Get Your Halloween Frights Early With These Spooky Events In Tampa Bay

Halloween is still more than a month away, but there are plenty of places around the Tampa Bay area offering seasonal frights.

Our scary guide includes everything from paranormal investigations to Busch Gardens’ annual Howl-O-Scream, some better experienced for adults and others suitable for children.

• See Also: Tampa Bay Halloween Markets Feature Artists, Vendors Selling Spooky Creations, Items

We’ve rounded up eight spooky happenings in the Tampa Bay area that are worth getting on the calendar. And speaking of calendars: Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

• Tampa After Dark: Ghosts, Legends, and Haunted History Tour, Sept. 25-27; Oct. 2-3, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 20-31; Nov. 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 28-29; and Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 26-27. The event’s producer, Silent Slay Tour, also offers upcoming haunted tours in Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs and Palmetto on select dates.
• Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream, select nights through Nov. 1. This Tampa theme park presents its annual Halloween event with haunted houses, scare zones and more.
• Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park, nightly through Oct.; Nov. 2, 7-8. This Dade City haunted house has zombies, demons, and scary clowns, plus fire pits, food, and drinks.
• Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, Sept. 26-27; Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 30-31; Nov. 1. This miniature horror theme park in Plant City features multiple outdoor haunted attractions, hayrides, laser tag and an escape room.
• Pemberton Haunted Acres, Sept. 26-27; Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-19, 24-26, 30-31; Nov. 1-2. This Plant City attraction features two haunted houses and a scare zone.
• National Day of Ghost Hunting: Mari Jean Hotel, Sept. 27. The Spirits of St. Pete will offer a brief Paranormal Investigation 101 session and an interactive mini-investigation of this historic hotel.
• Haunted Sarasota Tour, Oct. 10-15, 17-22, 24-31. Hear stories about Sarasota’s haunted buildings, intriguing ghosts, and spirited sightings during this 75-minute, musical Halloween tour.
• Undead in the Water, Sept. 26-27; Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 23-25; Nov. 1. Tampa’s SS American Victory, a World War II cargo ship, transforms into a haunted attraction at night during Halloween season.