St. Petersburg’s largest open-air Halloween celebration is back and bigger than ever. Halloween on Central returns Sunday, October 26, bringing a family-friendly street festival that stretches nearly two miles along Central Avenue — from 31st Street to Dr. MLK Jr. Street.
From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., thousands of costumed attendees will stroll, bike, skate, and scoot through a 22-block stretch of car-free fun. Now in its fifth year, the beloved event is produced in partnership with the Grand Central District, EDGE District, the City of St. Pete, and LocalShops1. It draws more than 100,000 people annually and transforms Central Avenue into a lively corridor filled with food, live entertainment, and spooky surprises.
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I’ve attended Halloween on Central every year since its inception, and as someone who lives car-free, the two-mile celebration brings me endless joy. People come out in full force to support local businesses. I’ve been served coffee by someone dressed as Spider-Man, rode the SunRunner with the Blue Ranger, and explored a haunted house just off Central Avenue. This event embodies everything I love about the Sunshine City, and I’m incredibly grateful to the organizers who bring it to life year after year.
A family-friendly Halloween extravaganza in St. Pete
“This event has quickly established itself as an icon in St. Pete,” said Roger Curlin, executive director of the EDGE Business District Association. “It allows kids to be kids and adults to feel like kids again. Last year, despite two back-to-back hurricanes, our community rallied to make it happen. It was more than just fun — it was a chance to come together, catch our breath, and feel normal again.”
This year’s event promises even more reasons to attend. Guests can enjoy the Voodoo Vendor Village with more than 150 local vendors, live music and roaming performers, trick-or-treat stations, food truck hubs, family games, and pet and people costume contests. There’s even a fan-favorite wiener dog race.
Getting to the event is easy thanks to the SunRunner, St. Pete’s award-winning bus rapid transit line, which has multiple stops along the route. Attendees are also encouraged to bike, scooter, carpool, or walk from nearby neighborhoods. For those driving in, the Tampa Bay Rays are once again expected to make Tropicana Field’s parking lots available for free all day.
An event made possible through community support
Chris Arnold, executive director of the Grand Central District Association, emphasized the importance of community support in keeping the event going strong.
“T-Mobile is back as our Diamond Sponsor, and we’re now actively searching for a 2025 Title Sponsor to help us grow even more,” Arnold said. “These partnerships are essential — not just for the event — but for reinvesting in Central Avenue’s historic business corridor.”
Halloween on Central is free to attend and open to all ages. For more information or to get involved, visit halloweenoncentral.com.
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