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Guide to Fall Activities in Tampa: 2025 Edition

Fall in Tampa means sunny days, cooler evenings, and a calendar packed with events that bring our community together. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly pumpkin painting, thrilling nights to celebrate Halloween, live music with friends, or local markets for holiday gifting, Tampa is the place to be!

Here’s your updated 2025 guide with top picks for fall activities in Tampa so you can start planning now.

Please note that all dates, times, and pricing are subject to change. It’s a good idea to double-check the websites before heading out the door, especially for last-minute changes.

Annual Fall Festivals and Local Favorites

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens

A Tampa fall tradition, Howl-O-Scream transforms Busch Gardens into a nighttime playground for thrill-seekers. Haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment, and pulse-pounding rides set the stage for an unforgettable Halloween event.

  • Dates: Select nights from September 5 – November 2, 2025
  • Times: Gates open at 5 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m.
  • Tickets: Starting at $37.99 (group pricing available)

Fall Family Fest at Water Works Park

If you prefer a day that’s more smiles than screams, Tampa’s Fall Family Fest brings together local vendors, food trucks, games, and activities for all ages. Hosted by the Tampa Bay Moms Group, this event is perfect for soaking up the season with the whole family (and getting those zoomies out). There is also a corn maze and a bounce house!

  • Date: September 27, 2025, at Water Works Park, Tampa
  • Times: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Tickets: Free admission! Attend with RSVP

Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Creatures of the Night returns to ZooTampa for 2025, bringing family-friendly Halloween fun with a slightly spooky twist. Guests can explore themed outdoor areas, meet mischievous characters, sample seasonal treats from food vendors, and enjoy festive activities perfect for all ages.

  • Dates: Select nights starting September 27 – October 2025 from 4 p.m.to 10 p.m. (Zoo member preview night on September 26)
  • Location: ZooTampa at Lowry Park
  • Tickets: From $29.95 – $34.95 after 4 p.m.

Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Florida

This is Halloween, LEGO style! Everything is awesome at the Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. This event packs the weekends with spooky building activities, trick-or-treating at more candy stations than ever, and brand-new character meet-and-greets. Halloween costumes encouraged, fun guaranteed. Don’t miss out on the award-winning Monster Skytacular drone show!

  • Dates: Select dates and weekends, starting September 20 – November 2, 2025
  • Location: LEGOLAND Florida Resort, 1 LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven
  • Tickets: Included with daily park admission!

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail (Not For the Faint at Heart!)

If you’re ready for spine-tingling scares in an outdoor setting, Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail delivers. Located just outside Tampa in Plant City, this immersive Halloween experience features multiple haunted trails, a haunted hayride, escape games, and laser tag, each with its own storyline and frights around every corner. It’s a great option if you want a more theatrical, in-the-woods kind of scare compared to traditional haunted houses. Recommended for kids 12 and up. 

P.S. They’re looking for volunteer actors. Someone’s gotta do it!

  • Dates: Select nights September 26 – November 1, 2025
  • Location: 2837 S Frontage Rd, Plant City, FL
  • Tickets: You must purchase tickets in advance of the 2025 season – it’s that popular!

Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration at Busch Gardens

Weekends at Busch Gardens take a sweet turn during Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration. Kids can visit trick-or-treat stations throughout the park, meet costumed characters (including Sesame Street friends), and enjoy seasonal games. Note that the dates need updating on their site, but as far as I know, it’s still happening, along with all the other fun activities at Busch Gardens!

  • Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, September 7 – October 27, 2025
  • Times: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Tickets: Cost included with theme park admission.

Trick or Treat on the Riverwalk

The Friends of the Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat event returns with a twist! This year’s festivities take place at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. Expect decorated stations, candy giveaways (arrive at 3:45 p.m. to snag a free treat bag), and plenty of photo opportunities. Free admission!

