The next few weeks are packed with Halloween-themed art shows, events, makers meetings, movies and tours. We’ve rounded up some of the best and stored them into a quick guide you can use to entertain the scare-seeker (or scaredy cat) in your life.
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EVENTS & PARTIES
Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens is celebrating 20 years of fear in Tampa with three new scare zones and all your favorite haunted houses. Thurs.-Sun. through Nov. 2. Busch Gardens, 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa. buschgardens.com.
A Nightmare on Franklin Street Tampa Theatre hosts 14 nights of classic and contemporary horror movies, storytelling events, ghost tours, and a brand new Paranormal Investigation Experience. On Fourth Friday, the theater stages two different ghost tours — one at 3 p.m. and another at 10:30 p.m. Oct. 18-31, Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org.
Pole-O-Ween Can’t decide if you want to be sexy or scary this Halloween? Who says you can’t be both? Head to downtown St. Petersburg for Nocturnelle’s Halloween-themed pole dancing showcase. Every month they bring the sexy to Subcentral at Iberian Rooster, but this month they’re bringing the spooky, too. They say it’ll be their biggest show yet. Oct. 19, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Subcentral at Iberian Rooster, 475 Central Ave. N. #100, St. Petersburg. facebook/nocturnellepoleshow.
Guppyween The Florida Aquarium is transforming the building into the Codwarts School of Fishcraft and Squidery for little wizards to explore this spooky season. This is a punny one — young wizards will be sorted into their Codwarts House before embarking on a quest to further their Fishcraft knowledge. All exhibits will be open, including the 4-D theatre and The Splash Pad. Tickets are regular admission cost for adults and $10 for kids in costume. Fri. 5:30-8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sun. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa. flaquarium.org/guppyween
2nd Annual MFA Zombie “Thriller” Dance Zombies dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on the steps of the MFA. Want to boogie with them? Join rehearsals (Oct. 10 and Oct. 17) at the MFA happening before the big dance day on Oct. 24. Oct. 24, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. The Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg. mfastpete.org.
ARTpool Halloween costume bash Art and fashion collide at this Halloween “ART pARTy” with a spooky runway show and costume contest. Oct. 26, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. ARTpool gallery, 2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. artpoolrules.com.
FMoPA’s Spooky Soiree Enjoy photography, spooky decorations and drinks at this Fourth Friday event. Costumes encouraged. Oct. 25, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, 400 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa. eventbrite.com.
Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel Is the old Tampa Bay Hotel building haunted? Find out at the University of Tampa’s Henry B. Plant Museum when the museum hosts a storytelling event centered on the darker side of the hotel’s history. There’s an extra night this year, but we recommend going on the Friday before Halloween to pair it with one of several other Halloween-themed Fourth Friday events. Oct. 25 & 26, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. plantmuseum.com.
Downtown After Dark This choose-your-own-adventure style costume party features five Halloween costume parties, each with a different theme and drink special, across downtown Tampa. Don some bell-bottoms and drink Scooby shots at Four Green Fields’ Blacklight Mystery Party in Curtis Hixon Park, honor the rock gods at Pokeys Rock & Roll Bar’s Dance Party of Gone Legends, remember the ‘90s at Gen X Tavern’s 90s Throwback Party, praise the dead at Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar’s Dia de los Muertos party, or join the Caribbean Carnival-themed party at the Jerk Hut. The choice is up to you. Oct. 26, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Downtown Tampa. downtownafterdark.eventbrite.com.
Legend of the Pumpkin King Parade Legend has it the Pumpkin King’s ship sunk and most of his crew perished at the bottom of Tampa Bay in the 1800s. He dove down repeatedly in an attempt to save them to no avail. The residents of Ybor had cursed the Bay. Needless to say, the Pumpkin King was pissed. He wreaked havoc on Ybor City and was eventually hung. But every year, the tortured soul returns and parades down Ybor’s 7th Avenue. Oct. 26, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. 7th Ave., Ybor City. legendofthepumpkinking.com.
