Spooky season is upon us, which means plenty of Halloween events in the Tampa Bay area to take part in. From trick-or-treating to costume contests, there is a variety of local activities to choose from.
View Halloween events at Tampa area parks and attractions here.
Pinellas County
Celebration Dia de Los Muertos – Friday, Oct. 28, 5 to 8:30 p.m. – This celebration of the traditional day of the dead features live music, DJs, traditional dancers, decorations, food and a showing of the movie, “Coco”. This is a free event. Station Square Park, 612 Cleveland St., Clearwater
Countryside Hallows Eve – Friday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. – The event includes a candy trail, spooky games and a costume contest. This is a free event. Countryside Recreation Center, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater
Halloween/Day of the Dead Celebration – Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 to 3:30 p.m. – This celebration of Day of the Dead and Halloween includes an afternoon of crafts, activities, balloons and face painting with Tony the Balloon Guy. This is a free event. East Community Library, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater
Tampa Bay Bats – Saturday, Oct. 29, 3 to 4 p.m. – Watch an educational presentation by the Tampa Bay Bats and see live bats up close. This is a free event. (Registration is not required, but space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.) Countryside Library, 2642 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater
Boo Bash – Monday, Oct. 31, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Local businesses and vendors will be passing out candy to children on the BayCare Ballpark concourse while families walk from table to table. There will be hayrides, games and an on-field costume parade. The playground, concessions and facilities will also be open. This is a free event. BayCare Ballpark, 601 N Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater
Annual Halloween Treat Trail – Monday, Oct. 31, 6 to 9 p.m. (participants may show up early to begin lining up) – The City of Pinellas Park is hosting its annual Halloween Treat Trail “Treats you can trust.” Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly event. Local businesses and nonprofits will distribute candy to all children who participate. At the band shell, a DJ will organize games and activities. There will also be a variety of inflatables for kids to enjoy. This is a free event. England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave N., Pinellas Park
Hillsborough County
Ruskin Trunk or Treat – Friday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – The family-friendly event will feature a Trunk or Treat with goodies for children under 12, a trunk and costume contest and a scare trail. The Halloween movie “Nightmare Before Christmas” will be playing on the outdoor move screen. Costumes are encouraged at the event. Ruskin Park and Recreation Center, 901 6th St. S.E., Ruskin
Mango Trunk or Treat – Friday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – This event will feature decorated vehicles. Staff and guests are encouraged to wear costumes. Guests can walk through the parking lot, visiting each vehicle to receive candy and other goodies. Mango Recreation Center, 11717 Clay Pit Rd., Seffner
Northdale Trunk or Treat – Friday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – This event will include decorated vehicles and booths, a caution tape maze, haunted hallway and a costume contest. Staff and guests are encouraged to wear costumes. Guests can visit the decorated booths and cars to collect candy and other goodies. Northdale Park and Recreation Center, 15510 Hooting Owls Place (use 15550 Spring Pine Dr. for directions), Tampa
An Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel – Friday, Oct. 28, Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30, 6 to 9 p.m. – Guests can see the museum in moonlight and explore Victorian horror stories brought to life. Period lighting and candles will set the stage for tales of monsters, fantasy, crime and more. There will be lantern light flickers off the walls as visitors travel to the brink of a shadow world. This event is intended for visitors ages 14 and above. Tickets are $25 for museum members and $35 for non-members. Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa
Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat – Saturday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Children in costume and their families are invited to trick-or-treat along the Riverwalk and enjoy fun activities. There will be over 50 treat stations taking part along the Riverwalk from Water Works Park to MacDill Park, including Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. At the end of the event, guests can stay and watch the Halloween Lighted Boat Parade along the Hillsborough River and see a movie on the big screen in Curtis Hixon Park. This is a free event. Tampa Riverwalk, Water Works Park, Curtis Hixon Park and MacDill Park
Lighted Halloween Boat Parade – Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. boats arrive, 6:30 p.m. boats start – The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is hosting its 3rd annual Lighted Halloween Boat Parade presented by Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay. Register your boat and light up the night with decked-out, Halloween-themed vessels along the Hillsborough River right through the heart of downtown Tampa. Captains, companies and advocates can sponsor the event while making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. Hillsborough River, Downtown Tampa
Pasco County
Main Street Zephyrhills Halloween Howl – Saturday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. – This event will include pony rides, hayrides, petting zoo, inflatable slides, haunted house, ghost tours, food trucks and vendors, safe trick-or-treating, stage performances and more. 38537 5th Ave., Downtown Zephyrhills
Trick-or-Treat Downtown New Port Richey – Monday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Costumes are encouraged as local businesses stock up on candy. This year’s host organization is Keep Pasco Beautiful. This is a free event. Downtown New Port Richey
Polk County
Jack O’Lantern Jubilee – Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Guests can enjoy trick-or-treating at Central Florida’s Welcome Center. Vendors will have decorated booths and will be passing out candy for the children. There will also be a caricature artist and pumpkin decorating contest with prizes for each age group. Pumpkin entries will be accepted Thursday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for display and judging. Prizes will given at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. Age group categories: 3-9 years old – 10-15 years old – 16-Adult. This is a free event. Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center, 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport
Manatee County
BooFest at Lakewood Ranch – Friday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – This event will feature family-friendly fun including entertainment, food and drink vendors, and more. Children are encouraged to bring their trick-or-treat bags to collect treats given out by sponsors and merchants. There will also be a children’s costume parade. This is a free event. Main Street At Lakewood Ranch, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch
Boo! at the Bishop – Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – This “Night at the Museum” event features trick-or-treating, where guests can go through parts of the museum while visiting tables for candy. Organizers encourage family-friendly costumes. Participants are asked to bring a bag to hold collected candy. Tickets are $7, and admission is free for children under 4. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton
Hernando County
Trick-or-Treating & Pet Costume Contest – Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Trick-or-treat from over 45 vendors and bring the family — pets included. The pet costume contest starts at 1 p.m. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Spring Hill Farmers Market, 3021 Commercial Way, Spring Hill
Citrus County
Boooth-Or-Treat – Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – This event at Howard’s Flea Market will feature trick-or-treating at the booths. There will also be a Customer Kids Costume Contest, as well as games and prizes. This is a free event. Howard’s Flea Market, 6373 S Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa
Children’s Halloween Party – Monday, Oct. 31, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Guests can enjoy games, trick-or-treating and crafts at the Coastal Region Library. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Coastal Region Library, 8619 West Crystal St., Crystal River
