It's the time of the year where we dress up like our favourite characters, bring out our pumpkins for Trick or Treat, raise glasses and show off in Halloween parties!
Here at Tampa Bay, the Halloween season is already in full swing for the last week of October. We gathered the list of events planned throughout the area to get all of you, locals and tourists, to celebrate the spooky season!
Halloween Events in Citrus County
- Citrus County Speedway - Halloween Event
Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. | Citrus County Speedway & Track
Check out the speedway’s “Monster Mash” demolition derby and view different types of vehicles race around the track. A trunk-or-treat will be held during the event. Kids 15 and under get in for free. - Historic Haunt
Oct. 27-29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum
The Historic Haunt will feature an interactive element in which visitors can search for items through the haunt and return to our website to submit the answers. Correct answers will be entered to win a $100 gift card. This event suitable for ages 15 and up. It will contain fog, strobe lighting effects, disturbing scents, and jump scares.
Halloween Events in Hernando County
- Trunk or Treat at the Health Department in Spring Hill
Oct. 26, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Florida Department of Health in Hernando County
The health department will be hosting their first ever Trunk-or-Treat event, featuring over 50 trunks and a haunted house. - Halloween at Hogwarts
Oct. 27, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | The Sensory Center Inc.
Wear the sorting hat, answer trivia, make potions and take pictures with Harry and the gang. Wear your costume and bring your appetite for a Hogwarts feast. - Wild n’ Wicked Nights: Stranger Springs
Oct. 27, 28, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
This Stranger Things-themed event includes an underwater show, an escape room, and maze and a light show. Guests can enjoy a haunted boat ride and kids can participate in a costume contest.
Halloween Events in Hillsborough County
- Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Now – Oct. 31 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Attendees can make their way through new and revamped haunted houses, uniquely themed scare zones, and ride roller coasters after dark at Busch Gardens’ annual Halloween event. This is a separately ticketed event that is not included with general park admission. - ZooTampa: Creatures of the Night
Now – Oct. 29 | ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Guests of all ages can enjoy a night of spooky outdoor experiences, a Halloween light show, culinary treats and wildlife connections. - Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail
Now – Nov. 4 | 2837 South Frontage Road, Plant City, 33566
This attraction features three separate haunted trails with their own backstory. Guests can also test their skills in an escape room and laser tag. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
- Shimmering Lights Halloween Walk The Lights
Now – Oct. 29 | 2302 N. Dover Road, Dover, 33527
A fall activity for the whole family! Activities include 1/3-mile walking trail with hundreds of themed lighted displays, outdoor movies, maze of lights, scavenger hunt, games, face painting and FOAM play nights. - Centro Asturiano Halloween Party
Oct. 27, 7 - 11 p.m. | Centro Asturiano de Tampa
Monster Mash on the dance floor and bring a dish to share with your table. There will also be costume contests with prizes. - 7th Annual Riverwalk Trick or Treat
Oct. 28, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Tampa Riverwalk
Families are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat along the Riverwalk while participating in fun activities. There will be over 50 treat stations ranging from Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. - Guppyween
Oct. 28-29, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | The Florida Aquarium
Enjoy a family-friendly celebration at the aquarium with mutliple trick-or-treat stations, a dance party, animal encounters, character appearances and more. A sensory friendly event will take place between the hours of 8am and 9:30am on Saturday, October 28. - Tampa Bay Halloween Fest
Oct. 29, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Westshore Plaza
Local businesses will be handing out candy and showcasing what they offer. Attendees can also enjoy free balloon animals, face painting, crafts, temp tattoo scans and more. Come dressed up as a family and you might win a prize.
Halloween Events in Manatee County
- BooFest
Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Main Street at Lakewood Ranch
Kids can bring their trick-or-treat bags to collect the many treats that will be given out from various vendors. There will also be live entertainment, a costume parade and more for the whole family. - Dance Party/Costume Party
Oct. 27, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Veterans of Foreign Wars
Get ready to groove in your most awesome costumes. proceeds will go to the VFW, “Wounded Warriors” and The Disabled American Veterans. In addition to a great DJ, there will also be pizza, a game room and a laser-shooting booth. - BOO! at The Bishop
Oct. 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Join The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and other community partners for family fun. Trick-or-Treat within the museum while visiting with local community members. Light activities will also be provided for children as they explore. - Trick or Treat Old Manatee
Oct. 28, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Old Manatee Historic District
Local businesses around the area will be opening their doors to trick-or-treaters of all ages. Additional celebrations will be scheduled all throughout the area.
