The city of Plantation's Parks & Recreation Department along with the Plantation Chamber of Commerce will have its Family Fall Festival Oct. 15 at Volunteer Park. (Mike Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
From spooky to scary and everything in between, there are plenty of events in South Florida to get you into the spirit of the Halloween season. And there won’t be a shortage of costumes or candy either, according to the Halloween & Costume Association. As Halloween-related activities begin to return to pre-pandemic levels, the National Retail Federation expects Halloween spending to reach $10.6 billion this year.
What costumes will you be seeing the most at your front door on Oct. 31 (it’s a Monday, this year)? The top three for kids are Spider-Man, princess and witch while adults are trending toward the classics - ghost, vampire and witch. Pet owners are picking out hot dogs, bats and pumpkins for their dogs and cats, according to the National Retail Federation.
Here’s the first part of our guide to hometown festivals, pumpkin patches, haunted attractions and other seasonal events in South Florida. Check back for more listings throughout October.
Town of Davie Fall Fest: Movie in the Park - Sept. 24 at Bamford Sports Complex & Pine Island Park, 3801 S Pine Island Road. 5-7:30 p.m.: activities, inflatables, face painting and more. Movie begins at 8 p.m.
Pet Halloween Party - 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 1 at Festival Marketplace, 2900 W. Sample Road, Pompano Beach. Halloween-themed adoption event with cats, dogs and rabbits. Costume contest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with photo booth for pictures. Free.
Barry Bostwick, famed for his leading role as Brad Majors in the musical comedy horror film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, will be at the movie's screening in Pompano Beach. (Lizzie Heintz/Orlando Sentinel)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 47th Anniversary Spectacular Tour - 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach. Join actor Barry Bostwick (aka Brad Majors) to do the time warp again during this screening of the original unedited movie featuring the live professional shadow cast “Creatures of the Night” and audience participation. The event will also include a costume contest, a display of memorabilia including photos, documents and wardrobe items from the film. A Meet & Greet is at 7 pm and the event begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50, and V.I.P. Meet & Greet tickets with Barry Bostwick are an additional $100 (includes Rocky Horror VIP laminate, photo taken with Bostwick with your own camera and autograph on your own personal item, or pick out a photo at the event to get signed.) Prop bags will be sold onsite for $5, no outside props are allowed into the center. Tickets at pompanobeacharts.org.
Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” - 7:15-9:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Villages of Hillsboro Park, 4111 NW Sixth St., Deerfield Beach. Free.
Lyrical Lounge - 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 West Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise. This monthly open mic night exclusively for teens is Halloween themed for October. Participate in the guided writing workshop and perform or join as a spectator. sunrisefl.gov/lyrical. Free admission.
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Teen Yoga Night: Halloween Edition - 6-7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Highlands Community Center, 511 NE 44th St., Deerfield Beach. Workshop by Yoga4Change led by Yaneilys (Yanee) Amador, RYT200 Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor and Mental Health Advocate. Yoga mats will be provided for use during the hour, but teens can bring their own mat. This workshop is limited to 25 teen participants. Parents/legal guardians must register youth online at bit.ly/3S3p3kE. 954-571-4568. Free.
Bianca Torres poses with Taina as Laurie Henriquez takes their picture during the Bow Wow Ween celebration at K-9 Officer Craig Rupp Dog Park in Pembroke Pines last year. (Mike Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bow Wow Ween - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 8 at Pembroke Pines K-9 Officer Craig Rupp Dog Park, 9751 Johnson St. Dog costume contests for all sizes by category: best family costume, scariest, cutest and funniest costumes, and most original costume, with an awards ceremony to follow. Dog games, prizes, promotional items from pet related vendors, activities for families and raffles. For the costume contest, walk-ins are welcome or applications can be completed in advance. Free and pets are allowed. bit.ly/3xEv7YC.
Moonlight Movie in the Park: “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” - 8-9:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Regional Park - Event Stage, 20200 Saddle Club Road, Weston. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers are allowed (no alcohol permitted). Free. 954-389-4321 or westonfl.org/events.
The city of North Lauderdale Parks and Recreation's Haunted Hamptons, a Halloween attraction, is back for 2022. (Scott Luxor / Contributor)
Haunted Hamptons - gates open at 7 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. or until capacity Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 at Hampton Pines Park, 7800 Hamptons Blvd., North Lauderdale. $10 general admission or $15 fast pass. 954-724-7061, option 1.
Hocus Pocus Family Dance - 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Sunrise Civic Center Grand Ballroom, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise. Dinner, dancing and activities inspired by “Hocus Pocus” movies. $5 per person must be purchased by Oct. 7 at the Sunrise Civic Center Box Office (954-747-4646), or sunrisefl.gov/tickets.
