For all its usual sunshine and warm splendor, Greater Tampa Bay sure knows how to turn up the terror.
Halloween is a special time in GTB, maybe precisely because it is an opportunity for summer-loving daytime walkers to let loose with all that is ghastly. It is a holiday of many flavors, from bright jack-o-lanterns to blood-soaked brides.
Likewise, this list of the spookiest Halloween events in GTB runs the gamut from kid-friendly to deadly — okay, not literally deadly. But if locals need to quench that craving for the unnerving, there is bound to be an event that will do the trick — and maybe then some.
Howl-O-Scream
A hardcore Halloween experience for patrons who do not mind bringing a second pair of undies… Howl-O-Scream is the priciest attraction on this list, but patrons get what they pay for.
Five unique interactive haunted houses include The Witch of the Woods, Deathwater Bayou and Cell Block: Zombies. Costumed employees fulfill all of their customer service revenge fantasies by donning wild costumes and jumping out at visitors. Thrilling rides, live performances and eerily thematic beverages come together for an evening as dark as it is memorable.
Where: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa
When: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. to midnight Thursdays and Sundays through Oct. 30
Price: $42-$70
Pied Piper’s Haunted Carnival
The Pied Piper was notorious for musically kidnapping a small horde of children, making him one of the creepiest folktales to crawl out of Germany. These days, he is apparently running a haunted carnival complete with spooky rides, cotton candy and appropriately killer musical talent.
Each of the four opening nights feature a different music artist, and at 7 p.m., the whole shindig transforms into what the carnival calls an, “elevated risque spooky experience.” Despite this ominous warning, Piper’s modestly priced tickets are not likely to frighten anyone’s wallet.
Where: The Heights in Armature Works Field, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa
When: 4 to 11 p.m. Oct. 28-29; 2 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30; 2 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31
Price: Adults $10-$15; children under age 12 $5-$7.50
Lighted Halloween Boat Parade
Downtown Tampa’s second annual lighted boat parade is perhaps not the spookiest event on this list, but its proceeds will support the battle against cancer.
Captains will deck out their decks, with boats both big and small taking to the channelside district to pass by Armature Works, the Riverwalk, Davis Islands and Sparkman Wharf. The boat parade aims to illuminate and support research efforts within The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The NPCF represents a critical bastion against one of modern medicine’s greatest antagonists, so come on down to the Riverwalk and support a powerful cause. Much like trick-or-treating, it is all about the kids.
Where: Riverwalk, Tampa
When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30
Cost: Pedestrians can enjoy the show from land for free. Boat starts at $100
Haunted Wharf
Sparkman Wharf normally delights its visitors with craft beers, fine food and fun, but for a few nights out of each year, it frightens them instead. The Haunted Wharf transforms the channelside with spooky scenery — and what is any ghostly dock without its own collection of pirate spirits? Real pirates are scary enough before dying, what with all the scurvy and malfunctioning moral compasses. At the Haunted Wharf, there will also be guided tours of a famous WWII cargo ship with an alleged undead stowaway. Before 8 pm, this is a kid-friendly event. Beware of towing little ones around after that – the event gets scarier.
Where: Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa
When: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29; 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 30
Price: $13
Monster’s Ball
A decidedly adult option for ghost and ghoul enthusiasts, the Monster’s Ball invites guests to dress as they please for the occasion — whether that is a sultry or spooky take on everyday uniforms or going all out with ballgowns, tailored suits and monster masks to keep it festive.
The event theme revolves around famously creepy insane asylums, so if Floridians have ever wanted to visit one of those for funsies, now is their chance. Unlike real asylums, there will be drinks and hot beats.
Where: Second floor of the Sunset Lounge, 1701 North Franklin St., Tampa
When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct 29-31
Price: $15
By Drew Mortier
