Spooky or sweet; trick or treat – Jacksonville knows how to do Halloween. From fall festivals, to pumpkin patches, to haunted attractions, the First Coast offers plentiful ways to celebrate the season. Grab your costume and your holiday spirit and use The Recorder’s Halloween Events Guide as your guide to Halloween happenings!
Nocatee Farmers Market Fall Festival
The Nocatee Farmers Market this October invites the community to get excited for the season with the annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored Florida Water Technologies Inc. The day will feature LIVE bluegrass band, Big Cypress, a petting zoo, horse drawn hay-rides, and life-size scarecrow making. Along with this seasonal and festive theme, the market includes over 80 local vendors offering items such as organic produce, herbs, spices, delicious unique foods, crafts, jewelry and more. Free face painting by Chet’s Creek Church will also be available for little ones, along with free crafts. The Nocatee Farmers Market takes place at Farmers Market Field, 100 Marketside Ave., Ponte Vedra Beach.
The Arlington Toyota Kids Fitness Zombie Chase
Kids ages 5-15 are invited to run a one mile course while trying to avoid being “bitten” (stickered) by the zombies that roam the course. The zombies are parents and older siblings ages 16 and up. Children will be broken up into different age groups. The Arlington Toyota Kids Fitness Zombie Chase is Sunday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. at the St. Johns Town Center, 4663 River City Drive, Jacksonville. Registration is $15 per child. All kids will receive ad t-shirt and a medal. Registration for zombies or body guards (ages 16 and up) is $15. To sponsor a child chosen by the Easy Peasy Kids Fitness Foundation to run at no cost is $15. For more information or to register, visit www.easypeasyjax.com.
Lord of Life Pumpkin Patch & Family Fun Days
Hundreds of pumpkins will be popping up in time for the fall season in the field of Lord of Life Lutheran Church on Roscoe Blvd. N., Ponte Vedra through Oct. 31. The pumpkin patch will be open Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. until dusk; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to dusk; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to dusk while pumpkins last. Family Fun Days are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m (hayrides, bounce houses, a craft for kids, face painting, donations accepted). Families can also purchase food items, drinks, homemade baked and canned items, and raffle tickets for baskets (golf, family and wine/dinner baskets) inside the church pavilion. A portion of the pumpkin proceeds will benefit local charities.
Adult Bingo for BOOOOks
The Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library is hosting a special Halloween-themed Adult Bingo, Adult Bingo for BOOOOks, Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. Wear a Halloween costume and win two free books instead of one. There is no cost to participate and everyone will go home with at least one free book. The library is located at 101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. For more information, call (904) 827-6950 or visit www.sjcpls.org.
Halloween Camp-in at MOSH
The Museum of Science and History’s Halloween overnight camp-in is Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 a.m. Explore a few of the museum’s exhibits after dark, see a science show, participate in a costume contest, crafts, games and more. The cost is $35 per person (adult required). MOSH members receive a 20 percent discount. Price includes a late night pizza snack and continental breakfast. For more information, call (904) 396-MOSH or visit www.themosh.org. MOSH is located at 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville.
Horror Make-up 101
MOSH After Dark presents The Woodley Special Effects: Horror Make-up 101 Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of Science and History, 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville. The cost is $15; $12 for MOSH members. This program is for adults ages 18 and up only. For more information or to register, call (904) 396-MOSH or visit www.themosh.org.
Turtleween
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s annual turtle-themed fall festival, Turtleween, is Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids will participate in hands-on learning, a scavenger hunt, have their fortune told by Madame Caretta and more. Wear a costume for $1 off admission. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is located at 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia. For more information, call (912) 635-4444 or visit www.gstc.jekyllisland.com/events/ .
Beaches Town Center Children’s Fall Festival & Costume Parade
Children of all ages are invited to attend the Children’s Fall Festival at the Beaches Town Center and participate in a costume parade Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This free event takes place on First Street between Atlantic Boulevard and Orange Street. Festivities include crafts games, refreshments, and dance performances. Registration for the costume contest begins at 8:30 a.m. A 5K and fun run benefitting Vision is Priceless will also take place. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The fun run begins at 9 a.m. and the 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.beachestowncenter.com.
Bark in the Dark
Bark in the Dark benefitting Ana’s Angels Animal Rescue is Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Mandarin Petco, located at 11111 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville. The event features a dog and child costume walk on the orange and black runway. There is a $10 entry fee per family. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Anas-Angels-Animal-Rescue-303599723033905/timeline.
Smashing Pumpkins class at Sweet Pete’s
Make a three-dimensional chocolate jack-o’-lantern and choose from Sweet Pete’s signature candies to fill it with. The cost is $15 per person. The fee covers the class cost includes one scoop of ice cream. Various times and dates are available; visit www.sweetpetescandy.com for a listing of class schedules. For more information, call (904) 376-7161. Sweet Pete’s is located at 400 N. Hogan St, Jacksonville.
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’
The Florida Theatre is screening “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. The event will be hosted by Karissa Wade and will include live music by Jacksonville Beach-based band The Splinters, who will perform one hour before the movie begins. Tickets are $15. The Florida Theatre is located at 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville. For more information, including a list of allowed and prohibited items for the interactive screening, visit www.floridatheatre.com.
Creatures of the Night
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park presents Creatures of the Night Oct. 23, 24 and 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities, collect creepy creature cards around the park and trick-or-treating. An alligator feeding will take place at 7:15 p.m. The cost for non-members is $10 for adults; children ages 2-11 are $8. The cost for members is $9 for adults; children ages 2-11 are $7. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is located at 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine. For more information, call (904) 824-3337 or visit www.alligatorfarm.com.
