Halloween is one of our favorite holidays! Celebrated on October 31st, you will start seeing decorations as early as October 1st. From businesses to residential homes, they all compete for the best and scariest décor.
Halloween’s origin dates back to the ancient Celts who celebrated Samhain. They believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred on that night and ghosts could come back to life.
Nowadays, kids will go trick or treating at nightfall, wearing their best costumes, hoping for a mountain of candy.
Adults also love celebrating Halloween and showing off their best costumes too (although not necessarily scary!).
How can you celebrate Halloween this year in Sarasota?! See below for our selection of events and recommendations:
- Sarasota Downtown Halloween Block Party
Saturday October 30th from 8pm to 2am.
The city blocks off part of South Lemon Avenue where an outdoor live concert will take place. The band 22N will be performing in front of the Gator Club. This is the place to be – show off your costumes, party and have fun. All the restaurants will be happy to accommodate you for dinner, drinks, and music. Or you can just sit, relax, and watch all the people as they stroll by in their best costumes.
- Fright Night on St Armands Circle
Sunday October 31st from 6pm to 8:30pm.
The fancy and refined St Armands Circle turns into the place to be. Decorated store fronts, frightening characters, and dressed statues will be waiting for you. The highly anticipated (and not to be missed!) performance of Thriller by Sarasota High School theater students will take place on the Circle Park at 8pm.
- Vampire Ball Halloween Party
Friday October 29th from 8pm to 1am.
Located at the Art Ovation Hotel (1255 North Palm Ave), it will be the party to start off the Halloween weekend! Ghosts, goblins and party animals are all invited. Costumes aren’t required, but partying on the rooftop with 2 DJs sounds like a lot of fun.
- 33rd Annual Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Fest
Every weekend in October from 10am to 5pm.
This is a pumpkin festival located at 7410 Fruitville Rd in Sarasota. Daily activities include live music, live shows, a food truck rally, hay rides, corn maze, pony rides, train rides, craft show, Torres Family Circus, the Globe of Death, and much more. This is fun for the whole family!
- 30th Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Every weekend in October from 9am to 5pm.
This pumpkin festival is located at Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675 Bradenton. It features a craft show, live music, live shows, pumpkins (duh), hayrides, corn maze, chainsaw sculpting, big train rides, and much more. Family oriented fun as well.
- Boo Run at Nathan Benderson Park
Saturday October 30th at 8am.
This fun-run is for our active readers! The 18th Annual Boo Run 5K is on. Sign up for the 5K race around the beautiful lake at Nathan Benderson Park. The race includes chip-times, a bib, a finishers’ medal and a commemorative race t-shirt. There is also a Halloween costume contest so dress your best! Sign up early for the best price.
- Sarasota Ghost Walk
Every Wednesday through Friday at 8pm.
Hosted by Sarasota Suncoast Tours, located at 301 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. This is a 75-minute creepy walking tour of Sarasota where you will explore the spirited and sinister side of the city with tales of murder cases and paranormal activity!
How do you plan on celebrating Halloween this year? Send us your scariest pictures and you may be featured on our Instagram page!
