Florida Halloween Events 2026: Your City-by-City Guide
Halloween under the palms. AI-generated illustration for Florida Home Vibes, not a photograph of any event in this guide.
Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026, and the final stretch is here. Several of the big October 23–25 events have wrapped up, but Thursday through Saturday, October 29–31, still offers free trick-or-treats, garden light walks, haunted houses and 21+ nights. Start with the weekend list, then pick your city for dates, prices and age rules.
- Still happening Oct. 29–31
- Free Halloween events this weekend
- Halloween night: Saturday, Oct. 31
- Best for younger children
- For adults who want real scares
Still Happening: Florida Halloween Weekend, October 29–31
Ten events still ahead as of our October 27 check, in date order. Each event name jumps to its full listing farther down this page, with age rules, parking notes and the organizer's link.
| City | Event | When | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | Guppyween at The Florida Aquarium | Through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; trick-or-treating Oct. 31 only this week | Aquarium admission; children in costume free with a paying adult (ticket window only) |
| Osprey | Lights at Spooky Point | Through Oct. 31; timed entry 6:30 or 7:45 p.m.; ends 9 p.m. | Adults $34, ages 5–17 $19, 4 and under free |
| West Palm Beach | Fright Nights | Oct. 29–30; gates 6 p.m., haunts 7 p.m. Final night Friday, Oct. 30 | $48.50 (includes 40 Fright Credits); parking $10 |
| St. Petersburg | USF Halloween Fest | Fri., Oct. 30, 5:30–8:30 p.m. | Free |
| Clearwater | Fall-O-Ween, Coachman Park | Fri., Oct. 30, from 6 p.m. | Free |
| Jacksonville Beach | Trunk-or-Treat & Moonlight Movie | Fri., Oct. 30, 5:30–7 p.m.; movie 7:15 p.m. | Free |
| West Palm Beach | Spookyville | Fri., Oct. 30, 5–9 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (gates close 30 minutes early) | Adults $10, children $15, family of four $45 |
| Naples | BOO-Tacular | Fri., Oct. 30, 6–9 p.m. | $5; ages 3 and under free |
| Sarasota | Fright Night on St. Armands Circle | Sat., Oct. 31, 5:30–8 p.m. | Not listed; check with the organizer |
| Naples | Paradise Coast Fall Fest | Sat., Oct. 31, 1–4 p.m. | Free |
Also running through the weekend: Howl-O-Scream, Halloween Horror Nights, Nightmare Village, the Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk, Mortality and Mourning in St. Augustine, Tallahassee's Symphony Spooktacular and Spirits of Goodwood, and Boo at the Zoo in Gulf Breeze. Prices are listed prices before fees; Pensacola-area times are Central. For corn mazes and fall festivals, see our Tampa Bay fall festival guide.
Quick Picks by Mood
| Your kind of Halloween | Start here |
|---|---|
| Free Halloween events this weekend | |
| Halloween night: Saturday, October 31 |
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| Best for younger children |
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| For adults who want real scares | |
| Singles and friends who want conversation* | |
| Adults-only costume night |
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| A Halloween getaway |
* Singles picks are our suggestions for solo outings or time with friends, not advertised singles mixers.
How to use this guide: Details were first checked against organizer and city pages on October 18, 2026, and every remaining event was rechecked on October 27, 2026, for Halloween weekend. Events that have already taken place stay in their city sections, marked Event concluded. Schedules and tickets can change, so confirm before you go. Prices are listed prices; taxes, fees, parking and extras may be additional. "Age & entry rules" are the organizer's; "Best for" is our recommendation.
Tampa
Candy bags or haunted houses? Tampa has both, and the aquarium's Halloween week runs right through Saturday.
Daytime · Through Halloween
Guppyween at The Florida Aquarium
Halloween week at the aquarium: creepy-critter animal encounters, costumed divers, underwater pumpkin carving and character appearances. Trick-or-treating happens on October 24, 25 and 31 only, so Halloween Day is the one candy day left.
