Want to get scared? Here's a list of Halloween events.
Prepare to be scared.
Halloween is almost here, and that means Southwest Florida is crawling with all sorts of creepy characters: Zombies, ghosts, ghouls, chain saw murderers, killer clowns, you name it.
They're all gathered at spooky spots like JetBlue Park, Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball and Family Fun Park and Calusa Nature Center.
And there are more than just haunted houses, walks and hayrides. This year's offerings include kid-friendly events, ghost tours and more highbrow affairs such as two scary art exhibits and The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra providing the soundtrack to the Hitchcock movie "Psycho."
Read on, if you dare.
Ongoing
• Mike Greenwell's 23rd Annual Haunted Hike Can you escape the asylum? The 23rd annual outdoor scare-fest takes place 7-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday through Oct. 31. $10 general admission, $15 fast pass. $2 for parking. Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball and Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 574-4386 or greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com
• Field of Screams Village and Haunted Hayride Take a spooky hayride through a haunted JetBlue Park and experience scary activities in the Field of Screams village, including a live execution, bizarre side-show entertainment, the Vortex amusement ride, vendors, food and more. Takes place sundown until 11:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through Oct. 31. Tickets are $15 online, $25 at the gate. JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway S. Drive, south Fort Myers. 274-0001 or fearatfenwaysouth.com
• Heavy Metal Illustrator Seldon Hunt Brooklyn illustrator Seldon Hunt displays new watercolors and prints featuring colorful ghouls, hags, witches, skeletons and pig-faced demons. Hunt has created album covers and other work for metal bands Isis, Monster Magnet, Neurosis, High on Fire, Melvins, Pelican, Nachtmystium and more. The Hunt exhibit continues through Oct. 30. Free admission. HOWL Gallery, 4160 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. 332-0161 or howlgallery.com
• Dark Art Exhibit The spooky exhibit was part of last week's annual Zombicon festival, but it continues through Oct. 31. Free admission. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and by appointment on weekends. Tincture Gallery, 1412 Dean St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-2230 or facebook.com/tincturegallery
• Haunted Walk Strange, mutant animals prowling the nature center grounds in this annual Halloween event that's not appropriate for children. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. 7:30-10 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. $10. Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or calusanature.org
• Fall and Halloween Festival This daily festival features hayrides, a huge pumpkin patch, bounce houses, family activities, games, face painting, the "Halloween Express" train and a display of more than 30 creative scarecrows entered into the festival's annual "Scarecrows in the Park" contest. 6-9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. weekends through Oct. 31. Free admission (parking is $2). Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers. 533-7575 or leeparks.org
• Haunted History Tours Come hear about reputed paranormal activity in downtown Fort Myers homes and office buildings. Tour is 70 minutes and delves into the darker, more sinister side of our local history. $13 plus tax.8 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. True Tours, 2200 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 945-0405 or truetours.net
• Scream on the Green Halloween Walk Meander through a "haunted" golf course in this new event. 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Oct. 31. $3 admission (get $1 off by donating a canned food item for Lehigh Community Services). Free parking. Plus there will be free trick-or-treating from 7-10 p.m. on Halloween night. Open to all ages. Copperhead Golf Club, 20910 Copperhead Drive, Lehigh Acres. 369-6161 or facebook.com/LehighRotary
Today
• Family Halloween Event Stroll down the center's spooky haunted walk. There will be crafts, activities, candy, food and more. 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. $3 admission. Families can register to get a free pumpkin for the pumpkin-decorating contest (limited quantities). Collier County Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. 252-4180
• Zombie Con Halloween Party With Kim Jenkins It's a zombie invasion at this Lake Kennedy Senior Center party! Entertainer Kim Jenkins performs. People are encouraged to come dressed as zombies. Appetizers and beverages (iced tea and water) will be available. You can also bring your own alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 6:30 p.m. $15 ($10 for center members).Lake Kennedy Senior Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. 574-0575
