The 2023 list of our favorite Tampa Bay pumpkin patches, fall festivals, corn mazes, Halloween events, and more presented by Tampa Bay Parenting is ghoulishly good.
So, get your calendar out and start scheduling some fall family FUN! We’re sharing some of our top picks for our favorite fall events.
Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals
Raprager Family Farm Fall Pumpkin Festival
Dates: Weekends through October 29
Location: 16907 Boy Scout Rd, Odessa, FL, 33556
Cost: $16.95 when purchased in advance for ages 3 and up, children 2 and under are free. Parking is free.
Raprager Family Farm’s Fall Festival is BACK with even more fall fun on the farm! Attractions this year include axe throwing, pumpkin painting, a 900-foot inflatable maze, a baby cow, and more. The haunted barn is back along with the hayrides, petting zoo, hay chute slide, and other favorites. The farm is kid-friendly all day but does get scarier after 6 p.m.
Horsepower for Kids and Animal Sanctuary 16th Annual Fall Festival Fundraiser
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from October 7-29
Location: 8005 Racetrack Rd., Tampa, FL 33635
Cost: $15 admission, $1 parking
Bring the family out for a day of fun, while supporting a non-profit animal sanctuary right outside the Westchase area. The festival includes pony, train, and hayrides, as well as farm animals and exotic animals such as goats, sloths, lemurs, and deer. Kids can also bounce around in the bounce house, play in the corn pit, enjoy fall-themed crafts, and play fall-themed games. Proceeds go to the animal rescue and sanctuary.
Fox Squirrel Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Dates: October 7-November 5
Location: 6151 Varn Road, Plant City, FL 33565 (New location this year!)
Cost: $12. Ages 3 and under are FREE
Take part in exciting, family-friendly fall games and activities during the annual Fox Squirrel Corn Maze! Navigate the corn maze and see how quickly you can find your way through and then go check out the duck races, challenge your kids to a game of corn hole, go on a hayride, and select the perfect pumpkin for your front porch in Tampa!
32nd Annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Patch Festival
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from October 14-29
Location: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton, FL 34211
Cost: $15 for ages 11 and up, children under 10 are free. $5 for parking (cash only)
Make the drive south of Tampa Bay to experience the 32nd annual Pumpkin Patch Festival. There will be hayrides, a petting zoo, games, pumpkin patch, and more! The main attraction is the corn maze, which is an additional $2 per person. Make sure to bring cash for other cool activities like a children’s train ride, Butterfly Experience, zip line, and more!
Pumpkin Patch Express (Florida Railroad Museum)
Dates: October 21, 22, 28, and 29
Location: 12210 83rd St East, Parrish, FL 34219
Cost: Tickets start at $20
The Florida Railroad Museum is calling “all aboard” for young and old train enthusiasts as you embark on the Pumpkin Patch Express to a field full of pumpkins to pick, as well as kid-friendly activities on your 2.5-hour journey. Children are invited to pick their own pumpkin to take home. Everyone is also invited to participate in other crafts and activities.
Halloween Events
Spooktacular at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays through October 29, and October 30-31
Cost: Included with theme park admission
At Busch Gardens’ Spooktacular, guests will step into a whimsical world full of enchantment with Kandy, a witch-in-training! A costume parade, story time, and trick or treating are some of the activities guests will find in this immersive Halloween experience. Busch Gardens’ Spooktacular will be casting magical spells on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Festival Walkway. Included with park admission.
Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Dates: Select Nights through October 29
Cost: $5 reservation fee for Zoo Members and “Pay for a Day” ticket holders, which you’ll get back as a voucher and it’s $35.95-$45.95 for general admission tickets
Tampa Bay’s number-one family Halloween event returns this October! Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa is full of eerie family fun for everyone! Ghouls and goblins of all ages can enjoy howling outdoor experiences, mischievous characters, creepy culinary treats, and much more!
Tampa Bay History Center’s A Night at The Museum
Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023, from 4-7 p.m.
Cost: Ticket prices: $16.95 for adults; $14.95 for college students; $14.95 for seniors (60+); $12.95 for children and youth (4-17); free for children ages 0-3. History Center members receive a 15% discount.
Trick-or-treat your way through the Tampa Bay History Center galleries in search of sweet rewards. Plan for an evening of games, crafts, costume characters, and more! Timed tickets are available now and children ages 3 and younger are free.
Haunted River Tours with Pirate Water Taxi
Dates: Select days from October 6-29 between 6:15-9:45 p.m.
Location: Convention Center/ Marriott Water Street (Stop 7 location)
Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for children ages 2-12 (includes all-day hop on/hop off)
Join Pirate Water Taxi’s crew for an entertaining evening with tales of ghosts along the Hillsborough River. Each tour will be led by two dead-lightful docents who will tell eerie stories of Tampa’s past. Admission is included with a regular daily hop-on, hop-off pass. Haunted River Tours are family-friendly, and all ages are welcome! Tours last 45-50 minutes.
Pied Piper’s Annual Haunted Carnival at Armature Works in Tampa
Dates: October 26-29
Location: 1910 N Ola Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602
Cost: $5 and up
Head down to Armature Works to experience 300,000 square feet of terrifying fun! The daytime hours are best for kids where there is a kid’s zone, plenty of nostalgic candy, photo opportunities, and more fun rides.
Trick-or-Treat Trail at Largo Central Park
Date: October 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: 201 Highland Ave, Largo, FL 33770
Cost: Free for the first 1,500 kids on sight (under 12)
Bring your kiddos dressed in their Halloween costumes for a night of trick-or-treating around Largo City Hall. Bags and candy will be provided. This is an outdoor event.
For more Fall Fun, visit https://tampabayparenting.com/fall-family-fun/