- When
- October 24–31, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31 (not every day)
- Where
- The Florida Aquarium, Tampa
- Cost
- Regular Aquarium admission; children in costume get free admission with a paying parent or guardian, redeemed at the ticket window only
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- The free offer is for children in costume with a paying adult; the organizer doesn't state an age limit
- Best for (our pick)
- Families with younger children
- Good to know
- The free child admission is redeemed at the ticket window, not online, so plan to buy the adult ticket there if you want to use it.
Event concluded · Free · Downtown
Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat
Costumes, trick-or-treating, a costume contest and a Thriller flash mob, then Ghostbusters at 7:15 p.m. Bring something to sit on for the movie.
- When
- Concluded. Saturday, October 24, 4–9 p.m. (the City of Tampa calendar lists an 8:30 p.m. finish)
- Where
- Cotanchobee Park on the Tampa Riverwalk
- Cost
- Free
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
- Good to know
- Downtown is busy that day: nearby garages and lots charge event rates ($10 at the Pam Iorio Garage and Selmon Expressway lots), and the organizer suggests parking in Ybor City and riding the TECO Line Streetcar.
Daytime · Gentle
Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular
Trick-or-treating, characters and playful entertainment instead of big scares.
- When
- Saturdays and Sundays through November 1, noon–4 p.m.
- Where
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Cost
- Included with park admission
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Children 13 and younger may wear costumes
- Best for (our pick)
- Families who want Halloween as part of a theme-park day
Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular: details from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Night · Big Scares
Howl-O-Scream
Choose it for your scare tolerance rather than the Halloween label alone. Our Tampa Bay fall festival guide covers this year's new haunted house, ticket options and the region's corn mazes.
- When
- Select nights through October 31, from 7 p.m.
- Where
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Cost
- Separate ticket required
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- No guest costumes; billed as mature entertainment with gore and intense content
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults
- Good to know
- Check your chosen night on the park's calendar before you go.
St. Petersburg
A good pick when your group mixes kids, friends and someone who mainly came for the food.
Event concluded · Daytime Street Festival
Halloween on Central
Twenty-two car-free blocks of costumes, music, vendors, entertainment and candy. For singles, a casual outing with plenty to talk about and no pressure to stay out late.
- When
- Concluded. Sunday, October 25, noon–5 p.m.
- Where
- Central Avenue, EDGE and Grand Central districts
- Cost
- Not listed; budget for food, shopping and activities
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families, singles and friends
Free · Evening
USF St. Petersburg Halloween Fest
A campus celebration that gives kids another chance to wear their costumes before Halloween.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
- Where
- 140 7th Avenue S.
- Cost
- Free; advance registration encouraged, walk-ups welcome
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- All ages welcome
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
- Good to know
- Free parking, first come, first served, in the garage at 250 5th Avenue S. Some activities have limited capacity.
USF St. Petersburg Halloween Fest: details from USF St. Petersburg
Clearwater
A free Friday-night party at Coachman Park, the night before Halloween.
Free · Friday Night
Fall-O-Ween at Coachman Park
A costume contest, a candy trail, food trucks, touch-a-truck and Dino Dig experiences, with a Carrie Underwood tribute band on stage. The city bills it as an evening of "not-so-scary fun."
- When
- Friday, October 30, from 6 p.m. (the city's listing doesn't give an end time)
- Where
- Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street
- Cost
- Free; food trucks extra
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
- Good to know
- Parking details aren't posted with the listing, so check the city's Coachman Park parking pages before you drive in.
Orlando and the Theme-Park Area
Halloween here can be a free downtown evening or Universal's much darker take.
Event concluded · Free · Quiet Zone
Eolaween
Trick-or-treating, crafts, pumpkin decorating and entertainment, with a sensory-friendly Quiet Zone. Haunted Mansion screens at 7:30 p.m.
- When
- Concluded. Saturday, October 24, 4–9 p.m.
- Where
- Lake Eola Park, 512 E. Washington Street
- Cost
- Free; purchases extra
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
Sold Out
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
If you're still making plans, the free family alternatives are in this weekend's list at the top of the page.