• Fall Fair This fair features handcrafted fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas items. Includes shell art, soft sculpture, quilts, jewelry, books, vintage items and Studio 56 Snow Village Collectibles. Plus home-baked breads, cookies, pies and cakes, a coffee café, raffles and door prizes. Benefits the Diocese of Venice. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Church of the Resurrection Women's Guild Parish Center, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, south Fort Myers. 481-7171
• Petco Pet Halloween Costume Contest Registration and check-in for the annual event is 5:30-7 p.m. The contest begins at 7 p.m. Pets dress in costumes and compete for prizes including a Petco gift basket, a "Dine Around Gulf Coast" package and a "Shop Around Gulf Coast" package. The event also features performances by Gulf Coast Music School from 6:15-6:45 pm and Bourne 2 Dance from 7:30-8:00 pm. Free. Market Plaza at Gulf Coast Town Center. 10037 Gulf Center Drive, San Carlos Park. 432-2869 or GulfCoastTownCenter.com
• Haunted House for a Cause This haunted house has an "Alice in Zombieland" theme. Organizers are accepting donations for the Animal Refuge Center and Community Cooperative Ministries Inc. See the website for organization wish lists. 7-11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 24-26, and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2 (not open on Halloween night). $5 admission with donation, $7 without donation. Taekwondo United, 16964 Alico Mission Way, Unit #210, Fort Myers. 822-6544 or tkdunited.com/hh
Saturday
• Friendly Forest Calling all ghosts and goblins, ages 10 and younger. This kid-friendly annual event features games, crafts and candy for all costumed participants. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 25-26. Free with paid admission to the museum ($5). Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or calusanature.org
• Harney Point Cape Coral Kiwanis KidsFest This 17th annual event includes live entertainment, pony rides, book-bag giveaways for kids and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Jaycee Park, 4215 S.E. 20th Place/Beach Parkway, Cape Coral. 542-4733 or facebook.com/HarneyPointOfCapeCoralKiwanisKidsFest/info
• Halloween Monster Mash This family Halloween event includes face painters, balloon artists, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, free photos in front of a spooky Halloween backdrop and the chance to meet the wild animals from Kowiachobee Animal Preserve. Stop by participating merchants for sweet treats. 1-4 p.m. Free. Village on Venetian Bay, 4200 Gulf Shore Blvd., Naples. 403-2218 or venetianvillage.com
• Safe Trick or Treating Kids can dress up early and get candy handed out by local businesses and organizations. Plus there will be games with prizes, pumpkins, gourds, kettle corn, funnel cakes and more. 3-6:30 p.m. Free with park admission ($5 per vehicle or $4 per person). Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 992-0311 or floridastateparks.org/koreshan
• LCEC Goblin Gallop 5K The third-annual race invites runners to show up in costume. 7:30-9:30 a.m. $30. There are also races for teens and younger kids. All proceeds benefit the United Way. Jim Jeffers Park, 2817 S.W. 3rd Lane, Cape Coral. 656-2226 or https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/CapeCoral/LCEC5KRunWalk
• Hallo'Tween Party This wild outdoor party at 'Tween Waters Inn features outrageous costumes and live rock, blues and dance music by Deb and the Dynamics. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $15 at the door. Ages 21 and older. Winner of the costume contest gets $1,000. 'Tween Waters Inn, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva Island. 800-223-5865 or tween-waters.com
• Trunk Or Treat This community event offers a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Bring the kids in costume and trick-or-treat from car to car or join the festivities by becoming a "trunker." Trunkers arrive early, park, decorate their vehicle trunks and hand out goodies to the kids. The event also features holiday-themed games, a bounce house, face-painting and prizes. 7-9 p.m. Admission is $1. Fort Myers Aquatic Center, 1750 Matthew Drive, Fort Myers. 321-7553 or facebook.com/FMRecreation
Sunday
• Gulf Coast Symphony Halloween Spooktacular The fun begins in the lobby where children can participate in a costume contest with prizes, safe trick-or-treating, Halloween arts and crafts, and the Gulf Coast Symphony's Musical Discovery Zone, which allows children to get close and try different instruments of the orchestra. The program then moves into the concert hall for a 50-minute performance of ghoulishly good music led by Maestro Andrew Kurtz. 1-3 p.m. $10. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 Edison Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or GulfCoastSymphony.org
• Howl-o-Ween Goes to the Hounds This dog costume contest begins at 2 p.m. Registration from 12:30-1:45 p.m. $10 fee to enter your dog. Benefits The Gulf Coast Humane Society. Fleamasters Fleamarket, 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fort Myers. 334-7001 or fleamall.com.
