Yup, Halloween is on a Friday! The DUI situation on the streets might make for a whole new horror movie this year.
Here is listing of different happenings happening until the big day; to be updated frequently. If you're hosting an event you don't see here, please email [email protected].
Thanks to Meredith Myers, Danielle Carpenter, Emma Sims, Meaghan Habuda, Mark Sugden and our readers' submissions for assistance in the scary endeavor of putting below annual listing together ...
Grown Up Fun
All-You-Can-Drink Halloween Bash Anesthetize away the embarrassment of your ridiculous costume 8-10 p.m. for just $10. Kidd Leow from WFLZ-93.3 FM will be spinning Halloweeny-favorite tracks. If you're not hammered yet, from 10 p.m. to midnight, Old Smokey Moonshine will be giving away samples. Please bring a D.D. or call a taxi. Fri., Oct. 31, at the Outpost Tap House, 909 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Click here for event page.
Bluelucy Halloween Costume Dance Cocktail Party Hang out with some of the scariest hipsters in St. Pete. The shindig promises "beats, black lights and booze." Costumes, of course, are encouraged. Thurs., Oct. 30, 7-11 p.m. 653 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Click here for event page.
Ella's Annual Halloween Party 2014 The Seminole Heights haunt serves up its fusion faves with a dead rock star costume contest, DJ BCR, Poetry 'n' Lotion, a John Nowicki solo set opener and the ritualistic killing of a beer keg. 10 p.m., Fri., Oct. 31, 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Click here for event page.
Brewery Monster Mash A creepy extrava-beer-ganza with costumes and music by Kettle of Fish. Fri., Oct. 31. Motorworks Brewing, 1014 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. 941-567-6218. motorworksbrewing.com.
Castle Halloween Ball The Ybor club is like that Ministry song that says "Everyday is Halloween" but this party ups the ante. $5, 2004 N 16th St., Tampa, Fri., Oct. 31, 9 p.m. ybornow.com.
Chic a Boo! The Halloween night soiree spreads out across two venues — Kelly's Chic-a-Boom Room and Blur. Now in its lucky 13th year with more than $2,000 in cash and prizes. $7. Fri., Oct. 31, 9 p.m. 319 Main St., Dunedin. kellyschicaboom.com.
Creature Feature Browse, if you dare, works by 21 artists, depicting various mythical creatures and monsters. See a banshee, mermaid, hydra, jackalope and minotaur. Works by Laura Spencer, Calan Ree, Daniel Mrgan, Chad Mize, Mishou Sanchez, Bask, Pale Horse and many more. Through Nov. 15. Free. Bluelucy Ybor, 1600 E. Eighth Ave. Suite A137, Tampa. bluelucy.net.
Grand Central District Association's Pub & Grub Crawl Take a creepy-crawly trolley ride to 11 Grand Central District establishments for an evening of Halloween-filled fun, with drink and food specials at every stop. Butler's Key West Bar, Urban Brew and BBQ, The Garage on Central, Community Cafe and Sly Bar are among the participating bizes. A $5 wristband, which functions as your ticket, may be purchased at the Grand Central District Association's office at 2227 Central Ave., where the trolley will launch. Friday, Oct. 31. 7:30 p.m. $5. 2429 Central Ave. #210, St. Petersburg, 727-828-7006.
Monster Splash Creep, float or crawl over to Epicurean’s Halloween Costume Party Poolside at the Epicurean Hotel. Dean Hurst will be brewing devilish libations as sounds of the seasons wail from every corner. Prizes for best costume so arrive dressed up. $15. Fri., Oct. 31, 8-11 p.m. Epicurean Theatre, 1207 S. Howard Ave, Tampa. 813-999-8702. epictreasures.launchtrack.com/register/monster-splash.
Island Time Halloween Trip Looking for something different to do on Halloween night? Tired of overcrowded bars? Come aboard the Island Time Yacht and enjoy an evening of cruising in Boca Ciega Bay, and watch one of Florida’s Famous sunsets. Full bar with seasonal brews as well as margaritas and fruity rum concoctions. Costumes are not required, but strongly encouraged. $40. Fri., Oct. 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center, 4737 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach. 727-360-7411.
Novaween 8 DJ Mega spins at a big upstairs-downstairs-outdoor bash on Halloween night, Oct. 31. One of St. Pete's most stylish venues. Food from Murray's Chicago Deli, Miss Mayven’s Sexy-n-Scary Go Go Dancers and costume contests at midnight. Tickets are $16 advance $24 at the door; includes valet. 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg. nova535.com.
Wandering Eye Gallery Costume Contest Suggested donation of $5. Fri., Oct. 31, 7-11 p.m. Wandering Eye Art Gallery, 1600 E. Eight Ave. E109, Tampa. 813-786-4735. wanderingeyeartgallery.org.
