Square, 101 Melody Lane. Waterfront vendors, produce, food, plants, and live music. Details (visitstlucie.com)
• Vero Beach Farmers Market Oceanside: Saturday, 8 a.m.–noon, 3000 Ocean Drive, near Humiston Park. A market morning with the beach close by. Details (verobeachfarmersmarket.com, verobeachfarmersmarket.com)
• Hobe Sound Farmers Market: Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., 1425 SE Bridge Road. Local vendors, farm goods, and live music; parking is free, with farm activities priced separately. Service animals only. Details (hobesoundfarms.com)
• Market on Main — Stuart: Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Flagler Park in historic downtown Stuart. Pair your market visit with the afternoon Riverwalk concert. City calendar (stuartfl.gov)
• Neighborhood Farmers Market at Tradition Square: Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., SW Meeting Street, Port St. Lucie. Browse local businesses around the square. Details (visitstlucie.com)
• Port St. Lucie Green Market: Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center. Free admission and parking, with family- and pet-friendly browsing. Details (visitstlucie.com)

🎟️ A FEW EXTRAS WORTH BUDGETING FOR

🎡 St. Joseph Fall Festival — Stuart
Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18
📍 St. Joseph Catholic School, 1200 SE 10th Street
Carnival rides, games, live entertainment, food, a petting zoo, and a silent auction.
💰 Admission is free; budget for rides, games, and food.
Published closing times differ between the city and diocesan listings, so check the school’s festival information before heading over.
Festival information and tickets (sjcschargers.com, diocesepb.org, stuartfl.gov)

🥨 Vero Beach Oktoberfest
📍 Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Avenue

• Friday: 3–10 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Music, food, vendors, and a festive weekend outing.
💰 $8 per person, per day; ages 12 and under enter free. Parking is free. Optional Kid Zone bracelets are $10 per child, cash only. Food and drinks cost extra; admission tickets are sold at the gates.
Hours · Prices (verobeachoktoberfest.com, verobeachoktoberfest.com, verobeachoktoberfest.com)

🚜 Hamilton Farms Fall Festival — Fort Pierce
Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 1500 N. Header Canal Road
A farm stop for your fall-weekend list.
💰 Admission and activity prices were not published on the farm’s event page when checked. Confirm costs before going; this one is not being counted among the verified free events.
Farm festival details (hamiltonfarmsupick.com)

🧡 A LITTLE COMPASS NUDGE

Invite the friend who could use some company. Take Mom for a market stroll. Let the little ones linger over something interesting.

You don’t have to do everything. Pick a little something and enjoy being there.

Check the linked organizer pages before leaving for weather changes, availability, and updated details. Free admission doesn’t always include food, shopping, rides, or special activities.

Find your way to fun!

— Karen

🧭The Twisted Compass

Notice More. Love Well. Gather Often.