Credit: LegendaryJCs/Facebook

Credit: LegendaryJCs/Facebook

Tampa Bay is having a much different Halloween than it did in 2020. Last year, vaccines were about as real as Candyman, but now that most of you folks have used your tremendous brains and privilege to get poked once and twice (some of you thrice), it’s a little safer to get out and play. Still, don’t be scared to wear a mask over your mask should you choose to ghoul out to Skipper’s Smokehouse, Armature Works—or any one of these Halloween concerts happening in Tampa Bay this weekend.

  • Haunted Carnival w/Carnage/Duke Dumont/DJ Ku/Malaa/Soul Circus Cowboys It’s not surprising to see that Tampa Armature Works has booked a four-day “Haunted Carnival,” but it is a little wild to see that world renowned EDM DJ Carnage is part of the festivities. The 30-year-old Guatemalan DJ who last played WTR in Tampa is the headliner on Friday, Oct. 29, and his performance comes along with others from Duke Dumont and Juicy M (Oct. 30), Malaa (Halloween night) and Soul Circus Cowboys (Oct. 28).
  • Freaker’s Ball: Legendary JCs Freaker's Ball returns to Skipper’s Smokehouse on Friday night, Oct. 29, and it’s “Fresh Outta F#cks” theme is something we can all relate to. Winter Park funk and soul masters The Legendary JCs (pictured) perform the $10 at-the-door show where no presale tickets are available. And the newly reopened venue is keeping its traditional costume parade and costume alive, so dress up. It’s a packed weekend at the beloved North Tampa Spot with Reverend Horton Heat and Nashville Pussy play Halloween night. Friday, Oct. 29. 8 p.m. $10. Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa.
  • The Holy Terror In Seminole Heights, John Nowicki leads The Holy Terror for a spooky afternoon show during the Ella’s Soul Food Sunday happening on Oct. 31. The ensemble blends “outlaw country, jazz, metal, and chamber music” which all goes perfect with chicken and waffles, IMO. Sunday, Oct. 31. 3 p.m. No cover (reservations recommended). Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Tampa.
  • Ol’ Dirty Halloween: DJ G-Train As the Geto Boys said, “This year Halloween fell on a weekend” so wrap it up in Crowbar’s Ybor City courtyard when Ol’ Dirty Sundays turns into Ol’ Dirty Halloween, costume contest and all.  Resident DJs Casper and Fader welcome Kansas City’s DJ G-Train into the mix. Sunday, Oct. 31. 10 p.m. $5. Crowbar, Ybor City.

See more Halloween shows below.

Friday, Oct. 23

Saturday, Oct. 30

Sunday, Oct. 31

UPDATED 10/28/21 Added New World Brewery's Halloween concert, so now it's 12 shows.

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This article appears in Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2021.

Freelance contributor Stephanie Powers started her media career as an Editorial Assistant long ago when the Tampa Bay Times was still called the St. Petersburg Times. After stints in Chicago and Los Angeles,...

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...