- When
- Remaining party nights: Thursday, October 29, and Saturday, October 31, 7 p.m.–midnight (entry from 4 p.m.); earlier nights have passed
- Where
- Magic Kingdom
- Cost
- Separate ticket; Disney says all 2026 dates are sold out
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Existing ticket holders
- Good to know
- Regular daytime admission does not include the party.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: details from Walt Disney World
Night · Intense
Halloween Horror Nights
Haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment. Plan it as a grown-up outing, not a little-kid alternative to Disney.
- When
- Select nights through November 1
- Where
- Universal Studios Florida
- Cost
- Separate ticket; pick your night on Universal's ticket page
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Not recommended for children under 13; no costumes or costume masks
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults and scare-seeking friends
Halloween Horror Nights: details from Universal Orlando Resort
Miami
Daytime animal adventures and a historic estate after dark, no nightclub required.
Event concluded · Daytime · Toddler-Friendly
Zoo Boo at Zoo Miami
Costume fun, magic shows, inflatables and animal treats, finished well before bedtime.
- When
- Concluded. Saturday and Sunday, October 24–25, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Where
- Zoo Miami
- Cost
- Included with zoo admission
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Trick-or-treating is for children 12 and under
- Best for (our pick)
- Families with young children
Zoo Boo at Zoo Miami: Zoo Miami events page (the 2026 Zoo Boo listing has been taken down)
Evening · Storytelling · Sold Out
Deering Estate Historic Ghost Tours
Stories about former residents and reported paranormal experiences, for people who prefer conversation to a loud dance floor.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 7:30–9:30 p.m. (the organizer lists this and every other 2026 date as sold out; earlier dates have passed)
- Where
- Deering Estate
- Cost
- $45 per person
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Ages 9 and up; may include mature subject matter
- Best for (our pick)
- Singles, friends and older kids
- Good to know
- Arrive 15 minutes early with closed-toe shoes, a flashlight and mosquito repellent. The Stone House is closed for restoration.
Deering Estate Historic Ghost Tours: details from Deering Estate
Fort Lauderdale
Beachside festivities by day, haunted houses by night.
Event concluded · Free · Beachside
Pumpkins and Palm Trees
Live music, market vendors, children's crafts, seasonal food and photo spots near the beach.
- When
- Concluded. Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Where
- Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Boulevard
- Cost
- Free; purchases extra
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families, friends and pets in costume
Pumpkins and Palm Trees: details from City of Fort Lauderdale
Night · Haunted Houses
Nightmare Village at Xtreme Action Park
Three haunted houses make a ready-made group challenge.
- When
- October 23–25, October 29–31 and November 1 (hours in the venue's booking calendar)
- Where
- 5300 N. Powerline Road
- Cost
- $45 on October 23–25, $55 on October 29–31, $40 on November 1
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Not recommended under 13; waivers required, and minors need an adult escort and a parent's waiver
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults and older teens
Nightmare Village at Xtreme Action Park: details from Xtreme Action Park
West Palm Beach
Two fairgrounds events for very different audiences, so read the event name when you book.
Day and Evening · Gentle
Spookyville in Yesteryear Village
Trick-or-treating, live entertainment, a nightly light show and rides for younger children. Strollers welcome; costumes encouraged but not required; children get a treat bag. The Sunday costume parades have passed.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 5–9 p.m., and Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (gates close 30 minutes before closing time); the October 17–18 and 23–25 dates have passed
- Where
- Yesteryear Village, South Florida Fairgrounds
- Cost
- Adults $10, children $15, or $45 for two adults and two children; rides included
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Check ticket categories on the fair's booking page
- Best for (our pick)
- Families with younger children
Spookyville in Yesteryear Village: details from South Florida Fair
Night · Intense · Final Night Oct. 30
Fright Nights
Haunted houses and a midway. Don't save it for Halloween night: the final night is Friday, October 30, and there is no October 31 date.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 6–11 p.m., and Friday, October 30, 6 p.m.–midnight (the final night); haunts open at 7 p.m. Earlier October dates have passed.
