If your kids are already counting down the days until they can wear their costumes, tell them they don’t have to wait much longer. Cities throughout South Florida are giving little ghouls and goblins the opportunity to show off — and collect lots of candy! — at Halloween happenings all month.
We’ve rounded up the trunk-or-treats, hometown festivals, pumpkin patches, not-so-scary haunted houses and, in true tropical style, pool parties where families can create cute core memories. You’ll even find a few events that include another important family member — your precious pups!
So, are you ready for a spooktacular season? Dust off those tote bags and jack-o-lantern buckets! Here’s where to find family-friendly treats (no tricks allowed!) and fall fun in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Cool off during The Great Pumpkin Splash at the Caporella Aquatic Center in Tamarac on Oct. 17. (City of Tamarac/Courtesy)
Broward County
Coconut Creek: Do the “Monster Mash” at the Spooktacular Halloween Dance Party from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Promenade at Coconut Creek, 4467 Lyons Road. The event will feature a costume contest, a DJ spinning Halloween music, treats, and arts and crafts for kids. Registration is required to attend. Free admission. Visit promenadeatcoconutcreek.com.
Cooper City: BrightStar Credit Union will have its annual Trunk-or-Treat celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the company’s headquarters, 3400 N. University Drive. Attendees can win prizes for best costume and best trunk. Free admission. Visit facebook.com/brightstarcu.
Coral Springs: A Halloween village with themed spaces and activities will be part of Thrills & Chills on Oct. 17, with sessions set for noon and 3 p.m. at the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive. Wear a costume and enjoy games, crafts, a glow-in-the-dark disco dance room, sensory-friendly area and DJ tunes. Candy bags will be handed out at the exit. Admission is $5 in advance or $8 the day of the event. Visit coralsprings.gov.
Coral Springs: Next Stop Broadway will present the CaBOOret: Trick or Treat Showcase at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive. Staff, students and alumni of Next Stop Broadway will perform. Wear your favorite costume and visit trick-or-treat stations. Tickets are $13. Visit thecentercs.com.
Deerfield Beach: Dare to step into the darkened trails of the Haunted Arboretum from 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23 at Constitution Park & Arboretum, 2841 W Hillsboro Road. For guests age 6 and older. Admission is $5; advance purchase required. Visit deerfield-beach.com.
Deerfield Beach: A Sensory-Friendly Trunk-or-Treat is being offered from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Butterfly Effects – ABA Therapy for Autism & National Headquarters, 350 Fairway Drive, Suite 101. There will be decorated trunks, sensory-friendly games, Halloween activities, family photo ops and treats as well as non-food items like stickers and fidget toys. Free admission. Visit butterflyeffects.com.
Fort Lauderdale: Bring your costumed kids and pets for a photo op at Pumpkins and Palm Trees, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd. With the beach as a background, enjoy music, carnival foods, market vendors and kids’ crafts. Free admission. Visit fortlauderdale.gov.
Fort Lauderdale: The city has three events planned that will transform its parks into festive fun zones on Oct. 24. First, LauderBoo comes to Snyder Park, 3299 SW Fourth Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. with carnival games, arts and crafts, bounce houses, candy, contests, music and the Native Village animal exhibition. Or head to Croissant Park, 245 W. Park Drive, from noon to 3 p.m. or Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. for games, contests and refreshments. Free admission. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.
Fort Lauderdale: Trick-or-treat at participating mall retailers during Halloween Boo Bash from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Galleria Fort Lauderdale, 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. Taking place near the food court in front of Dillard’s, the event features cookie decorating, a sticker station, Halloween ring toss, photos with Stitch and Spider-Man, and a costume contest for kids age 12 and younger. They will also collect new or gently used coats, sweaters and blankets as part of the Share The Warmth campaign, in partnership with One Warm Coat and The Salvation Army of Broward County. Free admission. Visit galleriamall-fl.com.
Fort Lauderdale: Visit a historic estate for Halloween Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 at Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, 900 N. Birch Road. They will have a pet, adult and children’s costume runway with prizes, a DJ, face painting, food trucks, snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn, plus a Trick-or-Treat Trail and photo booth. Cost is $25 adults, $8 for guests age 6 to 17, and free for kids age 5 and younger. Visit bonnethouse.org/halloween-fest.
