Zoo’s Spooktacular runs through Halloween
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ 34th annual Spooktacular, presented by Aquafina, runs from 6 to 10 p.m. through Oct. 31.
A digital ghost hunting app and second scare zone are new this year.
Children and adults are encouraged to wear costumes — masks allowed for kids only.
There will be themed specialty food and beverages, music, games, live entertainment, themed photo backdrops, character sightings and candy stations for trick-or-treat.
Tickets are available online only and are $15 for members and $25 for the public. Admission is free for children age 2 and younger.
Tickets will sell out due to limited capacity, so guests are encouraged to buy in advance. Admission includes free parking and the Wildlife Carousel for those age 12 and younger.
For tickets and further information, go to JacksonvilleZoo.org/Spooktacular.
Kids’ Halloween Party at the link
For the Kids’ Halloween Party at the link, there will be trick or treat, a family scavenger hunt, a spooky story time, a costume contest and more. The free event will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at the link, 425 Town Plaza Ave, Ponte Vedra Beach. For information, call 904-299-3671.
Church plans fall fest and trunk or treat
Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church is planning its fall fest and trunk or treat from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Admission is free. The church is located at 76 S. Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra. The phone number is 904-280-5141.
Pumpkin patch open until Oct. 31
The annual large pumpkin patch on the grounds of Lord of Life Lutheran Church features a huge assortment of pumpkins and fresh-baked pumpkin pies and other goods. The weekend will include hayrides and face paintings. A picture station has been set up in the field for selfies or family photos.
Hours are 1-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 28 and 29; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. Free entry, cost varies by pumpkin.
The church is located at 276 Roscoe Blvd. North, Ponte Vedra Beach.
‘Monster Mash’ set for Friday night
The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department will present “Monster Mash” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at the Ketterlinus gym, 60 Orange St., St. Augustine.
The event for children ages 6 through 12 will feature a haunted house, live music, food, drinks and candy.
Registration is required. Contact jwadley@sjcfl.us for more information.
Trunk or treat planned at One Church Jax Beach
One Church Jax Beach, 324 N. 5th St., Jacksonville Beach, will have trunk or treat from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
There will be hot dogs, games, candy and more. Trunk or treat for the children will be held in the parking lot. The event is free.
For more information, call 904-249-2314 or email office@onechurchjaxbeach.com.
Beaver Toyota Spooktacular is Friday
Beaver Toyota, 2995 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine, will host a free night of spooky fun from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29.
There will be music, a photobooth, a haunted house, pumpkin decorating, themed decorated vehicles, goody bags for the first 300 kids, a costume contest with prizes and food trucks, including Sals Cochina, hot dog truck, Slushi truck, Gyro box and more.
For information, call 904-797-8800 or email jenielleh@beavertoyota.com.
Harvest fest is set for Sunday
Bridge of Life Church will hold its Harvest Festival from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. There will be free games, food, candy, a trunk or treat, a dunk tank and more.
The church is located at 96 Masters Drive, St. Augustine. The phone number is 904-414-3490. The email address is info@mybridgeoflife.com.
Family-friendly Halloween stories to be told
The Tale Tellers St. Augustine will be telling interactive Halloween stories from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at 70 Turin Terrace, St. Augustine.
Admission is $5 per person, $10 per family. For information, call 949-295-7634 or email debteller136@gmail.com.
Aquarium presents ‘Halloween Under the Sea’
The St. Augustine Aquarium’s “Halloween Under the Sea” event will feature cookie decorating, trick-or-treating, mermaids, underwater pumpkin carving and a haunted nature trail.
Hours are 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at the aquarium, 2045 S.R.16, St. Augustine.
Call 904-429-9777 for reservations.
Kids can make Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween crafts
Kids of all ages are welcome to come into the Anastasia Island Branch of the St. Johns County Public Library to create some Dia de Los Muertos crafts and Halloween-themed crafts to take home for decoration. The event will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29.
The library branch is located at 124 Sea Grove Main St., St. Augustine Beach.
Halloween story time, costume parade at library
Little ones and their families are invited to the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch of the St. Johns County Public Library for a special Halloween story time and a costume parade from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28.
The event is free, but parents are asked to RSVP for each child and adult attending the program. Email lcalvert@sjcfl.us.
Fall festival planned at St. Johns church
Swiss Cove Christian Church will hold its fall festival from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31. The event will include a hayride, trunk-or-treat, dunk tank, free food, family photos and more.
The church is located at 1965 State Road 13, Saint Johns.
IKEA plans Halloween scavenger “haunt,” treat bag giveaway
IKEA Jacksonville will host a Frightfully Fun Scavenger Haunt on Oct. 29-31. Parents and children are invited to explore the store, guided by a map. Seven stuffed creatures are lurking throughout the IKEA showroom. Find all seven, mark them on the map, then turn the map in at the store’s Bistro for a treat.
The event will be held during regular store hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Also, on Sunday, Oct. 31, families can get a jump start on their trick-or-treating plans with a visit to IKEA Jacksonville. Stop by the store between noon and 4 p.m. for IKEA’s Frightfully Fun Halloween Treat Bag Giveaway. Costumes are encouraged. One treat bag per child age 16 or younger while supplies last. No purchase necessary.
To register for each event, go to IKEA-USA.com/Jacksonville and select the “Local in-store events & activities” page.
IKEA Jacksonville is located at 7801 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville.
Halloween EstuSCARY at GTM reserve
The Friends of the GTM Reserve are planning a Halloween EstuSCARY event from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 28 and 29, at GTM Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach.
Meet at the Visitor Center to hitch a hayride to the haunted trail.
Tickets can be purchased for $8 online at eventbrite.com/e/the-estuscary-haunted-trail-tickets-183498447797, $10 at the door. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by their parents or guardians on the hayride and the EstuSCARY Haunted Trail.
To reserve a spot, go to bit.ly/3j9K4dW.
Monster Halloween Bash planned
A Monster Halloween Bash will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, at Main Event, 10370 Philips Highway, Jacksonville.
There will be games, contests, prizes and candy for the whole family. Children who wear their costumes will get a free Laser Tag session in a werewolf-free environment.
For tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/main-event-entertainment-halloween-bash-tickets-169514896619
The phone number is 904-260-7500.
Fright Tag is Saturday
BRAVOZ will host Fright Tag, a haunted Laser Tag experience with live actors from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.
A valid waiver is required for all participants. Attractions feature elements that may not be suited for children under the age of 13.
The cost is $32.99 for unlimited access.
BRAVOZ is located at 14985 Old St Augustine Road, Jacksonville. The phone number is 904-300-0070. The email address is info@bravoz.com.
