Now that it’s October, we can indulge in Halloween season’s official arrival. From theme parks to themed cocktail lounges and costume parties, let your freak flag fly at these Tampa Bay scares.
Theme parks
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream: The premium haunt at Busch Gardens is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with five haunted houses and several open-air scare zones, themed foods and drinks, live comic shows, and coasters in the dark. The all-new house this year is called “Shadows of Wonderland,” with a horror take on the classic “Alice in Wonderland” stories embedded with lots of twisted Easter eggs. The other houses are the vampire dungeon of “The Forgotten,” the haunted mansion of “Stranglewood Estate,” a grotesque midway at “D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear” and the dark magic of “The Witch of the Woods,” which has both inside and outside elements, so it’s best visited after dark. Tickets are $44.99 and up at buschgardens.com.
ZooTampa Creatures of the Night: A family friendly scare zone turns the zoo into a spooky whimsical place where clowns and creepy creatures roam. Don’t miss the “They Are Here” Alien Haunted Trail, where guests are asked to complete tasks to fend off an alien invasion. There’s also a colorful Halloween light show every 15 minutes in front of its haunted house, a dance party, a troll cave and a Wizard of Oz zone where the classic characters come to life. More than a dozen animal experiences also are on the schedule throughout the night. It runs from 4-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday through Oct. 27. Event capacity is limited. Date- and time-specific tickets and reservations are strongly encouraged at zootampa.org. General admission after 4 p.m. is $29.95-$39.95. There’s a $5 reservation fee for annual members and “Pay for a Day, Come Back All Year” ticket holders, who will be reimbursed in the form of a $5 voucher. Kids under 12 are welcome to wear costumes. 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa.
Related: The best houses, scares and food at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights: The biggest Halloween event in the state keeps its title because of the many movie and TV properties Universal has the right to exploit. Guests can visit 10 new haunted houses, some based on familiar properties, such as the post-apocalyptic “A Quiet Place” and “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” plus new and nostalgic originals, including Major Sweets Candy Factory and Monstrous: The Monsters of Latin America. Five outdoor scare zones test your bravery, while the high-energy Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus live show features pyro, roaring music and Vegas-level illusions. Plus, there are plenty of themed eats, treats and merchandise. It runs Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 3. Single-night tickets range from $82.99-$122.99 depending on the date, and express passes run from $149.99-$239.99 at universalorlando.com/hhn/en/us/tickets.
Legoland Brick or Treat: Costumed kids can trick or treat throughout the park, where fanciful Lego creations are set up throughout. There’s also character meet and greets, selfies and a limited time “Monstrous Morsels” menu. Starting at $84. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Legoland Florida, One Legoland Way, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346.
SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream: A new seasonal feature borrows from its sister park Busch Gardens with a multiscare-zone Halloween party with all new haunted houses and themes. This year features a Jack the Ripper themed “Monster Stomp” musical stage show and the new Ultimate Gamble haunted house. Starting at $39.99. 7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. SeaWorld, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando. 407-545-5550.
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Explore all your optionsLocal haunts and shows
Scream-A-Geddon: One of the best indie attractions has six haunts in one location: Rage 3D, Ravenhill Asylum, Bloodwater Bayou, Breach, Demon’s Revenge and Zombie Paintball Assault. Other features include a Monster Midway and a haunted beer garden. Open every day 7 p.m.-1 a.m. through Nov. 2. 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City. 813-452-5412.
UNDead in the Water: The World War II era American Victory Ship in Tampa provides the area’s most unique setting. The haunted ship experience is geared for ages 11 and older with zombies popping out of the cargo holds and other nooks of a real military asset. It runs Thursday-Saturday at 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $29 and up at undeadinthewater.com.
Jurassic Haunt at Dinosaur World: A new after-hours event at Dinosaur World is a family friendly adventure with explorers who unearthed something they shouldn’t have. Gates open at 5 p.m. and activities start at 6 Friday and Saturday through Nov. 2. $15 and up. 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City. dinosaurworld.com/jurassic-haunt.
Pirate Water Taxi Haunted Tours: The boats that crawl along the Hillsborough River offer 45-minute cruises with ghost tales from Tampa’s eerie past told by costumed storytellers. Departure times are 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. select days through Oct. 27. Tickets are $35, $25 for ages 2-12. 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. 813-233-7999. piratewatertaxi.com/special-event/haunted-river-tours.
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail: The outdoor attraction in Plant City features haunted mazes, multiple haunted houses, escape games, laser tag and food vendors. It runs Friday-Sunday through Nov. 2. 2837 S Frontage Road, Plant City. $27 and up; must be purchased in advance at sirhenryshauntedtrail.com.
