Halloween in Tampa & St. Petersburg050

Halloween events abound throughout the area. Here's a sampling of some of the area's larger activities for kids and families. For even more offerings be sure to check our event calendar often - we're constantly updating it with the latest 2009 holiday happenings big and small.

Festivals & More
Central Avenue in St. Pete's Dome District transforms into Spook Central, a trail of terror with illuminated Halloween-themed window displays. The nightly celebration culminates in an October 24 block party

Pinellas Pioneer Settlement hosts its Autumn Harvest on October 17; the event features hayrides, games, crafts, and more. Ghost Walks & Spooky Storytelling
St. Pete's Eclud/St. Paul's Neighborhood Association hosts a one-hour, all-ages haunted hike through the neighborhood streets on October 17.

Trick-or-Treating & Costume Fun


At the Theme Parks
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream features multiple haunted houses, scare zones, and spooky shows. Be aware that this event is not recommended for young children.

Disney's Magic Kingdom offers Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a popular alternative to the fright-filled events so popular at Halloween. New this year is Disney's Pirate League, a swashbuckling alternative to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover station that transforms everyday families into pirates, buccaneers, and pirate maidens. Because of the event's popularity, it pays to plan ahead. Not only can you secure the date you desire you can also score a discount on admission!

SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular is another popular family event. Unlike the Magic Kingdom's Not-So-Scary celebration, Spooktacular doesn't require a separate admission ticket so it's the popular choice for locals who hold season passes to the park. A big draw is the Countdown to Halloween musical stage show starring Sesame Street's Count von Count, Elmo, and other beloved muppets.

Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights has become a popular event for families with older kids. Be forewarned: Scares abound at the Universal Studios event and the haunted house experiences can be quite intense.

Gatorland's Gator Hollow Swamp Tour is an intriguing opportunity for those who like their scares home-grown. After all, what can be more scary than a tour through the Gatorland swamps with hundreds of hungry gators watching your every move?

Do you know of a holiday event happening in the area that's not listed on our website? Feel free to add it to the comment section below.