Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Spooktacular Returns With Magical Family Fun
Join Kandy and her kooky krew for family-friendly fun during Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular, featuring costume parades and science shows.
While the Halloween season means a trip to Howl-O-Scream for many Tampa theme parks, there is more spooky fun besides venturing into Shadows of Wonderland. Starting September 12, guests will be transported into a whimsical world full of magic and enchantment at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with the spellbinding event, Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular. Kandy, Busch Gardens’ resident witch-in-training, and her kooky krew will welcome guests every Saturday and Sunday for a family-friendly event for all ages.
This event happens on weekends through November 1, 2026. Guests will go to the Festival Walkway to enjoy the Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular designed for groups with small children.
Of course, if you are looking for more seasonal merchandise to kick off the festivities, check out the Candy Corn Boo Buddy Popcorn Bucket Now Available at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Still, those craving a deeper dive into the park’s scarier nighttime thrills, don’t miss the Anaconda Howl-O-Scream House.
Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular
With trick-or-treating, costume parades, science experiments, and more, Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular returns with fan-favorite elements and new, and enhanced experiences to create festive memories that will last a lifetime. This year, guests can look forward to frightfully delightful activities including:
Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular Activities
- ALL-NEW! The Music of Mr. Skelly: Straight off the page from one of Kandy’s drawings, Mr. Skelly makes his debut at Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular. Armed with his trusty violin, Mr. Skelly is a marvelous mentor of melodies and a bone-afide music teacher. While he may be an expert in music, sharing his love of the craft with guests while he plays his violin, he is less successful at being spooky, making him proof that Halloween doesn’t have to be frightening to be frightfully fun.
- Trick-or-Treating: Dive into the Halloween spirit with festive trick-or-treat stations at Kandy’s Spooktacular Celebration—grab a bag and enjoy the sweetest seasonal treats from Goldfish and YumEarth.
- Spooktacular Costume Parade: Join the fun at the Spooktacular Costume Parade, where colorful costumes light up the catwalk, and every kid gets their time to shine like a Halloween star. No matter their age or if they’re wearing a costume or not, all kids are welcome to walk the runway.
- Kit & Kat’s Black Cat Dance Party: Get into the Halloween spirit at Kit & Kat’s Dance Party, where spooky beats and playful dance moves turn every step into a ghoulishly good time for the whole family.
- Spooky Kooky Science: Professor Pufflemintz is the never predictable, anything is possible, sometimes puzzled but always positive Professor of Science. As one of Kandy’s instructors from the Magic Conservatory, Professor Pufflemintz is here to share her science endeavors with every guest through eccentric and festive science experiments.
- Storytime: Situated next to Kandy’s picture-perfect pumpkin patch, guests will be immersed in the popular story “Room on the Broom,” where everybody has a place and everyone belongs.
- Kid-friendly Halloween Photo Spots: Located on the Festival Walkway, charming fall photo spots offer picturesque backdrops, perfect for capturing unforgettable memories to post and share.
Looking to More Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun?
This Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular event is included in park admission, and it’s great to enjoy it with a Busch Gardens Fun Card or annual pass. For a limited time, guests can purchase a 2027 Fun Card and receive unlimited visits to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island for all of 2027, plus the rest of 2026 for the price of a single-day ticket. For just $114.99, this is our best deal of the season, and Fun Card Holders will be able to experience Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular and the festive spirit of Christmas Town as many times as they like while also getting to enjoy all 2027 events. Now is the perfect time to purchase a Fun Card, with the park’s $200 million planned five-year investment bringing new attractions and guest experiences through 2027. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit BuschGardensTampa.com.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.
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