Fall Harvest Festival - 1-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Welleby Park, 11100 NW 44th St., Sunrise. Petting zoo, games and rides. $5 per child age 12 and under. 954-747-4600.
Family Fall Festival - 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Volunteer Park, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation. Children’s carnival, games and activities, inflatables, food, costume contests, haunted house, DJ, arts and crafts, police and fire exhibits, vendors, free Halloween bags for kids. $5 per person age 2 and up.
A family has their picture taken with a scarecrow during the Deerfield Beach Fall Festival at Pioneer Park. (Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Deerfield Beach Fall Festival - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 15 at Pioneer Park, 217 NE Fifth Ave. Storytelling, arts and crafts, archery, hayride, goodie bags from nonprofits, pumpkin patch and live entertainment. Free.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale’s Annual Fall Festival - Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second St. Food trucks, carnival-themed games, pumpkin decorating and VIP Beer Garden ($20, 21 and over). Free general admission. bit.ly/3DGcjfm.
Children pick out pumpkins at Bedner's pumpkin patch. (John McCall / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bedner’s Fall Festival - 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (last admission sold) Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last admission sold) Sunday from Sept. 24-Oct. 31. Closed on Tuesdays. Pumpkin patch entry, Animal. EDventure Park, tractor rides, corn maze entry, sunflower field entry, food, music and other activities. $24.99 per person at the gate. Children under 2 admitted free. Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market, 10066 Lee Road, west of Boynton Beach. 561-733-5490 or bedners.com.
Horror Film Fest: “What We Do in the Shadows” - 1-3 p.m. Oct. 1 at Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. No registration required. Free.
Rock-N-Fall Festival - Rock out with Jaded (Aerosmith) and KISS tribute bands 5-10 p.m. Sept. 30 and then come back 1-9 p.m. Oct. 1 for the Fall Festival at Royal Palm Beach Commons, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., Royal Palm Beach with a fun zone, costume contests (pets included), pumpkin carving, slide, carnival games, Ferris wheel, bounce house, train rides, corn maze, petting zoo and The Long Run (Eagles tribute band). Free.
West Boca High School Pumpkin Patch - 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays beginning Oct. 1 at 12811 Glades Road, next to the bus loop. Fall Festivals are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 8 and 22 with food trucks, music and games. ptsawestboca@gmail.com.
May the Fandoms Be with You: Pop Culture Club: All Things Gothic - 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 5, Clematis Room, third floor, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, 411 Clematis St. Share your love for fandom by discussing and debating about your favorite movies, TV shows, comics and more. Talk horror classics, why we people love macabre and what “gothic” means today. No registration required. Free. wpbcitylibrary.org or 561-868-7701.
Actors dress up during Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fright Nights - Get a Behind the Scenes look from 6-11 p.m. Oct. 6 (reservations required; limited attendance). Opening night is Oct. 7, and will continue Oct. 8, 13-15, 20-22, 27 and 29. Closed Oct. 28. Hours are 6-11 p.m. Thursdays and 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Gates open at 6 p.m. The haunted houses open at 7 p.m. South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. Three haunts filled with creepy characters, scare zones, carnival rides, live entertainment and food. This year’s haunted houses are: Country Bill’s Meat, Dead of Winter and Sirens’ Revenge, each with their own maze of scares. Frights Nights has been named one of Haunted Attraction Association’s top haunts for 2022. Advance discount general admission is $35 per person. After Oct. 6, the gate ticket is $40. Each ticket includes admission and 30 fright tickets. Each haunt requires 10 tickets. Tickets also may be used on carnival rides (two to five tickets each). Parking: $10 per car. Behind the Scenes Tour tickets are $30 per person. Buy tickets at southfloridafair.com/22fn-advtix. RIP tickets: $10 Thursdays and $15 Fridays and Saturdays. (Enables visitors to go to the front of the line, a private cash bar, lounge and seating). myfrightnights.com.
Falloween Spooktacular Show & Parade - 4-4:45 p.m. Oct. 13 at Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. or Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. Boca Boo Days Children’s Halloween Special Show. Kids can come dressed in their costumes for a trick-or-treat parade through the library after the show. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No enrollment required. Free.
Haunting History - 6 p.m. Oct. 13 and 20 at the 1916 Historic Courtroom, 300 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. Hear chilling stories of murder and mayhem from Palm Beach County history. $30 Historical Society of Palm Beach County members and $40 nonmembers. 21 and older only. pbchistory.org/events.
Screen on the Green: “The Addams Family 2″ - 7-10 p.m. Oct. 14 on the Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Free. 561-822-1515 or wpb.org/events.
Ghostly Gala - 6-9 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Cultural Center, 151 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach. A costume party for all ages, games, dancing and candy. $25 resident and $35 nonresident until sold out. Registration is open. 561-790-5196.
