Pint-Sized Ghosts And Goblins To Take Over Curtis Hixon Park In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — Expect to see swarms of witches, dinosaurs and more than a few Spider-Men in downtown Tampa and surrounding neighborhoods this weekend as Halloween festivities get underway.

Those are the top three costumes based on Google searches, according to Frightgeist, although other popular costume choices include Harley Quinn and characters from "Stranger Things."

Among the biggest celebrations taking place is the sixth annual Trick or Treat on the Riverwalk and Lighted Boat Parade in downtown Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 29, starting at 4 p.m.

Kids will be able to trick or treat at more than 50 treat stations along the Riverwalk including Water Works Park, MacDill Park and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

The always popular annual Halloween Lighted Boat Parade, benefiting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation will launch at 6:30 p.m. and will be visible the entire length of the Riverwalk.

Also on tap is a screening of the animated movie, "The Addams Family, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park at 7:30 p.m.

Click here.

Kids and pets can compete for the best contest at the Riverwalk Trick or Treat event Saturday, Oct. 29, 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.

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 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.

Community Fall Festival And Health Fair

A free community fall festival and health fair is scheduled on Sunday, Oct. 30, from noon to 5 p.m. at Blake High School, 1701 North Blvd., Tampa.

It will feature a costume contest, live band, food trucks, face painting, a car show, giveaways, eye health education and vaccinations.

Fall Pumpkin Festival And Haunted Farm

Raprager Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa, is hosting its Fall Pumpkin Festival and Haunted Farm 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.

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 of advance tickets is $15.25 to $16.95 and free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets at the gate are $19.50.

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. through Oct. 31.

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.

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.

East Tampa Community Trick Or Treat

The first East Tampa Community Trunk or Treat will take place Friday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Glazer Family Field at Jackson Heights, 3310 E Lake Ave., Tampa.

The event will be hosted by the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Parks & Recreation.

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.

Then 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.

Family-Friendly Spooktacular

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

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.

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.

Howl-O-Ween At Humane Society

Humane Society of Tampa Bay will host Howl-O-Ween on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Humane Society of Tampa Bay gazebo.

There will be trick-or-treating, haunting Halloween crafts, creepy costume contests for pets and kids and more.

Click here.

Night At The Museum

Catch pirates, explorers, Florida pioneers and other creatures sneaking around the museum galleries Oct. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa.

As the museum winds down, the exhibits at the history center come alive. Catch pirates, explorers, Florida pioneers and other creatures sneaking around the museum galleries. Guests will enjoy trick-or-treating along with a costume contest, photo opportunities, crafts and games.

This event is open to children of all ages with an adult companion. Children ages 3 and younger are admitted for free.

Admission is $12.95 for ages 4 to 17, $16.95 for adults and $14.95 for seniors age 60 and up.

Click here.

Drive-Thru Trick-Or-Treating With Deputies

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office district stations will offer drive-thru trick-or-treating on Monday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following district stations:

• District 1 - 14102 N. 20th St., Tampa
• District II - 2310 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa
• District III - 7202 Gunn Highway, Tampa
• District IV - 508 33rd St. SE, Ruskin
• District V - 10128 Windhorst Road, Brandon.