There’s something magical about seeing Central Avenue filled with tiny witches, superheroes, dinosaurs and princesses, all headed toward their next Halloween adventure. This year, families will have even more room to play: BOO-levard of Play is returning to Halloween on Central on Sunday, October 25, from 11 am-5 pm.

Presented by Sunshine City with Kids and the Grand Central District, the Family Zone is back for its second year and expanding to two full blocks. You’ll find it in a new location along the 2600 and 2700 blocks of Central Avenue, with more shade, hands-on activities, games, entertainment, costumes, and of course, plenty of trick-or-treating opportunities for the kids.

St. Petersburg Pediatrics is sponsoring this year’s Family Zone and bringing a ton of family fun, including an interactive scavenger hunt tunnel. Families can also meet the Dr. C Manatee, the beloved mascot of St. Petersburg Pediatrics. Other participating organizations include Great Explorations Children’s Museum, NOMADstudio’s Art Bus Project, Soccer HQ, Emerson & Friends, Kids Market, Wonder Studio, The James Museum, and more! The full lineup of 2026 activities is still being announced, so there’s more to look forward to as Halloween gets closer.

BOO-levard of Play is one part of the much bigger Halloween on Central celebration. Now in its sixth year, the festival turns 22 blocks of Central Avenue into a car-free Halloween party, with local vendors, music, entertainment and costumed neighbors around every corner. The Family Zone gives little ones a place to jump into the fun at their own pace before your crew explores the rest of the festival.

As a St. Pete parent, that’s my favorite kind of Halloween outing: costumes on, kids excited, and an afternoon that feels like our whole community came out to play.

Halloween on Central runs noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 25. BOO-levard of Play will be on the 2600 and 2700 blocks of Central Avenue. For an easy trip in, PSTA says its fixed-route buses will be fare-free on event day.

Find Family Zone updates at grandcentraldistrict.org/familyzone and festival details at grandcentraldistrict.org/halloween-on-central.

Follow along with Britt at @sunshinecitywithkids on instagram to keep up with all the family friendly things to see in St. Pete and beyond.