Halloween 2020 Happenings In Lakeland

Skyla Luckey
·3 min read

LAKELAND, FL — The coronavirus pandemic has canceled so much for us in the Polk County area this year, but one thing moms aren't allowing it to cancel is Halloween fun for the kids.

In a poll conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Confectioners Association, 74 percent of millennial moms and young parents say Halloween is more important than ever this year.

"The results of our research reveal a deeply rooted enthusiasm for Halloween, even if it means that people have to rethink their approach this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic," said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association.

Parents are thinking outside the usual trick-or-treat Halloween box to provide children safety from the coronavirus such as having small-crowd costume gatherings at home or participating in an event put on by a local church or community center with social distancing, mask guidelines and attendance limits in place.

Following guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on ways to safely celebrate Halloween, the National Confectioners Association put together Halloween Central, an online resource page for parents.

Halloween events happening in the Polk County area include:

  • RSVP for your child to spend time with some of their favorite Disney movie characters at Enchanted Trick Or Treat Trail in Lakeland on October 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 214 Trader's Alley. Games, candy and a Halloween parade are part of the fun activities. RSVP is required right here. Tickets are $20.

  • Tinkerbell, Snow White and other Disney characters will be at the Ultimate Fairy Tale Boo Bash in Lakeland on Oct. 31 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Your child can participate in a costume contest and dance to Halloween music at a spooky dance party. Tickets are $15 and the event takes place 214 Trader's Alley. For more information and tickets, click here.

  • Halloween Is Dead is an all-day live music and Halloween costume event for children and adults. Kids' activities will be provided throughout the day, and camping is an option. Some bands will play Grateful Dead cover music. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. on Oct. 21 at 2505 West Bella Vista Street. For more information, follow this link.

  • Catch the classic Halloween movie, "Hocus Pocus," on an outdoor big screen at Fall Fest & Cinema Under The Stars. This event is scheduled for Oct. 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Haines City at 5000 Firetower Road. Don't forget your lawn chair and blanket. Register here.

  • Polk County Snapping Turtles 3rd Annual Masquerade Ball, 2250 South Floral Avenue, Bartow. This is a fundraiser event with a Roaring '20s theme. To register, click here.

If you're hosting a Halloween or fall event you'd like the community to know about, send the details to Patch editor Skyla Luckey at skyla.luckey@patch.com.


This article originally appeared on the Lakeland Patch