Spooky season is here, and there’s a scary amount of Halloween events happening in Southwest Florida.
But don’t fear: We’ve narrowed everything down to the best of the best. Here are our picks for the top Halloween events happening in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and elsewhere — from trick-or-treating to haunted hikes and creepy movie nights.
Not enough? Check out our full list of Halloween events in Lee County: Your guide to haunted walks, pumpkins and more in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita, Estero
And here are more events happening in Collier County: Your guide to haunted walks, pumpkins and more in Naples, Marco
If you’re unvaccinated, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask, avoiding mass gatherings and staying at least 6 feet from others. Vaccinated people are also advised to wear masks in public, indoor places in states where COVID cases are surging. For more CDC guidelines, visit bit.ly/3fohmDC.
“THE WOMAN IN BLACK”
Florida Rep performs the classic ghost story — the second-longest-running play on London’s West End, right behind “The Mousetrap.” Oct. 26-Nov. 14. $35-$39. Masks and a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination required. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
FARMER MIKE’S HAUNTED CORN MAZE AND FALL FESTIVAL
Farmer Mike’s gets spooked up with various monsters and ghouls for this seventh annual fest, including a haunted corn maze with zombie paintball, a family-friendly “Amazing Honeybee Corn Maze,” bounce houses, crafts, vendors, a pumpkin patch and more. Every Friday through Sunday, now through Oct. 31. The haunted corn maze takes places Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are available online only this year and are available in 30-minute slots. Prices vary. Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs. 498-4576 or farmermikesupick.com
FRIGHTMARE ON 78
The annual scare fest gets an upgrade this year, including a terrifying Hike in the Woods, a Doomsday theme, a bigger haunted house with 20 rooms, and roaming creatures throughout the park grounds. Now through Oct. 31. $20 for the main event. Tickets for the Hike in the Woods are extra and cost $15. Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 574-4386 or gatormikes.com
SPOOKTACULAR DRINK & TREAT TROLLEY
Ride trolleys throughout downtown Cape Coral and stop at 10 bars, restaurants and businesses for drink and appetizer samples. Costumes are encouraged. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. $17-25. Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza (near Pinch-A-Penny) and the South Cape Hub at 909 SE 47th Terrace, No. 105. Early and late check-in from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the South Cape Hub. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations
“STAR WARS VS. HARRY POTTER”
Gulf Coast Symphony returns for its annual Symphony Spooktacular. The community orchestra performs a kid-friendly night of music from the two popular movie franchises. Audiences are encouraged to come in costume. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. $15 for adults, $5 for children. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
HAUNTED WALK
The annual Haunted Walk brings fear back to the dark, decorated trails at Calusa Nature Center. Not recommended for ages 15 and younger. 7:30-11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 22-31. $15-$20. Ticket holders must arrive at their designated arrival time. Limited to six guests per group. Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or calusanature.org/haunted-walk
OUTDOOR MOVIE: “HOCUS POCUS”
SOLD OUT Watch the witchy family classic on an outdoor screen. Bring lawn chairs, coolers and blankets. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29 (rescheduled from Oct. 28 due to expected bad weather). $12. Seating is limited. Tickets must be reserved in advance. Masks required when indoors, in bathrooms and when social distancing isn’t possible outside. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
FALL FEST AND HAUNTED MAZE
Springtime Farms Adventure Park gets spooky for a second year in a row with a pumpkin patch, a scavenger hunt, games, vendors, rides and a haunted trail, maze and hayride. Now through Oct. 31. $8-$12 for an all-day pass. Springtime Farms Adventure Park at Springtime Garden Center, 10761 Aqua Vista Lane, North Fort Myers. 309-0630 or springtimeplantfarm.com
“ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”
Do the Time Warp again as you watch the cult-classic movie musical. Admission includes a bag of Rocky Horror props for audience participation. Come dressed in “Rocky Horror” costumes and get a raffle ticket for the chance to win memorabilia. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. $15. Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org
SPOOKTACULAR NIGHT AT ESTERO PARK
This Halloween event starts with trunk or treating for the kids from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and walk from vehicle to vehicle to see the trunk decorations and collect treats. Awards will be given out for the best decorated trunks/vehicles. After that, the PG rated Scooby-Doo movie “SCOOB!” will be shown on an outdoor screen at 7:15 p.m. Free admission. Blankets and chairs are encouraged. Estero Recreation Center at Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. 533-1470 or leegov.com/parks/centers/estero
LEHIGH ACRES FIRE PREVENTION DAY/FALL FESTIVAL
Celebrate both the fall season and Fire Prevention Month. Activities include extraction demonstrations; fire prevention tips; a scarecrow contest; trick-or-treating and a costume contest for ages 13 and younger (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.); and free hot dogs, popcorn, candy and snow cones. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30. Costume contest starts at 1 p.m. Free. Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres. leegov.com/parks
BOO ‘N BREW
A family-friendly Halloween festival with truck and car shows, a beer garden, beer sampling, a kids zone, chalk art, yard games, a petting zoo, live music, food trucks, costume contests for all ages, candy, face painting and more. 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Free. The parking lot at Edison Mall, 4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. For tickets and registration, visit shopedisonmall.com.
TRICK OR TREATING
Lots of events and festivals offer trick or treating for the kids this season. Here are a few of the biggest ones:
South Cape Business Trick-or-Treat: South Cape businesses hand out candy to trick or treaters. Check the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations’ Facebook page for participating businesses. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Free. Downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations
GCTC Halloween Event: Gulf Coast Town Center celebrates Halloween with a costume contest, trick or treating, a pumpkin-decorating contest, carnival-style games and prizes, stilt walkers, a deejay, live music, sideshow acts and more family-friendly fun. 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Free. Preregistration for the costume contest required online. Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., San Carlos Park. 267-5107 or gulfcoasttowncenter.com
Koreshan State Park Trunk or Treat: Local businesses and organizations hand out treats to the kids and offer various games. Plus street food, arts, crafts and more. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. Free with park admission of $4-$5 per vehicle. Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 992-0311 or floridastateparks.org/park/Koreshan
For more trick-or-treating and Halloween events, check out our big Halloween events guide here.
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