SENSORY-FRIENDLY Boo! at The Bay | Family Halloween Celebration

Join in the fun of this extra-special SENSORY-FRIENDLY Halloween experience. Designed to be accessible and inclusive for those who prefer a less stimulating environment, this special hour includes the thrills of Boo! at the Bay – with reduced crowds, noises, and surprises.

The Third Annual celebration of this Family- and Fan-Favorite event includes activities like: trick-or-treating, free pumpkin pickings, yard games, a not-really haunted decorated trail and more!

SENSORY-FRIENDLY Halloween games and activities and treats will be provided by Face Autism inside the nearby Sarasota Garden Club building.

(If desired, an outdoor showing of the movie, “Despicable Me 4” begins at 7pm in The Oval.)

Costumes are encouraged (not required) for this not-so-spooky special event.

Pumpkins are available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 1,500 kids.

Trick-or-treat candy will be available throughout the park, including along the not-really haunted decorated trail by members of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation team.

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Teaching Artists will inspire you to decorate your FREE pumpkin in ways you never imagined.

Take a pic at the “must-do” Photo op station created by an Art Center Sarasota talented artist.

Delicious tastes served by Killik’s Kitchen, Nakos Tacos, PopStroke and King of Pops food trucks. Boo-licious Lemonade and other beverages, as well as delicious popcorn will be available at The Nest Café.

Schedule of Events:

• 5:00-6:00pm SENSORY-FRIENDLY Boo! at the Bay
• 5:00-8:30pm: Food Trucks serve delicious food
• 6:00pm-7:30pm: General Trick-or-Treat, Pumpkin Decorating, Games and more!
• 7:00pm-8:30pm: Showing of movie “Despicable Me 4”

NOTE: For those who are comfortable with larger crowds and more stimulation, check out Boo! at The Bay which begins at 6:00pm. It offers a not-so-scary evening filled with trick or treating, free pumpkin pickings, yard games, a family movie night and more!

Click here for more Know Before You Go information for this event.

Click here to view a map of all Boo! offerings.

About “Despicable Me 4”

Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run. This daddy’s a baddie. Fun for the entire family.

About The Bay Second Anniversary Community Celebration

This is one of nearly 70 FREE and exciting events at The Bay during the park’s month-long Second Anniversary Celebration.

• Click here to explore the full Schedule of Events being offered throughout October.
• Click here to see other Family-Friendly upcoming events at The Bay.

Two Terrific Years at The Bay… 2X Your Impact!

It takes a little support from many to keep the park looking like new and offering FREE high quality events for everyone to enjoy. Please consider becoming a Friend of The Bay (or renewing your Friendship) today as every dollar of your gift* this year will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Gulf Coast Community Foundation – DOUBLING the impact of your gift to the park. Click here to become a Friend of The Bay.

*Up to a total of $2 million

About Face Autism

Face Autism Inc. provides sensory-friendly activities, support groups, therapeutic services, structured classes, and other necessary resources for the Gulf Coast autistic community.Founded in 2009, the all-volunteer, non-profit organization soon began organizing autism-appropriate outings including ballroom dancing, horseback riding, fitness and yoga classes, bowling, movies, and social skills classes. Face Autism is committed to giving autistic individuals support in developmental and educational skills, and empowering them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

About Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Headquartered in Venice, Fla. and with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Fla., Gulf Coast Community Foundation has transformed the region through bold and proactive philanthropy for nearly 30 years. Serving the needs of the region as a partner in philanthropy and leader in community initiatives, Gulf Coast has surpassed granting over $550 million in the areas of: health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Gulf Coast was named one of the “Best Nonprofits To Work For” nationally by The NonProfit Times in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023. To learn more visit GulfCoastCF.org and follow us on Facebook.

About Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s mission is to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. The Foundation has partnered with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall since 1987 to support arts education throughout our region, serving more than 35,000 students and their families annually with enriching arts-based education opportunities and professional development for more than 400 teachers across five counties.

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is leading the vision to build the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center as a public-private partnership with the city and in collaboration with the Bay Park Conservancy and Van Wezel Hall. For more information about Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, please visit: PerformingArtsFoundation.org.

About Art Center Sarasota

Founded in 1926, Art Center Sarasota serves as the first and oldest visual arts organization in Sarasota. Art Center Sarasota is admission-free and open to the public; our mission is to bring together creatives and the broader public to increase understanding of our human condition, support wellbeing, and build community connection through the universal language of art. For more information, please visit: ArtSarasota.org

About DJ Rick Levine

DJ Rick has rhythm in his soul. He is a dancer as well as a beatboxer. He joins in the fun to make sure you’re out there dancing and grooving with his DJ skills.