Fall is here, and that means Spooky Season has returned to Tampa Bay! As the weather starts to cool, it’s the perfect time of year to check out some of the Halloween fun, festivals, and scares for all ages. From haunted history to kid-friendly trick-or-treats, get in the Halloween spirit with a full lineup of seasonal fun.
HOWL-O-SCREAM
September 10th-October 31st, Fridays & Saturdays 7pm-1am, Thursdays & Sundays 7pm-12am
Terrifying haunted houses have returned to Tampa Bay for 28 firghtful nights. This time with a vengeance! At Busch Garden’s Howl-O-Scream, Tampa’s premier Halloween event, prepare for you and your friends to be paralyzed in fear with scare zones, haunted houses and three ALL-NEW haunted house experiences. You won’t be able to hide from the zombies, werewolves, and deranged killer clowns that will be after you all night long!
HAUNTED WHARF
OH NO! The waterside wharf has been plagued with pirate spirits of the past and temptatious sirens capturing anyone who dare go through the Haunted Wharf’s eerie interactive maze, during six haunted nights (10/15 10/16 10/22 10/23 10/29 10/30). Those who are brave enough can venture through the maze as the journey turns from spooky (for the little goblins and ghouls) to sinister (for tweens and up) as the night rolls on at the Haunted Wharf.
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
For family frights and spooky scares for all ages, Tampa Bay’s number one family-friendly Halloween event, Creatures of the Night, returns to ZooTampa at Lowry Park with a camp-themed event. For 11 eerie nights, hear twisted tales, party with pirates, and enjoy devilish delights. Children ages 12 and under are invited to wear their most spooktacular attire for the festivities on select nights from Oct. 2 through 31.
HALLOWEEN SPREE
Visit the Glazer Children’s Museum in October for spooky science and creepy creatures! Learn about bats and make your own citizen science journal to log your bat observations, meet surprise guests, and enjoy spooky decorations all month long. Costumes are encouraged!
HAUNTED CRUISE
In partnership with The American Victory Ship’s UNDead in the Water, the Lost Pearl will be setting the stage for nautical scares that can be found on the Victory Ship. On weekends during the month of October, the panicked and horrified crew of the Lost Pearl Pirate Ship tell toe-curling stories of a mysterious female apparition en route to the SS American Victory Ship.
HAUNTED RIVER TOUR
Prepare yourself for an eerie experience on the Pirate Water Taxi’s Haunted River Tours. On Fridays and Saturdays during the month of October, be spooked by the ghost stories and tales of Tampa Bay’s past as the Taxi’s dead-lightful storytellers keep you on the edge of your seat.
AN EERIE EVENING AT THE TAMPA BAY HOTEL
See the museum in moonlight as you’ve never see it before and try to solve a murder mystery before the next victim falls! The former Tampa Bay Hotel has been a silent witness to countless individuals over the past 129 years. Who knows how many crossed the threshold with malice in their hearts? Visitors to An Eerie Evening will find themselves transported back to the 1890s, shortly after a terrible crime has been committed. Evidence and clues are scattered throughout the rooms and guests must strive to put the pieces together in time to prevent the next attack.
HALLOWEEN HUNT
Explore Tampa Bay’s stunning Riverwalk by solving tasks, riddles, and puzzles in an outdoor event fun for all ages. This not-too-scary scavenger hunt is a great event for the entire family! To play, download the Mobile Adventures app and scan the provided QR code. Once that’s done, you are all set to join in on the fun!
13 UGLY MEN
Heads will roll at one of the best Halloween parties in Tampa Bay! Join thousands of the best-dressed partiers at the Cuban Club in Ybor City and celebrate in the electric atmosphere while “Partying with a Purpose,” with funds going towards The Historic Tampa Theatre.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SPREE
This trick-or-treating event is designed for children with special needs and their caregivers. Explore the Glazer Children’s Museum with lights and sounds turned down and sensory adapted tools, special programs, and community resources at your fingertips. Trick-or-treating will include edible treats as well as non-edible treats, so there will be something for every kid regardless of dietary restrictions. Reservations are encouraged, but not required.
SESAME ST. KIDS’ WEEKEND
Kids of all ages can enjoy this Halloween season with an expanded trick-or-treat Candy Trail and festive furry friends at Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This family-friendly event takes place every weekend in October in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area and is free with park admission.
BRICK OR TREAT
Weekends this October, families will experience the spooky, kooky fun of one of the only kid-friendly Halloween events in Central Florida at Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort! Enjoy safe, outdoor, contactless trick-or-treating with plenty of candy, seasonal shows, and exclusive LEGO® monsters—and, it’s all included in general admission.
NIGHTMARE ON FRANKLIN ST.
Starting October 16th, join the Tampa Theatre for the return of its 16 Nights of Fright! With showings ranging from Rocky Horror Picture Show to the family favorite Hocus Pocus, there is plenty of frights for the whole family. New this year is the signature event, SpiritsFest: Backstage, where movie-goers can explore never-before-seen corners of Tampa Bay’s historic movie palace. Enjoy being hypnotized by the haunting tales of Tampa by skillful storytellers with each lore paired with a creepy craft cocktail.
UNDEAD IN THE WATER
After barely surviving a treacherous hurricane in the Bermuda Triangle, The American Victory Ship, Tampa Bay’s iconic nautical haunted attraction has drifted back to our city. Step off The Lost Pearl Pirate Ship and join the crew of the American Victory Ship for live scares and thrilling effects aboard the ship!
UNDead in the Water is a ticketed event taking place on weekends during the month of October.
HALLOWEEN BOAT PARADE
Grab your friends and family to watch the 2nd annual Halloween Boat Parade, sponsored by The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation in partnership with Friends of the Riverwalk!
HALLOWEEN MANSION PARTY
This spooky season, let your inner demon out at The Orlo’s Demon Time: Halloween Mansion! With costume contests and tickets for discounted entrances to the Blue Lounge and HPC, party with other ghosta and ghouls at one of the hottest Halloween parties in Tampa Bay.
CANDY CHAR-BOO-TERIE CLASS
Attention all ghosts and gremlins! Enjoy delicious treats when you and your family create a spooky candy charcuterie board. Reserve your spot today to participate in Armature Work’s build-your-own candy coffin with hauntingly great help from Delicious Art!
I JUST RUN FOR THE BOOS
Join Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill for a 5k or 10k run hosted by Can Race Pinellas. Start out your Halloween with a SCARY good early morning run!