Here’s your guide to the area’s non-trick-or-treat Halloween happenings:
Halloween Notte
Get ready for chills and thrills at Halloween Notte, running Thursdays and Sundays from 6 to 10pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 11pm, now through Saturday, November 1, at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. This haunted festival features three haunted houses, live scare actors, a twisted live show under the big top, “Alice in Horrorland”, and more. Dare to enter the haunted maze, dance with zombies, or ride the mechanical alligator, then unwind with food vendors, carnival games, a pumpkin patch, and a spooky kids’ zone. Cost is $5 for event admission only, $25 includes unlimited haunted house visits and live show, $15 under age 12, and $21 veterans/seniors. Additional admission packages are available.Info: Visit HalloweenNotte.com.
Spooky Point
Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus, 401 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, transforms into “Spooky Point” through Saturday, November 1 with the return of the fourth-annual Halloween-themed walk-through light show. Between 6:30 and 8:45pm, guests will follow an eerily lit path filled with fantastic creations and “bootanically” themed decorations that are equal parts campy, creepy, and cute. The event is family-friendly, with food and beverages available for purchase, but guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder. $34 for adults and $19 for children. Nontransferable and nonrefundable. Visit Selby.org for details and tickets.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The annual outdoor Players Centre production returns to the Sarasota Polo Club to tell the spooky tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Enjoy an evening under the stars with a costume contest each night. Bring your own blankets and chairs! Showtimes are Thursday to Saturday, October 23 to 25, at 6pm, and Saturday, October 25, at 4pm, at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota. $25–$30 for adults, $15–$20 for children under 18, with family ticket packs also available. Call 941•365•2494 or visit theplayers.org.
Monster Mash Halloween Party
Get ready to party with 107.9 WSRZ and Jones and Company at the “Monster Mash Halloween Party” on Saturday, October 25, from 6 to 10pm at the Venice Community Center Ballroom, 326 Nokomis Ave S, Venice. This 21+ event is legendary across the Suncoast for its outrageous costumes and thrilling atmosphere. Show off your best look in the costume contest for a chance to win a cash prize, and dance the night away, enjoy great music, spirits, and delicious food samples. Admission is $13.39. For tickets and details, visit WSRZ.com.
Halloween Classics
Candlelight Concerts presents “A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics”, a night of eerie elegance featuring classical works by Charles Gounod and Dmitri Shostakovich, pop favorites like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters,” and iconic horror film scores from “Halloween” and “Psycho”. The concert takes place on Saturday, October 25, at 8pm at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota. Tickets are $44–$73 at candlelightexperience.com.
“The Birds”
Cinema at The Bay celebrates Halloween with a free outdoor screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 classic “The Birds”, starring Tippi Hedren as a woman trapped in a town besieged by murderous flocks. Enjoy this chilling thriller under the stars on Thursday, October 30, from 7 to 9pm at The Oval at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. Admission is free. For details call 941•203•5316 or visit thebaysarasota.org.
Halloween at Artur’s
Get ready, ghoul-friends, Halloween Night at Artur’s will be a scream! Join the fun on Friday, October 31, from 5 to 9pm, 70 North Indiana Avenue. Kick off the evening with a Trunk-or-Treat Spooktacular at 5pm, live music from “Vintage Vibes” at 6pm, and the big Costume Contest at 8pm featuring prizes including a 55” TV, iPad, Bluetooth speakers, and gift cards. Adults can enjoy “Boo-quila Babes” roaming with tequila samples and tiki thrills. Bring the family, your best costume, and your A-boo game! 941•460•8983.
Halloween Block Party
Downtown Sarasota’s Gator Club hosts its annual Halloween Block Party featuring live music by DJ Kelly Crawford, Phoenix 5, and Johnny Diamond, plus costume contests with over $2,000 in cash and prizes. Enjoy great food from Smokin’ Momma Lora’s BBQ and other food trucks. The festivities take place on Friday, October 31, from 5 to 11pm at The Gator Club, 1490 Main Street, Sarasota. For more information call 941•366•5969 or visit facebook.com/thegatorclubsrq.
