Be afraid. Be very afraid.
It’s the spookiest time of the year in Southwest Florida. And the monsters are all out to get you.
Psycho killers. Ghosts. Zombies. Vampire clowns. You’ll find those and many other creeps and baddies at Halloween events happening all over Lee County.
Here’s a list of some of the most spine-tingling events happening this October in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres and the rest of Lee County.
This is just the best of the best. Check your favorite local bars, venues and other places to see what they’re doing, too.
We’ll update this list as more cool events are announced.
FORT MYERS HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Farmer Mike’s Fall Festival and Corn Mazes
Celebrate the Halloween season with haunted and family-friendly corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, sunflower picking, games, food vendors, crafts and more. This year’s corn mazes have the themes “The Purging Fields” (haunted maze) and “Vikings Adventure” (family-friendly maze). Tickets are available in 30-minute time slots. Prices vary. 6-9:30 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 2. Farmer Mike’s Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 8751 Gladioulus Drive, south Fort Myers. farmermikesupick.com
Lab Theater’s ‘Grey House’
This creepy psychological thriller starts with a young couple crashing their car during a blizzard and seeking shelter in an isolated mountain cabin. They’re taken in by a mysterious woman and the three strange, hyper-intelligent children who live there. Trapped by the storm, the couple are forced to listen to twisted stories and take part in unsettling games. A Southwest Florida premiere. Oct. 3-Nov. 2. $32-$37 each ($10 for students with valid student IDs). The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
‘Dark Art’ exhibit at Davis Art Center
The annual “Dark Art” exhibit features creepy, unsettling art from Southwest Florida artists ― just in time for Halloween season. Oct. 3-17. Free with suggested donation at entry. Opening reception from 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, during Art Walk. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Calusa Haunted Walk
The annual Haunted Walk brings fear back to the dark, decorated trails at Calusa Nature Center. This year’s theme: “Terror in the Woods.” Not recommended for ages 15 and younger. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3-26. $20-$25. Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or calusanature.org
Lakes Park Fall Festival and Scarecrows in the Park
The festival returns with a pumpkin patch, the annual Scarecrows in the Park contest, hayrides, inflatables and the popular Halloween Express train ride. The Scarecrows in the Park display features scarecrows decorated in the theme “The Wild, Wacky, Weird World of Scarecrows in the Park.” 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-31. Free admission, but some activities and rides cost extra. Parking is $3 per vehicle. Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, south Fort Myers. 533-7578 or facebook.com/LakesParkEnrichmentFoundation
Fort Myers Roller Derby HallowBout tournament
The annual, Halloween-themed roller-derby tournament features three Florida skating teams battling it out, a Halloween vendor village, costume contests for kids and adults, live halftime shows and exhibitions, and more. It’s the last home game of the season for Fort Myers Roller Derby. 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Doors open at 5 p.m. for presale, 5:30 p.m. for door sales. $10-$12 ($5 for ages 5-10, free for younger). The event benefits North Fort Myers nonprofit Holiday 4 Heroes. Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers. 2025hallowbout.brownpapertickets.com
The Vampire Circus at B.B. Mann Hall
This touring theatrical show combines cabaret, Tim Burton-esque weirdness and Cirque du Soleil. And vampires, of course. The story involves Count Dracula opening a traveling circus and spreading terror wherever it goes. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. $49-$91. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ haunted maze double feature
The Alliance for the Arts screens the cult-classic movie “Rocky Horror Picture Show” every year on an outdoor screen, but this year is special. It’s the 50th anniversary of the pop-culture phenomenon. The show includes food trucks, costumes, vendors, bingo and a dance instructor teaching how to do “The Time Warp.” There will also be a preview of the Alliance’s new haunted maze, Curtain Call Carnage. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Coolers not permitted. Parking is limited, so ridesharing is encouraged. Movie starts at dusk Saturday, Oct. 18. Gates open at 5 p.m. $30 admission includes movie and Curtain Call Carnage. Prop bags available for purchase. VIP tickets are $55. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
13 Nights of Stage Fright at Alliance for the Arts
Over 13 nights, the Alliance’s Foulds Theatre and surrounding campus transform into a “nightmare playground” with various haunted attractions, live shows, markets and interactive activities. The highlight is the new Curtain Call Carnage, a haunted maze featuring local actors and artists. Each night features a different theme and entertainment. The sprawling event helps celebrate the Alliance’s ongoing 50th-anniversary year. Oct. 18-Nov. 1. Most events are free with a suggested $5 donation. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
Fall Festival at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
The Estates celebrate the fall with craft vendors, food trucks, music, a pumpkin patch, an inflatable obstacle course, a build-a-bear shop, a flower truck to make floral bouquets, face painting, a balloon artist and a banyan-tree climb. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18. Free admission, but activities cost extra. Visitors are encouraged to bring cash. Admission to the museum, laboratory and riverside of the property requires a separate ticket. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7419 or EdisonFord.org
Charlie’s Beyond Belief Expo