Swing Time's 13th Annual Halloween Costume Ball The ball starts with a one-of-a-kind dance lesson: Shim Sham (with Special Zombie Styling!) 7-8 p.m.; no partner required. Starting at 8, you can dance till the midnight hour to the Ultimate Halloween Swing/Dance Music Mix. A costume parade and contest with $300 in prizes and lots more. $8. Wed., Oct. 29, Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport. 727-893-1070. swingtime.info.
Tour of Ofrendas Local shops, offices, and restaurants will be building ofrendas, or alters, outside of their businesses, in honor of Day of the Dead. Ofrendas are typically dedicated to deceased loved ones or pets, but participants are encouraged to get creative. Tours are self guided. The ofrendas will be on display through Nov. 2. Free. Downtown Dunedin, 365 Main St., Dunedin. 727-734-9226.
Top Chef Pumpkin Fight Experience the mad skills of chefs from some the region's tastiest restaurants during a different kind of kitchen battle: a pumpkin carving contest. The inaugural Top Chef Pumpkin Fight lets eaters vote for their favorite works of punkin art, which will be displayed in the Epicurean Hotel lobby starting Tuesday, Oct. 28. Chefs from Bella’s Italian Cafe, Haven (formerly SideBern's), Pearl in the Grove, Z Grille, Rooster & the Till and eight other eateries will be showcased. A donation with each vote is encouraged since the proceeds will benefit Feeding America Tampa Bay. Voting ends at midnight Friday, Oct. 31, and the winner will be announced Monday, Nov. 3. One voter will also be randomly selected as the winner of a meal for two at the participating Tampa restaurants. Tuesday, Oct. 28-Friday, Oct. 31. All day. 1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 855-829-2536.
Witchstock 2014 Brand new Adult Costume category: Best Medical Marijuana Costume! Contests for pets, kids and adults in addition to music by The Defendants. Captain Cannabis and vendors will be on hand. Sat., Nov. 1, 3-11:45 p.m. The Witch’s Brew, 1219 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. 727-483-9210.
On Stage
A Haunting At The Meteor Head to Ybor's original black box for spooky, creepy, theatrical fun, Halloween experience with an original musical number written by Colleen Cherry and Andy Gray. A cast of six accomplished actors will perform original plays written by Tampa playwrights, such as April Bender, Lil Barcaski and Joe Winskye. Should be a hauntingly good time. Seating is limited. $15-$20; various dates through Fri., Oct. 31, 8-9:30 p.m. Silver Meteor Gallery, 2213 E. Sixth Ave., Ybor City. 561-302-6763. theatretampabay.org/happenings.
Dracula, The Vampire Strikes Back Join Dracula in London as he searches for keys to Vlad the Impaler’s treasure, while Sapphi the vampire hunter searches for him. Coco Van Helsing and Lucy Lastic are also on his trail. Hilarity is sure to ensue when they all meet in Transylvania. This play features British Panto, which uses stock characters, drag comedy, puns, musical numbers and audience participation to heighten the excitement. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume. Raffle prizes and activities will be held in the lobby before the performance. Doors will open one hour before showtime. $15 adult, $10 students, Free for children under 12 (limit one per adult ticket). Through Nov. 2, Fridays and Saturdays 8 pm, Sundays 2 pm. St. Petersburg City Theatre, 4025 31st St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-866-1973. spcitytheatre.org.
The Gallery of Mortality If haunted houses leave you cold but you love playing with the idea of death — and you don’t mind haunting images that stay with you for a few nights — the Gallery of Mortality at Gulfport’s City of Imagination is the place to go. Once there, you’ll be immersed in the visuals of Master of Mortality Dean Wick, who has created interpretations of death as portrayed by the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. The Gallery opens at 6:30 p.m. with performances at 6:45 p.m. Presentations will be made to groups of 20 guests at a time, with final telling at 9 p.m. It is recommended to reserve online in advance to ensure your group will all be accommodated together at the time of your choice. $15. The Studio@620 is a non-profit arts venue located at 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. studio620.org, 727-895-6620.
Halloween IV: OPUS Goes Retro The University of Tampa's OPUS is a 12-to-20-member vocal ensemble that performs Broadway and popular repertoire. This Monday the group gets in the Halloween spirit with a free concert of spooky pop and Broadway favorites from the '90s. Oct 27, 7:30-8:30 p.m. David Falk Theatre, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. ut.edu.
