Pumpkin patches and demonic decorations herald the haunting season: Halloween is just around the corner!
Enchanted and obsessed, the residents of Pinellas busily prepare their costumes, stockpile candy, and go in search of some of the area's most terrifying Halloween events. During this spooky time of year, communities across Pinellas and the Tampa Bay area host terrifyingly haunted houses, fiendishly fun festivals, and tantalizing trick-or-treating. With such a variety of activities, there is plenty for both the grown-up crowd and all the little ghouls and goblins to do.
Below is a list of other community events in the area:
Halloween-Party
The town's Halloween party is on Saturday, October 26 from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. at Dimmitt Community Center, 918 Osceola Road, Belleair.
The event is tailored for children under 12 and includes bouncy castles, treats, a glow dance party, costume contests and more.
Herbstfest & Trunk or Treat
A Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 at Feather Sound Church, 13880 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater.
This will be a fun time with the little ones to get into a safe environment and collect treats. There will be bouncy castles, face painting, games, suitcase-or-treatments and food trucks. The event is free and sponsored by Feather Sound Church.
For information seewww.FeatherSoundChurch.com.
Halloween im Park
Friends of the Island Parks Inc. are hosting the annual Halloween in the Park special event on Friday and Saturday, October 25-26 from 6-10 p.m. at Honeymoon Island State Park.
Honeymoon Island State Park is located at the extreme western end of State Road 586, north of Dunedin.
The event includes a haunted house, a spooky trail, a mythical-magical children's trail, games, storytelling and more. There is a costume contest for children up to 12 years old every evening at 7:00 p.m. Participants should bring a trick-or-treat bag to collect candy prizes. This special event offers a safe alternative to trick or treating and a unique way to experience the Halloween season.
Halloween Events
The Halloween Happenings Festival will be presented at Highlander Park, 1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin on Saturday 26th October from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
The event includes a Haunted Hayride, carnival games, crafts, bouncy castles, costume contests for all ages, DJ music jams, and Boo in the Zoo and Little Goblins Hayride for the little ones. The parking fee is $5. The cost of the Haunted Hayride is $5. A $10 bracelet is required for Bouncy Castles, Games, Crafts, Boo in the Zoo, and Little Goblins Hayride.
Monster-Mash-Halloween-Party
The Eighth Annual Monster Mash Halloween Party will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 7pm to 11pm at the Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport.
The organizers of this theme party will add a decor with black cats, pumpkins and magic. Entrants should dress to impress the judges with imaginative, imaginative and inspiring costumes to win prizes donated by local businesses. Monster Mash is a fundraiser for the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center Foundation. The foundation raises and distributes funds that support and enhance the center's recreational, educational, social and health programs and services.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the box office. Tickets can be purchased at Gulfport Beach Bazaar, 5413 Shore Blvd. be bought. S.; or online atticketbud.com/events/00a534e4-d0b7-11e9-9129-42010a717007.
FBG Pumpkin Festival
The Third Annual Pumpkin Festival will be held on Sunday, October 27 from 12pm to 4pm at the Florida Botanical Gardens, 12211 Walsingham Road, Largo.
Participants start with a pumpkin and leave with a jack-o'-lantern in time for Halloween. Stencils, pumpkin carving stations, and kid-friendly carving tools are provided. Kona Ice will be scooping shaved ice for the second straight year, and St. Pete Concessions will be serving hot dogs on-site. This year, the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association is joining in the fun by hosting a Spooky Planter Workshop. Halloween themed music sets the tone for the Scarecrow Contest presented by 4-H.
The cost is $5 per pumpkin. Visitors can also bring their own pumpkin. To sign up, visitwww.flbgfoundation.org/pumpkinfest. There will also be a photo station.
Scarhouse Pinellas
Scarehouse Pinellas will be presented every Friday and Saturday in October from 7pm to 11pm at Lowe's Commercial Painting, 12461 Creekside Drive, Largo.
The cost is $15 per person. For tickets visiteventbrite.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the SPCA Tampa Bay.
The haunted house has 10,000 square meters of horrors. A signed waiver is required for entry with a recommended age of 12 and over. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Owl-O-Ween
Owl-O-Ween will be presented on Friday, October 25 at 6 p.m. at McGough Nature Park, 11901 146th St. N., Largo.
Participants will walk the spooky haunted trails of McGough Nature Park in search of bats, owls, ghosts and goblins. The event will also include a raffle, candy and marshmallow toasting. The cost is $5 per person. Call 727-518-3047 to reserve a spot.
Storehouse of Terror
Forensic Technology is hosting its third annual Warehouse of Horrors October 25-30 from 6-10 p.m. at the STAR Center behind Raytheon on the corner of Belcher and Bryan Dairy streets.