Halloween Events in Pasco County
- Halloween Festival
Oct. 28, 4 p.m. |Meadowpointe II
The free event include a haunted maze, live music, face painting, a variety of games and activities, food and retail vendors, hayrides, a parade and a costume contest. - Halloween Howl
Oct. 28, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Zephyr Park
Families can have a fun and spooky time in the Zephyrhills Historic District. Activities include hayrides, petting zoo, inflatable slides, haunted house, ghost tours, food trucks and vendors, trick-or-treating and stage performances. - Halloween Boogie
Oct. 27-29, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Skydive City
Guests can spend the day jumping, followed with a night of fun. The evening includes live performances and costume contest with prizes.
Halloween Events in Pinellas County
- Halloween Decorations in Old Northeast
Now – Oct. 31 | Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood
The closer you get to October 31, the more decked out the homes in the historic Old Northeast are. View some of the most intense Halloween decorations on 17th and 18th Avenues Northeast, between Locust Street and Beach Drive. - Fright Night III Art Show, Market and Fire Performance
Oct. 27, 7 p.m. | Coastal Creative
Don your spookiest costume, bring your friends and family, and immerse yourself in a world of artistic enchantment at this annual Halloween art show and fire performance. - Field of Screams
Oct. 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | City of Seminole Recreation Department
The evening will include a trick-or-treat street, a costume contest, carved pumpkin contest, carved pumpkin alley, munchkin mayhem, bounce house and more. - Halloween Spooktacular at CMA
Oct. 27-31, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.| Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Join members of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for an afternoon of trick-or-treat candy stations, a costume contest, indoor corn maze, marine-themed crafts and spooky decorations. - Haunted Hammock Hangout at the St. Pete Pier
Oct. 28, 6 p.m. | St. Pete Pier
Coast to Coast Hammock Co. is bringing a night of fall fun to the St. Pete Pier featuring local vendors, music, a costume contest, food trucks and a Halloween movie showing at 7:30 p.m. Wear your best Halloween costume for a chance to win a free Dynamic Hammock. Bring a blanket or rent a hammock stand to enjoy the movie in. - Halloween on Central
Oct. 29, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Downtown St. Pete
The 3rd annual event will feature a new "Voodoo Village," strolling performers, family-friendly games, trick-or-treating, a food truck hub, wiener dog races and more. Attendees will be able to walk and bike along Central Avenue, however, those looking to move along the route at a faster pace can opt to take PSTA's SunRunner, which runs along 1st Avenue North and South between downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach.
Halloween Events in Polk County
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort Brick-or-Treat Presents: Monster Party
Now – Oct. 29 | LEGOLAND Florida
Families can experience a firework show, character meet-and-greets, limited time attractions, and of course, trick-or-treating around the park. Admission is included with day tickets, hotel packages and select annual passes. - The SUN ‘n FUN Spooktacular
Oct. 28, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus
Attendees can bring a camper for the weekend of head over by car to enjoy a spooky afternoon. There will be camper-treating festivities, and s’mores at the fire pit. Guests bringing campers can enter in the People’s Choice Award for best decorated camper. - Pooch-o-Ween: Pet Parade and Costume Contest
Oct. 28, 11 a.m. | Lakeside Village
Bring your furry friends for a Halloween celebration that's all about the shared love for pets. Enjoy multiple vendors and a photo station to take pictures with your pet. First-place winners in the costume contest will receive a $150 Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming gift card. - The Haunting of River Ranch
Now – Nov. 4, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
Experience haunted hayrides and houses at this old Florida dude ranch. Guests can also visit a county fair and pick out their favorite gourds.
And that ends our list this Halloween 2023! Follow Tampa Bay Observer for more updates on the latest events, gatherings, and programs in the Tampa Bay area.