Hallandale Beach: A Creepy Carnival Clowns Halloween Celebration is taking place in The Village at Gulfstream Park, 901 S. Federal Highway, from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24. There will be a DJ, candy stations, food trucks, outdoor bars and a beer garden, performers and interactive characters. Free admission. Visit gulfstreampark.com.
Hallandale Beach: Carnival games, music and haunted mazes await visitors at the Halloween Trail of Treats from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at OB Johnson Park, 1000 NW Eighth Ave. Food trucks will be on-site. Free admission. Visit hallandalebeachfl.gov.
Hollywood: Boo Bash returns from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23 at the ArtsPark at Young Circle, 1 Young Circle, with music and kids’ activities, followed by a costume fashion show at 7 p.m. and movie night at 8 p.m. Food will be available for purchase. Free admission. Visit hollywoodfl.org.
Make your own full-sized scarecrow during Margate’s Fall Festival on Oct. 24. (City of Margate/Courtesy)
Margate: During the city’s Fall Festival, make your own full-sized scarecrow, plus enjoy pony rides, bounce houses, a haunted house, a costume contest for all ages, a pre-carved pumpkin judging contest, among other activities. The event is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Margate Sports Complex, 1695 Banks Road. Food will be available for purchase. Then, on Oct. 29, stroll through a lineup of decorated car trunks at Trunk-or-Treat from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Margate Police Department parking lot, 5790 Margate Blvd. Come in costume and bring your own bag or basket. Admission is free for both events. Visit margatefl.com.
Oakland Park: Decorate your vehicle to participate in the trunk-or-treat at the city’s Halloween Bash on Oct. 30 at Wimberly Field, 4000 NE Third Ave. There will be costume contests for different age groups, inflatables, DJ tunes, dancing and more. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Free admission, Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.
Parkland: It’s opening weekend for the Parkland Pumpkin Patch, and festivities are set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17-18 at the Equestrian Center at Temple Park, 8350 Ranch Road. There will be hayrides, food trucks, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, and arts and crafts. Pumpkin sales benefit Food For The Poor. After this weekend, the patch will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. daily through Oct. 22. Free admission. Visit cityofparkland.org.
Parkland: Trunk-or-treat at the Halloween Festival from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Equestrian Center at Temple Park, 8350 Ranch Road. Stilt walkers, themed activities and other entertainment are part of the lineup. Food trucks will be on-site. Free admission. Visit cityofparkland.org.
Plantation: Plantation Walk, 321 N. University Drive, will be the site of the third annual Trunk or Treat Car & Truck Show, scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24. Candy will be given out at 5 p.m. The show cars and trucks will compete for the Top 5 Merchant’s Choice Trophies for Best Halloween Themed Rides. Free admission. Visit plantationwalk.com.
Plantation: The Family Fall Festival, presented by the city’s Parks & Recreation Department and Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce, comes to Volunteer Park, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17. Activities include a children’s carnival and fun zone, pony rides, petting zoo, costume contests, DJ, games, family hayride, fire exhibits, haunted house, magician, police K-9 demo and a pumpkin bucket craft. Admission is $5 for guests age 2 and older. Visit plantation.org.
Pompano Beach: Boo Bash is back from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Pompano Community Park, 1801 NE Sixth St. Presented by the Pompano Beach Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, the event includes carnival rides, hayrides, a toddler zone, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, face painting, food trucks, music, performances and more. A pie-eating contest is set for 7 p.m., followed by the Boo Bash Costume Contest at 8 p.m. Free admission. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov.
Pompano Beach: Bring your canine companion to the Horse & Hound Costume Event from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Sand & Spurs Equestrian Park, 1600 NE Fifth Ave. Enjoy hayrides, a 360-degree photo booth, food trucks and bounce houses. Free admission, Visit parks.pompanobeachfl.gov/events.
