Englewood comes alive during Halloween. There’s so much happening, it’s hard to keep up. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the season’s best local events so you can plan without the chaos. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun like Trunk or Treat and Boo Bash at the Library, or something a little spookier, there’s something for everyone.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Englewood REVIEW!
Trunk or Treat at GCUMC
Gulf Cove United Methodist Church hosts a free Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, October 24, 4 to 6 p.m., at 1100 South McCall Road, Port Charlotte. The festivities include a bounce house, food, candy, crafts, and games for families to enjoy. Free and open to the public. For details, call 941•697•1747.
31st Annual Halloween SafeWalk
Bring the family for a safe, pedestrian-only Halloween celebration during the 31st Annual Halloween SafeWalk on Saturday, October 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., along Historic Dearborn Street. Presented by the Old Englewood Village Association (OEVA) and Englewood Sunset Rotary, the free community event features trick-or-treating at retail locations along Dearborn Street, a kids’ costume contest with prizes, and a spooky “Haunted Hearse Museum Display.” For full details or to make a donation in support of the event, visit oldenglewood.com.
Boo Bash at the Library
Put on your favorite costume and join in for a spooky good time on Saturday, October 31, 12 to 2 p.m., at Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road. Families can enjoy candy stations throughout the branch, festive crafts, and activities for all ages. For details, call 941•613•3200 or visit charlottecountyfl.libcal.com.
Wellen Park’s 2nd Annual Spooktacular
Dress in your favorite costume and enjoy an evening of Halloween fun on Saturday, October 31, 4 to 9 p.m., in Downtown Wellen Park, 12275 Mercado Drive, Venice. The event features trick-or-treating at local business booths, pumpkin painting, a live DJ, contests, and live music by Funky Bonez starting at 6 p.m. Trick-or-treating runs from 4 to 7 p.m. For details, call 941•960•7805.
Downtown Venice Halloween Strut
Children and their families can show off their costumes and trick-or-treat at local businesses on Saturday, October 31, 4 to 6 p.m., along Tampa, Venice, and Miami avenues in downtown Venice. The event features trunk-or-treating, music by DJ Steve in the Merchants of Venice lot on Miami Avenue, and trick-or-treating at vendor booths during the Venice MainStreet November Arts & Craft Festival on West Venice Avenue. Hosted by Venice MainStreet Inc. and the Venice Lions Club. For details, call 941•486•2626.
Runaway Pumpkin 5K & Family Fest
Join the Child Protection Center for a 5K race, a children’s Mini Monster Dash, and a free fall festival on Saturday, October 31, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Child Protection Center, 5600 Peace River Road, North Port. Race activities begin at 8 a.m., followed by the free festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring food trucks, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, sensory stations, lawn games, photo ops, inflatable games, PAWS therapy dogs, and age-based kids’ costume contests starting at 11 a.m. Festival admission is free and open to the public; race registration is separate. Non-perishable food donations are encouraged. For details or to register, visit cpcsarasota.org/events/runaway-pumpkin.
Halloween at The Ringling
Bring the family for a safe and enjoyable Halloween evening on Saturday, October 31, 4 to 7 p.m., at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Enter through the Museum of Art gates in costume to enjoy trick-or-treating on the Loggia, a Lantern Labyrinth in the Courtyard, art-making, a Seek and Find inside the galleries, historic Halloween shorts, and food from the Say Cheese food truck. Admission is free and no registration is required. Non-perishable food donations for All Faiths Food Bank are welcomed. For details, call 941•359•5700.
Trick or Treat on the Lake
Join Nathan Benderson Park and Sarasota County for an evening of trick-or-treating on Tuesday, October 27, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Regatta Island, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The family-friendly event features a candy trail of over 50 themed booths, a haunted house, games, live music, circus and dance performances, a scavenger hunt, photo ops, and free parking. The first 750 attendees will receive a free tote bag. Admission is free.
Cedar Point Environmental Park Halloween Celebration
Enjoy a night of spooky fun during the Halloween Celebration on Friday, October 30, 6 to 9 p.m., at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road. The event features a Haunted Scavenger Hike with costumed characters, candy, and spooky scenes along the trail, as well as Halloween crafts in the Visitor Center, raffles, community vendors, and snacks and drinks. Attendees can also learn about upcoming park programs and volunteer opportunities. Costumes are encouraged. Proceeds support Cedar Point Environmental Park and the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC). Visit checflorida.org to learn more.
Dog Bar Sarasota Halloween Party
Bring your pup for a Halloween afternoon featuring a dog costume contest, small dog races with Skyway Dachshund Rescue, photo ops, and goodie bags on Saturday, October 31, 2 to 5 p.m., at Dog Bar Sarasota, 1314 10th Street, Sarasota. The costume contest includes categories for Spookiest, Most Creative, and Best Duo or Group across size divisions. Normal dog admission and park requirements apply. For details visit dbsrq.com, call 941•444•7925 or email [email protected].
18th Annual Dog-A-Ween Costume Contest
Dress up your pet and join the Halloween parade benefitting Donte’s Den Foundation on Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Lemon Ave. and Main Street, Sarasota. Check-in runs from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Lemon Avenue, with the parade starting at 10 a.m. at Paul Thorpe Park, 135 S. Pineapple Ave. Registration is $15 per pup. For details or to preregister, visit destinationdowntownsarasota.com.
Halloween Party
Celebrate Halloween with the Rotonda American Legion Auxiliary Unit 113 on Saturday, October 31 (doors open at 4:30 p.m., dinner at 5 p.m., music from 6 to 9 p.m.), at 3436 Indiana Rd., Rotonda West. The event features live music by Panicmasters, a choice of pot roast or ham with sides for dinner, and two contests: Best Spooky Dessert and Best Costume. Admission is a $20 per person donation, with proceeds benefiting veterans, military families, and the local community. Tickets are available at the bar. For details, call 941•697•3616.