Fall Festival - 3-6 p.m. Oct. 15 at Centennial Park & Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. Games for families and kids of all ages including bounce houses, rock wall, petting zoo, sack races and more. Other activities will include a pumpkin decorating contest, face painting and a live DJ. Kids in attendance will receive free popcorn and candy. Community Greening will be giving away 200 trees (2 per household). Trees include wild tamarind, slash pine, loquat and avocado. Free. 561-742-6641.
Horror Film Fest: “The Invitation” - 1-3 p.m. Oct. 15 at Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. No registration required. Free.
Pick out a pumpkin at the patch coming to Mizner Park. (Joe Cavaretta / Sun Sentinel)
Boca Raton Pumpkin Patch Festival - 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16 at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Pumpkin patch with 2,500 pumpkins. Carnival rides for all ages. Included in the entrance fee are unlimited carnival rides, access to the inflatable cornstalk maze, a dress-your-own scarecrow village and photo opportunities. $25 general admission for age 3 and up. Free admission for under 3 (does not include access to carnival rides). bocapumpkinpatch.com.
Spooky Sounds Science Demo – 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16 at the Children’s Science Explorium, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Investigate the science behind spooky sounds. Age 7 and up. Free. 561-347-3912 or sugarsandpark.org.
Pumpkin Patch - 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Compson Place at Renaissance Commons, 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach. Pumpkin patch to benefit Cason United Methodist Church in Delray Beach. Purchase a pumpkin and get it personalized with an on-site artist for free. 561-413-5909.
27th annual Pumpkin Patch Festival - noon-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, noon-6 p.m. Sundays Oct. 15-31 at Cason United Methodist Church, 342 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Special events: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 22 Family Fun Fest featuring crafts, story time, fire truck and free ice cream. Free. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Trunk or Treat! Come dressed in costume and trick or treat around the decorated cars. Free. For an additional charge, Marco Photo Co. will be onsite to take professional family photos. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable and canned food goods to benefit Eat Better Live Better. All proceeds will benefit Cason UMC’s mission and outreach programs. 561-788-2822 or casonumc.org.
Hopeful contestants await the judges' decisions during a costume contest at the Wellington Fall Festival. ( Lee Hershfield/Correspondent )
Wellington’s Fall Festival - 3-10 p.m. Oct. 15 at Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road, Wellington. Free admission, but all-access bracelets are required for activities (Bracelets for adults are only needed for the Haunted Hallways, laser tag or hay rides.) Advance discount bracelets are now on sale until Oct. 14 for $7 per child and $5 per adult. Bracelets will cost $10 per child, $5 per adult at the door with sales ending at 9 p.m. Free bracelets for children 2 and under. Purchase bracelets at Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road (561-791-4005) and Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. (561-753-2484). Activities include bounce houses, costume contests, entertainment, face painting, food trucks, hay rides, laser tag, petting zoo, pie-eating contests and trick-or-treating with vendors. Haunted Hallways opens at 5 p.m. and is intended for children 10 and over. Age 12 and over can go through without an adult. Free shuttle transportation service is available at the Palm Tran bus stop near Macy’s at The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., and will begin running at 2:30 p.m.
The Riddle House, a former funeral parlor, is one of the supernatural stars at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. (Kari Barnett/Sun Sentinel)
History and Haunts of Yesteryear Village: A Spooktober Event - 1:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Auditorium, third floor, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, 411 Clematis St. Yesteryear Village is one of Palm Beach County’s most unique cultural attractions: a living history park where interpreters share their stories about life prior to 1940. But no village is without its ghosts. Learn about the history and haunts of Yesteryear Village’s various attractions. No registration required. Free. wpbcitylibrary.org or 561-868-7701.
Ghost Hunting 101: A Spooktober Event - 3-4 p.m. Oct. 15, Auditorium, third floor, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, 411 Clematis St. Learn how to conduct your own ghost investigation. Join Paranormal Researchers of South Florida for a Ghost Hunting 101 lesson including equipment demonstrations. No registration required. Free. wpbcitylibrary.org or call 561-868-7701.
Horrorland will set up its scary sights at Jungle Island in Miami this year. (Jennifer Lett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Horrorland Scream Park - Opens Sept. 23 and continues 7-10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until Oct. 31 at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. Haunted walk-through attraction featuring 18 acres with eight haunted houses including outdoor scare zones, blood carnival games, horror art exhibitions, a fearful gift shop and more. The attractions include: Stranger Devil House, Boneyard Farm, Clown Palooza, Voodoo Island, The Vampire Circus Show, Insanity Playground, Apocalypse Maze and The Nun’s Revenge. Recommended for age 13 and up. Waivers must be signed in advance and tickets start at $48.99, to access all attractions. Prices may vary on certain nights. The box office opens at 6 p.m. for ticket purchases. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at TheHorrorland.com where waivers can also be signed in advance. 800-383-6119 or email info@thehorrorland.com.