Halloween Weekend To Feature Festivals, Tricks And Lots Of Treats

TAMPA BAY, FL — Prepare for an invasion of ghouls and goblins of all ages as Halloween weekend gets underway.

Pied Piper's Haunted Carnival

Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa, will host its second annual family-friendly Pied Piper's Haunted Carnival Oct. 28 to 30, featuring 200,000 square feet of carnival rides, cotton candy, funnel cakes and elephant ears and a Killer Beats Stage with world-renowned DJs.
There will be a costume contest with $10,000 in cash and prizes and a pumpkin-decorating contest.

Hours are Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Click here for tickets.

Haunted Wharf

Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, will host its free Haunted Wharf Oct. 28 and 29 from 4 to 10 p.m. with a haunted pirate shipwreck, live music, silly spooks for kids and festive food and drinks.

Some of the cool photo opportunities include a pirate jail, a siren’s sea swing and the TAMPA sign decked out for Halloween.

Performances will kick off with professional break dancers at the shipwrecked stage on Friday night for a DJ dance party.

On Saturday night, the live band Night Breakers will perform contemporary hits.

Click here.

Creatures Of The Night

A favorite family-friendly Halloween event, Creatures of the Night, will take place at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28-30 from 4 to 10 p.m.

This year’s event welcomes the Swamp Witch to ZooTampa. Known to all who fear her as Blackwater Mattie, this spooky character spends her nights mixing potions and conjuring spells in the darkest corners of Florida’s musty swamps where few dare to tread. Find her and her alligator companions in the new Florida Wilds area of the Zoo.

In "Eerie Realms," kids can meet their favorite storybook villains, dance with the Spider Queen and play a game with the Lost Boys.

Join pirates for a jolly good time of magic and storytelling and meet Dr. HooDoo and his lovely assistant as they present a comical street show.

Click here.

Fall Festival At DK Farms

DK Farms & Nursery, 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo, will host its final Fall Festival Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $14 with prices reduced to $10 from 2:45 to 5 p.m.

It includes pony rides, scenic hayrides, pumpkin launchers, a kid barrel train ride, a corn beach, an animal feed, yard games, refreshments, a rabbit touch area, crafts and food vendors, a palm maze, 18-hole mini golf, a pumpkin patch and bounce houses.

Trick or treat around DK Farms, 1750 Lake Ave SE Largo, Sunday, Oct. 30, from noon to 3 p.m.

Each animal station will have someone to hand out candy for any child wearing a costume.

There will be a costume contest at 1 and 2 p.m. and bounce houses and an animal feed included in the admission.

For tickets, click here.

Harvest Holler Corn Maze

The Harvest Holler Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch will take place Friday through Sunday through Nov. 14 at Harvest Holler Farm, 950 Tavares Road, Polk City.

This working farm offers a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, live farm animals, a cow barrel train, corn hole, tire swings, the Big Frank-n-Slide, corn tubs, minnow and tadpole fishing tubs, a hay mountain and miniature golf course.

Food and drinks include cheeseburgers, fries, Nettle's sausage dogs, hot dogs, boiled peanuts, roasted corn on the cob, lemonade and sweet tea

At Maw Maw's Country store, visitors can purchase local crafts, cobblers, jams and pumpkin pies.

Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $15 for ages 13 to 64 and $12 for ages 2 to 12, seniors over 65 and active-duty military members.

Click here.

Sweetfields Farm Fall Pumpkin Patch And Corn Maze

Visit Sweetfield Farm, 17250 Benes Roush Road, Masarytown in Pasco County each weekend through Nov. 6 to try out the farm's new corn maze, participate in the pitcher pump duck race, explore the pumpkin patch and get to know the farm animals.

Tickets are $10.75. Children ages 2 and under are admitted for free.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Mondays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Click here.

Corky's Corn Maze At Keel Farms

Corky's Corn Maze at Keel Farms, 1603 Hawks Griffin Road, Plant City, is open weekends through November from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It features a 4-acre corn maze that kids can navigate by following clubs and solving riddles, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a kid's zone with a bounce house, hay bales and a corn box, hand-crafted wine and cider, farm animals and a hay bale maze.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under and free for kids age 3 and younger.

Click here.