Paranormal/horror convention with psychics, mediums, tarot readers, paranormal experts, oddities, collectibles, panel discussions, sci-fi podcasters and more. Guest celebrities include actor/stuntman Martin Klebba, who played Marty in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and was a stuntman in the “Leprechaun” movies. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. $10 ($5 for ages 6-12, free for younger). Tropical Lodge No. 56, 10868 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers. charliesbeyond.com
‘Wicked Walk’ at Davis Art Center
Tour Davis Art Center for a spooky, immersive arts experience featuring music, dancing, art and theatrical performances — all from Lee County students. Tours take place 6-9 p.m. Thursday and 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23-24. $15 for adults, $5 for children. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com/wicked
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
National concert organizers Candlelight bring another candlelight-illuminated string quartet show to The MACC. They’ve packed the one-hour Halloween concert with Halloween classics, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the “Stranger Things” theme, Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre” and more. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, $45-$72. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, south Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gulfcoastsymphony.org
Gulf Coast Symphony’s ‘Hogwarts Halloween’
Gulf Coast Symphony plays a not-so-spooky, kid-friendly Halloween concert featuring music from the Harry Potter movies. Audience members are encouraged to dress in their wizarding finest and compete in a 1 p.m. costume contest. The concert starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. $41. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
CAPE CORAL HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Bones & Bales Fall Festival at Gator Mike’s
This new, family-friendly event celebrates Halloween all month long with 12 playful, Florida-themed skeleton scenes (vote for your favorite); a pumpkin-painting patch; food and craft vendors; circus performers; a trunk-or-treat station; field games; deejayed music for kids; a monster truck; and more. Bones & Bales replaces Gator Mike’s long-running Frightmare on 78 haunted attraction. Noon to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October. $10 admission ($5 for ages 10 and younger). Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road/State Road 78, Cape Coral. 574-4386 or gatormikes.com
Cape Cafe Dessert Theatre’s ‘The Spirit of Bay Manor’
The new community theater performs a stage thriller written by playwright and Cape Café founder Joe Simonelli. In “The Spirit of Bay Manor,” five people spend the weekend at an old New York manor house to determine if it’s haunted. The play runs every weekend, Oct. 4-Nov. 2. $28 ticket includes coffee and pastries. Cape Cafe Dessert Theatre inside Durso’s Delights Café, 110 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 363-0848 or capecafetheatre.com
KidsFest
The annual family festival returns bigger and better, organizers say, with live entertainment, games, craft stations, costume contests, vendors, food, resources for parents, and lots of raffles and giveaways. Organized by Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Free admission. Cultural Park, 544 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. capecoralkiwanis.org/kidsfest or facebook.com/kiwanisclubcapecoral
‘Young Frankenstein” at The Belle Theatre
This hit Broadway musical is based on Mel Brooks’ 1974 movie spoofing classic Frankenstein films. The grandson of infamous mad scientist Victor Frankenstein (pronounced “FRONK-en-steen”) returns to Transylvania and soon finds himself following in his grandfather’s footsteps. Oct. 17-31. $25. The Belle Theatre, 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Suite 135, in The Towers at Santa Barbara shopping center, Cape Coral. 323-5533 or thebelletheatre.com
South Cape Business Trick-or-Treat
South Cape businesses hand out candy, trinkets, gift cards and more to trick-or-treaters at this seventh-annual event. It also features a photo booth and a costume contest with cash prizes. Limo buses will transport children and their families across Cape Coral Parkway and back. Check the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association’s Facebook page for participating businesses. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Free. Downtown Cape Coral/South Cape. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation
South Cape Spooktacular Pub Crawl
Ride limo buses throughout downtown Cape Coral/South Cape and stop at different bars, restaurants and businesses for Halloween-themed drink samples and candy. Ages 21 and older. Costumes are encouraged. A $500 prize will be awarded for best costume in the event’s photo booth contest. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. $20 in advance, $25 on event day ($15 for designated drivers). Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. in downtown Cape Coral at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St, Cape Coral, under the front awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation
Mid-Cape Fall Fest at Mercola Market
Celebrate autumn with this annual, family-friendly event that includes live music, food trucks, bounce houses, vendors, a craft market, character appearances and a pumpkin patch. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Free. Mercola Market, 125 SW Third Place, Cape Coral. mercolamarketcc.com
Farmer Joe’s Fall Fest
Celebrate the season with hayrides, an inflatable corn maze, pumpkin decorating, face painting, food, drinks, games, vendors and more. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Free. Farmer Joe’s, 1401 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. facebook.com/farmerjoesofficial
Boo Bash
The annual event returns with food trucks, free candy and popcorn, face painting, games, meet-and-greets with costumed superheroes, music, raffles, prizes and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Free. Big John Plaza behind John Michael’s Diamond and Jewelry, 1331 Cape Coral Parkway East, downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/SJCTechnology
