13 Spooky Ways To Celebrate Halloween in Miami This Year
As if anyone in Miami ever needed a reason to play dress-up for a night.
When you live in South Florida, spending quality time around clowns, reptiles, and face-eating zombies is often as easy as walking into your neighborhood Winn-Dixie. On Halloween, however, that demographic—or at least people dressed up like them—takes over much more entertaining venues, like a boat going across Biscayne Bay and an entire shopping mall in West Miami. Halloween parties and haunted attractions abound in Miami this year, and even though the actual holiday falls on a Monday, we’re still not lacking for fantastic ways to celebrate. Here’s a lucky 13 of the best.
September 29 – October 31
Flagami
Miami’s longest running haunted house returns to Miami International Mall, as the House of Horror Haunted Carnival brings a new series of haunts for 2022. First, visit the Silent Mall, home to a ghost named Misshhhell who will reign terror down on all those who make noise. Then it’s on to Drown Town, an abandoned urban scape where the former residents still lurk about. Pay a visit to the Insanitorium, where the patients have taken over. Finally, stop into Scare X Studios, which combines gaming and imagination for a high-tech haunt.
Cost: $30 on weekdays; $40 weekends.
October 7 – October 31
Key Biscayne
The Ritz Carlton’s Rumbar transforms into the House of Spells for the month of October, where creative Halloween decorations and special theme menus make for the season’s most creative popup. Savor cocktails like the Witches Brew, a mix of Mount Gay Black Barrel, black tea, Oleo Saccharum, orange and lime juice, and angostura bitters. Or try the Grave robber with Blavod Black Vodka, Crème de Cacao, and dry curacao. Food options include the Kraken, a dip with warm crab, spinach, and artichoke as well as a wild mushroom and arugula flatbread called The Tombstone.
Cost: No cover; food and drink prices vary.
October 21 – November 6
Bayfront Park
Fall isn’t really a thing here in Miami, but we can kinda pretend it is by going to Bayfront Park and finding our way through a 7,000-square-foot hay maze. It’s more than just some straw in a park, too, as the surrounding village will offer rum and whiskey tastings, live music, and a beer garden with unlimited samples.
Cost: GA is $20. Beer garden tickets are $60.
Beginning October 26
Aventura Mall
If Stranger Things got you on a serious nostalgia kick, head to Aventura Mall where Stranger Things: The Store begins its limited run October 26. The immersive experience will have you doing everything from playing video games at Palace Arcade to shopping at Starcourt Mall. You can take pictures in Joyce’s house or come face to face with a Demogorgon, then peruse the aisles of exclusive Stranger Things merch. Anticipate things like custom cereal packed in vintage ‘80s boxes, Hawkins High gear, and customizable shirts and jackets.
Cost: Free; tickets must be reserved in advance.
Friday, October 28
Brickell
Don’t categorize the hundreds of dollars you’re dropping on a Halloween costume as an expense. Think of it as in investment. Because even if you don’t win a single costume contest, ladies in costume can show up to Batch on Friday from 10 pm – 1 am, and drink totally free. The best dressed will win even more at the end-of-the-night costume contest, which means you might be in the black before Halloween even starts.
Cost: Free. Drink prices for those who aren't ladies in costume vary.
Friday, October 28
Coral Gables
The historic Biltmore Hotel is said to be the most haunted hotel in Miami. See if the ghost of gangster Fatty Walsh—or any of the other spirits who reside there—join the party, which includes an endless buffet and open bar. The Biltmore will also throw a costume contest, with awards for Best Couple, Most Creative, and Best Group (minimum six).
Cost: $275 per person.
Friday, October 28 – Saturday, October 29
Miami Beach
Two of the biggest names in Hip Hop take the Bleaulive stage all weekend, when LIV Golf and Maxim present Snoop Dogg and Travis Scott. Snoop performs Friday night at 9 pm, and Travis Scott will play Saturday. Both shows will bring cirque performers, go-go dancers, and immersive experiences to a crowd of 2,500 people on the Fontainebleau’s Oasis Lawn.
Cost: GA tickets start at $100.
Saturday, October 29
South Beach
Espanola Way throws a daylong family-friendly Halloween party starting at 3 pm. Parents and kids are invited to dress up and enjoy the HalloWAVE Family Fun Fest, which will include vendors, live music, activities, and Halloween décor along Espanola Way East. Once you’re done, drink and food specials await inside the eclectic bars and restaurants along the rest of the street.
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 29
Brickell
In its endless quest to bring Miami back to the 1980s, Kush’s Tobacco Road tribute bar hosts a Scarface-themed Halloween party where you’re invited to wear your Tony Montana best. The night’s special drinks will pay tribute to a different ‘80s, as the Pinga Colada, Bulletproof Old Fashioned, and shot-and-beer specials all feature Brugal 1888. Cocktails also come with a special “party favor,” which we’re guessing isn’t ice cream from the Fontainebleau.
Cost: No cover. Drink prices vary.
Saturday, October 29
Downtown
Playing with colorful potions and concocting crazy experiments isn’t the exclusive domain of the scientifically deranged. Legit science museums do it too. At least they do during the Spooky Monster Mash from 11 am – 4 pm, when Frost Science gets a Halloween makeover full of eye-catching, interactive exhibits.
Cost: $28.95
Saturday, October 29
Hallandale Beach
While the jockeys on the track typically all have heads on their shoulders, one mounted rider at Gulfstream on Saturday will not. The Headless Horseman will be roaming around the Village of Gulfstream Park’s Sleepy Hollow Halloween extravaganza from 6:30 - 9:30 pm. Throughout the night, flash mobs will also pop up through the village accompanied by laser lights and fog machines.
Cost: Free
Saturday, October 29
Downtown Miami
The Poseidon Ferry—yes, the same one that takes you from downtown to South Beach with no traffic other than the cruise ships—invites guests on a two-hour tour around Biscayne Bay from 8 - 10 pm. There’ll be plenty of food and a full bar, plus DJ Oscar playing live music as you sway over the swell. All guests also get a free Poseidon’s Blood cocktail, though details of its ingredients remain a mystery.
Cost: $40
Monday, October 31
South Beach
Miami’s epicenter for all things Halloween is back in all its glory this year, as the annual eight-block bacchanal along Lincoln Road returns after sunset. The event that’s drawn more than 50,000 people in previous years will be full of live DJs, pop-up bars, and outrageous costumes. If you want to stop by earlier, friendly Lincoln Road businesses will be handing out candy to kids before the mayhem begins.
Cost: Admission is free.