Your Complete List of Halloween Events in Sarasota & Manatee Counties
Hunsader Farms
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31, 5500 County Road 675, Bradenton, (941) 322-2168
The 30th annual pumpkin festival at Hunsader Farms will take place Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy crafts, live music and shows, pumpkin patches, games for the kids and more.
Admission is $12 and parking is $5; children 10 and under are free.
Fruitville Grove
Every weekend in October, 7410 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, (941) 377-0896
The 2021 Pumpkin Fest at Fruitville Grove is scheduled for every Saturday-Sunday of October. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission includes access to the playground and petting zoo, live music, the Torres Family Circus show, photo opportunities and costume contests. Enjoy hay and pony rides, a bounce house and vendor booths, too. The farm market will be open, too. Admission is free; parking is $5.
Goblin Gathering at GT Bray Park
Friday, October 15, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton, (941) 742-5923
This annual event hosted by Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources will have a kid’s costume contest, face painting and bounce houses from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Kids can trick-or-treat for free and food vendors will be available. Admission is free.
Oscar Scherer State Park Haunted Drive
Friday, Oct. 22-Saturday, Oct. 23, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 483-5956
This annual event will be a drive-thru experience this year. Drive through the winded trails full of ghosts, witches and goblins. Plenty of treats will be given out along the way. Admission is $10 per carload up to 8 people; $1 for additional guest.
Tickets are sold at the door; cash only. The event will take place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tunnel of Terror at Tommy's Express Car Wash
Friday, October 29th - Sunday, October 31st, 1141 Front Pl, North Port, FL 34287
Tommy's Express North Port presents their Tunnel of Terror!!! A haunted car wash experience for the family!
$20 per vehicle (Includes a MONTH of TOMMY club!) Current TOMMY club members can also get in on this deal!
Friday, October 29th, 7pm-10:30pm
Saturday, October 30th, 7pm-10:30pm
Sunday, October 31st, 7pm-10:30pm
Boo! at The Bazaar
Saturday, Oct. 30, 821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota, (941) 445-1938
The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime will celebrate Halloween on Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its usual market spot. Kids can go trick-or-treating through the vendor sports. Costumes are encouraged.
Get free Halloween air brush tattoos. Live music by Tyler Vaden and a special performance from Dingbat Theatre Project’s new musical Spongebob. Admission is free.
Sarasota Dog-O-Ween Costume Contest
Saturday, Oct. 30, Lemon Avenue and Main Street, downtown Sarasota, (941) 225-9256
Sarasota’s annual Dog-O-Ween costume contest at the farmer’s market is back. Dress your pooch in a costume and win a prize like a complimentary exam from Animal Medical Clinic at Rosemary, a gift basket and more. Contest will be held in Paul Thorpe Park at 10 a.m., 135 S. Pineapple Ave.
Registration is $5; proceeds go to Donte’s Den Foundation.
Frightfully Fun Trick-or-Treat Parade
Saturday, Oct. 30, 140 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, (941) 552-7000
Dress up and join this Halloween parade at the mall’s east entrance, between Kona Grill and Urban Outfitters. The parade begins at 5 p.m. and will feature costumed characters, giveaways for kids and free goodie bags for the first 500 kids to check in at the UTC tent.
The Boo Run! At Nathan Benderson Park
Saturday, Oct. 30, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, (941) 358-7275
Join fitness community Camp Gladiator on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 a.m. for its annual Boo Run. The 5K race begins at 8 a.m., but arrive at 7:30 a.m. for check-in and a group photo in costumes.
Registration is $35 and ends on Friday, Oct. 15. After the race, join the crew at Sarasota Food + Beer for some post-race refreshments. Register here.
Fright Night on St. Armands
Sunday, Oct. 31, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, (941) 388-1554
Celebrate the 13th anniversary of this family-friendly event from 6-8:30 p.m on Halloween. Storefronts will be decorated for Halloween and the circle’s statues will be dressed in the spooky spirit.
Kids can trick-or-treat at the retailers and restaurants will have special promotions.
Selby Gardens Spooktacular
Sunday, October 31, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota, (941) 366-5731
Enjoy a family-friendly celebration at Selby Gardens on Halloween morning. From 10 a.m. to noon, kids will trick-or-treat, make crafts and enjoy other Halloween-themed activities. Don’t forget to wear your costumes. Admission is free for Selby Gardens’ members.
General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for ages 5 to 17 and free for 4 and under.
Photo: Getty Images