Vampire Lesbians of Sodom Jobsite takes on Charles Busch’s tale of two blood-sucking, female-loving vampires, whose rivalry travels from Biblical times to ’80s Vegas. Sure to be a hoot. Stars Summer Bohnenkamp and Zachary Hines (pictured, left) and co-starring Spencer Meyers of Hedwig fame, the preternaturally gorgeous Katrina Stevenson, Jamie Jones and Maggie Mularz. Music Director J. Elijah Cho provides the cabaret-style tunes. David Jenkins directs the whole she-bang. Half-off preview night Wed., Oct. 29; regular run is Thursdays-Sundays Oct. 29-Nov. 23, Straz Center, $28, Tampa, jobsitetheater.org.
Haunted Attractions
Ghost Stories at Tampa Theatre Spend the night before Halloween in a haunted movie theater, where local historian/author Deborah Frethem will be sharing ghost stories. $10; all proceeds go to benefit the Tampa Theatre foundation. Thurs., Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org.
Halloween Horror Nights 24 Universal Studios will feature all-new haunted houses, chilling street experiences and live shows. This year’s fright includes experiences with The Walking Dead, AVP: Alien Vs. Predator and The Purge: Anarchy. We don’t think you’ll leave the award-winning Halloween Horror Nights without knowing the true meaning of scared. Visit the website for more information on ticket packages and pricing. Prices vary. Wednesdays-Sundays, 6:30 p.m. Through Nov. 1. Universal Studios, 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando. 407-363-8000. halloweenhorrornights.com.
Haunted Glow Mansion 2014 More than $3,000 in glow sticks scare away the spirits. Free before 10 p.m. Sat., Oct. 25, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. 260 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727.288.4519. debacleent.com.
Hellview Cemetery The free local haunted attraction is inspired by the disappearance of Madame Oar, who leaves the power balance in shambles as a new power grows inside Hellview’s walls. Donations will be collected for the Florida Bat Conservancy and Child’s Play, as well as local non-profit The Kind Mouse. Fri.-Sun. through Oct. 31. 7 p.m. 510 49th St. N., St. Petersburg. hellview.net.
Howl-O-Scream This year’s theme, Cursed, is taking victims. Bring a friend with you to the fright night, and you might have a chance of surviving the creatures in the shadows. The park will have haunted houses, roller coasters, shows and plenty to eat and drink. Visit the site for more information on ticket packages. Prices vary. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Through Nov. 1. Busch Gardens, 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa. 1-888-800-5447. seaworldparks.com/en/howloscream-tampa.
Radley Haunted House: Dr. Radley’s Nightmare Machine Owner Cody Meacham continues his ongoing investigation into the cursed Radley family and features some elaborate performances — such as Rose’s creature character tormenting Dr. Radley, portrayed with eccentric insanity by Justin Horn. Proceeds go to the Cancer Research Institute. $5. Thursdays-Sundays 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. through Nov. 2. 3900 19th St., St. Petersburg. radleyhaunt.com. Read more about this Halloween institution in Meredith Myers' feature story in CL this Thursday.
Tasco Field of Screams Returning for its ninth Halloween, the Carnival of Chaos invites the Bay area to explore its intense scare zones. Voted the No. 1 Scare in Tampa, this event challenges visitors to escape the Fun House, the dark woods, the Big Top, Midway and the “No Way Out” maze. Participants will encounter darkness, loud noises, bright lights and wooded trails. This event is not suitable for young children, parents are advised. $10 for 18 and under, $15 for 19 and older. Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1-2, 7 pm-midnight. Boyd Hill Environmental Center, 2900 31st Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-892-5060. stpeteparksrec.org/tasco.
The Official City Ghost Tour Here's a tour that has received a "Certificate of Excellence" from Trip Advisor (2013, 2014). US City Traveller rated it "#1 Haunted Tour in America." Open seven nights a week, normal start time is at 7:30 p.m. and the tours start at King Corona on Seventh. A "Special Halloween Tour" starts at 11 p.m. and meets at 14th st (Avenida Republica de Cuba) and Ninth Avenue, and ventures inside the the nooks and crannies of Cuban Club right at midnight for what we're told is a one-of-a-kind, never before investigation. Accounts say that a 9 year old boy drowned in the "plunk pool" that used to be housed in the basement. The tours are a little more than two hours and cost $25 for adults, and $10 ages 7-12. (No chirrens under 7). Bookings are made at yborghosttour.com ,
Kid-Friendly Fun
Brick-Or-Treat Gets junior’s freak on with activities and themed treat stations with candy, snacks and surprises along the way. Entertainment includes a Lego Super Brick Ghost Build, Lego Scary Scavenger Hunt (win prizes), Brick-or-Treat Trail and Emmet’s Everything is Awesome Costume Contest. There is a dance party at the end of each night, and photo opportunities with the biggest Lego pumpkin in the world. Prices vary. Saturdays, Sundays, 3 p.m. Through Oct. 31. Legoland, One Legoland Way, Winter Haven. legoland.com.