Since inception in 2016, the event has raised more than $40,000 for local charities. This year, proceeds will benefit Mason Dixon's Christmas Wish Fund and the Homeless Empowerment Program. The cost is $8 per person. Tickets can be purchased on site (cash or credit card) or online atthewarehouseofhorrors.com.
Spooky Halloween
The family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular event will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 12pm to 5pm at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo.
The free trick-or-treat trail is offered from 12pm to 4pm. The event also features games, bouncy castles and a petting zoo. A $10 wristband is required for many activities. There will be a Tot Zone and Kid Zone for preschoolers, as well as a free costume parade and costume contests.
For more information, call 727-587-6740, ext. 5014, or visitLargoEvents.com.
Harry Potter-Palooza
The Harry Potter Palooza will be presented on Monday, October 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive, Largo.
Wizards of all ages come together for one magical evening celebrating all things Harry Potter. Dust off your best wizard robes for a costume contest, put your name in the Goblet of Fire to enter the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and enjoy other food, crafts and games inspired by the Harry Potter book series.
Trunk-or-treat
There will be a Halloween trunk-or-treat event on Thursday 31 October from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 11220 Oakhurst Road, Largo.
The event is public.
Halloween costume bash
A Halloween costume party will be held Thursday, October 31 from 1-3pm at the Largo Community Center, 400 Alt. Keene Road, Largo.
The cost is $8 per person. Participants are encouraged to dust off their old costumes for dance, costume contest, games, light appetizers and punch. Prizes will be awarded.
Wag-O-Ween
Wag-O-Ween takes place on Saturday 26th October from 10am to 4pm at the Madeira Beach Recreation Center, 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach.
The event features a dog costume contest for small, medium, large, and extra-large breeds. Registration costs $5. Additionally, there will be pet-friendly vendors and activities, on-site pet adoptions, dog-friendly raffle prizes, local food trucks, craft breweries and live music.
Admission is a suggested donation to CASA, which needs items to care for animals and families in their care. While all donations are appreciated, please visitcasa-stpete.orgfor a more detailed list of items.
Call 727-392-0665 to register as a participating rescue or shelter, or to become a sponsor or provider.
Ghostly Events
Haunted Happenings will be held on Friday, October 25 from 6-9 p.m. at the Mobbly Bayou Environmental Education Center, 423 Lafayette Blvd., Oldsmar.
Parking is available at Bicentennial Park where attendees can hop on a hay wagon for transport to the event. Always a community favorite, this free celebration features a haunted trail, costume contests, bouncy castles, and candy. Registration for the costume contest begins at 5:00 p.m. from 12 years. Empower Adventures Tampa Bay is offering a $10 zipline experience that evening.
Hartleys Spukhaus
The very little ones or those with weak nerves are invited to a special, not so spooky haunted house from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at the Palm Harbor Museum, 2043 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor.
Organizers say this is perfect for younger kids, who will receive free goodie bags and Culvers ice cream. Admission for youth is $5.
The very spooky spook for older children who dare attracts the brave from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., ticket sales run until 9 p.m. Adult cost is $10. Long-dead members of the Hartley family who built the home will lurk around every corner in darkened rooms to surprise those brave enough to venture through.
The spooky events take place over two floors inside the museum, and there's a free Halloween party in the courtyard.
Halloween carnival at the center of destiny
The Center of Doom Halloween Carnival will be presented on Saturday, October 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Center - CSA Palm Harbor, 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor.
For kids of all ages, the annual Halloween carnival features non-spooky trick-or-treating, a haunted hay ride, games, music and food. There will also be some haunted houses sponsored by local area groups. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume.
Food and drinks are available for purchase. Rides and games are available with the purchase of a $10 bracelet.
For information seewww.CSAPalmHarbor.orgor call 727-771-6000.
Halloween treat trail
The City of Pinellas Park is hosting its Halloween Treat Trail on Thursday October 31st from 6pm at England Brothers Park, 5010 Dave McKay Way, Pinellas Park.
This free event is for girls and boys of all ages to collect candy donated by local businesses and community organizations. Activities, costume contest, prizes, refreshments and popcorn will be provided.
Haunted Story of Safety Harbor
Brandy Stark of the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg will present the Haunted Lore of Safety Harbor on Wednesday, October 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Safety Harbor Public Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor.
Participants are encouraged to bring questions, images, or experiences about this interactive presentation that explains positive behavior, research, and encounters with paranormal investigation. Stark is an authority on the paranormal world with 22 years of experience investigating local haunted locations, ghost stories and urban legends. She founded the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg in 1997 and presents spooky lore for numerous organizations.
Call 727-724-1525, ext. 4112, for information or visitwww.SafetyHarborLibrary.com.
