Plus a spooky night at Carrollwood Players, clocks falling back and dates to save.
The week of October 29, 2026
Good morning, neighbors. Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, the clocks give us back an hour on Sunday, and there's plenty to do close to home. Grab your coffee and let's get into it.
Whether you're taking the grandkids out or planning a night of your own, here are three ways to spend it.
With the kids and grandkids (both free)
Keystone Trunk or Treat, Fri., Oct. 30, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Keystone Park & Recreation Center, Odessa. A Hillsborough County Parks & Rec event.
Halloween Skate Jam, Fri., Oct. 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Carrollwood Village Skate Park. Costume contest for all ages, best-trick contest, food, drinks and prizes. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. Even if no one in your family skates, the costumes are fun to watch. Carrolwood Village Park
A spooky night out, right in our backyard
Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway. The theater's season calendar lists a Special Mainstage Spooky Event, Oct. 29 to 31:
Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday (Halloween) at 2 p.m. Local actors read classic scary tales, including Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Monkey's Paw," "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "The Judge's House," plus "some surprises." (a local events column listed tickets at $20 and "not recommended for young children" Confirm the price and age guidance at carrollwoodplayers.org or the box office.)
A big night out in Tampa
Oktoberfest Tampa (rescheduled after Hurricane Isaias), Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr.
Fri., Oct. 30, 4 to 11 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets start at $10, and tickets bought for the original weekend will be honored on the matching days. (For age rules and what each price covers. Check oktoberfesttampa.com before printing them.)
The Halloween Party at the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City, Sat., Oct. 31, 8 to 11:59 p.m. A "Hollywood Undead" film-noir theme inspired by Tampa's ghostly past. Pre-registration is required.
NEED TO KNOW
The Rays' World Series run is over. The Milwaukee Brewers won Game 5 on Wednesday night, 4-1, and took the series four games to one. Tampa Bay won Game 4 to stay alive, but couldn't force a Game 6. Thanks for cheering along, neighbors.
Trash and recycling: Hillsborough County curbside collection runs as normal on Veterans Day (Nov. 11). There is no collection on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, and no make-up days. (county customers only; City of Tampa customers should check tampa.gov)
SAVE THE DATES
Hillsborough County Fair, Thu., Nov. 5 through Sun., Nov. 15,
215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover. Gates open 5 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 5 and 6, and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. Hours vary by day (the fair's schedule runs through Nov. 15). hillsboroughcountyfair.com/p/tickets
Hiking Spree kickoff, Sat., Nov. 7, Keystone Park & Recreation Center, Odessa. The new season runs Nov. 1 to March 31. Guided hikes, talks with park rangers, food trucks and kids' nature crafts. The celebration is a free community event that runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Veterans Day tribute, Wed., Nov. 11, 10 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 N. U.S. 301. Hillsborough County's 62nd annual ceremony with a JROTC color guard and a sing-along honoring every branch.
Carrollwood Market, Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the park at Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd. Local produce, baked goods, plants, handcrafts and live music. Dog-friendly. One of my favorite local things to attend.
Black Box musical at Carrollwood Players, Nov. 13 to 22: Patsy, Dolly, Tammy and Loretta. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. carrollwoodplayers.org
AROUND THE AREA THIS WEEK
Thu., Oct. 29
Carrollwood Players spooky readings, 7 p.m.
Lightning vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m., Benchmark International Arena.
Fri., Oct. 30
Keystone Trunk or Treat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Halloween Skate Jam, Carrollwood Village Skate Park, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Carrollwood Players spooky readings, 7 p.m.
Oktoberfest Tampa opens, 4 to 11 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 31 (Halloween)
Carrollwood Players spooky readings, 2 p.m. matinee.
Oktoberfest Tampa, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lightning at Nashville, 2 p.m.
Cuban Club Halloween Party, Ybor City, 8 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 1
Clocks fall back at 2 a.m.
Oktoberfest Tampa, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bucs vs. Falcons, 1 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.
Tue., Nov. 3
Lightning vs. Detroit, 7 p.m., Benchmark International Arena.
ONE LAST THING
Share your Halloween photos with us, with permission, especially if there are kids in them, and we may feature them next week. Know about a new business or something fun happening in the neighborhood? Just reply to this email or find Citrus Park Carrollwood Weekly on Facebook. I read every one.
See you next Thursday,
— Citrus Park & Carrollwood Weekly
