Spooky Sarasota: Check Out These Upcoming Halloween Events

SARASOTA, FL — It's spooky season in Sarasota! This means plenty of Halloween events to check out, ranging from family-friendly gatherings to more debaucherous adults-only parties.

Check out some upcoming events:

Lights at Spooky Point

Don’t miss the chance to see the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus transformed into Spooky Point, where you can follow an eerily lit path and encounter fantastic creations and bootanical-themed decorations along the way. Equal parts creepy, campy, and cute, this walk-through show is fun for all ages. There are two entry times nightly, at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m., Oct. 13-31.

Laser Engrave a Pumpkin Workshop

Join the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab for a spooktacular Halloween workshop and get creative as you laser etch the design of your choice onto a pumpkin. Then, enter — if you dare — into the spine-tingling world of electronics as you solder your own LED circuit board flashlight, perfect for trick or treating! No experience is required and all ages are welcome. Hourly slots are available Oct. 21, 2 to 7 p.m., and Oct. 22, 1 to 4 p.m.

Arlington Park Haunted Trail Carnival

Enjoy frightfully fun games, tricks, and treats at the Haunted Trail Carnival on Oct. 20, 5 to 6:30 p.m. There will be carnival-style games and spooky surprises along Arlington Park's half-mile walking trail.

Boo! At the Bazaar

Trick or treat at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime on Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be more than 20 stops with candy plus photo opps and performances from the many princesses of Belle's Princess Parties!

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

The Listeso String Quartet will perform Halloween classics, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the “Beetlejuice” theme by Danny Elfman, the “Ghostbusters” theme by Ray Parker Jr. and a medley from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Oct. 26, 6 to 11 p.m., at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.

Howl-O-Ween Movie Night Spectacular

The Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Sarasota Film Festival will present the Howl-O-Ween Movie Night Spooktacular Oct. 28, 5 p.m., at Ed Smith Stadium.

Haunted Mansion Party

Join Sage as staff summons the spirits and awakens the supernatural for a night like no other at the venue’s annual Haunted Mansion Party Oct. 28, 5 p.m. There will be two floors of entertainment, a cash bar, photo booth, costume contest, live DJ and more.

Halloween Drive-Thru

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will host its fourth annual Halloween Drive-Thru Oct. 28, 6 to 8 p.m., at the agency’s Sarasota headquarters.

“While this event originated due to the pandemic, it has grown and become a highly anticipated annual event,” Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said. “It is easy to attend; quick, safe, and fun for families; and allows our agency members to interact with the community.”

Monster Mash

107.9 WSRZ and Jones and Company host the ultimate Halloween party Oct. 28, 6 to 10:30 p.m., at the Venice Community Center, presented by Badger Bob's Services. The annual Monster Mash is legendary across the Suncoast for the most outrageous costumes and featured a costume contest with $1,500 in cash prizes. Dance the night away and enjoy your favorite spirits, and sample delicious food items from Cafe' Venice.

Sarasota ScareFest

The Golden Host Resort hosts the Sarasota ScareFest Oct. 28, 7 to 10:30 p.m. This event will feature spine-chilling attractions like drink specials, live music, raffle giveaways and the bone-rattling experience of the biggest costume contest in town.

FST Improv Presents “We’re Doomed”

Don’t open that door! Join the cast of FST Improv for an original horror flick just in time for spooky season on Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. You, the audience, hold the remote control – complete with the power to rewind, fast forward, and press play on this frightfully funny new release.

Spooktacular Concert

Presented by the First United Methodist Church on Oct. 29, 4 p.m., this free performanceincludes music from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Nightmare before Christmas,” “Hocus Pocus” and more! Featuring Michael Stuart, organist, and Laura McKenna, soloist, and special guest David Gatzambide.

Have a Halloween event to include? Email Tiffany.Razzano@Patch.com.