Looking to scare up a little fun this Halloween season? Fortunately, there are lots of local events that offer some hair-raising excitement.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY
With 450-plus years of history, St. Augustine is a great place to haunt. It’s got two historic cemeteries, an intimidating Spanish fort and plenty of spooky legends to set spines tingling.
Check out some of these offerings.
Moonlight Mysteries: Stargazing and Haunted History Boat Tour: Florida Water Tours, 107 Yacht Club Drive, St. Augustine. These 75-minute cruises are geared toward adults and teens ages 13 and older. Cost is $29. Times vary. For information, go to floridawatertour.com/cruises/moonlit-mysteries-boat-tour.
Mortality and Mourning — A Century of Death: Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles St., St. Augustine. Explore death and spiritualism practices from St. Augustine’s Second Spanish Colonial Era through its Victorian Era by candlelight. This family-friendly tour takes visitors through the 225-year-old house showcasing cultural practices and stories from Old St. Augustine. Cost: $22. When: 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 26. For information, go to ximenezfatiohouse.org.
Sykes Family Farm Crop Maze: Sykes Family Farms, 5995 Brough Road, Elkton. At this family-friendly event, visitors can explore the corn maze, pick sunflowers, go on a hayride, have fun in the playgrounds, see farm animals and much more. Cost is $17.99 plus taxes and fees. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Entertainment varies with the date. For further information, go to sycofarms.com.
Sheriff Hardwick’s Haunted Jail Alien Invasion: St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Jail Annex, 4025 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine. Though the Haunted Jail portion is not recommended for children younger than 10, the outdoor area will feature an outdoor movie screen, a trunk-or-treat area, games, photo booths, face painting, a merch tent, food and drinks. Cost is $20 for the Haunted Jail. Times must be reserved. Dates are Oct. 25 and 26. For information and tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/sheriff-hardwicks-haunted-jail-presents-alien-invasion-tickets-1010799999007?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Halloween Under the Sea: St. Augustine Aquarium, 2045 State Road 16, St. Augustine. Through Oct. 26. Admission is $14.99 for adults, $9.99 for children. For more information, go to saaquarium.com.
Halloween Safe Trick-or-Treating and Family Harvest Fest: Ximenez-Fatio House Museum, 20 Aviles St., St. Augustine. Date: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 26. There will be games, a craft table, a candy-apple bowl bar and lots of candy. Event is free. Go to facebook.com/XFHouse.
Fall Festivities: Held in conjunction with the open house at Optimal You Wellness, 404 Passeo Reyes Drive, St. Augustine (in front of Palencia). Date: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 26. There will be fall activities, arts and crafts, wellness vendors, allergy-free treats, games and prizes. Halloween costumes are welcome. Admission is free, though attendees are asked to RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/fall-festivities-at-optimal-you-wellness-tickets-1012987832877?aff=oddtdtcreator.
8th Annual Headless Bangers Costume Ball: Legends Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center, 500 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine (World Golf Village). There will be live music, desserts, a costume contest, cash prizes, psychics/card readers, candy, a cash bar more. Date: 8 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. Tickets available at eventbrite.com/e/the-8th-annual-headless-bangers-costume-ball-tickets-908035246867?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
St. Augustine Booze and Boos: Guests explore the most haunted pubs, alleys and buildings in the historic city. Cost is $27-$29.95. For more information, go to: nightlyspirits.com/st-augustine/st-augustine-public-booze-and-boos-tours.
Ghost Tours of St. Augustine: Storytellers and guides lead the way on brick-lined streets in search of ghostly experiences. A variety of tour options are available. Tours depart from the Tour St. Augustine office at 4 Granada St. All tours must be booked prior to departure. Prices vary. For further information, go to ghosttoursofstaugustine.net.
Ghosts & Gravestones Tour: These 80-minute tours are narrated by talented ghost hosts. Travel by the Trolley of the Doomed and hear tales from the city’s past. Visit the Chamber of Horrors at Potter’s Wax Museum, the Old Jail and Cromwell’s Parlour of Paranormal Curiosities. Times and dates vary. For further information, ghostsandgravestones.com/st-augustine#tours.