The Devil’s Ball: A witches coven orchestrates a burlesque wedding with adult trick or treating, a costume contest, a scavenger hunt, wandering magicians, fire performers, dancing, vendors, drink specials and a medical marijuana lounge (Florida MMJ card required). The party goes until 1 a.m. $15-$50. 8 p.m. Friday. NOVA 535, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-821-6682.
Little Shop of Horrors: New Tampa Players presents the story of a nerdy florist who grows a giant carnivorous plant with an insatiable appetite. 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa. 813-543-6252.
Roser Park Halloween Block Party and Ghost Tours: Costumes are encouraged for this Halloween market with more than 25 spooky vendors, food trucks, tarot readings and a Halloween movie in the park. Also, local paranormal experts are available to take you on a haunted tour of the historic district. Free; $35-$40 ghost tours. 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Historic Roser Park, intersection of Sixth Street S and Roser Park Drive, St. Petersburg.
Spooky Halloween Dance Party: Get ready to boogie at this dance party with costumes and music. $15. 7-11 p.m. Saturday. The Way 2 Dance Studio, 6520 U.S. 301, Riverview. 813-966-4788.
‘80s Hard Rock Halloween: Dress in a 1980s outfit for a hard rock Halloween with live music by Headbang. No cover. 8 p.m. Saturday. Daiquiri Shak Raw Bar & Grille, 14995 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach. 727-393-2706.
13 Ugly Men Halloween Party: 13 Ugly Men once again gather pretty people for a charitable party. There is a Zombie Apocalypse theme for this “party for a purpose” for Tampa’s Children’s Cancer Center. $35 and up at 13uglymen.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Cuban Club, 2010 N Avenida Republica De Cuba, Tampa. 813-248-2954.
Halloween JuBOOlee: Dress in costumes and bring your friends and family for a hauntingly good time with games, candy and Halloween activities. Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday. Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd., Clearwater. 727-562-4280.
Nightmare on Franklin Street at Tampa Theater: The historic movie house has lined up a series of classic horror films and creepy cult favorites, and ghost tours of the theater. See tampatheatre.org for a schedule. 711 N Franklin St., Tampa.
Haunted Nights on the Farm: Bring a flashlight to walk through the spooky woods of the HarvestMoon Fun Farm in Masaryktown. Admission includes two haunted trails, a haunted barn and a corn maze. 7-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Oct. 26. $24.95 for ages 3 and up. 15990 Stur St., Masaryktown. harvestmoonfunfarm.com.
Haunted Woods: Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa is celebrating its 30th year of scaring city folks in the woods. There will be a haunted trail in the woods, a costume contest, live music and trick-or-treat stations. 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. The Scare Trail will be open from 7-10 p.m. and recommended for ages 12 and up. Tickets $15. The Children’s Enchanted Woods will be from 2-6 p.m. and $5 for ages 3 and up. The event entrance fees will be cash only. See HistoryandNature.org. Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 N U.S. 301, Thonotosassa.
Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel: The Plant Museum will explore death and funerals, mourning, and spiritualism from the 19th century in this rare opportunity to visit the museum after dark. Visitors will encounter the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe, explore Victorian superstitions and traditions, and find hidden clues to decode a mystery through 13 rooms of the former Tampa Bay Hotel. This will be an open-house format, so visitors may wander at their leisure and come and go as they please. 6-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27. 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. plantmuseum.com/events/eerie-evening.
Coming up
Halloween on Central: More than 20 blocks of Central Avenue in St. Petersburg will be closed to traffic for a street party Oct. 27 with a costume contest and trick-or-treat stations. It will run from Martin Luther King Jr. Street to 31st Street along Central from noon-5 p.m.
Riverwalk Trick or Treat: Children in costume and their families are invited to trick or treat along the Tampa Riverwalk and enjoy fun activities. More than 50 treat stations will be participating along the Riverwalk from Water Works Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and MacDill Park. 4-9 p.m. Oct. 26.
Guppyween: The Florida Aquarium invites kids to dress in costume for a family friendly Halloween event. Children in costume will get in free with a paid adult. There will be trick-or-treat stations, animal encounters, costumed divers and underwater pumpkin carving. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-27. $10. flaquarium.org.
A Night at the Museum: Exhibits will come to life after the doors of the Tampa Bay History Center close. Visitors will be able to wander through the galleries while trick-or-treating, participating in a costume contest and enjoying crafts, games and photo opportunities. Keep an eye out for special characters roaming the halls. 4-7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Tampa Bay History Center. tampabayhistorycenter.org.