Fall Pumpkin Festival And Haunted Farm

Raprager Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa, is hosting its Fall Pumpkin Festival and Haunted Farm Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be hayrides, a petting zoo, a 1,000-square-foot haunted maze, farmer's market, pumpkins galore and other seasonal decorations, pony rides, face painting, a 5,000-square-foot haunted barn, a 40-foot hay chute slide, axe throwing, pumpkin painting, live entertainment, a corn pit, a sweets shop with fresh gourmet fudge, candy apples and warm cinnamon-roasted nuts.
After 5 p.m. the fall hayrides will become haunted hayrides with monsters, goblins, witches and more through a foggy cemetery.

Advanced tickets are recommended. The cost advance tickets is $15.25 to $16.95 and free for ages 2 and younger and $19.50 at the gate.

It will continue each Friday through Sunday on Oct. 28, 29, 30 and Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Hours are Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Click here.

15th Annual Horse Power For Kids Fall Festival

The nonprofit Horse Power for Kids and Animal Sanctuary, 8005 Racetrack Road, Westchase, will host the final weekend of its 15th annual Fall Festival Fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It will include pony, train and hayrides, as well as a petting zoo, live music, fall games, arts and crafts vendors, food, a pumpkin patch and a bonfire for roasting marshmallows.

Admission is $15 admission and parking is $1. Proceeds go to the animal rescue and sanctuary.

Click here.

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival

The North Tampa Bay Chamber’s 18th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival at Tampa Premium Outlets returns Oct. 29 and 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with live music and entertainment on two community stages, rides and games, a Mr. and Ms. Pumpkin Pageant, inflatables, crafters, a pet costume contest, a pumpkin patch, adult beverages and Halloween activities including a free trunk-or-treat event Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.

In conjunction, the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally with more than 50 national food trucks will be held during the festival.

Admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the gate.

Click here.

Boos And Bubbles

Are ghosts bubbles? Find out this October at Clearwater Marine Aquarium's new Halloween event, Boos and Bubbles!

It will take place Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

This high-spirited event will be packed with playful poltergeists, giggling ghosts and silly specters, plus billions of bubbles.

Families will be able to celebrate Halloween by dancing at the “Bubble Party” hosted by DJ Boo! Guest and ghosts will meet and mingle throughout this fall festival, creating photo opportunities that have never been seen in this realm of existence.

Event access and free boat rides are included with admission.

Click here.

Kids Dash And Monster Bash

The Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a Halloween Hustle 5K Fun Run and Kids Dash presented by Waves at the Bilmar Beach Resort, Treasure Island, Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8 a.m.

This is the only run of its kind on the hard-packed sand of Treasure Island. The race will begin and end on the beach behind the Bilmar Beach Resort.

Since it's Halloween, costumes are encouraged for all runners. There will be prizes for the top three races and best costumes for men, women and kids.

Proceeds will benefit the Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce and the Beaches Environmental Action Committee.

Registration for the 5K is $40 on race day. Runners received a T-shirt, finisher medal, a race bib, and are admitted into the Monster Bash after-party including food and beverages at The Waves at the Bilmar. The start and finish line will be behind the Bilmar Beach Resort, 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island.

The Kids Dash is free to kids ages 3 to 10. All participants will receive a race bib, finisher's medal, T-shirt and Halloween goody bag. The dash is a half mile and begins at 8:30 a.m.

The Monster Bash will begin at 10 a.m. and all participants will enjoy free food and beverages.

Click here.

Huboween Drive In

Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey, will host a Haunted Drive-In on Saturday, Oct. 29, featuring nine scare zones.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the event runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

The first 500 cars each night will receive a free VIP goody bag.

Advance tickets are $20 and tickets at the event are $25.

Click here.

2nd Annual Halloween Carnival

The Shops of Stonehaven at Main Street in New Port Richey will have its second annual Halloween Carnival Saturday, Oct. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. with free carnival games, face painting, henna tattoos, hair wraps, hot dogs, cotton candy and entertainment by a magician sponsored by McPherson & Thomas.

There will be a costume contest held for doggies at 4:30 p.m. and another costume contest for kids held at 5 p.m.

Click here.

Trunk Or Treat At Pasco Safety Town

Pasco Safety Town will host a free Trunk or Treat event Sunday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pasco Safety Town, 15362 Alric Pottberg Road, Shady Hills.

