Alisha Disclosure: Our family received free admission to Busch Gardens to experience the Spooktacular family Halloween fun. All opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase a product featured in this post. There is no additional cost to you.
Are you looking for family-friendly Halloween events in Tampa Bay? Busch Gardens Halloween Harvest (previously called Spooktacular) is a magical Tampa Halloween festival full of not-so-spooky family fun.
Busch Gardens invited our family for a hosted experience to check out the family Halloween event on opening weekend. It was a perfect family adventure to kick off Halloween season in Tampa Bay.
Halloween Harvest at Busch Gardens features an immersive Halloween experience designed just for families, Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration. Families can step into a whimsical world of enchantment created by Kandy, a friendly witch-in-training.
Busch Gardens spooktacular event, Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration, is casting spells in Tampa Bay on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. Sept. 7 – Oct. 27, 2024 at the Festival Walkway. The family Halloween event is included with daily park admission.
When purchasing tickets, families can take advantage of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s current special offer for the 2025 Fun Card. With this offer, guests pay for one day and receive unlimited visits through 2025 and the rest of 2024 for free.
A Magical Halloween Adventure Awaits Families at Busch Gardens Spooktacular Halloween Harvest
At Halloween Harvest, families can join Kandy for a magical Halloween adventure at Busch Gardens. Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration includes trick-or-treating, a costume parade, a spooky kooky science show, story time and more.
Kandy’s World
Ever wonder what it’s like to become a witch? At Busch Gardens family Halloween celebration, you’ll meet a sweet witch-in-training named Kandy. She had us giggling with Halloween jokes and silly stories like how she accidentally turned her friends into toads!
Trick-or-Treating at Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration
Several candy stations are set up for trick-or-treating within the family Halloween festival. Families can purchase a reuseable treat bag at the park to join the trick-or-treating fun.
A Spooktacular Costume Parade
After trick-or-treating, head to the catwalk to join a spooktacular costume parade. To create this parade, Kandy and her friends invite kids 13 and younger to walk the catwalk to model their Halloween costumes.
Note that guests 14 and older are not permitted to wear costumes, masks, or hoods to the event.
Kooky Spooky Science Show at Busch Gardens’ Halloween Festival
During the spooktacular festivities, my daughter was excited to see some spooky science experiments performed by Kandy’s friend Professor Pufflemintz.
The always positive, sometimes peculiar, professor of science shows kids that anything is possible and science can look a lot like magic.
Story Time with Kandy
Next, take a seat next to Kandy’s picture-perfect pumpkin patch and bubbling cauldron for a Halloween story time.
At multiple times throughout the afternoon, Kandy immerses guests in the popular story “Room on the Broom.” In this sweet family Halloween story from the creators of “The Gruffalo,” everybody has a place and everyone belongs.
Halloween Harvest Activities at Busch Gardens Sesame Street Safari of Fun
On weekends in October and on Halloween, Halloween Harvest at Busch Gardens will also feature Halloween festivities for little ones at Sesame Street Safari of Fun.
After visiting Kandy’s Sweetactular Celebration at the Festival Walkway, families can visit Sesame Street Safari of Fun for a spooktacular Halloween show, meet and greets with Sesame Street characters in their Halloween costumes and Halloween dance parties.
Halloween Fun for Adults at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Looking for Halloween fun for adults in Tampa Bay? Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream has been Tampa’s premier Halloween event for adults for more than 20 years.
Fun fact: my husband and I had one of our very first dates at Howl-O-Scream more than 15 years ago!
Select nights Sept. 6 – Nov. 2, 2024, Howl-O-Scream takes over the entire park. It features haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more frightful adult fun.
To attend Howl-O-Scream, you must purchase an admission ticket separate from daytime admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Daytime admission to Busch Gardens is not included nor required.
About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world.
Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with thousands of animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age.
More Tampa Bay Halloween Family Adventures
What other Tampa Bay Halloween events are worth checking out? Check out our list of the most exciting Tampa Bay Halloween adventures for families. Follow along on Instagram as we explore even more family fun in Florida.
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[…] invited our family for a hosted experience to check out Spooktacular on opening weekend. Check out this post for details on our Busch Gardens Spooktacular […]