Who will you be at this year’s Halloween Hoopla? The holiday event is set for Oct. 23 at the Tamarac Park Baseball Fields. (City of Tamarac/Courtesy)
Tamarac: Jump in the pool pit during The Great Pumpkin Splash with sessions at 10 a.m. and noon Oct. 17 at the Caporella Aquatic Center, 9300 NW 58th St. Water activities, pumpkin decorating, balloon art and concessions are part of the day’s festivities. Admission is $5. Visit tamarac.me/events. Then, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Halloween Hoopla brings trick-or-treat stations, entertainment, food and vendors to the Tamarac Park Baseball Fields, 7531 N. University Drive. Other activities include arts and crafts, a bungee trampoline, laser tag and bounce houses. Free admission. Visit community.tamarac.gov.
Palm Beach County
Boca Raton: Howl-O-Ween, a Halloween party for the dogs, will be just one of many themed events during Boo-ca Boo Days at various locations in the city through Oct. 30. Other happenings include a Monster Mash swim party, Spooky Tennis, and a Ghostly Glows and Ghoulish Gases science demo. Prices, times, dates and locations vary. For the full schedule, visit myboca.us/boocaboodays.
Boca Raton: Learn about owls, toads, snakes and spiders during Daggerwing Nature Center’s annual Hoot & Howl from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30. Dress in costume and take part in games and crafts. Bring a flashlight and bug spray to explore outside along the boardwalk. The Daggerwing Nature Center is at 11435 Park Access Road. Free admission. Visit facebook.com/daggerwing.
Boca Raton: Pumpkin Palooza pops up at The Shops at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 24. Shop from a variety of pumpkins and enjoy a decorating station for kids, plus cookie decorating, photo opportunities, glitter tattoos and more. Proceeds benefit benefit Cason United Methodist Church. Free admission. Visit bocacenter.com/events.
Boynton Beach: The Pumpkin Patch Pop-Up is coming to the outdoor patio at Compson Place at Renaissance Commons, 1880 N. Congress Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 24. Pick a pumpkin for carving or decorating. Artists are available to customize purchased pumpkins with a monogram or name. All proceeds from pumpkin sales will benefit Cason United Methodist Church. Free admission. Visit compsonplaceboynton.com.
Boynton Beach: Argh you ready for Pirate Fest? It’s sailing into Centennial Park & Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 31 and noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 1. You won’t have to walk the plank to participate in activities such as the Haunted Trail, trick-or-treating, a parade, costume contest, face painting, games and pirate encampments. Visit with the mermaids and check out performances. Food and other vendors will be on-site. Free admission. Visit bbpiratefest.com.
Kids can trick-or-treat along Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach on Oct. 24. (Delray DDA/Courtesy)
Delray Beach: The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority has planned three events for families on Oct. 24. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Trick-or-Treating on the Avenue lets kids collect candy from businesses along Atlantic Avenue and Pineapple Grove. Meanwhile, KidsFest sets up at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with games, bounce houses, entertainment and food. There’s also the annual Halloween Parade at 1 p.m., with spectators lining up on Atlantic Avenue at Northeast Fifth Avenue. Free admission for all events. Visit downtowndelraybeach.com.
Delray Beach: The 15th annual BETR Project’s Witches of Delray Beach Bike Ride flies into downtown at 8 a.m. Oct. 24 with costumed participants riding 2 miles from City Hall, 100 NW First Ave., to Pineapple Grove. Awards will be given for best costume, best witch cackle, best decorated broom (bike) and best group theme. Registration is $100, which benefits the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. Visit accffl.org.
The Witches of Delray Bike Ride hits the streets of downtown on Oct. 24. (Delray DDA/Courtesy)
Delray Beach: “Error 404: Humanity Not Found” is the theme for this year’s Something Scary Block Party and Haunted House, which is taking place from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Hub at Space of Mind, 101 NW First Ave. The event raises funds for the Community Classroom Project and includes food, music and a student-designed haunted house. General admission is free. Single haunted house entry is $10 ($20 unlimited). Visit findspaceofmind.com/something-scary.
Delray Beach: The Delray Beach Historical Society’s 12th annual Fall Fest, starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at the DBHS, 3 NE First St., will be co-hosted this year with Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill. Watch “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” with free popcorn, and visit the pumpkin patch. There will also be crafts, a haunted story hour and costume contest. Tickets are $25, with free admission for kids age 12 and younger. Entry includes one free adult beverage ticket, pizza, tacos and quesadillas. Visit delraybeachhistory.org.