- Where
- South Florida Fairgrounds
- Cost
- $48.50 general admission, including 40 Fright Credits for houses or rides; parking $10, card only
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- No minimum age; parental discretion advised for small children; masks not allowed
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults and scare fans
Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach
A free beach movie night for families and a costume cruise for grown-ups, on the same Friday.
Free · Evening
Jacksonville Beach Trunk-or-Treat and Moonlight Movie
Local businesses hand out treats before an outdoor screening of The Haunted Mansion. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.
- When
- Friday, October 30: trunk-or-treat 5:30–7 p.m., movie at 7:15 p.m. (the city's October 27 announcement moved the start from 5 p.m.)
- Where
- Latham Plaza and Seawalk Pavilion, 11 1st Street N.
- Cost
- Free
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
- Good to know
- Concessions are sold at the movie. Costumes are encouraged for the trunk-or-treat.
Evening Cruise
Thriller Halloween Party on the River
A Michael Jackson-themed Halloween cruise on the St. Johns River.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 7–9:30 p.m.
- Where
- Royal Princess home port, 1501 Riverplace Boulevard
- Cost
- Not published on the listing; see the operator's booking page
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Not published on the listing
- Best for (our pick)
- Friends
- Good to know
- Boarding time isn't published; check the booking page.
Thriller Halloween Party on the River: details from Jax Yacht
St. Augustine
For people whose favorite part of Halloween is the story.
Evening · Atmospheric
Mortality and Mourning: Women in Black
A historic-house experience about women and mourning in the 1800s.
- When
- Fridays and Saturdays, October 23, 24, 30 and 31; tours at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Where
- Ximenez-Fatio House, 20 Aviles Street
- Cost
- Tourism listings quote $25 per person; confirm on the museum's ticket page
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- No age rule listed; the museum says there are no jump scares, but dim lighting and somber displays may not suit very young or sensitive children
- Best for (our pick)
- Friends and history fans in small groups
Mortality and Mourning: Women in Black: details from Ximenez-Fatio House Museum
Sarasota and Osprey
Evening lights in Osprey every night through Halloween, and a Halloween-night street party on St. Armands Circle. The Selby daytime party has concluded.
Event concluded · Daytime
Selby Gardens Spooktacular
Costumes, trick-or-treating, arts and crafts and storytelling in the gardens. Bring the kids' candy bags.
- When
- Concluded. Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Where
- Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus
- Cost
- Included with general admission; free for members; food and drinks extra
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
Selby Gardens Spooktacular: details from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Evening · Halloween Lights
Lights at Spooky Point
An illuminated walk through wooded grounds, without a full haunted-house evening. Pick the earlier slot for younger children; the later one is darker.
- When
- Nightly through Saturday, October 31; timed entry at 6:30 or 7:45 p.m.; the event ends at 9 p.m.
- Where
- Historic Spanish Point campus, Osprey
- Cost
- Adults $34, member adults $24, ages 5–17 $19, ages 4 and under free
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- All ages (tickets priced by age); the organizer notes a few minor jump-scare moments
- Best for (our pick)
- Families, singles and friends
- Good to know
- Tickets are timed and limited, and the organizer says some nights may sell out, so book ahead on its site. Parking on the Historic Spanish Point campus is limited; the organizer asks visitors to carpool and follow the parking attendants.
Lights at Spooky Point: details from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Halloween Night · Shopping District
Fright Night on St. Armands Circle
The Circle's merchants host their long-running Halloween evening on Halloween night itself, billed for "the young, and spooky at heart." The association hasn't published activity details or an admission policy, so check its page before you plan around specific attractions.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 5:30–8 p.m.
- Where
- St. Armands Circle, Sarasota
- Cost
- Not listed by the organizer; confirm with the St. Armands Circle Association
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families and friends who want a Halloween-night stroll
- Good to know
- The City of Sarasota may switch the St. Armands garage to pay-on-entry during events.
Fright Night on St. Armands Circle: details from St. Armands Circle Association
Fort Myers and Naples
A nighttime trail for brave friends in Fort Myers, and three budget-friendly family events in Naples across Friday and Saturday.