Canopy "Trick or Tree-t" Tree Climb Climbers ages 6 and older get to navigate limbs for treats in a tree while wearing a climbing-appropriate Halloween costume. $10. Sat., Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pathfinder Outdoor Education, 1310 22nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg; 727-328-0300.
Halloween Carnival at Clearwater Beach Library Crafts, games, Halloween stories, and refreshments. Free. Carnival game ticket are five for $1. Thursday, Oct. 30, 6 to 8 p.m., at Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade on Clearwater Beach.
Corn Maze Hernando’s biggest and best maze, comprising three labyrinths in one. The farm also offers a pumpkin patch, petting farm, 70 foot jumping pillow, playground and more. $11.95. Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Harvest Moon Farm, 15990 Stur St., Brooksville. 800-373-4811. harvestmoonfl.com.
Halloween Costume Mutt Strut Is anything cuter than a puppy in a pirate costume? Find out in Ybor Square, where prizes for best costume and more cuteness can be enjoyed Thursday, Oct. 30, 5:30-7 p.m. Proceeds go to the Tampa Bay Humane Society. Spaghetti Warehouse, 1911 N. 13th Ave. N., Ybor City.
Main Street Trick-or-Treat Take your family to a safe and family-focused trick-or-treat through downtown Safety Harbor. City Hall, Fire Station 52, and many Main Street businesses will be handing out candy. Bayshore to Eighth Avenue will be closed from 4 to 7 p.m. Free. Fri., Oct. 31, 4:40-6:30 p.m. City of Safety Harbor, 750 Main Street, Safety Harbor. 727-724-1555.
Humane Society of Tampa Bay Pumpkin Patch The Tampa Humane Society’s grounds will be transformed into a friendly Halloween Haven where you’ll find plump pumpkins, painted jack-o-lanterns and festive decorations. The perfect spot for photos with your children and pets. Hours are Sat.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tue.-Fri. noon-7 p.m. Pumpkins will range in price from $5 to $20. Proceeds will benefit our homeless pets. Through Oct. 31, noon-7 p.m. Humane Society of Tampa, 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. 813-876-4150. humanesocietytampa.org/events.
Graveyard Skatepark Celebrate with a party and contests, including best trick on the new Mini Ramp, best costume and best overall skater. The event and prizes are sponsored by Bones wheels, Almost Skateboards and Toy Machine. All ages welcome. $13. Fri., Oct. 31, 6 p.m.-midnight. Schoolyard Skatepark, 4033 35th St N, St. Petersburg. 727-592-4948. schoolyardskatepark.com.
Newton’s Haunts Head to charming Gulfport for a different experience. Two haunted houses offer mirrors, mazes, and Stiches the Insult Clown. Proceeds go to Biffs Kids of Pinellas and Pinellas Park Fire Department Explorers Post 945. Admission: $3 donation per person, per haunted house. Oct. 24-25, and Nov. 1 at 7:30-10:30 p.m. 5600 block of Newton Avenue S, Gulfport.
Safe Trick or Treat in Downtown Dunedin Trick-or-treat along Broadway Avenue and Main Street and Broadway to Louden. The roads will be closed downtown for the event. Participating businesses will have a bright orange pumpkin decal in the store window. Friday, Oct. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.
Thrill St. Pete/Haunted Gulfport Backfin Blue is being performed by Thrill St.Pete. There is no admission but they are suggesting donations to The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay, so next year some kids can have a parent to take them Trick or Treating. Backfin will be running food and drink specials and customers can enter a drawing for door prizes. Backfin Blue Cafe, 2913 Beach Blvd S., in the haunted Gulfport Art Village at 8:15 p.m. Oct. 31.
dancestpete.com.
ZooBoo Come creep around the largest family Halloween event in Tampa. Expect more fun frights, haunted houses, night rides and more. The attractions will vary in “scare factor,” so everyone will have goosebumps. New this year is “London Frightmare,” the latest haunt inspired by the city’s most notorious sites and supernatural legends. Zoo pass holders receive discounted tickets with valid I.D. at ticket windows. $18 for adults, $14 for children. Fridays-Sundays, 7-11 p.m. Through Nov. 1. Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. 813-935-8552. lowryparkzoo.org.
Movies
A Nightmare on Franklin Street Tampa Tampa Theatre’s annual horror-gasm is upon us with scary and frightfully funny and camp favorites. Movies all week with an Evil Dead grand finale Halloween night. The theater will show both versions: The Evil Dead at 7:30 p.m. and its remake, Evil Dead at 10 p.m. Click here for more films showing in the series. 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa. tampatheatre.org.
A Nightmare on Elm Street & Friday the 13th Fri., Oct. 31, 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 for both movies, at the Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. atthecap.com.