Greenacres: The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s Not So Scary Trunk or Treat returns to Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park, 2905 Jog Road, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Purchase a $10 wristband for the bounce house, obstacle course, balloon twist and glitter tattoo experiences. Free admission. Visit greenacresfl.gov.
Juno Beach: HallowMarine at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 U.S. Highway 1, is expanding to two days, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17-18. The fifth annual event will feature sustainable trick or treating, interactive displays, discovery shows, a junior vet lab, costume competition, parade and visits with sea turtle patients. Free admission. Visit marinelife.org/hallowmarine.
Jupiter: Feathers, Fangs, Fur & FUN lets you trick-or-treat along nature trails from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, 17855 Rocky Pines Road. The festivities include Spooky Tales Storytime, Creepy Conservation Conversation and costume parades. Free admission. Visit buschwildlife.org.
Lake Worth Beach: Put on your costume and walk from car to car to trunk-or-treat during Little Scream, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Bryant Park, 100 S. Golfview Road. Winners of the city’s Halloween Yard Decorating Contest will be announced. Free admission. Visit lakeworthbeachfl.gov.
Lantana: The town’s Haunted Nature Preserve will have guided trail tours from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23. Enjoy a DJ dance party, face painters, balloon artist, costume contest, carnival games and hayride. The Lantana Nature Preserve is at 440 E. Ocean Ave. Free admission. Visit lantana.org.
Stroll among the spooky squashes during the Pumpkin Stroll & Moonlight Concert on Oct. 24 in North Palm Beach. (Kari Barnett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
North Palm Beach: Bring a carved pumpkin for the Pumpkin Stroll & Moonlight Concert from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive. Walk along the pumpkin-lit boardwalk, view animal artifacts, and participate in a mystery box activity. Peter Troup and the Coral Rummer Band will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5. Drop off your pumpkin between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit macarthurbeach.org/event/pumpkinstroll.
Palm Beach: The Pop-Up Patch for Philanthropy is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15-18 at The Royal Poinciana Plaza’s east and west courtyards, 340 Royal Poinciana Way. Purchase a pumpkin, with proceeds benefiting the Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope. Take part in seasonal activities, garden games and the Wee Free Library featuring curated books and popsicles. Free admission. Visit theroyalpoincianaplaza.com.
Pick the perfect pumpkin during The Royal Poinciana Plaza’s Pop-Up Patch for Philanthropy. (The Royal Poinciana Plaza/Courtesy)
Palm Springs: Spooky Springs from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Village Commons Park, 226 Cypress Lane, will include trick or treating, a family-friendly movie, hayride and costume contest. Free admission. Visit vpsfl.org.
Royal Palm Beach: Two days of tribute bands highlight the Rock N’ Fall Festival at Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24. The first night includes a fun zone and carnival games, plus Aerosmith and The Cars tribute bands. The following day, look for axe throwing, bounce houses, pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, costume contests and a Led Zeppelin tribute band. Free admission. Visit royalpalmbeachfl.gov.
Wellington: Haunted Hallways is back at the annual Fall Festival from 3 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 at Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road. Festivalgoers will also find costume contests, bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, a DJ, dancing, Dryvebox Mobile Golf & Games, HADO Halloween Battle, hayrides, laser tag, petting zoo, a pie-eating contest, trick or treating (while supplies last) and vendors. Admission is free, but an unlimited, all-access bracelet is required for activities. Cost is $7 for children and $5 for adults through Oct. 16, then $10 for children and $5 adults at the door. Buy them at Village Park and at Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., or online at wellingtonfl.gov/civicrec. Visit wellingtonfl.gov/fallfestival.
Trick-or-treat in the historic Yesteryear Village during Spookyville at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach this month. (Spookyville/Courtesy)
West Palm Beach: On select days from Oct. 17 to 31, Spookyville opens at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., with trick or treating, costume contests, food trucks, vendors, a petting zoo, family photo ops, DJ Mark and other entertainment. Costume parades take place on Sundays. The grounds are open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Oct. 16, admission is $9 for adults and $13.50 for children. Regular admission is $10 for adults and $15 for children starting Oct. 17 online and at the gate. Children age 1 and younger enter free of charge. Visit spookyvilleyyv.com.