Families looking for Halloween fun without the fright have a new reason to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this fall.

This weekend, the park’s Spooktacular event returns every Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 1, bringing trick-or-treating, costume parades, dance parties, and a brand-new character to the mix.

This year’s big debut? Mr. Skelly — a violin-playing, melody-loving skeleton who proves Halloween doesn’t have to be frightening to be a good time.

“He is less successful at being spooky, making him proof that Halloween doesn’t have to be frightening to be frightfully fun,” the park said.

Kandy, Busch Gardens’ resident witch-in-training, and her Krew return to host the family-friendly celebration, which is included with park admission.

Highlights include Kit & Kat’s Black Cat Dance Party, Spooky Kooky Science with Professor Pufflemintz, a Storytime experience featuring “Room on the Broom” and festive fall photo spots along the Festival Walkway.

Guests looking to make the most of the season can grab a 2027 Fun Card for $114.99 — covering unlimited visits to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island through all of 2027, plus the remainder of 2026.

For ticket information, click here.