What is HALLOWEEN, SARASOTA-STYLE?
Pirates, princesses, Spidermen, and headless horsemen, or any stylish costume, will have fun celebrating Halloween downtown this year. Sarasota is planning spooky pumpkin patches, underwater pumpkin carving, costume pet parades, family games, and lots of candy for trick-or-treaters. For the costume-clad grown-ups: live music and cocktails.
Let the stylish masquerading begin!
Halloween events will be held at The Bay, Sarasota Farmers Market, Mote, Arlington Park, The Bazaar, The Gator Club, Selby Garden, and on St. Armands’ Circle.
Here’s a sampling of a Sarasota-style Halloween:
Haunted Trail Carnival at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex
Friday, Oct. 21, 5 – 7 p.m.
Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St., Sarasota, sarasotafl.gov
See how Arlington Park transforms into a Halloween Haunted Carnival Trail. Kids and families can enjoy trick-or-treating, carnival games, and more. Admission is free.
Boo! At the Bay
Friday, Oct. 21, Starts at 5 p.m.
Civic Green and Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,
(941) 203-5316, 10daysatthebay.org.
Get in a stylish Halloween costume and head out to Boo! Enjoy trick-or-treating, free pumpkin pickings, yard games, food truck feasts, chances to win prizes, and more from 6-10 p.m. The free, kid-friendly pumpkin art project starts at 5 p.m. and requires registration. Other special events, such as the Spooky Moonlight in the Mangroves Tour. Register in advance; admission is free.
Sarasota Dog-A-Ween Costume Contest
Saturday, Oct. 29, Starts at 9 a.m.
Lemon Avenue and Main Street, downtown Sarasota, destinationdowntownsarasota.com
Dress up your pup in a stylish Halloween costume, and join the annual Dog-A-Ween Costume Contest; parade your costumed dog through the Sarasota Farmers Market. Participants will receive a goodie bag from Wet Noses Sarasota, and winners will receive prizes from downtown Sarasota businesses. Registration is $15, and the proceeds go to Donte’s Den Foundation.
Mote A-Scare-in
Oct. 29, 30, and 31, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, mote.org
Join Mote mascots Gilly and Shelley, for under-the-sea Halloween fun. The event will feature trick-or-treating, underwater pumpkin carving, and a scavenger hunt. Admission is $19 for ages 3-12, $26 for 13-plus, and free for members.
Boo! at The Bazaar
Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m
821 Apricot Ave., Sarasota, (941) 445-1938, bazaaronapricotandlime.com
Dress up in a Halloween costume and trick-or-treat at a family-friendly event at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime. Collect candy from each vendor booth, receive a free book, and enjoy live music. Admission is free.
Gator Club’s Annual Halloween Block Party
Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
1490, Main St., Sarasota, thegatorclub.com
Gator Club will feature a DJ indoors and live music indoors and outside. There will also be food trucks and vendors. This event is for 21-plus. Outdoor admission is free; indoor admission is $20.
Selby Gardens Spooktacular
Sunday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m
1534 Mound St., Sarasota, (941) 366-5731, selby.org
The Halloween spirit is blossoming at Selby Gardens. This Selby-style family-friendly event is a great place to dress up for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, and fun educational activities, then dare brave the inflatable corn maze. Admission is free for Selby Gardens members. General admission is $21 for adults, $11 for ages 5-17, and free for 4 and under.
Fright Night on St. Armands
Monday, Oct. 31, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, (941) 388-1554, starmandscircleassoc.com
Dress up in stylish Halloween wear and go trick-or-treating. The 14th annual Halloween event features decorated storefronts, frightening characters and statues adorned in the holiday spirit as well as trick-or-treating, with numerous retailers and restaurants offering candy and customized promotions. 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31; St. Armands Circle, Sarasota; free; 941-388-1554; starmandscircleassoc.com. Admission is free.