Halloween is here and Manatee County is gearing up to celebrate. Whether you’re looking for fun places to trick-or-treat pumpkin patches, costume parties, or festivals, we’ve got you covered. Join us as we explore the top ways to celebrate Halloween in Manatee County this year.
NOTE: We will be updating this article regularly as more events are announced, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back often!
Pumpkin Patch at UTC
October 8th to October 27th at various times
The Green at UTC: 125 N Cattlemen Rd Sarasota, FL 34243
The Pumpkin Patch at The Green is returning to UTC from October 8 to October 27, offering a chance to pick the perfect pumpkin. Proceeds from every purchase will go to Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center, a non-profit organization in Lakewood Ranch that helps find loving homes for homeless cats and dogs.
Pumpkin Patch hours are Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM, while supplies last.
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Weekends in October from 9 AM to 5 PM
Hunsader Farms: 5500 County Road 675 E, Bradenton, FL 34211
Hunsader Farms welcomes everyone to their 33rd Annual Pumpkin Festival, a family favorite event that is full of fun and fall festivities. With a $15 admission fee and $5 parking, you can enjoy a variety of activities, like a craft show, live music, and pumpkin games for the kids. Plus, children 10 and under get in for free.
Enjoy tasty treats like farm-roasted sweet corn, homemade ice cream, and pumpkin pie, and explore the Pioneer Trades Village and petting zoo. There will also be hayrides, pony rides, and a corn maze for just $2. Don’t forget to bring cash for admission, though some vendors accept cards. With something for everyone, including friendly dogs on leashes, this festival is the perfect way to enjoy the fall season.
BooFest On Main Street
Friday, October 25th from 6 PM to 9 PM
Lakewood Ranch Main Street: 8100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton, FL 34202
BoosFest on Main Street is just around the corner, and it’s set to be bigger and better! Presented by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, this free event offers plenty of entertainment, food and drinks, and lots of treats for the kids. Make sure to bring your trick-or-treat bags and collect goodies from all the generous sponsors and local businesses.
Wear your best Halloween costume and join in the fun! Highlights include a Kids Korner sponsored by Baby Fox Academy, live shows on a stage sponsored by Fence Fanatics, LLC, and exciting performances sponsored by Music Compound. This is a great way to celebrate Halloween!
Tunnel of Terror: Tommy’s Express Bradenton
Friday, October 25th, and Saturday, October 26th from 7 PM to 10 PM
Tommy’s Express Car Wash: 5303 14th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207
Tommy’s Express in Bradenton is back with the Tunnel of Terror, a haunted car wash experience that adds Halloween fun to your cleaning routine. Guests will drive through a dark, ghostly-decorated tunnel filled with surprises while their car gets washed. It’s a great way to enjoy spooky entertainment without leaving the comfort of your vehicle.
The Tunnel of Terror will be open on October 25 and 26 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Admission is $20, and members of the Unlimited Club can attend without extra cost. With this eerie adventure, you have spooky fun and a spotless car by the end of the night.
Goblin Gathering at GT Bray Park (Back On!!!)
Friday, October 25th from 5 PM to 8 PM
G.T. Bray Park: 5502 33rd Ave Dr W, Bradenton, FL 34209
The Annual Goblin Gathering is back, and all little and big goblins are invited to GT Bray Park for a spooktacular outdoor event. Rescheduled to Friday, October 25th, this family-friendly celebration will be packed with treats and sweets handed out by local businesses. There will be fun activities and costume contests for everyone to enjoy. Plus, new this year are free bounce houses, a petting zoo, and magic shows – no wristbands needed.
With plenty of parking and a full evening of fun, the Goblin Gathering is a fantastic night for the whole family. Don’t miss out on the chance to join the community for this exciting Halloween tradition.
Trick-or-Treat in Old Manatee
Saturday, October 26th from 11 AM to 2 PM
Segunda Vida: 708 Manatee Ave E Bradenton, FL 34208
Prepare your best costumes for a spooktacular day of Halloween fun in Old Manatee! Watch the neighborhood transform into a festive and spooky venue for trick-or-treating. Kids can roam around the streets wearing their best costumes and collect candy from local businesses and residences.
Grab a map from participating businesses and get stamped along the way! Special treats and activities at different spots!
Restaurant Edelweiss * Segunda Vida * Vernona Gourmet * Loving Hands Thrift Store * Oscura * Riverside Cuts Barbershop * Vintage Vine Market * Bat City Comics * Central Cafe * E&M Beauty Salon * MORE TO COME!
Halloween at the Market
Saturday, October 26th from 9 AM to 2 PM
Bradenton Public Market
Get into the Halloween spirit at Halloween at the Market by Realize Bradenton! Dress up your kids in their best Halloween costumes while they trick-or-treat with the Market Friendors, who will be giving out candy throughout the market. In addition to treats, there will be live entertainment with Slick Motion performing spooky dance routines, adding extra fun to the festive atmosphere.