Terror on 20th haunted house
A private Cape Coral home transforms into a haunted house with pneumatic props, actors, monsters, chainsaws, smoke machines, music and scares around every corner. Guided tours are 7-10 p.m. Halloween night only (Friday, Oct. 31). Free admission with the donation of canned food for The Harry Chapin Food Bank. The haunted house takes place at 2812 SW 20th Ave., Cape Coral. facebook.com/TerrorOn20th
Spooky Alley Halloween Yard Haunt
The popular annual “yard haunt” won’t be happening this year, organizers said on Facebook. After 12 years in Cape Coral. the event is moving to a new location in North Central Florida (to be announced). facebook.com/SpookyAlley
LYR’s Sonic Masquerade at Nice Guys
In this annual cover show, Southwest Florida musicians play full sets of songs from their favorite musical acts. This year’s cover sets include Metallica, Weezer, Hole, Pat Benatar, Rage Against the Machine and Bloodhound Gang. Plus there’s a costume contest with prizes. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. $12 at the door (cash only). Sonic Masquerade is a fundraiser for local nonprofit Love Your Rebellion (LYR). Nice Guys Pizza, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., downtown Cape Coral. facebook.com/loveyourrebellion
BONITA SPRINGS AND ESTERO HALLOWEEN EVENTS
‘Carrie: The Musical’ at Arts Bonita
A spooky rock musical based on Stephen King’s book and movie about a bullied teenaged girl who discovers she has telekinetic powers. Everything comes to a head at a bloody, vengeance-filled senior prom. Oct. 3-12. $24-$39 ($16 for students). The show is intended for mature audiences. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Farmer Mike’s Fall Festival and Corn Mazes
Celebrate the Halloween season with haunted and family-friendly corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, sunflower picking, games, food vendors, crafts and more. This year’s corn mazes have the themes “The Classics Invade Farmer Mike’s” (haunted maze) and “The Lost City of Atlantis” (family-friendly maze). Tickets are available in 30-minute time slots. Prices vary. 6-9:30 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 2. Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs. farmermikesupick.com
Boo-tanical Evening at Wonder Gardens
The Bonita attraction gets spooky with Halloween decorations, games, candy, face painting, photo opportunities and other family-friendly fun. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Included with regular Wonder Gardens admission of $12-$17 (free for ages 2 and younger). Some activities may cost extra. Costumes are optional, but encouraged. Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 992-2591 or wondergardens.org
Halloween improv comedy: Slasher Films of the ’80s
Bonita Improv Group performs improv comedy based on horror classics such as “Friday the 13th,” “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Halloween” — and also suggestions from the audience. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. $20-$25. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Spooktacular Night
Family-friendly Halloween event with trunk-or-treating, food trucks and an outdoor screening of “The Minecraft Movie” at 7:15 p.m. There’s also a donation drive for the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). 5-8:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Free. Bring chairs or blankets. Estero Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero. 533-1470 or leeparks.org/estero
Trick or Treat Downtown Bonita Springs
This “spooktacular” block party features a pop-up market, free candy for the kids and local vendors. Costumes are encouraged. 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Free. Takes place on Old 41 between Wilson and Dean streets. facebook.com/events/777540348107074
NORTH FORT MYERS HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Family Fall Festival at North Fort Myers Park
This free family event celebrates the fall season with a costume contest, candy, games, a photo booth, a live DJ, prizes and more. 6-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24. Free. North Fort Myers Park, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers. 533-7200 or leeparks.org/nfm
LEHIGH ACRES HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Monster Mash Bash at Veterans Park
Bring your “little ghouls” for music, games and the Trick or Treat Trail. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24. Free. Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres. 533-7530 or leeparks.org/veterans
SAN CARLOS PARK HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Barktoberfest at Gulf Coast Town Center
Bring your family and pets for this animal-friendly Halloween event with a pet costume contest, a pet photo booth, stilt walker/balloon artist Too Tall Torrie and a deejay spinning Halloween music. The annual event benefits Gulf Coast Humane Society. 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Free. $5 suggested donation to enter costume contest. Online registration required for pet costume contest (tinyurl.com/mr32wwhs). The courtyard at Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., San Carlos Park. 267-5107 or gulfcoasttowncenter.com
Ghosts & Ghouls Candy Crawl and Costume Contest at Gulf Coast Town Center
Trick-or-treat at businesses throughout the shopping center using a virtual map. Plus a Halloween party in the courtyard with a costume contest (preregistration required at tinyurl.com/557nmkp7), face painting, costumed characters and stilt walker/balloon artist Too Tall Torrie. 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Free. Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., San Carlos Park. 267-5107 or gulfcoasttowncenter.com/event/30461-ghosts-ghouls-candy-crawl
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Halloween in SW Florida: Best events in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Lehigh
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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