Starting to lose track of all the Halloween events popping up for the start of spooky season? You’re not alone. Ahead of the year’s most frighteningly fun weekends, Keys Weekly offers this roundup of options in town (and a little south), most of which are suitable for costume aficionados young and old.
What: Fall Festival and Grasstoberfest
When: Thursday, Oct. 10 – Sunday, Nov. 10
Where: The Lagoon on Grassy Key & Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden
Details: From a pumpkin patch to haunted hayrides to stein holding competitions, the Lagoon and Bongo’s are packing in all the fall vibes. With activities every day – ranging from family-friendly to thrillingly spooky – they’ll have something for everyone all month long. For a complete event schedule, visit “The Lagoon on Grassy Key” on Facebook.
What: Witches in the Hammock
When: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, 6:30-9 p.m.
Where: Crane Point Museum & Nature Center
Details: Join Crane Point for its annual Witches in the Hammock event. Take a lantern walk through the hammock to a haunted house and watch the witches who live there dance around the fire pit. Have some witches’ brew and ride back to the Crane Point courtyard for all kinds of spooky games. Casper’s house will also be open for a visit with the friendly ghost. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children. Adult beverages are available for purchase along with hot dogs, chili dogs, corn dogs and roasted corn.
What: Stanley Switlik’s Spooktacular Halloween Carnival
When: Sunday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Stanley Switlik Elementary School
Details: Head over to Switlik for the school’s annual Halloween carnival. Feel free to wear a costume and join the parade at 12:30 p.m. The day includes candy, games, food, crafts, music, a bounce house, the famed cake walk, a silent auction and more.
What: Boo Bash Costume Contest
When: Friday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. (costume contest 7 p.m.)
Where: Havana Jack’s Oceanside Restaurant, 401 E Ocean Dr., Key Colony Beach
Details: Cool prizes and bragging rights are up for grabs at the 2024 Boo Bash Costume Contest. Come in your best costume and prepare for a night of spooky fun as you compete to win a two-night villa stay at Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel. All ages welcome. Proceeds go to benefit Presents in Paradise, which helps local working families provide Christmas for their kids. Live music by the Lady A Band, a 50/50 raffle, celebrity judges and scary drink specials will combine to guarantee a frighteningly fun evening.
What: Halloween Kids Costume Run
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.
Where: 1155 Bulevar de Palmas, Marathon
Details: HapynKeys Running’s annual Halloween costume run is back. The 1-mile run will take participants around a local neighborhood loop, and the event will include refreshments, snacks and best-costume and top-runner prizes.
What: Trick or Treat at Aquarium Encounters
When: Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.
Where: Aquarium Encounters, 11710 Overseas Hwy.
Details: Kids in costume will receive free admission to Aquarium Encounters and candy with a paying adult or member. Trick or treat and play games at the exhibits at the aquarium. While supplies last.
What: City of Marathon’s Trunk or Treat
When: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Marathon Community Park
Details: Come join the Marathon Parks & Rec department for its annual Trunk or Treat celebration. Bring your trick-or-treat bags and head to the park fields to see displays – and grab plenty of candy – from community organizations. The evening will also feature kids’ games in the park and more. To enter the trunk decorating contest, contact blyers@ci.marathon.fl.us.
What: 16th annual City of Marathon employee costume contest
When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy.
Details: Come see all the employee costumes and cast your votes. Cost is $1 per vote. All proceeds will be donated to Marathon Community Theatre.
What: Gulfside Village Trick or Treat
When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gulfside Village, 5800 Overseas Hwy.
Details: Annual Trick or Treat Halloween party at Gulfside Village. Come enjoy the fun in the fresh outdoors. Candy donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at Flowers By J&J. Any business or organization that would like to set up a table or donate candy may contact Flowers By J&J to reserve a spot. Call 305-743-5459 or email danielle@keysflowers.com.
What: Grassy Key Halloween
When: Thursday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m.
Where: Grassy Key on Goodley, Gibson, Bailey and the west end of Morton Street.
Details: Please join the Grassy Key community in passing out candy for trick-or-treaters! All are welcome. Neighbors from outside the listed streets are welcome to set up trick or treat tables at Sunset Park on Morton Street.
What: Trick or Treating Behind the Airport
When: Thursday, Oct. 31, starting at dark
Where: Neighborhood off Aviation Blvd. between Dolphin Dr. and Harbor Dr.
Details: Come join the fun for Marathon’s traditional behind-the-airport trick-or-treating! MCSO deputies will be controlling traffic in the area from 6 to 11 p.m. Please note that a one-way traffic pattern will be established according to the map shown here. Parking is prohibited on Aviation Boulevard, but ample parking is available on Gulfstream Boulevard.
