Last checked: October 2026. Event organizers often post late, so where a 2026 date was not confirmed we describe the pattern from last year and say so.
Looking for Clearwater Halloween events, plus a few fall festivals around Tampa Bay? We host families in Largo and nearby all year, and October is one of our favorite months: the crowds are lighter, the evenings are milder and something is happening most weekends. Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the weekend of October 24 to 25, Coachman Park’s Fall-O-Ween on October 30 and Halloween itself are the ones to plan around. Here is what to look for, what to confirm, and how to build a fall trip that is not overbooked.
Clearwater Halloween events and nearby fall festivals
These recurring events are annual traditions. Fall-O-Ween is on the City of Clearwater’s 2026 calendar for October 30. For the others we show the 2025 timing as a guide, so confirm the 2026 date on each organizer’s page.
| Event | Where | What the 2025 listing showed | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halloween Spookquarium | Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage | Oct 31, 3 PM to 6 PM, included with admission | Kids who love animals |
| Fall-O-Ween | Coachman Park, downtown Clearwater | Listed on the city calendar for Oct 30, 2026 (2025 version had a costume contest, candy trail, movie and live music) | Families, early evening |
| Pumpkin Fest | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo | Oct 25, 10 AM to 2 PM, free | Toddlers and grandparents |
| Fall Festival | DK Farms, 1750 Lake Ave SE, Largo | Daily through October, paid admission | Hayrides and farm activities |
| Pumpkin Patch | Family Park at the St. Pete Pier | Oct 10 to 19, 11 AM to 9 PM, free | Photos and an easy walk |
| Trick or Treat at John’s Pass | John’s Pass Village, Madeira Beach | Oct 24, alongside the seafood festival | Waterfront evening |
| Downtown Dunedin Trick-or-Treat | Downtown Dunedin | Oct 24 | Small-town stroll |
Sources: the City of Clearwater Coachman Park events calendar (2026 Fall-O-Ween), 2025 listings compiled by Suncoast Family Fun and I Love the Burg, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium page. Confirm all 2026 dates and prices with the organizers.
Halloween at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The aquarium has run a Halloween Spookquarium in past Octobers, with the 2025 event on October 31 included with admission. The aquarium sells tickets online and gives you an entry time at the ticket counter on the third level, and tickets are valid only for the date you choose, so pick your day before you go. Their regular hours have shown as 10 AM to 5 PM, while the 2025 Spookquarium ran from 3 to 6 PM, so check the 2026 listing before you go.
Trick-or-treating in a rental neighborhood
Walking a residential street on Halloween evening is often the most relaxed option. Our homes are in residential areas with quiet hours from 9 PM to 9 AM. If you bring costumes, keep the noise to a friendly level after dark.
Fall events for adults
The 47th Clearwater Jazz Holiday takes place October 15 to 18, 2026 at Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland Street. The main stage requires tickets. The Lower Plaza, Promenade Pier Stage and Sunset Bluff are listed as free and open to the public. Kids under 12 are free with an adult general admission ticket holder. Blankets up to 6 by 8 feet and lawn chairs are allowed on the Sunset Bluff and in the general admission lawn areas only, outside food and drinks are not permitted, and all ticket sales are final.
For parking, the festival points to downtown lots and garages, and it lists the Clearwater Ferry, the Jolley Trolley and PSTA buses as alternatives. Check the lineup for the days you care about.
Sample fall weekend from Largo
- Friday: arrive, grocery shop, and keep dinner easy at the house.
- Saturday morning: Florida Botanical Gardens or DK Farms in Largo, if the pumpkin fest or farm festival is running.
- Saturday afternoon: pool time. Our heating season runs October through April, and heat pumps warm the water roughly 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above the air temperature, so a cool evening can limit it.
- Saturday evening: costumes and trick-or-treat, or a downtown event such as Dunedin. Fall-O-Ween at Coachman Park is listed for Friday, October 30.
- Sunday: a slow morning, then the Jazz Holiday if your dates match.
Drive times from our homes
| Home | To Clearwater Beach (Pier 60) | To John’s Pass Village |
|---|---|---|
| On the Creek, Largo | 19 minutes | 28 minutes |
| Goodtimes Waterfront, Largo | 21 minutes | 24 minutes |
| Tortuga Hideaway, Largo | 28 minutes | 24 minutes |
| The Salty Parrot, St. Petersburg | 32 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Indian Shores Family Oasis, Seminole | 28 minutes | 11 minutes |
Typical drive minutes listed on each home’s page. Downtown Clearwater and Largo venues are not in our data, so check a maps app for those.
Where to stay
For a family with kids, On the Creek in Largo has the backyard, a garage game room and a heated pool. For a multi-family Halloween weekend, Goodtimes Waterfront sleeps 16. Browse all Largo vacation rentals, and see our shopping and nightlife guide for evening ideas. For the John’s Pass side, Seminole homes such as Indian Shores Family Oasis are about 11 minutes away.
Halloween with little kids: a short checklist
- Pick one big event per day and keep the other half of the day free.
- Check whether the event is free, ticketed or included with admission. Last year’s Pumpkin Fest at the Botanical Gardens and the Pier pumpkin patch were free, while DK Farms charged admission.
- Bring a wagon and a light jacket for evening events.
- Confirm dates in the week you travel. Coachman Park’s calendar already lists Fall-O-Ween for October 30, but many others post late.
If it rains, see our Largo guide for ideas, and our homes with game rooms (Goodtimes Waterfront, On the Creek and Indian Shores Family Oasis) make a good backup plan.
Quick answers
Typical options include the Halloween Spookquarium at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Fall-O-Ween at Coachman Park (October 30, 2026) and the Clearwater Jazz Holiday for adults. Confirm details on the official sites.
Yes. In 2025 the St. Pete Pier ran a free pumpkin patch in October, and Central Avenue held a family Halloween afternoon. Check the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater events calendar for 2026.
It runs October 15 to 18, 2026 at Coachman Park in downtown Clearwater.
Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026, so many events cluster on the weekend of October 24 and 25.
Yes. Enter your dates on any home page to see the total price with taxes before you pay. We charge no service fee when you book direct.
Keep planning
Choose your dates, see the total price before you pay, and call or text us at +1 727-295-2319 if you want help choosing a home for a fall weekend.