• Safe Trunk or Treat This kids event includes face painting, games, a child-friendly haunted walk, classic cars, a 4 p.m. children's parade and, of course, lots of candy. 2-6 p.m. Free. Cape Coral Masonic Lodge #367, 244 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral. 242-2262
Tuesday
• Horror Movie Special Effects Workshop Learn to do your own special effects and makeup from professional Leo Navarro — just in time for your Halloween costume. The one-day workshop includes makeup application, costume design, silicone application and more. 6:30-10 p.m. $60 ($45 for nonmembers). Registration fee doesn't include supplies, which can be purchased at The Halloween Mega Store in Fort Myers. For a list of supplies, visit artinlee.org. Lee County Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
Thursday
• Mike Greenwell's 23rd Annual Safe Trick or Treat This is a free event for kids 12 and younger. Parking is $2. Come in costume and bring along your goodie bags. Pet food donations will be accepted for local shelters. Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball and Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 574-4386 or greenwellsfamilyfunpark.com
Friday, Oct. 31
• Spooktacular on Fifth This fourth-annual event features trick or treating, costume contests for all ages (and dogs, too), spooky movies, live music, a street dance, face painting, kids crafts, a "Night at the Museum" haunted house at The von Liebig Art Center, and the new Zombie Dash run. 4:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Fifth Avenue South, downtown Naples. 692-8436
• Howl-O-Ween KIDding Around Enjoy Halloween-inspired fun, tricks, treats, a bounce house, arts and crafts, free face painting and more. 6-8 p.m. Free. Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers. 489-1221 or http://thebelltowershops.com
• Naples Orchestra Scores "Psycho" The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra provides the music to a digitally restored version of the classic Hitchcock thriller, shown on an enormous screen in Hayes Hall. 8 p.m. $15-45. Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 597-1900 or artisnaples.org/events/psycho
• Tract-n-Treat This free event includes bounce houses, an obstacle course, a wacky slide, games, a hay ride and lots of candy. 6-8 p.m. Free. First Baptist Church of Alva, 2790 Joel Blvd., Alva. 728-2034 or alvabaptist.com
• Fright Night Costume Contest Radio personality Babs from The Wild Bunch on B103.9 FM hosts this costume contest with cash prizes including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place. Contestants must be 21 or older. Masks or anything else covering the head or face is prohibited. 7:30 p.m. Free. Seminole Casino Immokalee, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 800-218-0007 or seminoleimmokaleecasino.com
• A Nightmare on Third Street This haunted house has been operating at a private home in the Fort Myers Shores community since 2005. The 10th anniversary event includes trick or treating and a haunted walk. 7-11 p.m. Free (donations appreciated). Takes place at 13431 Third St. in Fort Myers Shores. anightmareonthirdstreet.com
• Monster Bash Join the party monsters for food, fun and surprises at Fathoms Restaurant & Bar. Local band Remedy provides the music. Chefs Fabrice Deletrain and Ben Voisin present frightful food such as squid-ink pasta and pumpkin risotto. Plus there will be costume contest where people compete for a Fathoms gift certificate. 6-11 p.m. Free admission. There will also be trick or treating for kids throughout the Gulf Harbour shops from 6-10 p.m.Fathoms Restaurant & Bar, 5785 Cape Harbour Drive in Cape Harbour, Cape Coral. 542-0123 or fathomsrestaurant.com
• Family-Friendly Boo Bash on Halloween at Waterside Shops Children young and old are invited to participate in the fun festivities. Guests are encouraged to come in costume to trick-or-treat. Kids can fill up their Halloween bags with candy provided by Waterside Shops. The event will include family-oriented games, stilt walkers and more. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Waterside shops, 5415 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. 598-1605 or watersideshops.com.
