Halloween already started in Miami. Here’s where to celebrate all throughout October
If the skeleton lawn displays, pumpkin spice lattes and monster size candy bags weren’t a dead giveaway, we’re here to tell you — the Halloween countdown has begun.
Because we have chosen to live in the subtropics, we won’t have the peak fall experience of that zesty chill in the air or crunchy leaves in our open toe sandals. But what Miami does have is a lot of fun stuff going on all over the place.
Now for the not so hot news: Oct. 31 falls on a boring Tuesday so many parties will take place over the weekend before, natch. But some events have already started so you an get a jump on the fun.
READ MORE: What’s a Treat Map? And why are you adding your Miami home address?
COCONUT GROVE
Halloween in the Grove
Halloween in the Grove, a big hit with locals in the pre-cellphone era, is getting a 2023 version in a really cool location — indoors.
“We want to bring that moment back, but with a grown-up nightlife vibe, like that of our beautifully renovated Grove,” says Alexandra Corzo, whose A-List Events is throwing the shindig at the glamorously spooky Cruz Building. Expect three levels of entertainment over 10,000 square feet, with premium open bar, butler-passed hors d’oeuvres and live performances.
The creepy atmosphere is ideal, with its dramatic staircase, travertine columns, iron balconies, gas-flame lanterns and Gothic stone sculptures —unmatched for selfies.
Info: 9 p.m. Oct. 27. Cruz Building, 3157 Commodore Plaza. $200 at halloweeninthegrove.com. A portion of HITG ticket sales benefit Bring Change to Mind, Glenn Close’s mental health organization for teens. Email info@alistevents.net.
DORAL
House of Horror Haunted Carnival
“Prepare to be petrified.” The House of Horror Haunted Carnival promises thrill seekers will not be disappointed as it celebrates its 21st installment at the Miami International Mall through Oct. 31. Every year around this time, the place where you go to buy T-shirts and earbuds transforms into a “cryptic labyrinth of inescapable dread.”
Enjoy feeling like you’re having a heart attack? This joint has all jump scares your crave. Among the freaky activities are more than 20 rides including the Scarecoaster, a ghoul-themed rollercoaster; the Mayhem Museum, where ghosts will definitely be all up in your business; and the Theater of Terror, which is, safe to say, not your average movie-going experience.
Celebrity trivia bonus: Pop star Camilla Cabello has been known to drop by unannounced.
Info: Through Oct. 31, except Mondays. Miami International Mall, 1625 NW 107th Ave., between JCPenney/Sephora and the food court. Tickets, from $20 to $50 at https://houseofhorrorcarnival.com, offer varying levels of access, depending on the night.
MIAMI BEACH
Lincoln Road
Festive, sweaty block parties more your jam? Halloween on Lincoln Road is one of the country’s largest, most spooktacular parties (yes, we wrote that), welcoming over 50,000 revelers every year. Starting at 7 p.m., eight blocks of the iconic promenade transform into a parade full of zombies, superheroes, witches, vampires and matchy matchy couples (Travis and Taylor, anyone?)
Pro tip: If you prefer to watch the colorful insanity from afar with a cocktail in hand, grab a table at an outdoor cafe right, starting around happy hour for the specials.
Info: 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Lincoln Road, 17th streets, starting at Alton Road, stretching to Washington Avenue. Little ones are invited from 5 to 7 p.m. to trick or treat at a bunch of stores that will put out candy stations. Free.
MIAMI SPRINGS
Havana Haunted Mansion at Curtiss Mansion
Think Halloween is for kids? The storied Curtiss Mansion is the perfect backdrop for those in need of an adult thrill. Through Oct. 31, the former estate of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss has opened its doors for the occasion.
The Havana Haunted Mansion is an immersive, theatrical cocktail popup that takes visitors back to early 20th-century Cuba. Walk about the vast space filled with a cast of questionable characters as you sip. One room is set up like an clandestine casino, with intimidating looking card dealers; in the kitchen, a witch will attempt to serve you a batch of her special brew. Be afraid, very afraid, because this place has serious cred, founded by Kristina Drobach, a partner at the Museum of Illusions in Miami Beach.
Info: Havana Haunted Mansion, 500 Deer Run, Miami Springs. Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 29 and then Oct. 30 and Oct. 31. There are three, two-hour shows a night, at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets from $59 include general admission and a welcome drink. https://hauntedmansionmiami.com
WYNWOOD
HalloWYN
Costumes, the zanier the better, are “encouraged” at HalloWYN at Wynwood Marketplace, now in its 11th year. Put on by Swarm, which specializes in getting multitudes of people together in one place, this block party on steroids is pretty much guaranteed to be lit. Check off all the boxes of a successful night in the 305 here: Drinks, dancing, DJs and debauchery. Did we mention the fire eaters?
Info: 7 p.m. Oct. 31, Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami; www.hallowynblockparty.com. Admission is free but there are food and beverage vendors on site. The first 500 folks to RSVP through Eventbrite get a free drink.