Horan Park Trunk-or-Treat
A trunk-or-treat event will be presented Thursday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach.
This year's Trunk-or-Treat offers an evening of Halloween fun. The event begins with trick-or-treating from spooky logs in the parking lot. Afterwards, attendees are invited to watch a family-friendly Halloween movie under the stars for free.
For information seewww.spbrec.comor call 727-363-9245.
American Legion Post 305 Halloween-Party
A Halloween Party and Costume Contest will be held on Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 305 American Legion Post, 6999 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.
The event features live music, raffles, spooky snacks and more. Admission is free. This is a fundraiser. Call 727-367-1596 for information.
Ghost tour of St. Petersburg
Celebrate Halloween with spooky tales of restless ghosts and haunted houses, and shine a light on the dark side of the Sunshine City.
The Ghost Tour of St. Petersburg is offered Thursday through Sunday at 8:00 p.m. and departs from Sweet Divas Chocolates, 181 Fourth Ave. NE, St Petersburg. The cost is $20 per person for adults and $12 for children 4-12 years old. Private tours and group rates available. Call 727-894-4678 or visit ushttp://www.ghosttour.com.
Wandering ghosts and lost souls, timeless curses and hidden treasures: the guide tells tales passed from generation to generation and holds secrets only whispered in history books. Participants will visit the actual locations of these long-lost tales, with a costumed storyteller telling horror and haunted tales.
inspire the world
Thrill the Burg Children's Charity Inc. will be hosting live classes to teach everyone in the community the steps to "Thriller" so they can be part of the fun when St. Petersburg opens on Saturday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m o'clock entering the world stage. with Thrill the World, a global attempt to break the world record for the largest simultaneous dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn the Thriller dance and perform it at the exact same time. Here in St. Petersburg we are celebrating 10 years of participating in the global event and will be held at Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill, 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
Anyone can learn and participate in the dance. Live dance classes have already begun and are taking place at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, Broadway Arts and Dance Academy, Bayou Dance Club and several other locations in the community. Video dance lessons are also available on the organization's website. Registration for the event on October 26 is now openwww.thrilltheburg.org. Cost is $10 per person, proceeds go to charity. Thrill the Burg is also looking for volunteers and dance enthusiasts for special "Thriller" flash mobs that are being organized now leading up to Halloween. Follow the group on Facebook and Instagram at #thrilltheburg for the latest updates and announcements.
Proceeds from this year's fundraiser will help local youth with Kind Mouse, Lift Academy and Melrose Elementary.
Novaween
Novaween 13 will be presented on Thursday, October 31 at 9 p.m. until 3 a.m., NOVA 535, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg.
For the over 21s, the event features aerialists, fire shows, sword games, tarot card readings, go-go dancers and plenty of spooky surprises. There will be a costume contest at 1 p.m.
The cost is $26.75. Visitnova535.com.
D-Deuce „Punk It Up“-Halloween-Show
D-Deuce return with a special "Punk It Up" Halloween show Thursday, October 31 at 6 p.m. at Chattaway, 358 22nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg, returned to her punk roots.
The iconoclastic, blues-infused acoustic-rock duo who started out as Karyn Satin & the Bedsheets in New York's CBGB-era have just completed a cross-country micro-tour and are hitting the ground running in St. Pete with a new unplugged release unmistakable showstopper, dirty window. D-Deuce features Karen Payne-Taylor on lead vocals and partner Christopher Payne-Taylor on acoustic rock guitar and backing.
Seminole Assembly Ministries Zoofari Fall Festival
The Zoofari Fall Festival will be held on Thursday, October 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Seminole Assembly Ministries, 10600 113th St. N., Seminole.
The free event includes trunk-or-treating, a hay ride, children's activities, a bouncy castle and inflatable games and food.
Call 727-391-9788 for information.
Spooktacular Halloween and Fall Festival
The Treasure Island Recreation Department's annual Halloween Spooktacular and Fall Festival for Children will be presented on Friday, October 25 from 6-9 p.m. at the Treasure Bay Golf and Tennis Facility, 10315 Paradise Blvd., Treasure Island.
Activities include a costume contest, carnival games, moon walks and interactive inflatables, DJs spinning haunted tunes, interactive entertainers, haunted houses, train rides and food and drink concessions. Judging for the costume contest begins at 6:30 p.m. with the 2 year old and younger age groups.
For more information, call the Recreation Department at 727-547-4575 ext. 237.
Shady Hills
Grusel-Thon im Concourse
The Concourse is hosting its Spook-a-thon Halloween event at 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills every Friday and Saturday in October and Sunday 27th October.
