Busch Gardens Spooktacular is Magical Halloween Fun

Disclosure: Our family received free admission to Busch Gardens to experience Spooktacular. 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 Spooktacular is a magical Tampa Halloween event full of not-so-spooky family fun.

Busch Gardens invited our family for a hosted experience to check out Spooktacular on opening weekend. It was a perfect family adventure to kick off Halloween season in Tampa Bay.

An immersive Tampa Bay Halloween experience designed just for families, Spooktacular is full of magic. Families can step into a whimsical world of enchantment created by Kandy, a friendly witch-in-training.

Busch Gardens Spooktacular is casting spells in Tampa Bay on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. Sept. 9 – Oct. 31, 2023 at the Festival Walkway. Spooktacular is included with daily park admission.

When purchasing tickets, families can take advantage of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s current special offer for the 2024 Fun Card. With this offer, guests pay for one day and receive unlimited visits through 2024 and the rest of 2023 for free.

A Magical Halloween Adventure Awaits Families at Busch Gardens Spooktacular

At Spooktacular, families can join Kandy for a magical Halloween adventure at Busch Gardens. Activities include 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 Spooktacular, 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 Busch Gardens Spooktacular

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.

Spooktacular Costume Parade

After trick-or-treating, head to the catwalk to join the 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 Spooktacular

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 Fun for Grown-Ups 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 15 years ago!

Select nights Sept. 8 – Oct. 31, 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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