For even more excitement, the Manatee School for the Arts will offer creative face painting to get everyone into the Halloween mood. This annual event is a fantastic way to enjoy some safe, family-friendly fun while exploring the market’s offerings.
Batastic Halloween Celebration
Saturday, October 26th from 11 AM to 4 PM
Bat City Comic Professionals: 915 Manatee Ave E. Bradenton, FL 34208
Bat City Comic Professionals invites everyone to the Batastic Halloween Celebration, a day full of comics, candy, and Halloween fun! a day full of comics, candy, and Halloween fun. The event also features a Kids Costume Parade at 2 p.m., where young trick-or-treaters can show off their spooky outfits.
Adults are welcome to join the fun too, with prizes up for grabs for anyone in costume. During the celebration, all comics under $10 will be available at a 31% discount. Don’t forget to explore the nearby shops and restaurants in the Old Manatee Historic District, where Trick-or-Treating will take place from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Halloween Festival with music by: K-LUV
Saturday, October 26th from 7 PM to 10 PM
Old Main Street, Downtown Bradenton
The Halloween Festival in downtown Bradenton is a must-attend event for families looking for a fun-filled evening! This lively celebration features a variety of food stalls, local vendors, and exciting activities for everyone. You can also take part in festive games that capture the Halloween spirit.
Adding to the festive vibe, K-LUV will be playing upbeat music during the event to keep everyone energized and dancing. This celebration is made possible by the generous contributions of local sponsors, such as i-Heart Radio, Z105 Rock, the City of Bradenton, Conley Country, and Heintz Law. Be sure to mark your calendars and come together with the community for this wonderful Halloween celebration.
Nissan of Bradenton Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 26th from 12 PM to 3 PM
Nissan of Bradenton: 1611 Cortez Rd W Bradenton, FL 34207
Nissan of Bradenton invites the community to their exciting Trunk-or-Treat event! Kids and families can dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy an afternoon of fun and safe trick-or-treating. The event offers plenty of candy, spooky decorations, and a chance to celebrate Halloween in a secure environment.
Local police officers, firefighters, and army personnel will be on-site to hand out candy and ensure everyone has a secure and enjoyable experience. This event is open to all, and Nissan of Bradenton looks forward to seeing everyone come out for a spooky, candy-filled afternoon.
Halloween Doggy Costume Party
Sunday, October 27th from 1 PM to 4 PM
Pineapple Kitchen: 4914 Lena Road, Unit 104, Lakewood Ranch FL 34211
Have a tail-wagging good time at the Halloween Doggy Costume Party, benefiting the Whiskers & Wags Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping animals in need by providing financial assistance for emergency medical treatments and finding furever homes!
Bring your dogs in their best costume and join in the fun with a costume contest, Halloween cookie decorating, and a special fall-tasting event. The costume contest will feature prizes for the top dogs, including gift certificates and doggy gift baskets. Don’t forget to trick-or-treat around Pineapple Kitchen from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM for some sweet Halloween treats!
Register here for a day of festive fun and give back to our four-legged friends at the Halloween Doggy Costume Party!
NBP Trick or Treat on the Lake – Presented by Oak & Stone
Tuesday, October 29th from 5:30 PM to 8 PM
Nathan Benderson Park: 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle Sarasota, FL 34235
NBP Trick or Treat on the Lake, presented by Oak & Stone, is a fun event for the whole family at Regatta Island. Kids and adults can enjoy trick-or-treating along a candy trail with booths decorated by local businesses and groups. Everyone is welcome to wear their best costumes, whether spooky or fun. The evening also includes live music, storytelling, interactive play, and a Halloween movie on the big screen.
Thanks to silver sponsor Meadows Dental Associates, this spooktacular event is free to attend, with parking available on Regatta Island for $10 per vehicle. Businesses and organizations can still sign up to host a booth on the Candy Trail, and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit Nathan Benderson Park’s website or contact info@nathanbendersonpark.org.
HOWL-O-WEEN Pet Costume Contest
Wednesday, October 30th from 6 PM to 7 PM
Mean Dean’s Local Kitchen: 6059 26th St W Bradenton, FL 34207
Mean Dean’s Local Kitchen is hosting a Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest, where furry friends can show off their best outfits to win exciting prizes. Pets can compete in three categories: Cutest, Most Creative, and Best Pet/Human Costume. It’s a fun opportunity for pet owners to dress up their pets and join in the Halloween spirit.
Registration for the contest will occur from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM, and all pets must be leashed and updated on vaccines. Whether you’re entering your pet or just cheering them on, this event is up for a howling good time with everyone.
