Stories, Shipwrecks and Spirits on Anna Maria Island

Oct. 1-31, 2025, at 7 p.m.
Sarasota Suncoast Tours, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, sarasotasuncoasttours.com

Sarasota Suncoast Tours leads this 75-minute walking tour on Bridge Street that explores the spirits and stories of the island, including the Bride of Bali Hai, George Emerson Bean, Al Capone, the gruesome stories of the bridges that connect the island, and more. Bring a camera to check for orbs and other signs of ghostly activity. Tickets are $29.95; book here. 

Spirits & Stories on Old Main Street

Oct. 1-31, 2025, at 4 p.m.
Sarasota Suncoast Tours, Old Main Street, Bradenton, sarasotasuncoasttours.com 

Take a two-hour walking tour of Old Bradenton and learn about the area's mayhem, murders and ghostly phenomena alongside food and drink from local restaurants. Tickets are $67.95; reserve here. 

Family Friendly

Lights at Spooky Point

Oct. 3-Nov. 1, 2025, 6:30-9 p.m.
Historic spanish point, 401 n. tamiami trail, osprey, selby.org

After being cancelled last year due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Selby Gardens' popular Halloween-inspired light show returns, transforming Historic Spanish Point into "Spooky Point." Follow an eerily lit path dotted with fantastical creations and botanical decorations—including Dracula, spider and bat orchids—and enjoy games, food and drinks, too. Get tickets  at selby.org. 

Haunted Sarasota Tour

Oct. 10-31, 2025, at 8 p.m.
1826 Fourth St., Sarasota, discoversarasotatours.com

Hop on a trolley for Discover Sarasota's Haunted Sarasota Tour, a spooky, historical, musical journey through Sarasota’s eerie past. You'll hear stories about infamous local murders, visit haunted buildings and learn about unsolved crimes during the 75-minute, air-conditioned nighttime tour. Prizes are awarded for best costume; the tour includes complimentary beer or wine for guests 21+ at the Trolley Cottage Tiki Bar before boarding. All guests must be 12 or older. Tickets are $75; purchase here.

Family Friendly

Haunted Sarasota Children's Tour

Oct. 11-31, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
1826 Fourth St., Sarasota, discoversarasotatours.com

Hop on board the Discover Sarasota Trolley for a 45-minute family-friendly, musical Halloween party hosted by "Witchy Poo" as she hunts for her beloved missing pumpkin all around downtown Sarasota’s historic landmarks. Costumes encouraged; tickets include complimentary soft drinks before the tour.

Family Friendly

Fright Night on St. Armands

Oct. 31, 2025, 6-8 p.m.
St. Armands Circle, starmandscircleassoc.com

Now in its 17th year, this popular (and free!) event transforms St. Armands Circle into a Halloween lover's dream, with decorated storefronts, wandering spirits, trick-or-treating, games, sales and more. For more information, click here. 

Family Friendly

Downtown Venice Halloween Strut

Oct. 31, 2025, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
200 W. Venice Ave., Venice, visitvenicefl.org

Halloween celebrants of all ages are invited to show off their costumes in downtown Venice for the annual Halloween Strut. Enjoy trick-or-treating at participating locations on Tampa Avenue West, West Venice Avenue, Miami Avenue West, and Nokomis Avenue, and groove to kid-friendly music with DJ Steve while trunk-or-treating in the Merchants of Venice building parking lot. Click here for more information.

Hollywood After Dark Halloween Party at Café on St. Armands

Oct. 31, 2025, 6 p.m.-midnight
431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota

After the family-friendly Fright Night on St. Armands Circle wraps up, the lights go low and the cameras flash for Hollywood After Dark, the ultimate Halloween after party in the Wet Bar at Café on St. Armands. Guests will step into a world where red carpet glamour meets graveyard intrigue, with live entertainment, haunting cocktails, and a costume contest worthy of the silver screen. Click here for more information. 

Day of the Dead at Rufa

Oct. 31, 8 p.m.-midnight
1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, ritzcarlton.com

Head to Rufa at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, for an evening of Patrón cocktail "potions," plus live entertainment, sugar skulls and other ghoulish goodies. Festive attire is encouraged. Reservations are not required, but suggested, and can be made here. 

Family Friendly

Fall Festival & Carnival at University Town Center

Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2025, 11 a.m-11 p.m.
uNIVERSITY town center, 140 university town center drive, sarasota

Enjoy trunk-or-treating, food trucks, live music, fall-themed photo ops, a pet costume contest and more at this free family-friendly event at University Town Center. More info here.