It’s spooky season, and Bradenton and Sarasota are getting into the Halloween spirit with fun events throughout October.
Haunted events in Southwest Florida in 2022 include community trick-or-treating, cemetery walks, harvest festivals, street parties and seasonal shows.
There’s something fun for all ages, including lots of free and family-friendly events.
Here’s a guide to spooky good times near you.
Family Halloween fun for all ages
Goblin Gathering at GT Bray: The 20th annual Manatee County Goblin Gathering will bring family Halloween fun to GT Bray Park in Bradenton on October 14th. Free admission includes a costume contest and trick-or-treating. A $5 wristband is required to enjoy a hay maze, bounces and face painting. Wristbands are on sale at GT Bray reception now until 7pm on the night of the event. (Valid for event of the day only; parents are free.)
Local businesses and organizations will have booths and food vendors will be in the park.
Details: October 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. GT Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton. Access GT Bray Park via 59th St. W. or 51st St. W. and park near the recreation center. Free admission; $5 for activity wristband. Information: mymanatee.org The 20th annual Manatee County Government Meeting, a family-friendly Halloween event, will be held at GT Bray Park in Bradenton on October 14, 2022. Image provided/Manatee County
Manatee Village Historic Park Cemetery Tours: Whether you want to get into the Halloween spirit or just learn a little local history, the Manatee Village Historic Park Cemetery Tours offer a free and fun excursion to the October
“Take a trip through the 1850 Manatee Burying Ground and explore different facets of Manatee County history on a free, one-hour, staff-led tour of our area’s oldest public cemetery,” he says a preview of the event.
Customers should check in at the Wiggins Store inside Manatee Village Historic Park. Places are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Details: Visits start at 10 and 11:30 on October 22. Manatee Village Historic Park. 1404 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton. Free. Info: 941-749-7165. manateevillage.org/events
BooFest at Lakewood Ranch: Lakewood Ranch will host a weekend of Halloween fun with BooFest. The special event will include trick-or-treating, a children’s costume parade, live entertainment and food and beverage vendors on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street.
Details: October 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. 8130 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch. Free entrance. Information: lakewoodranch.com
Boo! at The Bazaar: The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime in Sarasota will host a free indoor event on October 29. “Join over 40 local creators and curators for a fun and festive day,” reads an event description. . Costumes are encouraged and there will be live music.
Halloween at South Lime: A cul-de-sac in Sarasota will be transformed into a family-friendly, haunted walking experience over Halloween weekend. Local arts education company Enlightened Monkey Arts is sponsoring the production which will include animatronics, projection maps, spooky sounds and special effects.
This year’s event, “Madam Dementia’s Circus Menagerie and Midway,” will evoke old circus scenes. Attractions include circus acts, mythical creatures, an outdoor silent theater, a toy shooting gallery, fortune telling, an enchanted garden and a western cemetery.
Parking is available on nearby Ringing Boulevard, in the free city garage next to Payne Park, and at Sarasota Lanes.
Details: 19-22 h 30 and 31 October. 133 S. Lime Ave., Sarasota. Free. Parking available on Ringling Boulevard and South Lime Avenue. Free. Information: enlightenedmonkeyarts.com.
Safe Kids Halloween Night: On Halloween night, families are invited to dress up and head to the Manatee County Fairgrounds for the 19th annual Safe Kids Halloween Night.
Community organizations will set up booths with individually wrapped and sealed candy for distribution under the roof of the Mosaic Arena. There will also be games to try, public safety gear and vehicles to see and a children’s costume contest.
Patrons can park along West 17th Street and enter at Gate 1 in front of Palmetto High School or park at the south end of the fairgrounds and enter at Gate 9 in front of the Rock Church.
The event is hosted by CrimeStoppers of Manatee County in partnership with the Manatee County Fair.
St. Armand’s Fright Night: For the 14th year, the Cercle St. Armand showcases decorated storefronts and terrifying characters around every corner among statues dressed in Halloween costumes. Restaurants and shops will offer sweets for children and special promotions for adults.
Details: 18.00-20.30 h 31 October. Shops and restaurants St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota. Free information: starmandscircleassoc.com 
Pumpkin harvest festivals
Fruitville Grove Farm Market’s 34th annual Pumpkin Festival will feature a free petting zoo, children’s playground, live music, circus acts, craft vendors, decorated photo booths and costume contests. Entry is also free.
Activities ranging from $1 to $10 include pony and carriage rides, a climbing wall, a wildflower maze, a kids’ fun zone with a zip line and pumpkin painting.
Food trucks and food vendors will be on site every day of the festival.
Details: October 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fruitville Grove, 7410 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Free admission. $5 parking. Information: fruitvillegrove.com
The 31st Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival is a family-friendly event featuring crafts, entertainment and harvest fun.
Admission includes live music, juggling shows, chainsaw sculptures, hay rides, scarecrow displays, a petting zoo and access to the playground.
Activities available for an additional fee include pumpkin games, a corn maze, train rides, pony rides and arm painting.
There’s also plenty of food and desserts to try, including roasted sweet corn, homemade ice cream and pumpkin pie.
Details: from 9 to 17 h 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 October. Hunsader Farms, 5500 County Road 675, Bradenton. Admission: $15. Children under 10: Free. Parking: $5. Cash only. Information: hunsaderfarms.com.
Halloween theater shows
The Players Center presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors’: “Feed the need for musical hilarity with this delightful sci-fi hit about a man who seeks fame at the expense of his morals with the help of an eating plant men”, a show. says the preview.
Details: October 12-14, 7:30 p.m.; 2 pm October 15-16. Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Adults: $30; Students 24 and under: $13; Information: 941-365-2494. theplayers.org
‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ at Sarasota Polo Club: The Players Center of Sarasota is once again teaming up with the Sarasota Polo Club to host the sixth annual live outdoor production of ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.’
Bring lawn chairs or blankets and watch Ichabod Crane’s infamous encounter with the Headless Horseman.
Details: October 27 and 28 at 6 p.m.; 16.00 and 18.00 h October 29. Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. Adults: $20; Students 24 and under: $10; Family Pack of Four: $50. Information: 941-365-2494. theplayers.org
Street parties and more in Bradenton, Sarasota
Craft breweries, bars, restaurants and downtowns are getting into the spirit of the season with some fun events over the Halloween weekend. Here are some highlights.
Main Street Live: Downtown Bradenton’s beloved street parties are back this year, and the series will kick off with a Halloween weekend celebration of candy, games and costumes. Main Street Live also features vendors, food trucks and family activities. Rock ‘n’ roll cover band Stormbringer will play.
Downtown Sarasota Block Party: The Gator Club in downtown Sarasota will host its annual adults-only block party on Halloween weekend. The party includes indoor and outdoor music, a DJ, food vendors and a costume contest.
Corporate Ladder Brewing Company will host “Long Live the Horror,” an extraordinarily scary beer, movie, and horror event. Designed for a mature audience, the night will feature nightmarish decor, themed drinks and food, and a rotation of classic horror films. Guests are encouraged to wear their scariest costumes.
Did we miss a local Halloween event? Email details to rballogg@bradenton.com.
This story was originally published October 12, 2022 11:40 am
Ryan Ballogg is a reporter and news writer for the Bradenton Herald. Since joining the paper in 2018, he has received awards for reporting, art and environmental writing in the Florida Press Club’s Journalism Excellence Contest. Ryan is a native Florida graduate of the University of South Florida St.
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