Manatee Sheriff’s Spooktactical
Wednesday, October 30th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
MCSO Operations Center: 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton
Sheriff Rick Wells understands that families in Manatee County are looking for a safe and enjoyable place to celebrate Halloween, especially after the recent hurricanes. To ensure everyone can celebrate Halloween, the 2024 Manatee Sheriff’s Spooktactical Night has been rescheduled to Wednesday, October 30th. Families are invited to gather at the MCSO Operations Center to enjoy all the activities this event will feature, such as exciting vehicle displays, engaging demonstrations, fun activities for children, and trick-or-treating.
The event is free to attend, with free hot dogs and water available while supplies last. Food trucks will offer tasty options for purchase. Free parking is at the old DeSoto Square Mall, and deputies will assist with safe street crossings. Handicapped parking will be marked on-site.
Sheriff Wells encourages everyone to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item to the Food Bank of Manatee. Yellow donation bins will be at the entrance. Join the fun and support your community this Halloween!
10th Annual Halloween Trick or Treat in the Village
Thursday, October 31st from 6 PM to 8 PM
Village of the Arts: 1227 12th St. W Bradenton, FL 34205
The 10th Annual Trick or Treat in the Village of Arts is set to bring Halloween magic to life! Everyone is invited to join this spooktacular night of costumes, candy, and community spirit.
On Halloween Night, watch the Village of Arts transform into a wonderland of spooky fun. Kids and adults alike can enjoy dressing up in their favorite costumes as local galleries and friendly neighbors will hand out candies and treats along the streets.
21st Annual Halloween Safe Kids Night
Thursday, October 31st from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Manatee County Fairgrounds: 1402 14th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221
Celebrate Halloween with the whole family at the 21st Annual Halloween Safe Kids Night at the Manatee Fairgrounds!
This free community event is packed with fun activities, plenty of candy, and exciting games for everyone. Dress your kids up in their best costumes to win prizes. This is a safe and entertaining way for families to enjoy Halloween together.
Local civic organizations, churches, public safety agencies, and non-profits are also invited to participate by setting up booths at the event. This amazing event is a great way to give back, meet local families, and take part in one of the area’s favorite Halloween celebrations.
1,000 Pieces of Candy
Thursday, October 31st from 6 PM to 9 PM
Village of the Arts: 1302 12th Avenue West
Calling all candy fanatics! Get ready for the 8th Annual 1,000 Pieces of Candy event hosted by Alcover Massage at the Village of the Arts. This spooktacular evening will feature over 1,000 pieces of candy, and take home free children’s books as part of this festive tradition. The event runs alongside the Village’s Trick-Or-Treat, blending sweet treats with spooky Halloween excitement.
Along with the candy distribution, local organizations such as Drug Free Manatee, ALSO Youth, and the Bradenton Police Department will have booths, engaging with attendees and sharing goodies. New this year, the Lady’s Oriental Shrine Sar-I from Sarasota will entertain little goblins under 13 with face painting. As a Teal Pumpkin Project participant, the event will also provide gluten-free, peanut-free, and non-candy treats, ensuring all kids can safely enjoy the spooky celebration!
Kavaween at Kava Social Club
Thursday, October 31st at 8 PM
Kava Social Club: 540 13th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205
Get ready for Kavaween at the Kava Social Club, where a night of fun and excitement awaits! Dress up in your best costume for a chance to win great prizes. Team up with friends to explore the bar and find hidden surprises. Enjoy special prices on our delicious Kava drinks all night long.
The fun continues with prize giveaways throughout the evening. Kavaween is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween with friends, and family and connect with the community. Don’t miss out on this exciting event filled with fun, good vibes, and tasty Kava.
Festivals of the Skeletons – Dia de los Muertos
Friday, November 1st from 11 AM to 4 PM & 6 PM to 9:30 PM
Saturday, November 2nd from 11 AM to 4 PM
Village of the Arts: 1227 12th St. W Bradenton, FL 34205
Halloween might technically be over, but there’s still more fun ahead! The Village of the Arts is celebrating its 20th Annual Festival of the Skeletons and this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Stroll around the Village to explore beautifully decorated shrines and altars, including a Community Shrine dedicated to honoring family, friends, and pets. This festive event offers live music, an amazing marketplace with local vendors, and mouth-watering food from various restaurants.
Everyone is encouraged to wear their best Dia de los Muertos costumes to join in the fun. The family-friendly festival also offers many activities for all ages, making it the perfect way to enjoy this beautiful celebration of life and memory. Be part of this incredible cultural tradition!
There you have it, our round-up of the top ways to celebrate Halloween in Manatee County this year! We’ll be updating this all month long as more events come out, so don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back often!