GhoST Augustine: Have a paranormal investigation experience or go on a ghost tour or haunted pub crawl. There are several options, and prices vary. For further information, go to ghostaugustine.com.
Ghostly events at the lighthouse: St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, 100 Red Cox Drive, St. Augustine. There are several interesting events here: Twilight at the Top, a one-hour afterhours experience, until Oct. 30; Dark of the Moon Ghost Experience, a 90-minute exploration of the lighthouse and grounds; Lighthouse Ghosts Tales, a one-hour guided tour with ghost tales, until Oct. 29; and more. Times, dates and prices vary. For further information, go to store.staugustinelighthouse.org/Events.aspx.
DUVAL COUNTY
Farm Fun Fall-O-Ween: EPIC Outreach's Education Farm Sanctuary, address shared upon registration. There will be a meet-and-greet with the animals, games, face painting, an art activity, musical sounds, the Wild Pie food truck, candy, a silent auction and more. One ticket equals one car (up to six people per car). Tickets are $49 and available via epicoutreach.org/events. Date: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26.
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl: Sneakers Sports Grille, 111 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. Put on your most creative costume, meet lots of new people, explore some of the best bars in Jacksonville. Date: 4-10 p.m. Oct. 26, with a mid party at Joe’s Crab Shack from 7 to 9 p.m. and an after party at Graffiti American Burger Bar from 10 p.m. to midnight. Guest must be at least 21 and have a valid government-issued ID. For tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/the-official-halloween-bar-crawl-jacksonville-7th-annual-tickets-765112611417?aff=EVENTVESTA&utm_source=Vesta&utm_medium=Referral.
Hallow-WEE Party and Costume Contest: Adventure Landing, 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. Date: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. Admission is $5. There will be carnival games, a costume contest, a bounce house, face painting, dance performance, a trunk-or-treat, mini golf, arcade tokens and more. Go to jacksonville-beach.adventurelanding.com/event/hallo-wee-party.
Jumbo Shrimp and Jax Melanin Market’s Fall Festival: 121 Financial Ballpark, 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville. Date: Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 26. An afternoon of fun with trick-or-treating, craft tables, face painting, balloon twisters, kids’ zone inflatables and more. Admission is a canned food item. Free parking available.
Murray Hill-O-Ween: Edgewood Avenue South, Jacksonville. It’s a block party with live music, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, kids’ activities and more. A parade starts at 7:30 p.m. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26. For more information, go to murrayhilljax.com/hilloween.
Halloween Party at Legacy Ale: Legacy Ale Works, 14965 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville. Date: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 26. For further information, go to facebook.com/events/1125879625145914.
NASSAU COUNTY
Night of Spirits Sip and Shop: Centre Street, Fernandina Beach. Date: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 25. Further information at fernandinamainstreet.com/all-events-1/october-sip-%26-shop.
Haunted Halloween Paddle: Melton O. Nelson Memorial Park, Yulee. Date: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26. Trick-or-treating at docks along the river. Kayak rentals and bring-your-own kayaks available. Prices vary. Sign up at paddlejaxamelia.com.
Boo On The Farm: 76382 Wildwood Road, Yulee. See the horses in their Halloween best! Trick or treating around the farm. Admission is free. Donations welcome.
Field of Screams: Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres, 19856 County Road 121, Hilliard. Described as a “bone-chilling, spine-tingling, heart pounding, all-out frightening haunted trail” through the cornfield. Not recommended for children younger than 10. No flashlights allowed. Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Date: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26. By reservation only. For further information and to get tickets, go to connerscornmaze.com/ticket-info-%2F-activities.
Costume Party and more: Fernandina Beach Branch Library, 25 N. 4th St., Fernandina Beach. Date 4-5 p.m. Oct. 29. Families are invited to this adventurous costume party in search of pirates with treasures on a scavenger hunt. There will be fun stories and Touch a Truck with local community heroes. For information, go to nassaureads.com/event/costume-party-scavenger-hunt-with-local-community-heroes-pirates.
