Halloween in South Florida: Festivals, haunts, movies, pumpkin patches and more

From spooky to scary and everything in between, there are plenty of events in South Florida to get you into the spirit of the Halloween season. And there won’t be a shortage of costumes or candy either, according to the Halloween & Costume Association. As Halloween-related activities begin to return to pre-pandemic levels, the National Retail Federation expects Halloween spending to reach $10.6 billion this year.

What costumes will you be seeing the most at your front door on Oct. 31 (it’s a Monday, this year)? The top three for kids are SpiderMan, princess and witch while adults are trending toward the classics - ghost, vampire and witch. Pet owners are picking out hot dogs, bats and pumpkins for their dogs and cats, according to the National Retail Federation.

Here’s the first part of our guide to hometown festivals, pumpkin patches, haunted attractions and other seasonal events in South Florida. Check back for more listings throughout October.

Broward County

Pet Halloween Party - 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 1 at Festival Marketplace, 2900 W. Sample Road, Pompano Beach. Halloween-themed adoption event with cats, dogs and rabbits. Costume contest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with photo booth for pictures. Free.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 47th Anniversary Spectacular Tour - 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach. Join actor Barry Bostwick (aka Brad Majors) to do the time warp again during this screening of the original unedited movie featuring the live professional shadow cast “Creatures of the Night” and audience participation. The event will also include a costume contest, a display of memorabilia including photos, documents and wardrobe items from the film. A Meet & Greet is at 7 pm and the event begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50, and V.I.P. Meet & Greet tickets with Barry Bostwick are an additional $100 (includes Rocky Horror VIP laminate, photo taken with Bostwick with your own camera and autograph on your own personal item, or pick out a photo at the event to get signed.) Prop bags will be sold onsite for $5, no outside props are allowed into the center. Tickets at pompanobeacharts.org.

Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” - 7:15-9:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Villages of Hillsboro Park, 4111 NW Sixth St., Deerfield Beach. Free.

Lyrical Lounge - 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 West O a k l a n d Pa r k B l vd . , Sunrise. This monthly open mic night exclusively for teens is Halloween themed for October. Participate in the guided writing workshop and perform or join as a spectator. sunrisefl.gov/ lyrical. Free admission.

Teen Yoga Night: Halloween Edition - 6-7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Highlands Community Center, 511 NE 44th St., Deerfield Beach. Workshop by Yoga4Change led by Yaneilys (Yanee) Amador, RYT200 Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor and Mental Health Advocate. Yoga mats will be provided for use during the hour, but teens can bring their own mat. This workshop is limited to 25 teen participants. Parents/ legal guardians must register youth online at bit. ly/3S3p3kE. 954-571-4568. Free.

Bow Wow Ween - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 8 at Pembroke Pines K-9 Officer Craig Rupp Dog Park, 9751 Johnson St. Dog costume contests for all sizes by category: best family costume, scariest, cutest and funniest costumes, and most original costume, with an awards ceremony to follow. Dog games, prizes, promotional items from pet related vendors, activities for families and raffles. For the costume contest, walkins are welcome or applications can be completed in advance. Free and pets are allowed. bit.ly/3xEv7YC.

Moonlight Movie in the Park: “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” - 8-9:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Regional Park - Event Stage, 20200 Saddle Club Road, Weston. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers are allowed (no alcohol permitted). Free. 954-389-4321 or westonfl.org/events.

Haunted Hamptons - gates open at 7 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. or until capacity Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 at Hampton Pines Park, 7800 Hamptons Blvd., North Lauderdale. $10 general admission or $15 fast pass. 954-724-7061, option 1.

Hocus Pocus Family Dance - 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Sunrise Civic Center Grand Ballroom, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise. Dinner, dancing and activities inspired by “Hocus Pocus” movies. $5 per person must be purchased by Oct. 7 at the Sunrise Civic Center Box Office (954-747-4646), or sunrisefl.gov/tickets.

Fall Harvest Festival -