6 Family-Friendly Halloween Activities Near Bradenton
With just two weeks away from Halloween, there are plenty of ways to have family fun without the fright! From parades to ghost walks and where to trick or treat with the kiddos, keep reading to find the best non-spooky spots for the remaining weeks of this hair-raising season.
Here are six family-friendly halloween activities near Bradenton and surrounding areas.
Bradenton Beach Ghost Tours
- From Bridge Street
- Ongoing, Tuesday–Saturday, 8 p.m.
- $10–$15
Hear about the history of Bradenton Beach, shipwrecks and mysterious ghost stories, some of which are based on eyewitness accounts! The walking tour duration is 90 minutes beginning at 8 p.m. on Bridge Street. Tours are held every Tuesday–Saturday. Tickets must be purchased in advance online or via phone at 941-704-0621.
Night of Fun, Fish & Fright
- Mote Marine Aquarium
- Oct 20, 6–8:30 p.m.
- $10–$14
This weekend, head to Mote Marine Aquarium for an evening of frightful, family-friendly Halloween activities! Discover shark teeth within Coffin Creek, view their exciting underwater pumpkin carving, Mad Science experiments and so much more spooktacular fun!
Boo Fest
- Lakewood Main Street
- Oct. 27, 6–9 p.m.
- Parking: $5
Join in for this exciting annual event held on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch! Kids can trick or treat from local merchants, traverse their Spooktacular Maze and be amazed at the creations of a ghostly balloon artist. Entertainment includes a costume contest, local dancers and eerie music to set the tone for this haunting evening.
Selby Spooktacular
- Selby Gardens
- Oct. 29, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
- $10–$20
Kick off Halloween weekend with an afternoon of wholesome, family fun! With trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, seed planting and even a mad scientist experiment, you don’t want to miss out on all the fun at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Stick around for lunch at the cafe as well as frozen goodies by B’s Cool Treat’s.
Children’s Halloween Parade!
- West Venice Avenue
- Oct. 31, 4–7 p.m.
- Free
Parents, bring the kiddos for the annual Halloween Parade down West Venice Avenue! In true Venice fashion, “Old Betsy,” the city’s antique fire truck, will be leading the parade of hundreds of children showing off their costumes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Following the parade, kids are welcome to trick or treat along Venice Avenue.
22nd Annual Halloween Safe Walk
- Dearborn Street
- Oct 31, 5–7 p.m.
- Free
For family-friendly Halloween activities, look to Dearborn Street in Englewood, which will be closed for your little ones to safely trick or treat. When you’ve fulfilled your kids’ sweet tooths, don’t miss the live music, costume contest and many more exciting treats!