Halloween Happenings: Your Guide to Spooky Fun in the Tampa Bay Area This Weekend!

Hillsborough County

• Spookala 2023 - Oct 6th-8th, Spookala is a Horror Convention where you will find celebrity meet and greets, photo-ops, artists, shopping, live entertainment, food, and more! 

• Brew Fest - Friday, Oct 6th, from 6:30pm - 9:30pm, Raise a toast to a night filled with artisanal brews and marine marvels at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Brew Fest! Delight in a variety of local beers, sway to live music, and bask in the splendor of marine life after sunset. Your event tickets also contribute to crucial marine conservation initiatives.

• Haunted River Tours - Every weekend in October, from 6:15pm - 9:15pm, Embark on a chilling expedition on a haunted tour, unraveling tales of terror and delving into Tampa's ghostly history! In a thrilling addition this year, the 45-50 minute cruise will make a mysterious pause at Captain Patchy’s Pumpkin Barge. 

• Ybor City Saturday Market - Saturday, Oct 7th, from 9:00am-3:00pm, A prime shopping spot for exclusive locally crafted items, the market lets visitors meet artists, witness the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces, and indulge in locally produced gourmet foods that capture the essence of the region.

• Hyde Park Art Festival - Saturday, Oct 7th & Sunday, Oct 8th, from 10:00am-5:00pm, Join the 33rd Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair. With brick courtyards, sparkling fountains, and tree-lined streets, it offers an old-world setting, making it an ideal location for a fine art event.

• Family Motor Fest - Saturday, Oct 7th, from 11:00am-3:00pm, a family-friendly festival supporting local student scholarships. Enjoy a Car Show with 400+ cars, food trucks, kids' zone, bounce houses, face painting, and more. Admission is FREE, and each attendee gets 4 free tickets to an upcoming Tampa Tarpons game! 

Pinellas County

• Junk in the Trunk - Saturday, Oct 7th from 9:00am - 1:00pm, Experience a fresh take on the traditional garage sale! Load your trunk, sell items from your car, and let us handle the rest. 

• The Big Cleanup Clearwater - Saturday, Oct 7th from 9:00am-12:00pm, The 3rd annual Big Cleanup Clearwater runs from Oct. 9-14. The aim is to gather litter from Clearwater's various locations, including beaches, parks, streets, and trails. Businesses, community members, and organizations are welcome to volunteer at different sites throughout the week.

• Market on Main - Sunday, Oct 8th from 10:00am-3:00pm, Gather with community friends at the Safety Harbor Farmer's Market on Main for open-air shopping every Sunday.

• Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus 2 - Saturday, Oct 7th from 7:30pm-10:00pm, Join our TASCO Division for a Free Movie in the Park at Huggins-Stengel Sports Complex, 1320 5th St. N.

Pasco County

• Dade City Farms @ Lake Iola Fall Festival - Saturday, Oct 7th from 9:00am-6:00pm, Experience the season's joy at our inaugural Fall Festival hosted by Dade City Farms @ Lake Iola!

• St. Joe Fall Festival - Saturday, Oct 7th from 9:00am- 3:00pm, Celebrate the 7th Annual St. Joe Fall Festival at Sacred Heart! Enjoy family-friendly arts, crafts, live music, inflatables, games, a pumpkin patch, food trucks, and more. Explore our Touch-A-Tractor exhibit featuring antique and modern farming equipment. Join us in honoring Military personnel and First Responders with special demonstrations. 

• Dade City Cruise In / Car Show - Saturday, Oct 7th from 12:00pm-4:00pm, Explore the Dade City Car & Truck Show! View cool rides, grab lunch, and shop in downtown Dade City. Located at the Big White Juke Box in Downtown Dade City.

• 80s Night @ The Krate - Friday, Oct 6th from 7:00pm-11:00pm, The Krate at Wesley Chapel is hosting an 80s night with live music, food, drinks, games, and more!

• Cars & Coffee - Saturday, Oct 7th from 8:00am-11:00am, Bring your cars, view cool rides, and grab a coffee at the Krate in Welsley Chapel.

Hernando County

• Multicultural Parade and Festival & Mobile Mural Unveiling - Saturday, Oct 7th from 11:00am-4:00pm, Come be part of the 2nd annual Multicultural Parade & Festival, presented in collaboration with Hernando Hispanic Heritage! The excitement kicks off with a parade, followed by a festival. Enjoy live music, global cuisine, and the unveiling of the latest Mobile Murals at Hernando Park!

