Boo! We’re now squarely in my favorite time of year: ~~spooky season~~!
Leaves changing color for Florida Fall
We might not really be seeing the leaves change color or getting that cooler weather, but the Halloween decorations are up in my neighborhood.
From Halloween markets to spooky drink specials, we’re getting into the fall festive spirit with this jam-packed newsletter.
In todays edition:
All the best upcoming events, including markets, festivals, movie nights, and more.
Spotlight on our very own local haunted brewery
The best place to see amazing Halloween decorations in St. Pete
An adorable adoptable pet
Reggae Rise Up 2026 lineup revealed
Some special, limited time deals you won’t want to miss!
COMMUNITY CURRENTS
📘 The President Barack Obama Main Library reopened to show off its newly reimagined space at the end of September. The fully-modernized, approximately 40,000-square-foot hub has extended hours and includes new spaces for programming, community use, and connecting
⚾️ The Rays were sold to a group led by Florida real estate developer Patrick Zalupski. They plan to return to the renovated Trop in April 2026 after a $60 million renovation for hurricane damage. The new owners intend to build a new ballpark in Tampa Bay, but haven't committed to staying in St. Pete.
👻 Halloween decorations are up in Historic Old Northeast. If you’ve never been before, or you’re just a sucker for some great decorations, I highly recommend a nighttime walk around 17th and 18th Ave NE, between Locust St. and Beach Drive.
🥕 Market season is back big time in St. Pete. We’ve got seven markets by the end of the weekend, and even more throughout the upcoming weekdays. If markets are your thing, check out the events section for more than you can shake a stick at!
FRESH CAUGHT FEATURE
This week’s featured event is St. Pete’s biggest Indoor Halloween event— 30+ Vendors, photo-ops, pumpkin patch, food, drinks + exclusive VIP bundles. One day only! We’ll be headed there with the VIP pass to enjoy the included limited-edition giveaways, matcha, coffee, and bagels….yum!
General Admission - $7.18
VIP (w/ included perks) - $32.78
Free for kids
Get your tickets here.
SEAS THE WEEKEND
We have an action packed weekend coming up. So many markets, fun family events, community parties, and more.
Markets
Makers & Shakers Market | St. Petersburg Distillery | Oct 9, 6pm - 10pm | Free | More
Features 40+ local vendors with unique art and handcrafted goods.Saturday Morning Market | Al Lang Stadium | Oct 11, 9am - 2pm | Free | More
Weekly market featuring fresh produce, food trucks, and local artisans.Spooky Island Market | 1960 Fifth Ave S, St. Pete, FL 33712 | Oct 11, 12pm - 5pm | $7.18 GA, $32.78 VIP (w/ perks), Free for kids | More
St. Pete's largest indoor Halloween event with vendors, food, and exclusive VIP bundles.Wild Roots Vintage Pop Up | Wild Roots | Oct 11, 12pm - 4pm | Free | More
Sidewalk event showcasing vintage clothing, home goods, and more from local vendors.Hello Friend Night Market | England Brothers Park | Oct 11, 2pm - 11pm | $9.31 | More
Florida’s largest festival celebrating Asian street food culture.Uptown Funk Market Halloween Party | Expectations Gallery | Oct 11, 5pm - 10pm | Free | More
Costume debut, shopping with talented vendors, food, music, and socializing.Kenwood Sunday Market | St. Pete High School | Oct 12, 10am - 2pm | Free | More
Weekly market featuring fresh produce, crafts, and local products.
Family Events
St. Pete Pier Pumpkin Patch | St. Pete Pier | October 10 - October 19 (hours vary by day) | Free | More
A festive pumpkin patch offering free admission and picturesque autumn scenery.The Great Glass & Clay Pumpkin Patch | Morean Glass Studio | Oct 11, 9am - 5pm | Free | More
Featuring over 100 glass pumpkins and family activities.Weedon Island Preserve Scavenger Hunt | Weedon Island Preserve Exhibit Hall | Oct 11, 10am | Free | More
Indoor scavenger hunt exploring cultural and ecological heritage at Weedon Island Preserve.Autumn Harvest Festival | Pinellas Pioneer Settlement | Oct 11, 10am | $5 | More
Festival featuring seasonal crafts, games, food trucks, and hayrides.St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Annual Block Party | Walter Fuller Park | Oct 11, 10am - 2pm | Free | More
Event featuring fire displays, live demos, free food, and fun activities.
