Winds howling, ghosts moaning, temperatures dropping below 80 degrees: Yes, Halloween is indeed approaching in South Florida.
Here are 10 events in the Palm Beaches that you should explore this year, but only if you dare.
Cinépolis Handpicked October Screenings
In honor of the spookiest time of year, Cinépolis will be screening horror classics throughout the month of October as part of its weekly Handpicked series. “Frankenstein,” the 1931 version, will play on Oct. 16; “Beetlejuice” will be shown on Oct. 17; and the 1974 classic film “Young Frankenstein” will play on Oct. 23. Discounted tickets for each film can be purchased online.
201 U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter; 561.277.1740; cinepolisusa.com
Fright Nights
With an event like Fright Nights right here in South Florida, you don’t need to drive all the way to Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights. From Oct. 11 to 13, Oct. 18 to 20 and Oct. 25 to 27, explore four haunted houses, including the decrepit Das Krankenhaus institution and the forgotten Mansion on Meadow Lane. If things get too scary, get traditional thrills from live music, food and carnival rides. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, and 6 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561.793.0333; myfrightnights.com
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is celebrating its 20th year of combining furry friends and Halloween celebrations. The event, being held from Oct. 19 to 21, and OCt. 26 to 28, will have wild animal encounters, a kids’ costume contest for ages 12 and younger, a DJ and more than 125,000 pieces of candy sponsored by FPL Connect. You can feel good about these sweets too: They come from manufacturers who follow sustainability practices that help Malayan tigers suffering from the harvesting of palm oil in Southeast Asia. Boo at the Zoo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561.547.9453; palmbeachzoo.org
Wellington’s Fall Festival
Hayrides, haunted hallways and Halloween goodies are abound in Village Park on Oct. 20 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The whole family will enjoy laser tag, bounce houses and face painting, as well as costume and pie-eating contests. Haunted hallways open at 5 p.m., and children must be at least 12 years old to enter them without an adult. Tickets can be purchased at Village Park and the Wellington Community Center.
11700 Pierson Road, Wellington; 561.791.4005; wellingtonfl.gov
Pumpkin Fest 2018
Celebrate Halloween on the water at Harbourside Place and pick plenty of pumpkins on Oct. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free fall bash is hosted by Riverside Realty and the Chasin A Dream Foundation, which provides assistance to families with children who are battling cancer, cystic fibrosis and other life-threatening illnesses. Families can explore 45 vendors, a costume contest, a photo op area, trick-or-treating, balloon artists and face painting.
200 U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter; 561.315.7005; chasinadream.org
Palm Beach Gardens Fall Festival
Bring your trick-or-treat bags and best costumes to the Palm Beach Gardens City Hall Municipal Campus from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. Festivities include a rock climbing wall, an inflatable corn maze, live music from local band Burnt Biscuit, an outdoor screening of the 1993 Halloween caper “Hocus Pocus” and an inaugural trunk or treat. Trick-or-treaters with food allergies can find non-food goodies in teal pumpkins, provided by the Teal Pumpkin Project.
10500 Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens; 561.799.4100; pbgfl.com
Boogah and Hoogah’s Haunted HouseParty at Batty Manor
Once Boogah and Hoogah arrive at the Batty Manor cottage, your little monsters will surely be scared with delight. The goofy goblin duo will perform six shows in the Grand Court of the Gardens Mall from Oct. 27 to 31 at 1 p.m. On Halloween they’ll be at the Spooky Soiree at 6 p.m. as well, complete with Instagram-worthy photo ops. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costumes while singing along to such tunes as “Hey Ho Halloween’s Here!” and “Rattle Your Bones.”
3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561.775.7750; thegardensmall.com
Halloween at the Station
Ghouls and gals can dress their spooky best at Elizabeth Ave Station, located in West Palm Beach’s trendy warehouse district on Oct. 27 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy food, live music, adult beverages, a tarot card reader, a festive photo booth and a costume contest. The winner will receive $200.
1500-C Elizabeth Ave., West Palm Beach; 561.318.8011; thestationwpb.com
Moonfest
Moonfest has been providing scary good delights in West Palm Beach for 26 years. This year’s musical lineup includes ’80s new wavers Bow Wow Wow, Spred the Dub, Otto Von Schirach and Information Society. Set along five haunted blocks of Clematis Street, this bar crawl will show off plenty of eye-catching costumes, from the “Gilligan’s Island” cast to the three-breasted woman from “Total Recall.” With a haunted house, two stages of live music and a $1,000 cash costume contest, there is something for every cool ghoul wanting to party on Oct. 27, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
100 to 500 blocks of Clematis Street (entrance on Quadrille Blvd.), West Palm Beach; 561.667.1030; moonfest.me
Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest by Peggy Adams
Dress up your pets in paw-sitively spooky costumes at CityPlace for the chance to win some dog-gone good prizes on Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the contest begins at noon. There will also be music, pet photos and games. Want to pick up a critter to keep? Adoptable pets from Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League will be present, and guests who adopt will receive a CityPlace gift card.
700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561.366.1000; cityplace.com
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