• Brooksville Annual Pumpkin Fest - Oct 6th - 8th from 11:00am-3:00pm, 21st Annual Brooksville Pumpkin Patch awaits! Savor wine and slushies from Cracker House Winery. Delight in diverse food trucks and sweet treats. Shop from talented makers. Kid-friendly activities include a $5 Bounce House wristband, $5 Pony/Horse Rides, and Schuler Farms Petting Zoo. Engage in games like ring toss, tic-tac-toe, Jenga, cornhole, and more! Plus, get your perfect pumpkin! 

• Spring Hill Farmers Market - Saturday, Oct 7th from 10:00am-3:00pm, Explore our vibrant weekly market boasting 50+ vendors! Discover fresh local produce, meat, and seafood. Indulge in local honey, heirloom seeds, and vegetable plants. 

Sarasota/Manatee County

• Bradenton Public Market - Saturday, Oct 7th from 9:00am–2:00pm, The Bradenton Public Market returns for a fresh season, featuring over 80 local vendors with a diverse array of offerings, including locally-grown produce, plants, organic goods, fresh seafood, prepared foods, and artisan crafts. 

• 13th and 13th Art Market - Oct 6th & 7th from 10:00am-6:00pm, Join us for the 13th & 13th Art Market in Bradenton's Village of the Arts. Enjoy local art, music, and good vibes!

• Dr. Pineapple’s Haunted Laboratory Mystery Dinner - Saturday, Oct 7th from 6:30pm - 9:30pm, This interactive mystery show is exclusively for adults aged 21 and above. Each guest will take on a character role and receive a menu of choices a week prior to the dinner event. Your experience includes a delectable four-course meal crafted by our chef and a complimentary beverage. We encourage all guests to come in costume to enhance the fun and immersion of your experience.

Polk County

• Holiday Sip and Shop - Thursday, Oct 5th from 6:00pm-9:00pm, Holiday Gift Market hosted by Haute Air Design.

• First Friday: Cookie Carnival - Friday, Oct 6th from 6:00pm-9:00pm, Discover delectable treats from various Cookie Creators and indulge in delicious baked goods. The first 50 walk-ups on the event night can also grab a Cookie Judge badge. Don't miss out on the Makers Market, Food Trucks, and the Classy Car Show! 

Citrus County

• Market At The Depot - Saturday, Oct 7th from 9:00am-2:00pm, Discover a variety of offerings under the pavilion—fresh produce, beef, seafood, jams, jellies, local honey, desserts, peanuts, and more! Immerse yourself in the creativity of handcrafted artisanal products. 

Lee County

• October Art Walk - Friday, October 6th from 6:00pm-10:00pm, Partnering with King Leo Promotions, let's paint the town PINK! Embrace Breast Cancer Awareness month with exclusive art installations, delightful pink-themed items for sale, and a showcase of local artisans displaying and selling their unique masterpieces!

• Fort Myers Beach Market - Friday, Oct 6th from 9:00am-1:00pm, Visit the Fort Myers Beach Market every Friday for a delightful array of fresh produce, artisan foods, arts, crafts, clothing, and more. 

Charlotte County

• Haunted Mystery Tour of Punta Gorda - Saturday, Oct 7th from 6:00pm-8:00pm, Embark on a haunting adventure with seasoned ghost hunters as you explore the mysteries and mayhem of downtown Punta Gorda. Delve into true accounts of paranormal activity on a leisurely evening stroll through the historic downtown. Your guides will lead you to sites with reported paranormal occurrences, sharing tales of town founders, showcasing Victorian homes, visiting the last artesian well, standing beneath the majestic banyan tree, and more! Midway through the tour, experience a live demonstration of ghost-hunting technology. Learn how to use dowsing rods and pendulums for spirit communication in this engaging and eerie exploration.

• Punta Gorda Downtown Farmer's Market - Saturday, Oct 7th from 8:00am-1:00pm, Voted the best small market in Florida and 15th in the USA, this vibrant market boasts a diverse array of vendors offering everything from fresh produce, bakery goods, and seafood to handmade crafts, jewelry, and live entertainment.

• Punta Gorda History Park Market - Sunday, Oct 8th from 9:00am-1:00pm, Every Sunday, The History Park Sunday Market in Punta Gorda showcases the best of local food and artisanal products. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, explore a variety of offerings from fresh produce to unique gifts, and enjoy live music in the heart of historic Punta Gorda, making it a perfect destination to experience the charm of a farmer's market.