Night · Outdoor Haunt
Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk
An outdoor haunted walk, off the theme-park pavement.
- When
- Friday and Saturday, October 30–31, 7:15–10:30 p.m.; timed-entry tickets, first slot 7:15 p.m. Earlier October dates have passed.
- Where
- 3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers
- Cost
- $20 in advance (plus a 50-cent service fee) or $25 at the door
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- No age recommendation published for 2026
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults and scare-seeking friends
- Good to know
- Parking at the nature center is limited; an offsite shuttle runs from Fort Myers Seventh-day Adventist Church on October 30 and 31, 6:30–10:30 p.m. Ortiz Avenue has construction, so read the organizer's directions before you leave.
Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk: details from Calusa Nature Center
Evening · Budget-Friendly
BOO-Tacular at North Collier Regional Park
A trick-or-treat lane, carnival games, bounce houses, a DJ, a photo booth and a haunted trail. Families with younger children can skip the trail.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 6–9 p.m.; costume contests at 6:45 p.m.
- Where
- 15000 Livingston Road, Naples
- Cost
- $5 per person; ages 3 and under free
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed beyond the free entry for ages 3 and under
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
- Good to know
- Advance wristbands have been on sale since October 1 at six county park offices, including the North Collier Regional Park administration building and Vineyards Community Park. Walk-ins are welcome at the event, and the county's listing doesn't offer online pre-registration.
BOO-Tacular at North Collier Regional Park: details from Collier County Parks and Recreation
Early Evening
Halloween Baby Rave
A Halloween dance floor for the smallest partygoers, with music, movement and sensory activities.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 6–7:30 p.m.
- Where
- Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, 810 39th Avenue NE, Naples
- Cost
- $7; every attendee, adults included, must register (advance registration strongly recommended)
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed; designed for babies and toddlers with their families
- Best for (our pick)
- Babies, toddlers and their families
Halloween Baby Rave: details from Collier County Parks and Recreation
Free · Halloween Afternoon
Paradise Coast Fall Fest
The sports complex's sixth annual Fall Fest lands on Halloween afternoon: trunk-or-treat, bounce houses, a foam party, a costume parade, face painting and RC cars.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 1–4 p.m.
- Where
- Paradise Coast Sports Complex, City Gate Boulevard North, Naples
- Cost
- Free
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed; billed as fun for all ages
- Best for (our pick)
- Families who want daytime trick-or-treating before the evening rounds
- Good to know
- No registration or parking details are listed. Bring a candy bag for the trunk-or-treat.
Paradise Coast Fall Fest: details from Paradise Coast Sports Complex
Tallahassee
Free daytime and evening choices for families, plus two adults-only nights.
Event concluded · Free · Afternoon
Goodwood Halloween Family Fun Day
Hay rides, face painting, storytelling and crafts.
- When
- Concluded. Sunday, October 25, 3–5 p.m.
- Where
- Goodwood Museum & Gardens
- Cost
- Free
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
- Good to know
- Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.
Goodwood Halloween Family Fun Day: details from Goodwood Museum & Gardens
Free · Music
Halloween Symphony Spooktacular
An orchestra soundtrack for Halloween that everyone in the group can enjoy.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 6–9 p.m.; trick-or-treating at 6, orchestra at 7:30
- Where
- Adderley Amphitheater, Cascades Park, 1001 S. Gadsden Street
- Cost
- Free; optional reserved VIP seats $5
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Mixed-age groups
Halloween Symphony Spooktacular: details from Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
Event concluded · Night · Costume Party
Zoobilee
Live music, restaurant tastings, costumes and an open bar, supporting the museum's education and conservation work.
- When
- Concluded. Friday, October 23, 7–10 p.m.