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Location: Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park (New location for 2025!)
  • Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Free treat bag at 3:45 p.m. while supplies last)

Late-Fall Local Gatherings & Markets

Tampa Fall & Pre-Holiday Market

Over 200 vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and endless browsing opportunities make the Tampa Fall & Pre-Holiday Market a must-visit for anyone who loves shopping locally and enjoys a free community event (pre-registered). Shop all your Thanksgiving and winter holiday decor, and find that special local gift you can’t find anywhere else right here in Tampa.

  • Dates & Times: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 19, 2025, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Location: Florida State Fairgrounds – Special Events Center
  • Tickets: Free with online registration, $5 at the door

Tampa Home & Garden Show

For homeowners—or future homeowners—the Home & Garden Show is packed with inspiration for upgrades, renovations, and landscaping ideas. It’s also a great way to connect with local vendors and design professionals.

  • Dates: October 18 – 19, 2025
  • Tickets: Free!
  • Times: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For Book Lovers & Culture Buffs

YA by the Bay Book Festival

Readers of all ages (especially teens) can enjoy author talks, book signings, and workshops at the YA by the Bay Book Festival. Held at the Tampa Convention Center, this event brings the literary community together. If your child loves to read or you want to encourage it, this is a great event to attend.

  • Dates: September 25 – 26, 2025
  • Location: Tampa Convention Center

Annual Arts Festival

Celebrate Tampa’s vibrant arts scene at the Annual Arts Festival hosted by the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. Enjoy a weekend of live music, theater, dance, comedy, and visual arts, all in one creative space. Bonus: a petting zoo, food trucks, and a screening of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! Admission is free, making it a perfect way to explore local talent without spending a dime.

  • Dates: September 12 – 14, 2025 (Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday)
  • Location: New Tampa Performing Arts Center

Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival

Coffee lovers and art enthusiasts unite at the Tampa Bay Coffee & Art Festival. Sip expertly brewed coffee while browsing local art, meeting creators, and enjoying a relaxed community vibe. Plan for a full day of caffeinated creativity from morning to early evening.

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Location: Florida State Fairgrounds
  • Time: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Tickets: $30 – $40 (early bird discounts available)

Lure of Florida Fishing Exhibit at Tampa Bay History Center

Dive into Florida’s angling history at the Lure of Florida Fishing exhibit, showcasing vintage gear, stories, and cultural traditions tied to the sport. While not a one-day event, it’s a unique fall outing that blends education and local heritage.

  • Dates: Opens August 23, 2025 – January 11, 2026
  • Location: Tampa Bay History Center

Concerts & Big Name Shows

Tampa’s fall concert lineup is stacked with artists, making it easy to pair your favorite music with a night out.

For ticket details and pricing, check out the venue’s official events page.

Calling All Sports Fans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home Games

For football fans, consider catching a Buccaneers game. Notably, they host the Super Bowl champion Eagles (September 28), 49ers (October 12), and Patriots (November 9) at Raymond James Stadium. And don’t miss the Buccaneers’ 50th Season “Creamsicle” uniform throwback home opener game on September 21st! 

Pumpkin Patches & Seasonal Favorites

Looking for hayrides, pumpkin picking, or classic fall photo backdrops? Say no more. Check out Tampa Bay Parenting’s complete list of 2025 pumpkin patches, haunted houses, corn mazes, and fall festivals. It’s updated regularly so that you won’t miss new additions. Note: there are more than 20 (!), so you may want to narrow it down.

Pick Your Perfect Pumpkin Patch In Tampa

Let’s Find Your Perfect Home In Tampa (Or Just Call Me For Tampa Resources!)

Mark your calendars and grab your tickets early, because these popular events sell out fast, and planning ahead means you’ll get the best seats, the best experiences, and the best memories. From high-energy concerts and spooky nights to leisurely market strolls and family-friendly festivals, there’s never a shortage of fun things to do in Tampa. With so much happening, the hardest part is deciding where to start.
And if you find yourself falling in love with Tampa all over again this season, I know a great local real estate agent who can help you find a place to call home 😉 As a third-generation Tampa native and a trusted real estate agent with over 20 years of experience, I know every corner of the city and all the hotspots. I am happy to guide you to a home that’s just right for you. Call me today, and we can start looking at your new home as early as tomorrow!

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