• Family Fun Night in East Naples Families can take a break from the Halloween festivities and enjoy a dunk tank, water slides, an obstacle course, carnival games, a climbing rock wall and more. WAY-FM will hold its road show there, and the fire department will demonstrate rescue techniques with the jaws of life. No costume needed.. 6-9 p.m. Bible Life Church, 8882 Collier Blvd., Naples. 628-9596 or FamilyFunNaples.com
• Spooky Halloween Spectacular Fun, family-friendly Halloween party with games for kids of all ages. Games include Count Dracula's Costume Contest, Pin The Smile on a Skeleton and The Mummy Shuffle. Pizza and snacks will also be served. 4-5:30 p.m. Family Source Consultants, 1222 SE 47th St., Cape Coral. 205-8186
• Groove Street's 2 Outrageous Halloween Parties Groove Street nightclub holds two Halloween parties Friday and Saturday night. Awards will be given out for single costumes and group costumes. Must be present by 10:30 p.m. to compete for prizes. Starts at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $5 cover. Groove Street Grille & Discotheque, 8595 College Parkway, Unit #300, Fort Myers. 437-2743 or groovestreet.com
• Halloween Fundraiser Party Cruise Join us for a Sunset Halloween Cruise with music, dancing, and spooky treats aboard the Fort Myers Princess. All proceeds benefit Abuse Counseling & Treatment (ACT) and The Southwest Florida Regional Human Trafficking Coalition. 5:30-9 p.m. Fort Myers Princess, 645 Old San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. 939-2553 or actabuse.com/event/1307
• Sanibel Fish House Halloween Party Party features live music, karaoke and a costume contest. First prize wins $100. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free admission. Sanibel Fish House, 1523 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. 472-7770
• Spooktacular Trick or Treating Families and furry friends can enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by trick-or-treating through Coconut Point's retail shops and showing off their costumes. Parade your pets by Dipidydawg Organic Bakery Boutique Day Spa to be judged for the costume contest. Winners get a gift card and fun treats. Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero. 992-9966 or simon.com/mall/coconut-point
• Trick-or-Treating and Haunted Walk Children of all ages are invited to this safe location for family fun. Put on a non-scary costume, trick-or-treat down the store aisles and take a stroll through the haunted walk. 3-6 p.m. Free. The Home Depot, 1651 S. Airport Pulling Road, Naples. 793-2203
• Howl-o-Scream Don your favorite costume (or come as you are) and enjoy food and a family-friendly Halloween show by variety act A Family Affair. 7-10 p.m. Free. Victory Lane Cafe, 4120 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers. 995-0340
• Mall-O-Ween Kids in costume can trick or treat at participating stores while supplies last. There will be music, karaoke and contests at MundoFox Playland. A kids costume contest (ages 12 and younger) takes place near the Bloomingdale's outlet store at 6 p.m., followed by a pet costume contest at 7 p.m. 5-8 p.m. Free. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 948-3766 or miromaroutlets.com
• New Day Christian Trunk or Treat This safe trick-or-treating event includes prizes, games, food, a bounce house and more. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. New Day Christian Church, 19091 S. Tamiami Trail , south Fort Myers. 278-1212
• Royal Palm Scare The street will be blocked off from traffic so children can trick-or-treat and participate in games and other fun. Food vendors will have dinner and snacks for sale. There's also a costume contest for funniest, scariest, most original and overall best costume. Winners get a $100 gift card to Toys R Us. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Dellutri Law Group, 1436 Royal Palm Square Blvd, Fort Myers. 939-0900
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