Experience one of Sarasota’s most magical holiday traditions as a shimmering fleet of boats— from cozy private vessels to dazzling yachts — lights up Sarasota Bay! 🌊🎄
Presented by Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack, this beloved parade is free to attend. The best views are along Bayfront Park and Marina Jack, where you can settle in with a chair or blanket and enjoy the show.
Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or book to help local children through The Florida Center for Early Childhood, The Haven, and Children First.
Prefer to dine while you watch? Marina Jack table seating requires advance reservations (and fills quickly).
Expect festive music, twinkling lights, and creative displays from both private and corporate boats — all adding up to a heartwarming night on the bay that celebrates community, creativity, and giving back.
Return for day two of Festival of the Skeletons as the Village of the Arts fills with color, remembrance, and creativity. Explore gallery installations of shrines and altars, enjoy roaming musicians, and browse pop-up makers for unique finds. Food vendors will be on site with sweet and savory options. Families are encouraged to dress up and bring cameras for photo moments.
Know before you go: outdoor, walkable event; portions of the Village may be busy—arrive early for easier parking on neighborhood streets. Please be mindful around memorial displays. Event is weather dependent; check the website for last-minute updates.
The Skeletons are coming! Celebrate the 21st year of Festival of the Skeletons, the Village of the Arts’ biggest event of the year. Friday evening opens with a colorful, high-energy art walk honoring Dia de los Muertos. Galleries unveil imaginative shrines and altars that pay tribute to loved ones, while live strolling music brings the streets to life. Discover one-of-a-kind pieces from pop-up vendors and sample bites from local food purveyors.
Come dressed in your best Dia de los Muertos-inspired attire—floral crowns, calavera face paint, and bright colors welcome. Please be respectful around altars and remembrance displays. Street parking is available throughout the Village; consider rideshare during peak hours. Weather permitting; check the organizer’s website for updates.
St. Armands Circle transforms for one evening into a festive Halloween promenade. Browse shops and restaurants as costumed characters and creative window displays set the mood. Families can trick-or-treat around the Circle while adults enjoy special offers and seasonal bites. Free to attend; arrive early to find parking on and around the Circle or use rideshare during peak times.
Bring the family to Bradenton’s creative neighborhood for a Halloween stroll through the Village of the Arts. Studio doors and porch lights will be on, with galleries and neighbors handing out treats while you explore colorful streets, murals, and yard displays. Expect a friendly atmosphere, easy photo ops, and plenty of candy stops for costumed kids. Street parking is available throughout the Village, plus an overflow lot at 13th Ave and 12th St. Please use crosswalks and watch for pedestrians.
Enjoy Selby Gardens Spooktacular with the whole family. This daytime celebration keeps the fun high and the frights mild, perfect for photos of your costumed crew. Activities include trick-or-treat stations, arts and crafts, hands-on learning, and story time options that add a little spook (but not too scary) for older kids. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and bring their own trick-or-treat bags. Food and beverages available for purchase on site. Event runs 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Downtown Sarasota campus.
It’s the annual BooFest at Lakewood Ranch Main Street, a spooktacular evening of family-friendly Halloween fun. Kids can trick-or-treat along a festive street filled with local vendor booths and merchants handing out treats (bring costumes and a tote). The Kids’ Zone features face painting, balloon twisting, inflatables, crafts, and hands-on experiments after the interactive Mad Scientist Show.
Main Stage lineup: Music Compound at 6:00 PM; Mad Scientist interactive show at 7:00 PM; Magic Show at 8:00 PM. Expect tasty food and drink vendors, activities for all ages, and a safe, walkable setting to celebrate Halloween while supporting local businesses. Be sure to visit the Veteran Air booth to grab a FREE trick-or-treat pumpkin tote for the first 1,500 attendees.
Good to know: Event runs 6:00–9:00 PM. Trick-or-treating is along Main Street; additional activities are centered near the main stage. Costume policy: no toy weapons permitted.
Calling all goblins and ghouls! Wear your favorite costume and follow the Trick-or-Treat Trail to collect treats from participating stores throughout the mall. Enjoy character meet and greets, a family dance party, bounce houses, games, crafts, and more. Trick-or-treating is mall-wide, while additional activities take place in Grand Court and outside the main east entrance (by Urban Outfitters). Candy is first-come, first-served, so please begin trick-or-treating at the 5:30 PM start. Costume policy: no toy weapons permitted.
Get into fall at the 34th Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival! This beloved Manatee County tradition packs the day with a craft show, live music, live shows, a Pioneer Trades Village, scarecrow displays, charity pumpkin games, hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, frog jumping championships, kids train ride, face painting, a rock climbing wall, fresh roasted sweet corn, and more.
Know Before You Go:
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Admission & Parking: $15 general admission; kids 5–9 $5; under 5 free; parking $5 (cash only)
• Payment: Festival is cash-only; bring cash for vendors, rides, and parking
• Location/Directions: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, FL 34211 — halfway between S.R. 64 & S.R. 70 (~10 miles east of I‑75). From I‑75 northbound use Exit 217A; from I‑75 southbound use Exit 220.
• Info: 941‑322‑2168
• Dates: Oct 11–12, 18–19, 25–26, 2025
Get into fall at the 34th Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival! This beloved Manatee County tradition packs the day with a craft show, live music, live shows, a Pioneer Trades Village, scarecrow displays, charity pumpkin games, hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, frog jumping championships, kids train ride, face painting, a rock climbing wall, fresh roasted sweet corn, and more.
Know Before You Go:
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Admission & Parking: $15 general admission; kids 5–9 $5; under 5 free; parking $5 (cash only)
• Payment: Festival is cash-only; bring cash for vendors, rides, and parking
• Location/Directions: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, FL 34211 — halfway between S.R. 64 & S.R. 70 (~10 miles east of I‑75). From I‑75 northbound use Exit 217A; from I‑75 southbound use Exit 220.
• Info: 941‑322‑2168
• Dates: Oct 11–12, 18–19, 25–26, 2025