Where To Trick Or Treat, Celebrate Halloween In Tampa Area

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Little ghosts and ghouls will hit the streets beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

If you plan on trick-or-treating around your neighborhood, remember to stop at houses with lights on and, even better, Halloween decorations lit up and a glowing jack o' lantern, signaling the homeowners are handing out treats.

In their excitement, kids eager to stuff their Halloween sacks might dash across streets without looking. Parents should be extra watchful and drivers extra mindful of young trick-or-treaters.

At nighttime, it's always advisable to carry a flashlight or outfit your kids with Halloween safety flashers or lights available at most stores with Halloween supplies. Make sure the child doesn't wear a mask that will obstruct his or her ability to look around for cars.

And, in this day and age, it's always a good idea for parents to check their child's treats before the kids dig into them.

Parents seeking alternatives to trick-or-treating around the neighborhood have plenty of options in Hillsborough County.

Trick Or Treat With The Sheriff's Office

All five of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office district offices will host a "Trick or Treat with Team HCSO" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Families will be able to interact with their district deputies and have some fun with them.

Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the event.

"Halloween should be a holiday for kids that is filled with all treats and no tricks," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "That's why we are providing this safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Our deputies are thrilled to welcome all the ghouls and goblins on Halloween night."
Below are the addresses to the district offices:

Kids can trick or treat at these district office:

• District I: 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, Tampa

Sesame Street Safari Of Fun

Busch Gardens Tampa's kid-friendly Halloween festival featuring the always-loveable Sesame Street characters continues Sunday with an expanded trick-or-treat candy trail.

The Sesame Street Safari of Fun includes a limited-time Sesame Street Halloween Show, character meet-and-greets, Halloween dance parties and the return of Elmo's Treehouse Trek.

Children can dress up in their Halloween costumes to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating with a friendly candy crew sharing sweet treats at 10 locations along the expanded candy trail, take in the Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show, show off their best dance moves in the Sesame Street Pavilion at the Halloween dance parties and join their Sesame Street pals at the Sunny Day Theater for a special Halloween story time.

Busch Gardens will have an assortment of reusable bags available for purchase at Sesame Street Safari of Fun and gift shops throughout the park. A Busch Gardens trick-or-treat bag is required for the candy trail.

The Sesame Street Safari of Fun is included in the price of admission to the park. For tickets, click here.

Sensory-Friendly Halloween Spree

The Glazer Children's Museum, 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, will host a Sensory-Friendly Halloween Spree Sunday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bring your little ghouls and goblins to GCM to enjoy safe, indoor trick-or-treating, and Halloween-themed activities.

Kids can explore the museum with lights and sounds turned down and sensory-adapted tools, special programs and community resources. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. The cost is $5 general admission and no cost for members.

Every year, GCM participates in the Teal Pumpkin Project. Keep an eye out for stations with a teal pumpkin where children will receive non-edible goodies.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is a movement to raise awareness of food allergies and to create a safer, more inclusive Halloween for all trick-or-treaters.

Putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep will let trick-or-treaters know that your house is food allergy-friendly.

MOSI Monster Mash

The Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, will host the MOSI Monster Mash Sunday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wear your costume while indoor trick-or-treating throughout the museum and take part in the Hall-O-STEAM activities including mad science shows.

Tickets for a special Halloween space show will be available at Saunders Planetarium.

The event is included with admission tickets. Click here.

Guppyween

Join The Florida Aquarium for its annual Halloween celebration Sunday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Head on up to the Rooftop Terrace for a day of Halloween happenings. Boo-gie to the monster mash during Guppyween with live music, Halloween games, creepy critter encounters, visits from the resident mad scientists and more.

Guppyween is included with general admission and free for members.

Click here.

Trick Or Treat At Armature Works

Armature Works at 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa, will host a safe trick-or-treating event for kids Sunday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Bring your costume-clad little ones for trick-or-treating in the Heights Public Market. Each vendor’s stall will be decked out with their best Halloween decorations and they will be passing out candy.

This is a safe, fun and free event for children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here.

Armature Works will also have the Pied Piper's Haunted Carnival happening Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. featuring 200,000 square feet of carnival rides, cotton candy, funnel cakes and elephant ears.