Other Events
Barktoberfest | Dog Bar | Oct 11, 2pm - 4pm | Free for members | More
A fun dog walk kickoff with a costume contest and free entry for members.Somos St. Pete | St. Pete Pier | Oct 11, 4pm - 10pm | Free | More
Cultural festival featuring Hispanic food, live music, and an open-air salsa dance party.Swap Shop | Green Bench | Oct 12, 2pm - 4pm | Free | More
A festive event for exchanging seasonal decor in the beer garden.Pints & Pumpkins | Grand Central Brewhouse | Oct 12, 3pm - 5pm | $38 | More
Participants create personalized ceramic pumpkins with seasonal glazes at this fun event.Tampa Bay Bridal Show | St. Petersburg Coliseum | Oct 12, 12pm - 5pm | Free (pre-register) or $5 | More
Bridal professionals showcase services and products for wedding planning in St. Petersburg.
COASTAL CRAVINGS
Looking for a brewery that understands the assignment in October? Head on over to Sesh Brewing for some brews and bites. Locals have long shared urban legends about the building (with different versions depending on the retelling). We asked our server if the building was haunted, and she cheerily let us know that the owner had a paranormal investigation before Sesh opened that turned up several friendly spirits (read more here).
For our part, we’ve never seen any sign of ghosts besides in the year-round spooky themed decor (turned up even more for October). This visit, we did find a very fun, seasonal menu with themed cocktails and dishes. You’ll have to go check out the spot and decide if it’s haunted for yourself!
CATCH OF THE DAY
Today’s featured adoptable pet is Harmony, a large, mixed-breed female weighing 16 lbs. Just look at those eyes. You can meet Harmony at the Humane Society of Pinellas and learn more here.
GULFCOAST GROOVES
Most of the Reggae Rise Up line up for March 2026 has been announced, with headliners Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill, Iration (my favorites), Soja, Rebelution, and Sublime. A few headliners are yet to be revealed, but tickets are already available here.
ON THE HORIZON
Here are some more great events to look out for before the weekend roundup in next week’s newsletter!
Night Vendor Market | CJ’s Backstage | Oct 15, 6pm - 9:30pm | Free | More
A Ghostly Haunted Trolley Tour | Museum of History | Oct 15, 6:30pm - 8:30pm | $35 (member) - $45 (non-member) | More
Beer Garden Movie Night: Five Nights at Freddy’s | Green Bench Brewing | Oct 15, 7pm (EDT) | Free | More
Food Truck Festival | 3 Daughters Brewing | Oct 17, 6pm - 11pm | Free | More
Movies on the Pier: A Minecraft Movie | St. Pete Pier | Oct 17, 8pm | Free or $30 VIP | More
SCOOP SPECIALS
Here’s the rundown on some great deals going on right now.
The James Museum | Free admission for Indigenous People’s Day | Oct 13, 10am - 5pm
Tombolo Books and Black Crow Coffee | Banned Books Week: purchase Bluest Chai & a banned book, get a free advanced reader copy & chance to win a stack of books | Oct 5 - Oct 11
Fall Brewery Battle | Try a beer from 15 of Pinellas’s best breweries for $30 ($100+ value) | All month | Tickets here
Community Canopy Tree Giveaway | 400 free shade trees available first-come, first-serve @ Annual Autumn Harvest Festival (see event details above) | Oct 11, 10am
Vertical Ventures| Half-Price Friday Nights ($15) | Every Friday, 6pm - midnight
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Thanks so much for reading! Stay Sunny, St. Pete!
Josh & the St. Pete Scoop Team
