Get your Halloween costumes and walkin’ boots ready: St. Pete’s biggest street party is ready to take over the town. Halloween on Central is back in St. Pete for 2026, filling up Central Avenue with a gigantic and free street carnival this Sunday, October 25, from 12-5 p.m.
The sprawling celebration, which has become the city’s biggest single-day event and one of the biggest Halloween parties in the country, will shut down nearly two miles of Central Avenue to traffic, creating a candy-filled oasis for pedestrians running through the heart of St. Pete. While the streets are closed, the Tampa Bay Rays are offering free parking in specific lots (map below) at Tropicana Field and PSTA is providing free rides on the SunRunner. Conveniently, the party takes place on an off day for the Rays in the World Series.
Central Avenue will be closed to cars from MLK Jr Street (9th Street) to 31st Street, transforming the thoroughfare into a massive showcase of all things St. Pete. The streets and sidewalks will be filled with food trucks, performers, artists, local makers and vendors, and neighborhood bars, restaurants and shops showcasing their wares. There are also dozens of candy stops along the way. You can find the entertainment schedule below, and be sure to check out the two-block-long family friendly section, BOO-levard of Play.
Co-sponsored by the City of St. Pete and partners like T-Mobile, EDGE Collective, Busch Gardens and more, this year’s rendition is slated to be the largest ever. This year’s Halloween On Central is emphasizing local art and artists, making special placements for area artists and their work along the festival route.
St. Pete’s biggest Halloween celebration
Halloween on Central is a family-friendly event and is completely free to attend. PSTA is offering free rides on the SunRunner all day, with multiple stops on 1st Avenue North and South offering easy access to the festivities no matter where you park. The Rays have made free parking available at Tropicana Field this year, and the festival conveniently lands on a designated off day for the MLB World Series.
Attendees may use scooters, bikes, and skateboards to commute to this event and along the event route, but are asked to observe a 5 MPH speed limit inside the event.
The streets will be lined with fun from one end to the other, but there are a few areas in particular to keep an eye out for:
Boo-Levard of Play Family Zone: Kid-friendly fun, trick-or-treating, games, entertainment in partnership with Sunshine City With Kids. 2600-2700 Blocks
Sensory Area: Neurodivergent and stimuli sensitive area with activities, toys, break areas, more. 2701 Central Ave
Kooky Spooky EDGE District – Shopping, entertainment, fun, games, dancing, music. 8th St – 16th St
Voodoo Vendor Village – Sprawling local vendor market (100+ makers) curated by LocalShops1. 1600-2100 Central Ave
Beer Garden: Find cool adult beverages to keep spirits going. 23rd St S
Ferg’s Football Party: Yes, it’s Halloween, but there are still games on. 1320 Central Ave
Of course, half the fun is just strolling through and visiting the booths and shops along the way. It’s a great way to check out all the new shops and restaurants that have opened along Central in the last year, and it’s also an excuse to visit some of your old favorites.
All the stores, restaurants and bars along the way go all out for the occasion, so be sure to check in with your favorites to see what fun they have planned. From sales and specials to costume contests and pet-themed activities, there’s something for everyone.
For the businesses involved, Halloween On Central presents an opportunity for EDGE and Grand Central shops and restaurants to welcome people who might not otherwise find their way through the door, providing tremendous exposure to the 125,000+ locals who attend annually.
More information, as well as a full event map, can be found at halloweenoncentral.com.