The event offers a wide range of family-friendly activities and includes the Spooky Train and Spooky Trail. Spooky Town and Spooky Fun are only open on the last weekend. The Grand Concourse Railroad Club has designed a miniature train ride that winds its way past the spooky morgue, the insane asylum and other spooky creations that will delight and delight.
Volunteer actors who previously created the hugely popular Angelus Haunted Halloween bring their terrifying talents to the Concourse. The Spooky Trail Spooky Trail through the forest features animated special effects, live actors and unexpected spooky surprises.
The kid-sized village of Pasco Safety Town comes to life as Spooky Town with illuminated buildings, face painting, and suitcase-or-treats on Friday and Saturday October 25th and 26th only. Spooky Fun at the Jumbo Rotary Pavilion offers spooky fun and entertainment for kids on Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26 only.
The opening times are from 5:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. for the daylight train, which is best suited for small or sensitive children. The Spooky Train and Spooky Trail operate from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Spooky Town and Spooky Fun are open from 5pm to 9:30pm. on the last Friday and Saturday before Halloween.
The cost is $6 for either Spooky Train or Spooky Trail entry, or $10 for both. Spooky Fun is also $6, or $15 for all three. Entry to Safety Town is free. Tickets are only available at the box office. Credit cards are accepted. Children up to 12 months are free. Food concessions are available for purchase through the West Pasco Sertoma Club.
The Concourse is a private, non-profit, unique park operated for the enjoyment and benefit of the community. Visit theconcourse.orgor follow the spook-a-thon on the Concourse Facebook page. For information about the Spooky Train or train club membership, visit the Grand Concourse Railroad on Facebook or call Bill at 727-639-7639.
St. Leo
Cursed Marmion
The Office of Residence Life is hosting its annual Haunted Marmion on Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Saint Leo University's Marmion-Snyder Hall, 33701 State Road, St. Leo.
This student residence is the long complex consisting of two connected buildings at the west end of the university campus. Marmion-Snyder Hall is visible from State Road 52 and accessible to vehicles through the entrance east of Benedictine Hall.
"Fear" is the theme of this year's haunted house at Marmion Hall. Guests are invited to experience "Fear the Dark Place" as they travel through an augmented reality inside the haunted house. For kids and those wanting a more tame experience, there's trick-or-treating at Snyder Hall within the building. Haunted Marmion offers games, crafts and other interactive Halloween activities, as well as Halloween treats in the lions' den in Marmion-Snyder.
The event is free and open to the community. Saint Leo will also collect canned/non-perishable foods at Haunted Marmion. In keeping with Saint Leo's core values, these items are donated to those in need.
For information, email Kari Grippo atkari.grippo@saintleo.eduor call 352-588-8379.
Tampa
UNDead in the water
UNDead in the Water, Tampa's only authentic nautical haunted attraction, takes place aboard the American Victory Ship at 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL behind the Florida Aquarium. The opening times for all event nights are from 8pm to 11pm and include every Friday and Saturday in October. UNDead in the Water will also be open on Thursday 31st October; and Friday and Saturday, 1.-2. November.
Participants can traverse multiple decks of this historic WWII cargo ship, armed only with a black light flashlight, while trying to avoid being eaten by the infected blind zombies. The merciless Ripper Squad will do what they were trained to do: seek and destroy.
Admission is $15 for adults and $13 for military, veterans and first responders. To buy tickets, visitbit.ly/2EJHVDX. For more information visitwww.undeadinthewater.comor call 813-228-8766.
Creepy Empire
Spooky Empire celebrates Halloween Thursday through Sunday, October 31 through November 3, at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa.
Opening on Halloween Day, it features tricks and treats for guests of all ages and a discounted price of $20 for adults and free for children 12 and under. During Thursday's celebrations, convention-goers can experience the "dark side of Comic-Con" with a day of exhibitors, after-parties, vendors, children's costume contests with prizes and trick-or-treating. Throughout the weekend, guests can meet and mingle with celebrities, shop for collectibles from hundreds of vendors and artists, see new and upcoming films as well as old favorites, and even get a tattoo from some of the world's finest artists.
"Of course Halloween is our favorite holiday and without question we needed to fit it into this year's Spooky Empire," said Gina Mongelli, co-owner of Spooky Empire. "We want our new fans to know, and our long-time fans to remember, that the convention is not only adult-friendly, it's also kid-friendly."
Celebrities and bold names joining the celebrations this year include some of the biggest names in horror and pop culture such as Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson, Clive Barker, Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Mia Farrow, Alice Cooper, Ted Raimi, Tony Todd and James Hong. Celebrities will be present on certain days. For a full schedule seespookyempire.com.
A four-day pass costs $90. Single-day pass prices vary, starting at $20 on Thursdays only.
Founded in 2003, the Spooky Empire's Fall Convention has grown into one of the nation's largest thriller conventions, with attendance growing every year.