10 Can’t-Miss Things To Do In The Tampa Bay Area This October

October in Florida typically hits a weather sweet spot — not too hot and not too cold — making it the perfect time to squeeze in some can’t-miss events in the Tampa Bay area.

October is known for Halloween, but it’s also a great time for harvest festivals, public awareness walks, Oktoberfest celebrations, art events and big games.

Before you know it, the winter holidays will overtake your calendar. Be sure to schedule date night, family day or even “you” time before October slips away.

To help you fill out your calendar, we’ve rounded up 10 can’t-miss events from around the Tampa Bay Area.

Weird in St. Pete

• When: Oct. 2-19, tour times vary
• Where: Duncan McClellan Gallery, St. Petersburg
• What: Taken directly from the weird and wacky tales that make St. Pete one-of-a-kind, this new, immersive play will take you on a journey through The Duncan McClellan art gallery, as some well known (and not so well known) characters in St. Pete folklore come to life.

German-American Society Oktoberfest

• When: Oct. 3-4, 5 to 10 p.m.
• Where: German-American Friendship Society of Pinellas County, Pinellas Park
• What: This annual festival features traditional polka music, German food and beer, kids crafts and games, and vendors.

BAM!Fest Artists’ Reception

• When: Oct. 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Bradenton
• What: Meet the artists behind the eight large-scale paintings created live during April’s BAM!Fest, which are on display at the museum.

Tampa Pig Jig

• When: Oct. 18
• Where: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa
• What: Barbecue and music fans will gather at this riverfront park welcoming breakout country star Megan Moroney, as well as Midland, Matt Nathanson, Jamestown Revival, and George Pippen.

Pied Piper’s Haunted Carnival

• When: Oct. 23-26
• Where: Armature Works, Tampa
• What: This all-ages carnival and 18-and-older music festival features carnival rides and games, classic eats and fall treats, live music and other entertainment, a Kids Zone with pumpkin pumpkin, face painting, and other activities.

Wesley Chapel Festival & Carnival

• When: Oct. 23-26
• Where: The Grove at Wesley Chapel
• What: This family-friendly festival features carnival rides and games, live entertainment and community performances, food trucks, costume contests, a trick-or-treat stroll, a business expo, and a Kids Zone with bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, and pumpkin photo stops.

Pack the Park for Pack a Sack

• When: Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Sims Park, New Port Richey
• What: This family-friendly day features a dog costume contest, pumpkin and face painting, bounce houses and inflatables, live entertainment, a car show with a trunk-or-treat, food trucks, and local vendors.

Gulfcoast Pride Festival

• When: Oct. 25, noon to 5 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Sarasota’s Rosemary District
• What: Local LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit Project Pride SRQ invites the community out to this free, all-ages festival, which will feature a street fair more than 100 local vendors, a drag show featuring Pork Chop from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” food from local restaurants, a kids’ zone, an arts zone, a pet zone and pet pageant, and live music and performances.

Sarasota Lantern Festival

• When: Oct. 25, 4 p.m.
• Where: Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
• What: This unforgettable evening brings people together for a celebration of light and community filled with tasty food trucks, fun music, activities, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope, and happiness.

Halloween on Central

• When: Oct. 26, noon to 5 p.m.
• Where: Central Avenue in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central and Edge districts.
• What: This fifth annual event transforms 22 blocks of Central Avenue into a vibrant, family-friendly, car-free celebration with vendors, live music, business advocacy, immersive experiences and candy.

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!