Catty Shack Haunted Forest
Catty Shack’s annual fundraising event, the Haunted Forest, continues Friday, Oct. 16 from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17 from 3-9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a haunted forest trail, kids crafts, games and candy. Children two and under are admitted free; the cost for children ages 3-11 is $5, and children and adults ages 12 and older are $10. Catty Shack is located at 1860 Starratt Road, Jacksonville. For more information, call (904) 757-3603 or visit www.cattyshack.org.
Haunted Laser Tag
Haunted Laser Tag at Rebounderz takes place through Nov. 1. The cost is $12 per person, per round. Rebounderz is located at 14985 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville. For more information, call (904) 300-0070 or visit www.rebounderzjacksonville.com/haunted-laser-tag-and-halloween-party.
Adventure Landing Hallo-WEE Party and Haunt Nights
Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach, 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, is having a Hallo-WEE Party, a not-so-scary celebration for kids, Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Activities include crafts, games, bound houses, face painting, candy, and a costume contest at noon. Party admission is $3 per child. For more information, call (904) 246-4386 or visit www.adventurelanding.com. The Hallo-WEE Party will take place at the Blanding Boulevard Adventure Landing, 4825 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call (904) 771-2803.
Haunt Nights, featuring three haunted houses, will take place on select dates through Oct. 31 at the Jacksonville Beach location. For more information about Haunt Nights, visit www.hauntnights.com.
Happy HOWL-o-ween Party
Pet Supermarket is hosting a Halloween party Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. There will be free treat giveaways (while supplies last), a pet costume contest, and a chance to win a $25 gift card or free pet food for a year. Costume contest registration is from 1:30-1:55 p.m. The contest begins at 2 p.m.
Spooktacular
Spooktacular at The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens takes place Oct. 16-18, 23-25 and 28-31 from 6:30-10 p.m. Festivities include scare zones, thousands of jack-o’-lanterns, Halloween-themed areas, kids activities, and candy stations throughout the zoo. The cost is $8 for members; $10 for non-members. Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is located at 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org.
Trail of Terror
The Jacksonville Jaycess Trial of Terror, an 8-acre trial with four difference scare zones, takes place Oct. 16, 17, 22 and 29 from 7-10 p.m. and Oct. 23, 30 and 31 from 7-11 p.m. The Trail of Terror is a resurrected version of the Jacksonville Jaycees Hall of Terror which ran from 1970-2005. The Trail of Terror is located at 11850 Camden Road, Jacksonville (at Paintball Adventures near Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens). Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. The Jacksonville Jaycees have partnered with Jax Truckies to feature a different food truck each night. For more information, call (904) 474-1114 or visit www.jaxterror.com.
Halloween Doors and More & Monster Mash Dash
Monster Mash Dash, benefitting Community PedsCare, is Friday, Oct. 16 at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. The fun run begins at 6 p.m., and the 5K begins at 6:20 p.m. For more information or to register, visit www.communityhospice.com.
Halloween Doors and More is Saturday, Oct. 17 from 2-7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Fair Grounds Exhibit Hall. Children can trick-or-treat through an area of decorated Halloween-themed doors. Proceeds benefit Community PedsCare. For more information, visit www.communityhospice.com.
X-Fest Fall Carnival at Crosswater Community Church
Crosswater Community Church, 211 Davis Park Road, Ponte Vedra, is hosting a fall carnival with food, games, candy, laser tag and rides, Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, call (904) 824-9800 or visit www.crosswaterchurch.net.
Symphonic Spooktacular
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presents Symphonic Spooktacular Sunday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. Pre-concert activities begin at 2 p.m. The concert takes place at 300 Water St., Jacksonville. For more information, call (9040 354-5547 or visit www.jacksonvillesymphony.org.
Sykes and Cooper Farms
The corn maze is open through Oct. 25 on Fridays from 5-10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The last ticket is sold at 9 p.m. In addition to the corn maze, there will be plenty of other “agritainment” including corn cannons, a cow train, hayrides and a “Jack and the Cornstalk” kiddie maze. General admission (ages 3-64) is $9. Admission for military with a valid ID and seniors ages 65 and over is $7. Children under 2 are admitted free. Cash only; ATM on site. Sykes & Cooper Farms is located at 5995 Brough Rd. in Elkton. For more information, call (904) 692-1370 or visit www.sycofarms.com.
Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres
The corn maze is open through-Nov. 7 on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or by appointment only Tuesday-Friday. The farm includes many family-friendly farm-related activities for children and adults including a cow train, tractor seat see-saws, pedal carts and more. Special events include “Moonlight Hayrides and Flashlight Nights” and Field of Scrams. Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres is located at 19856 County Road 121 in Hilliard. For more information and ticket prices, call (904) 879-5453 or visit www.conners-a-maize-ing-acres.com.
Amazing Grace Crop Maze
Located at 2899 Wisteria Farm Road, Green Cove Springs, the Amazing Grace Crop Maze is open Fridays from 5-10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and on Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last tickets are sold at 9 p.m. For more information, call (904) 284-2949 or visit www.agcropmaze.com.
Halloween Dark of the Moon Tour
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum presents a special Halloween Dark of the Moon tour on Oct. 31. Explore the lighthouse and keepers’ house after dark and learn about the history and ghostly encounters of people who have visited, lived or worked at the lighthouse. Space is limited; advanced registration is required. For more information or to make a reservation, call (904) 829-0745 or visit www.staugustinelighthouse.org.
The Old Spanish Trail
Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8-11 p.m. through Oct. 31 at 13535 W. Beaver St. in Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.theoldspanishtrail.com.
Movies at Hanna Park – ‘Hocus Pocus’
Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hanna Park lake, 500 Wonderwood Dr., Jacksonville. Free with regular park admission. It is recommended to bring a blanket, chair, flashlight and bug spray. For more information, visit http://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/events.aspx.
