New October Events Near Greenleaf: Trunk or Treat, Renaissance Faire, and More

October's event calendar keeps growing near Greenleaf. Newly confirmed for 2026: Trunk or Treat with Track Shark at Indian Creek Plaza on October 17, the Idaho Renaissance Faire in Meridian October 10-11, and the Scarecrow Stroll at the Idaho Botanical Garden running through early November. Add new details on Dogtoberfest and the College of Idaho homecoming, and the month is packed with reasons to live minutes from 20602 Academy Rd.

Trunk or Treat with Track Shark: Saturday, October 17

Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell hosts Trunk or Treat with Track Shark on Saturday, October 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, a family-friendly Halloween evening of costumes, candy, and clean and show cars lining the plaza. Spectators are free, and it is a safe, well-lit alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating for younger kids, just 11 minutes from 20602 Academy Rd. It pairs perfectly with the 39th Annual Downtown Nampa Trick-or-Treat on Thursday, October 29.

Idaho Renaissance Faire: October 10-11

The Idaho Renaissance Faire returns to Meridian on Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 6054 W Cherry Lane, about 25 minutes from Greenleaf. The 2026 theme is "Festival of Fools," with jousting, artisan vendors, costumed performers, and family entertainment across the fairgrounds. It is one of the most distinctive weekends on the valley's fall calendar and a fun change of pace from harvest festivals.

Scarecrow Stroll at the Idaho Botanical Garden: October 1-November 2

The Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise runs its Scarecrow Stroll from October 1 through November 2, with creative scarecrow displays scattered through the autumn-splashed gardens. It joins the garden's family fall activities on Saturdays in October, making it an easy day trip about 40 minutes from Greenleaf via I-84 east. For families, it is a gentle, scenic way to ease into the Halloween season.

Dogtoberfest Adds the Running of the Wieners: Friday, October 9

Dogtoberfest at Indian Creek Plaza returns on Friday, October 9 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM, and this year's lineup adds the Running of the Wieners dachshund race alongside the stein-holding competition, seasonal beer, live music, and canine-friendly activities. It is a free, family-friendly fall tradition just 11 minutes from 20602 Academy Rd, and the fully fenced yard at home is a great warm-up track for any four-legged racers. See the full Indian Creek Plaza fall lineup.

Strahorn Hall Turns 100 at College of Idaho Homecoming

The College of Idaho's homecoming and family weekend, October 2-4 in Caldwell, marks a milestone this year: Strahorn Hall turns 100. The Friday bonfire in the Quad, pop-up Yotechella music stages, and Saturday noon football kickoff against Simpson at Simplot Stadium all celebrate a century of campus life, about 10 minutes from 20602 Academy Rd. Read our full homecoming weekend guide.

The New October Calendar, From 20602 Academy Rd

Between the new events and the established favorites, October near Greenleaf now runs nearly every weekend: Hay Day and homecoming October 2-4, Dogtoberfest October 9, the Renaissance Faire and Scarecrow Stroll October 10-11, Trunk or Treat October 17, Apple Days at Cherry Hill Farms October 23-24, and the Great Downtown Harvest Festival in the final weekend of the month. See the complete October calendar. From 20602 Academy Rd, the whole month is within a short drive, and the quiet rural road is waiting when the festival lights go down.

Contact me to schedule a tour of 20602 Academy Rd, or to learn more about what makes Greenleaf one of the Treasure Valley's best-connected small towns.