“It’s Halloween. Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”
The oft-quoted line from the 1978 classic horror flick “Halloween” could be the macabre mantra for the holiday’s fans who seek out the jump scares, costumed creatures and spine-chilling scenes that South Florida’s haunted attractions devilishly deliver this time of year.
The demand from scare-seekers for bigger, better frights has even led one haunt to expand from its spot at Royal Palm Beach’s fall festival to a standalone attraction in Loxahatchee. Catskill Haunts, created by Loxahatchee residents Armond and Tammi Sabatini, takes a team of 20 to 35 people to work the behind-the-scenes operations.
“Without this hardworking team, this project would not happen,” said Armond, who has been bringing haunted houses to life since 1985 in New York, Ohio and New Jersey.
When the couple moved to Florida, they set up their haunt in Boca Raton for a few years and then ended up in Royal Palm Beach.
“We both love Halloween very much and enjoy going to all the trade shows and meeting all the people,” Armond said. “The fun of hearing the people scream, and then telling us about their story of going through the haunted house is just very exciting. Makes it all worthwhile.”
Now, they’re ready to make their new location near the corner of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Southern Boulevard the final resting place for their haunted house, prop shop, scare farm and pumpkin patch. But, so far, it hasn’t been a walk in the cemetery.
“This year, we were faced with the challenge of (Hurricane Helene),” Armond said. “We lost part of our haunt weeks before we opened and had to rebuild, and with the relocation, it took us much longer this year. We spend a good month, putting up and decorating the haunt each year.”
After opening weekend on Oct. 4 and 5, a tornado tore through Wellington as Hurricane Milton approached the state, forcing the couple to postpone the event while their crew made repairs.
They wrapped up their haunted attraction for the season, but there are other frightfully fun activities geared toward adults and teens — from costume contests to block parties planned throughout the South Florida area this week,
Where to get scared
The Horrorland Scream Park returns for its fifth anniversary at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October (also Tuesday, Oct. 29, and Wednesday, Oct. 30). Dare to walk through all five haunts? You’ll find Insanity Invasion, Holly Jolly Horrors, Infestation, Sinister Fuel Stop and The Eclipse: Festival of Shadows. Take a fright break at the Coffin Bar, Cemetery Food Village or the Haunted Beer Garden. Visit the Midnight Masquerade and Disco Inferno scare zones and play Creepy Carnival Games. Online tickets are $34.99 to $54.99. Prices may increase closer to event date. Fast-pass add-ons are available. Parking is $15. Visit thehorrorland.com.
Nightmare Village has two new houses — Ravenswood State Prison: Contamination and Poison Creek Blood Harvest —at Xtreme Action Park, 5300 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale. The attraction opens at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in October (also Wednesday, Oct. 30), Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2. Tickets are $30 to $40. Visit xtremeactionpark.com/experience-nightmare-village.
The Haunt invites visitors to brave four haunted trails: Camp Carnage Lights Out!, La Bruja’s Graveyard Reanimated, Psycho Path The Last Laugh and Florida Man II Bushwhacked on various dates through Saturday, Nov. 2, at Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100th Ave., Davie. The Haunt opens at 7 p.m. each night and closes two hours after the last booking slot. A family-friendly, mildly scary experience is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 20, 26 and 27. All child tickets include a trick-or-treat experience through the trails and a crafting activity. Ticket prices vary. Visit tormentedtrails.com.
Museum of Horror – Monster Mayhem at the Museum of Illusions, 536 Lincoln Road, in Miami Beach, is a walk-through, immersive, haunted exhibit through Thursday, Oct. 31. Presale tickets are $15 to $50. Visit miaillusions.com/tickets.
Things to do
The Dead Flamingo Pop-Up, 1728 SW Eighth St., in Miami, offers a month of fright-filled fun with “Nightmare on 8th Street.” Grab drinks from the haunted tiki bar, scream at horror movie nights, chill at the Late Night Onesie Party, and take part in Halloween-themed trivia and karaoke nights. Visit thedeadflamingo.com.
The Spooktacular Halloween Party at Cafe Centro, 2409 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, gets started at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, with Rob Russell’s Open Mic, in which audience members perform tunes from the worlds of Broadway, Hollywood, jazz and the Great American Songbook. Costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded. Visit cafecentrowpb.com.
Join the Rocky Horror Movie Viewing and Costume Contest at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Boca Black Box Center for the Arts, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton. Dress as your favorite character for a chance to win $500. Attendees will receive an interactive prop bag to use during the screening. Tickets are $38. Visit bocablackbox.com.
Shows
“The Witches of Eastwick,” a musical comedy, will be presented by the Slow Burn Theatre Co. on select dates through Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $72. Visit browardcenter.org.
Michael Jackson Thriller Spooktacular, presented by South Florida Legends, pays tribute to the “King of Pop” with his songs and dance moves along with the Thriller Band at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Coral Springs Center For The Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive. Tickets are $46.68 to $68.08. Visit thecentercs.com.
On Halloween night
Wicked Manors will have an Island of Misfit Toys this year from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, from Northeast 21st Court to North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors. Costume contests take place on the main stage on Northeast Sixth Avenue. General admission tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the gate. VIP tickets are $125 in advance and $150 at the gate. Visit wickedmanors.org.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!, a Halloween dining event, is coming to Meat Market Boca, 2000 NW 19th St., Boca Raton, with reservations starting at 5 p.m. and the party at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Enjoy Beetlejuice-inspired music, entertainment and decor. Costumes are encouraged. Visit meatmarket.net.
A Black Tie Halloween Dinner Party at Le Colonial, 601 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, will feature a three-course menu from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, with a 1920s theme. Black-tie attire and gowns are required. Tickets are $115 (regular) and $125 (late, if available). Visit livingfla.com/Le-Colonial-Halloween.
The Lincoln Road Halloween Block Party in Miami Beach, which is said to typically welcome more than 50,000 people every year, kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. All eight blocks of Lincoln Road transform into a catwalk for those in costume, and visitors can dine at restaurants, cafes and bars with outdoor seating featuring live DJ performances. From 5 to 7 p.m., kids are invited to come in costume to trick-or-treat at candy stations set up along Lincoln Road. Free admission. Visit eventbrite.com.
HalloWYN, presented by Swarm, returns for the 11th year at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, and goes until 3 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Miami’s Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., with DJs, food trucks, drinks and costumed partygoers. Free admission. Register for a free drink at HalloWYNBlockParty.com.
Halloween Noche Latina, starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Lona Cocina & Tequileria, inside The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., will have music, taco specials and a free margarita for guests in costume. Visit lonarestaurant.com.
Do the Monster Mash starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Clevelander, 1020 Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, with a costume content, DJ and handcrafted cocktails. First place for the costume contest gets $500, while second wins a $250 bar tab and a $100 bar tab for third place. Visit clevelander.com.
The Spirits of the Dead Rooftop Party at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Sipsip Rum Bar, Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, 3000 Florida Ave., Miami, offers themed cocktails, live music, a costume contest with prizes, and rooftop views of Coconut Grove’s Halloween festivities. For guests age 21 and older. Free admission. VIP available. Visit eventbrite.com.
“Tales from the Crypt'” – Everafter, a dance party with music by Coleman, craft cocktails and performances hosted by Rocky Lanes, comes to Faena Theater, 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, at 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Tickets start at $90. Visit faena.com.