Click here.

Trick Or Treat In New Port Richey

Celebrate Halloween with Keep Pasco Beautiful at the annual Trick or Treat Downtown NPR. This free event provides kids of all ages an opportunity to dress up and trick-or-treat in a safe, walkable environment.

Local businesses will hand out candy and Keep Pasco Beautiful will give away reusable bags, while supplies last on Monday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Busch Gardens Spooktacular

Busch Gardens’ all-new Spooktacular family-friendly event will continue each Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. through Oct. 30.

Guests will step into a whimsical world full of enchantment at the Festival Walkway with witch-in-training Kandy, a costume parade, story time and trick-or-treating are some of the activities guests will find in this immersive Halloween experience.

First, stop by Abby Cadabby's Treasure Hut gift shop to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet.
Situated next to Kandy’s picture-perfect pumpkin patch, guests will be immersed in the popular story “Room on the Broom,” where everybody has a place and everyone belongs.

Count von Count serves as the master of scare-emonies as he leads his pals through some of his favorite tunes during the "Not Too Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show" at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

A colorful parade of costumes will bring the Spooktacular Costume Parade to life. On this one-of-a-kind catwalk, every kid gets their time to shine. Children 13 and younger are welcome to dress up in costumes. All costumes are subject to normal dress code for the park. In addition, face painting is not permitted on any guests unless it is done by park artists. Guests 14 and older are not permitted to wear costumes, masks or hoods to the event.

There are even more Halloween festivities with the return of Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends. After visiting Spooktacular at the Festival Walkway, stop by the Sesame Street Safari of Fun for a special limited-time Halloween Show, festive meet-and-greets with favorite furry friends and Halloween dance parties.

Click here.

Dade City Spooktacular

Dade City will host its Halloween Spooktacular Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Dade City.

There will be trick-or-treating for kids and pets, music, games and activities, costume contests for kids, pets and adults and complimentary treat bags while supplies last at Agnes Lamb Park.

Click here.

Guppyween

Calling all guppies and ghouls. Dust off your spooky-spirited outfits and join The Florida Aquarium for Guppyween on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This Halloween-themed event will feature complimentary trick-or-treating, ambassador animal appearances, character appearances and more.

Admission is free for members and for children in costume accompanied by a paid adult.

A sensory-friendly event will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Click here.

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival

The North Tampa Bay Chamber’s 18th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival at Tampa Premium Outlets returns Oct. 29 and 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with live music and entertainment on two community stages, rides and games, a Mr. and Ms. Pumpkin Pageant, inflatables, crafters, a pet costume contest, a pumpkin patch, adult beverages and Halloween activities including a free trunk-or-treat event Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.

In conjunction, the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally with more than 50 national food trucks will be held during the festival.

Admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the gate.

Click here.

Trick Or Treat On The Riverwalk

Tampa's sixth annual Trick or Treat on the Riverwalk and Lighted Boat Parade will take place in downtown Tampa Saturday, Oct. 29, starting at 4 p.m.

Free trick-or-treating on the Riverwalk is back where kids and their families can visit 50 treat stations at Water Works Park, MacDill Park and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park while enjoying other activities including the annual Halloween Lighted Boat Parade starting at 6:30 p.m. and benefiting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

In partnership with Tampa Theatre, there will be a Halloween Movie in the Park showing the animated film, "The Addams Family," at 7:30 p.m.

Kids and pets can compete for the best contest at the Rivewalk Trick or Treat event, presented by Nirvana Title Co. at the Water Works Park stage.

Judges from the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Warriors will select their favorite costumes in three age groups as well as pets.

Each age group will be capped at 50 children on stage during judging so register early.

Age groups

• 0-4 years old
• 5-8 years old
• 9-12 years old
• Small and large pets

Registration

• Registration takes place the day of the event only from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Participants will check in according to age and receive a color-coded wristband for their age group.
• Participants will report to the back of the stage at the time listed below.

Age Group 0-4:

• Line up at 5:15 p.m.
• Take stage at 5:20 p.m.

Age Group 5-8:

• Line up at 5:30 p.m.
• Take stage at 5:35 p.m.

Age Group 9-12:

• Line up at 5:45 p.m.
• Take stage at 5:50 p.m.

Click here.