- Where
- Tallahassee Museum
- Cost
- $55; group rate for 10 or more
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- 21 and up
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults
Evening · Stories and Socializing
Spirits of Goodwood
Storytellers, actors, magic, appetizers, beer and wine for a conversational Halloween night.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- Where
- Goodwood Museum & Gardens
- Cost
- About $50–$55 including fees; non-refundable
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- 21 and up
- Best for (our pick)
- Singles, friends, and parents with a sitter booked
Pensacola and Gulf Breeze
Times here are Central Time. One find for parents: an activity for the kids and breathing room for the grown-ups, in the same place.
Daytime
Boo at the Zoo
Costumes, a trick-or-treat trail and family activities. The zoo revised its schedule after storm cancellations, and tickets for the cancelled weekends are honored on the remaining dates.
- When
- October 24–25, October 31 and November 1, from 10 a.m.
- Where
- Gulf Breeze Zoo
- Cost
- Members need a separate $10 event ticket; others check current admission on the zoo's site
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- None listed
- Best for (our pick)
- Families
Event concluded · Evening · Hands-On
Parents Night Out: Pumpkin Carving
Kids carve a pumpkin with instructors while grown-ups relax on the balcony with charcuterie for two and two glasses of wine. Not drop-off childcare.
- When
- Concluded. Thursday, October 22, 6–8 p.m. (doors 5:30)
- Where
- Bodacious Shops, 407 S. Palafox Street
- Cost
- $99.49 on Eventbrite, including fees; non-refundable (confirm what each ticket covers)
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Ages 7–13 recommended; a parent or guardian must stay on site
- Best for (our pick)
- Parents and children
Event concluded · Evening · Brewery Party
TERROR on TAP
A DJ, themed food and drinks and a costume contest. Don't assume it's adults-only.
- When
- Concluded. Friday, October 23, 6–10 p.m.; costume contest at 8 p.m.
- Where
- Coastal County Brewing Company, 3041 E. Olive Road
- Cost
- Not published; confirm with the brewery
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Alcohol service 21 and up; the costume contest has a children's category
- Best for (our pick)
- Friends and costume fans
TERROR on TAP: Visit Pensacola events calendar (the event listing has been taken down)
Key West
Fantasy Fest wrapped up on October 25; the listing stays here for the record.
Event concluded · Festival · Getaway
Fantasy Fest and the Parade
Fantasy Fest 2026 has concluded. For next year, read individual event descriptions before bringing children, and book lodging and transportation before you commit.
- When
- Concluded. Festival through Sunday, October 25; parade Saturday, October 24, 7 p.m.
- Where
- Duval Street and venues across Key West
- Cost
- Parade free; viewing parties and many events separately ticketed
- Age & entry rules (organizer)
- Some events are 18+ or 21+
- Best for (our pick)
- Adults planning a costume getaway
Make the Plan Before the Group Chat Gets Complicated
For parents: pick the pace first
Start with your child's comfort level, then choose the event. A daytime zoo celebration, an outdoor movie and a haunted trail can all be labeled "Halloween," but they make very different evenings. Check walking distance, stroller rules, restrooms, food options and whether there's a quiet space. If a movie follows trick-or-treating, pack a seat or blanket, and give comfortable shoes a place in the costume design.
For singles and friends: choose something to do together
A light walk, street festival, history tour or performance gives an outing a natural focus. You can go solo, invite one friend or turn it into a group plan. Prefer a party? Pick the event first, then decide where to meet and how everyone gets home.
For parents booking a sitter: leave breathing room
Compare the start time with parking, travel, entry lines and your sitter's end time. A fixed-length tour or a clearly timed party is easier to plan around than an attraction with several queues.
Check what the ticket actually buys
General admission, a separately ticketed evening event and paid extras are different things. Daytime theme-park admission doesn't include a nighttime Halloween event, and "free event" doesn't always mean free parking, food or activities.
Give Florida weather a vote
Check the forecast and the organizer's weather policy before leaving. Bring water for outdoor plans, keep costumes practical for warm evenings, and read refund or rescheduling terms before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Halloween in 2026?
Saturday, October 31. Several of this guide's events ran on October 23–25 and have concluded; the remaining ones fall on Thursday through Saturday, October 29–31, with the biggest cluster on Friday, October 30. Start with the Halloween-weekend list at the top of the page.