Spooky Empire Billed as the dark side of Comic Con, Spooky Empire is a Con-style event for lovers of all things horror. Learn how to write scary stories, create Hollywood-quality cuts and scars, and make the props used in horror movies at convention classes. Discuss mythical beasts, horror-centric comics, and how to generate suspense with panels of horror experts. Or just shop for creepy art, music, movies, home decor, costumes and more. Celebrity guests include Alice Cooper, Mia Farrow, Twisted Sister, and the cast of “Hellbound: Hellraiser 2,” among others. Oct. 31-Nov. 3, Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. spookyempire.com.
Spirits of Tarpon Springs Local artist and paranormal investigator Brandy Stark talks about the ghosts and legends of Tarpon Springs. While you’re there, check out artist Deborah Masters’ larger-than-life sculptures inspired by the spirit world in “Deborah Masters: Spirits.” Oct. 31, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 E. Klosterman Road, Tarpon Springs. leeparattner.org.
Spirits and their Stories Tour the spirit world as seen by artist Deborah Masters with Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art curator, Christine Renc-Carter. Afterward, visit Tarpon Springs’ historic Cycadia Cemetery while accompanied by actors portraying historical figures buried there. Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m. Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, 600 E. Klosterman Rd., Tarpon Springs. leeparattner.org.
ART SHOWS
Creep Twenty-six artists participate in MIZE gallery’s horror-themed art show, including Bekky Beukes, Coralette Damme, Paul Vitale, and Rebekah Lazaridis. Oct. 11-31. Opening reception, Oct. 11, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. MIZE Gallery, 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., Unit C, St. Petersburg. chadmize.com.
Ghouls, Ghosts & Glow Twenty-three artists participate in this horror-themed art show at Carrollwood Cultural Center. Go during the opening reception for glow-in-the-dark lighting, entertainment and drinks. Oct. 7-28; Opening reception Oct. 11, 5-8 p.m. Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa. carrollwoodcenter.org.
Creepy Nights Matthew Edge curates a horror-themed art show at Bar@548 featuring paintings and photographs by local artists. Check it out during St. Pete’s 2nd Saturday Artwalk. Oct. 12, 3-6 p.m. Bar@548, 548 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. INFO.
The Faces of Dia de los Muertos Photographer Christa Joyner Moody traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico to capture residents’ preparations for Dia de los Muertos. See the photo collection while sipping sangria at Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar. Opening reception Oct. 12, 4-6 p.m. Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar, 513 N. Tampa St., Tampa. INFO.
HAUNTED HOUSES
Get Screaming New this year: Haunted houses pop up at Florida State Fairgrounds. Through Nov. 2, Thurs.-Sun. 4800 U.S. Hwy 301, Tampa. getscreaming.com.
Undead in the Water Want to explore a historic WWII cargo ship with a blacklight flashlight while being chased by zombies? Of course, you do. Every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 2 and on Halloween. 8-11 p.m. American Victory Ship, 705 Channelside Dr., Tampa. undeadinthewater.com.
House on the Hill It’s the season of the witch at Kathleen Barbiere’s House on the Hill. This year, proceeds from the haunted maze go to Suncoast Animal League. Oct. 18-19 and Oct.25-26, 7:30-10:30 p.m. House on the Hill, 611 Beckett Way, Tarpon Springs. INFO.
Gulfport Murder House Enjoy a short play by local writers in each room of the infamous Gulfport Murder House, courtesy of Wordier Than Thou. This year’s writers include Erika Lance, Deborah Frethem and Cindy Stovall. Oct. 24-27. Gulfport Murder House, 3009 54th St. S., Gulfport. eventbrite.com.
GHOST TOURS
Haunted Gulfport Tour creator Deborah Frethem literally wrote the book on Pinellas County Hauntings, and there’s a whole chapter on Gulfport. According to lore, there are enough ghosts to fill a few buildings, and this tour stops at more than 10 (buildings, not ghosts). Proceeds benefit the Gulfport Historical Society. Select dates through Nov. 1, 8-9:30 p.m. Gulfport History Museum, 5301 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. gulfporthistoricalsociety.org.
