Get those costumes ready—Halloween fun kicks off early this year! From Oct. 24 through Halloween night, neighborhoods and community spots will be hosting kid-friendly trick-or-treat events. It’s all about costumes, candy, and spooky fun in safe, family-friendly settings.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Treat at City Center
The City of North Port and Suncoast Credit Union invite families to the annual Trick or Treat at City Center on Friday, October 24, from 5 to 8pm at the City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port. This community tradition features the Pumpkin Trail with festive, kid-friendly Halloween displays and plenty of candy along the walking paths. A special low-sensory time will be offered at 4:30pm for those who prefer to enjoy the fun without loud music or flashing lights. Bring your own bags! For event details and safety alerts, visit northportfl.gov or text GOBLIN25 to 888-777.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Oct. Trunk or Treat at GCUMC
Try out your Halloween costumes at the Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 25, from 4 to 6pm at Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, 1100 South McCall Road in the Gulf Cove area of Port Charlotte. Enjoy a bounce house, food, candy, and plenty of fun—all free! For details call 941•697•1747.
Halloween Drive-Thru
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office invites the community to its Sixth Annual Halloween Drive-Thru on Saturday, October 25, from 6 to 8pm at the agency headquarters, 6010 Cattleridge Boulevard, Sarasota. Families will enter from Cattleridge Boulevard between Arby’s restaurant and the BP convenience store, then head north toward the event area. Because this is a drive-thru, there will be no on-site parking and attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles. Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman shared that the event offers “an easy, safe, quick, and fun experience” while allowing the agency’s specialty units to connect with residents. Visitors can look forward to costumes, decorations, K-9s, mounted patrol, and nearly 100,000 pieces of candy. For details, contact the Community Affairs Office at 941•861•4005.
Sunday, October 26
Englewood Methodist Church
Join the folks at Englewood Methodist Church for their annual trunk or treat. Sunday Oct. 26 from 4-6. 700 E Dearborn St
Spooktacular at Selby
Spooktacular takes over the Downtown Sarasota campus of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, on Sunday, October 26, from 10am to 1pm. Families are invited to enjoy a Halloween-inspired day filled with trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, fun and educational activities, and storytelling. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and bring their own trick-or-treat bags to collect goodies. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Spooktacular is included with general admission. To learn more visit selby.org or call 941•366•5731.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Celebrate Halloween With Mote!
On Tuesday, October 28, from 3:30 to 5:30pm, celebrate the Halloween season with Mote’s Deep SEA Fish, Fun and Fright (Before You Trick-or-Treat)! As an addition to your Mote SEA admission ticket, enjoy a family-friendly, glowing undersea adventure — perfectly timed before families head to Nathan Benderson Park’s Trick-or-Treat on the Lake. The costume party will feature a Glow with the Flow Zone, DJ, candy and eco stations, glow-in-the-dark face painting, and interactive science activities with Mote Education. After the party, head to Nathan Benderson Park to visit Mote’s deep–sea–themed booth. Admission is $10 per person (ages 3 and up) in addition to a Mote SEA admission ticket for October 28. The event takes place at Mote Science Education Aquarium, 225 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. For details, call 941•388•6683 or visit mote.org.
Trunk-or-Treat with KW Coastal Living
Bring your little ghosts and goblins for a spooktacular evening on Tuesday, October 28, from 4 to 7pm at KW Coastal Living, 1815 Englewood Road. Enjoy a safe, family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring decorated trunks, candy and goodies, games, music, photo ops, and more! Everyone is encouraged to come in costume and join the fun with KW Coastal Living agents as they hand out treats and spread community cheer. Admission is free and open to the public.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
LBHS Theatre Trunk or Treat
Get ready for a night of spooky family fun at Lemon Bay High School’s Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 30, from 6 to 8pm at Lemon Bay High School, 2201 Placida Road, Englewood. Enjoy decorated trunks filled with treats, carnival games, face painting, balloon animals, and a meet & greet with spooky characters and famous villains! Costumes are encouraged for this safe, fun-filled evening of Halloween excitement. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Spooktacular Trunk or Treat at Aston Gardens
Join Aston Gardens Independent and Assisted Living Community for a festive evening of Halloween fun at their Spooktacular Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 30, at 6:30pm, located at 1000 Aston Gardens Drive, Venice. Neighborhood trick-or-treaters are invited to celebrate alongside residents with decorated trunks, a hayride adventure, and plenty of free candy for all the little ghosts and goblins. Come in costume, bring your smiles, and enjoy a night of treats, laughter, and community spirit. For details, call 941•564•4042.
FRIDAY,OCTOBER31
Halloween Safewalk
Old Englewood Village Association hosts the 30th Annual Halloween Safewalk on Friday, October 31, from 5 to 7pm along West Dearborn Street in Englewood. The street will close at 4pm from McCall Road to Cedar Street for this free, family-friendly community event providing a safe venue for trick-or-treating and Halloween fun. Visit oldeenglewood.com to learn more.
Spooky Mark Twain Lane, Rotonda West
Neighbors go all out with Halloween decorations and treats. Trick-or-treaters are welcome Oct. 31 starting at 5 p.m., until the candy’s gone!
Fellowship Church of Englewood, Rotonda West
Trunk or Treat 5-7 , Oct. 31. A fun, free event for kids of all ages. Stop by for some candy and fun! 140 Rotonda Blvd W.
Rotonda Hills Golf Club
Get your costumes ready for a fun and festive Halloween celebration at the Rotonda Hills Club parking lot, 100 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda! Families are invited to enjoy a safe, walk-up trick-or-treat event filled with candy, costumes, and community spirit. The event takes place Friday, October 31, from 5 to 7pm. Bring your trick-or-treat bags and enjoy a sweet start to Halloween night!
Downtown Halloween Strut
All ages are invited to show off their costumes in Downtown Venice for the Halloween Strut on Friday, October 31, from 4 to 6pm! Enjoy trick-or-treating at participating locations along Tampa, Venice, and Miami Avenues, and groove to kid-friendly music with DJ Steve during the Trunk-or-Treat in the Merchants of Venice building parking lot, 200 Miami Avenue West (next to Mothers Cupboard Spice Shoppe and The Island Bookshop). For details, visit Visit VeniceFL.org.
Halloween at The Ringling
Celebrate “Halloween at The Ringling” with an evening of family-friendly fun featuring trick-or-treating in the courtyard, guides highlighting not-too-spooky paintings in the art galleries, a seek-and-find adventure, prizes, artmaking, and a food truck. The event takes place on Friday, October 31, from 4:30 to 7:30pm at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item for All Faiths Food Bank. For details call 941•359•5700 or visit ringling.org.