Where can families celebrate for free?
Free picks still ahead: USF St. Petersburg's Halloween Fest, Clearwater's Fall-O-Ween, the Jacksonville Beach trunk-or-treat and movie and Tallahassee's Symphony Spooktacular, all on Friday, October 30, and Naples' Paradise Coast Fall Fest on Saturday, October 31. Children in costume also get free Florida Aquarium admission with a paying adult through October 31. Tampa's Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat, Orlando's Eolaween, Fort Lauderdale's Pumpkins and Palm Trees and Tallahassee's Goodwood Family Fun Day have concluded.
What is happening on Halloween night itself?
Saturday, October 31 picks: Fright Night on St. Armands Circle (5:30–8 p.m.), Spookyville (11 a.m.–9 p.m.), Lights at Spooky Point (entries at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.), the Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk and Nightmare Village for scares, Mortality and Mourning in St. Augustine, and daytime trick-or-treating at Guppyween and Paradise Coast Fall Fest. Fright Nights in West Palm Beach does not run on October 31.
Can adults wear costumes at every Halloween attraction?
No. Howl-O-Scream and regular Halloween Horror Nights both ban guest costumes, and Fright Nights bans masks. Many community festivals and costume parties encourage them, so check each event's rules before you dress up.
Are the adult picks all 21+?
No. Our “Best for” labels describe the kind of outing, not an entry rule. Spirits of Goodwood (and Zoobilee, which has concluded) requires guests to be 21 or older; other venues set their own policies, listed under each event's age and entry rules.
Does this include every Halloween event in Florida?
No. It's a selected guide focused on major cities and nearby destinations, meant to help you pick a plan without digging through hundreds of listings.
Pick your city, send the plan to your favorite people, and give that costume somewhere to go. Around here, spooky season comes with palm trees.
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Sources & Further Reading
- Tampa Riverwalk: Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Howl-O-Scream
- The Florida Aquarium: Guppyween
- Grand Central District: Halloween on Central
- USF St. Petersburg: USF St. Petersburg Halloween Fest
- City of Clearwater: Festive Fall Events in Clearwater (Fall-O-Ween)
- City of Orlando: Eolaween
- Walt Disney World: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Universal Orlando Resort: Halloween Horror Nights
- Zoo Miami: events page (Zoo Boo listing removed after the event)
- Deering Estate: Deering Estate Historic Ghost Tours
- City of Fort Lauderdale: Pumpkins and Palm Trees
- Xtreme Action Park: Nightmare Village at Xtreme Action Park
- South Florida Fair: Spookyville in Yesteryear Village
- South Florida Fair: Fright Nights
- City of Jacksonville Beach: Trunk or Treat and Moonlight Movie announcement (October 27, 2026)
- Jax Yacht: Thriller Halloween Party on the River
- Ximenez-Fatio House Museum: Mortality and Mourning: Women in Black
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Selby Gardens Spooktacular
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Lights at Spooky Point (event page)
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Lights at Spooky Point returns (announcement with prices)
- St. Armands Circle Association: Fright Night on St. Armands Circle
- Calusa Nature Center: Calusa Nature Center Haunted Walk
- Collier County Parks and Recreation: BOO-Tacular at North Collier Regional Park
- Collier County Parks and Recreation: Boo-Tacular 2026 event listing (wristband locations)
- Paradise Coast Sports Complex: 6th Annual Fall Fest
- Goodwood Museum & Gardens: Goodwood Halloween Family Fun Day
- Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra: Halloween Symphony Spooktacular
- Tallahassee Museum: Zoobilee
- Gulf Breeze Zoo: Boo at the Zoo
- Bodacious Family of Shops (Parents Night Out Eventbrite listing removed after the event)
- Visit Pensacola: events calendar (TERROR on TAP listing removed after the event)
- Fantasy Fest: Fantasy Fest and the Parade
This is a selected guide based on each organizer's published information, not on personal attendance. Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed against organizer sources on October 18 and again on October 27, 2026. Event details and ticket availability may change.
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