Haunted River Listen to ghost stories while cruising down the Hillsborough River in a Pirate Water Taxi. Every Fri., Sat. & Sun. night in October. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. piratewatertaxi.com.
Nightly Spirits’ Tampa ghost tour pub crawl Get to know some spirits while drinking spirits at this pub crawl with ghost stories. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m., with extra October dates. Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Ybor City. nightlyspirits.com.
Official Ybor City Ghost Tour Because historic buildings in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Florida are haunted AF. 8 p.m. nightly. King Corona Cigars, 1523 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. yborghosttour.com.
MARKETS AND CRAFT EVENTS
Boobie Lovin’ Sunday Funday Market 516 DIY mobile workshops talks you through Halloween crafting at this family-friendly event. Choose between a trio of wood pumpkins, a wooden witch hat centerpiece, or a Halloween Mason jar luminary. Technically, the Mason jar luminaries are for the kids, but don’t let that stop you. Reserve your craft in advance online. A portion of the proceeds benefit Boobie Lovin’, a local foundation that raises money for breast cancer research and awareness. Oct. 13, 3-6 p.m. Crooked Thumb Brewery, 555 10th Ave. S., Safety Harbor. market516.com.
Pumpkin-Palooza Blow your own glass pumpkin at the Morean. Oct. 12, 26, 6-9 p.m. The Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. moreanartscenter.org.
Hauntizaar The Halloween/Day of the Dead art bazaar returns for its fourth year with arts & crafts from Coralette Damme, Brandy Stark, Scott Swenson and more. Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. thestudioat620.org.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
A Night at the Museum Take your kids to the Tampa Bay History Center to learn some history while trick-or-treating in the galleries. Starting October 19, the history center is hosting a traveling exhibition of Lego models that depict major events in world history. Don’t forget to check out the history center’s pirate ship in the Treasure Seeker’s gallery. Oct. 20, 2-3:30 p.m. or 4:30-6 p.m. Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa. tampabayhistorycenter.org.
Downtown Dunedin Trick or Treat Line up in front of the Dunedin History Museum at 5:45 p.m. to participate in the costume contest and parade. Followed by a showing of “The Mask” in Pioneer Park. Oct. 25, 5-8 p.m. Dunedin History Museum, 349 Main St., Dunedin. dunedin.gov.
Happy Halloween Clay Workshop at the Dunedin Fine Art Center Kids age 8 and up can make a skull or pumpkin out of clay, but they must register by Oct. 21. Oct. 26, 1:30-3 p.m. Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. dfac.org.
Largo’s Halloween Spooktacular Trick or treating with carnival games, inflatables and a petting zoo. Oct. 26, Noon-5 p.m. Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Dr., Largo. largo.com.
Owl-O-Ween Brooker Creek Preserve has an entire day of owl-themed events lined up beginning with an owl pancake breakfast and ending with a night hike. Live owls on display from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. George McGough Nature Park has a similar Owl-O-Ween event on October 25. Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Brooker Creek Preserve, in the Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs. friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org. (Info on McGough Nature Park event via Facebook).
Movies in the Park Watch young Victor Van Dort accidentally marry a dead woman in Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride.” Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa. tampatheatre.org.
St. Pete’s Movies in the Park Watch “Scooby Doo and the Spooky Scarecrow” followed by “The Phantom of the Opera” in a Halloween double feature. Oct. 31, Music starts at 6 p.m., Movies start at dark. North Straub Park, 400 Bayshore Dr., NE, St. Petersburg. preservetheburg.org.
Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa A new twisted, but totally-tot-friendly fairy tale trail comes to Lowry Park. There’s pretty much a no-nightmare guarantee. Through Oct. 31, Fri. & Sat., 4-10 p.m. ZooTampa, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. zootampa.org.
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This article appears in Oct 10-17, 2019.