October along the Emerald Coast is when the beach meets the boo. Think candy buckets under palm trees, costumes that squeak by on flip-flops instead of snow boots, and pumpkin spice lattes sweating in the Florida sun. From dachshunds in disguise to haunted dinner parties, this stretch of sand has turned spooky season into its own brand of coastal magic.
Whether you’re wrangling little goblins for trick-or-treating, dressing up your four-legged sidekick for a canine costume contest, or braving a murder mystery dinner that will keep you guessing between bites, there’s no shortage of frightfully fun ways to celebrate.
Treats Around 30A
Oct. 11 – Murder Mystery Theatre Night
Sunbright Inn, DeFuniak Springs | 7 p.m. | $75 per person
An evening of suspense with a catered dinner and live interactive performance by ICMT. Limited seating (30 guests).
Oct. 25 – Annual Halloweener Derby
Seaside Amphitheater | 10 a.m. | Free to watch, registration required
These dogs are scary fast! Cheer on costumed pups in Seaside’s 15th Annual dachshund races and costume contest.
Oct. 26 – Rosemary Beach Halloween Bash
Rosemary Beach | 2–5 p.m. | Free
Pumpkin carving, games, candy, and a costume contest on East Long Green.
Oct. 30 – Camp Creek Inn Halloween Celebration
Inlet Beach | Weekend-long
Family-friendly festivities and spooky thrills as the inn transforms into a Halloween wonderland.
Oct. 31 – Trick-or-Treat in Seaside
Central Square, Seaside | 4–7 p.m. | Wizard of Oz theme
Follow the Yellow Brick Road for trick-or-treating, meet Oz characters, then stay for an outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz at 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 – The Big Chill Halloween Party
The Big Chill, 30A | 5–9:30 p.m.
Trick-or-treating (5–6 p.m.), Halloween crafts (5–7 p.m.), and a DJ dance party after dark.
Destin After Dark
Oct. 25 – Halloween Haunt at Destin Commons
Destin Commons, Destin | 6–8 p.m.
Face painting, chalk art, live music, and trick-or-treating at participating retailers.
Oct. 25 – Pumpkin Palooza — Boos & Booze Bingo Pub Crawl
HarborWalk Village, Destin | Evening
Family-friendly fall fun by day, then a pub crawl with games, drinks, and live music by night.
Oct. 26 – McGuire’s Halloween Run (5K/10K)
Destin | 9 a.m.
Dress up and race with breakfast, awards, and a post-race party.
Oct. 30 – Barktoberfest Doggie Costume Contest
Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach | 4:30–6:30 p.m. | $15 donation ($20 day-of)
A canine costume contest and trick-or-treat celebration with raffles, bites, and music.
Oct. 31 – Lulu’s BooLu’s Halloween
Destin | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Free
Kids costume contest, trunk-or-treating, inflatables, and crafts.
Oct. 31 – Fudpucker’s Frightful Halloween Bash
Destin | 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Bring the kids in costume for a day of candy and family fun.
Oct. 31 – Baytowne Wharf Trick or Treat Street
The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Miramar Beach | 6–8 p.m.
Trick-or-treat through the village, enjoy live music, and stay for fireworks at 8 p.m.
Oct. 31 – Halloween on the Boulevard
Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach | 4–6 p.m. | Free
Trick-or-treating with merchants in a festive outdoor setting.
Frights From Niceville To Pensacola
Throughout October & November – Creepy Hollow Woods
Pensacola | Times vary
An outdoor labyrinth of frights and eerie encounters—perfect for those who like their Halloween with a dose of nature’s dark side.
October Weekends – The Scare Spot
Pensacola | Evenings
A pop-up fright zone that changes themes each weekend, keeping the jump scares fresh and the adrenaline pumping.
Oct. 3 – Flight Night: Navarre Annual Halloween Showcase
Vertical Pole Studio, Navarre | 7–9:30 p.m.
A high-flying aerial showcase with costumes and creative performances.
Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 31 & Nov. 1 – Hadji Shrine Haunted House
Pensacola | 7–10:30 p.m.
Step inside this legendary haunted house for spine-tingling scares and elaborate sets that keep even veteran thrill-seekers on edge.
Oct. 18 – Books & Boos Trick-or-Treat
Niceville | 4–6 p.m.
Kids in costume enjoy treats with a storybook twist.
Oct. 18, 19, 25 & 26 – Boo at the Zoo
Gulf Breeze Zoo | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Multiple weekends of family fun with candy trails, animals, bounce houses, and more.
Oct. 17 – Beach-O-Ween
Pensacola Beach Boardwalk | 4–8 p.m.
Candy stations, live entertainment, and coastal-style Halloween fun right on the sand.
Oct. 24 – Camp Timpoochee Family Trick-or-Treat Night
Niceville | 4:30–7:30 p.m. | Free
A community gathering with candy stations and kids’ activities.
Oct. 25 – Pensacola Halloween Pub Crawl
Downtown Pensacola | Evening
Dress up and hop bar-to-bar with themed drinks, games, and live music.
Oct. 26 – Navarre Trunk-or-Treat
Navarre High School | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Free
Decorated cars, inflatables, food trucks, and candy—all free for families.
Oct. 31 – Escape to Wonderland: A Twisted Tea Party
Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge, Pensacola | Evening
A Halloween bash with a darkly whimsical Alice in Wonderland theme.
November Events
Nov. 1 – Murder Mystery Theatre Night
Sunbright Inn, DeFuniak Springs | 7 p.m. | $75 per person
A second night of murder, mystery, and a catered dinner theatre show.
Pumpkin Patch Picks
If it’s a pumpkin patch you’re looking for, we’ve got that too!
Holland Farms (Milton, near 30A)
A full fall-festival experience: pick-your-own pumpkins, a corn maze, zip lines, hay rides, train rides, pedal tractors, and photo ops. Opens in late September.
Sweet Season Farms (Milton)
Features a pumpkin patch, eight-acre corn maze, hayrides, a cow train, jumping pillow, and festive food options. Open weekends from late September through early November, including some Friday night hours.
The Garden at Peach Creek (Santa Rosa Beach)
A quieter, picturesque patch nestled in a plant nursery. Pick up mums, pumpkins, and enjoy a calm, scenic setting.
So sharpen your fangs, dust off the broomsticks, and maybe keep a swimsuit handy—because Halloween on the Emerald Coast has a flair all its own. It’s a mash-up of hayrides and harbor lights, pumpkins and palm trees, witches and waves. This year’s lineup proves you don’t need a haunted mansion or a chilly October wind to get into the spooky spirit; you just need good company, a clever costume, and maybe a Bloody Mary or two. Mark your calendars, stock up on treats (the good kind, not the candy corn), and let the coast cast its spell on you all season long.
