Busch Gardens Spooktacular 2026 Brings Family-Friendly Halloween Fun to Riverview Families

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Spooktacular event, which began on September 12, has been providing Riverview families with Halloween fun every Saturday and Sunday. The event offers a family-friendly experience for all ages, featuring trick-or-treating, costume parades, and new attractions.

This annual event provides an engaging environment for children to celebrate Halloween. Various activities are designed to create festive memories without the frights often associated with the holiday. The Spooktacular is a local attraction, drawing visitors and offering entertainment options for the community.

New for 2026, "The Music of Mr. Skelly" made its debut. Mr. Skelly, a violin-playing skeleton, teaches music and shares his love for the craft, demonstrating that Halloween does not need to be frightening to be fun. Returning fan-favorite activities include trick-or-treating stations, where guests receive Goldfish® and YumEarth® treats. The Spooktacular Costume Parade also returned, allowing children to showcase their costumes on a catwalk.

Attendees have also enjoyed Kit & Kat’s Black Cat Dance Party, offering spooky beats and playful dance moves. Professor Pufflemintz, an instructor from the Magic Conservatory, has presented Spooky Kooky Science experiments. Kandy, Busch Gardens’ resident witch-in-training, and her Krew have hosted the event, guiding guests through the whimsical world of Spooktacular.