About the Event
The University of South Florida, the City of St. Petersburg, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and other community partners are joining together to invite community families to USF’s St. Petersburg campus for Halloween tent/trunk or treating; kids activities, a haunted house, and other spooky activities.
When: Thursday, October 30, 2025, 5 - 7:30 PM
Where: USF St. Petersburg campus,140 7th Ave S, Harbor Walk
Who: The entire community is invited. Families with children (suggested age of 12 and under) are invited to dress in costume and join in the fun.
Space is limited.
Know Before you go
Free Parking: The USF St. Petersburg Parking Garage is located at 250 5th Ave S. Enter Garage
on 5th Ave S between 3rd St and 2nd St. To walk to campus from the garage, exit Garage
on 6th Ave S and walk toward 2nd St to the Welcome Tents under the Halloween Fest
banner.
Don’t miss our Not So Scary Haunted Library hosted by the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, Touch-a-Truck sponsored by the City of St. Pete, Haunted Petting Zoo hosted by our University Police Department, spooky tunes by DJ Zook, youth activities and Halloween crafts on the Harbor Lawn, and tent/trunk or treat brought to you by over 40 USF departments and community partners!
Hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks will be available for purchase by USF Dining and the Snowy Flamingo food truck will be selling SnoBalls outside the library. Trick or treaters can find allergen
friendly snacks and candy at the Orlando Health tent!
SCHEDULE
5pm – Event Start
- Visit the Welcome Tents – Get a free tote bag, festival guide, Scavenger Hunt instructions and two tickets to vote on best decorated trunk and tent.
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt. Find at least 5 locations on the Scavenger Hunt and receive a free “Future Bull” T-shirt for the first 300 participants!
- Vote on your favorite tent and trunk!
Gather around DJ Zook’s Booth on Harbor Lawn for more spooky fun!
6 pm – Dance performance by Thrill St. Pete followed by Doggy Costume Parade – Featuring dogs from Dogs, Inc, hosted by the South Pinellas Puppy Raisers and the USF St. Pete Puppy Love Club.
6:30 pm – Kids Costume Parade and Dance Party –Get a free USF Glow Pin and parade the kiddos in their costumes around Harbor Lawn followed by a dance party in front of the DJ Booth.
7:00 pm – Adults meet at the DJ Booth for the Adult Costume Contest!
7:15 pm - Best Decorated Tent and Trunk Announced
7:30 pm – Event End
Halloween Fest Activities
- Touch a Truck, sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg Police, Fire Rescue, and Sanitation Departments
- Not-So-Scary Haunted Library, sponsored by the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library
- Duck Derby in the Sembler Family Fountain, sponsored by USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor's Office
- Haunted Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, sponsored by USF University Police Department
- Face Painting, sponsored by the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College
- Face Tattoos, sponsored by the USF Office of Youth Experiences
- Make Butterflies in the Butterfly Garden, sponsored by USF St. Petersburg Advancement
- Meet Rocky the Bull and Snowbird the Campus Comfort Dog
- Literacy book themed craft and book giveaway, sponsored by the Junior League of St. Petersburg
- STEM Educational Craft – Sponsored by USF College of Marine Science
- Scavenger Hunt - sponsored by Pinellas Access to Higher Education
- Bullseye Toss - sponsored by the USF St. Petersburg Campus Recreation
- Army Helmet and Dog Tag Craft. sponsored by USF Army ROTC
- Sailing Hiking Competition, sponsored by USF Coed Sailing Club/Women’s Sailing Team
- Bookmobile, sponsored by St. Petersburg Library System
- Music by DJ Zook
- Thriller Flashmob by Thrill St. Pete
Trunks and Tents Sponsored By:
- Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital
- Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society & St. Pete Air
- Dogs, Inc South Pinellas Puppy Raisers and USF Puppy Love Club
- Gulf Coast Jewish Families and Community Services CALL Team
- The Hub
- Family Support Services
- Children's Home Network
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
- R’ Club - Home Instructions for Parents of Preschool Youngsters
- St. Petersburg Innovation District
- Junior League of St. Petersburg Literacy Committee
- Pipa's Law Group
- USF Pinellas County Alumni Association
- USF Dining
- USF St. Petersburg Ambassadors
- USF St. Petersburg New Student and Family Engagement
- USF St. Petersburg Center for Career and Professional Development
- USF St. Petersburg The Crow's Nest
- USF St. Petersburg Eileen Hoffman Hafer U Matter Program
- USF St. Petersburg Residence Hall Association
- USF St. Petersburg Office of Veterans Success
- USF St. Petersburg Student Government
- USF College of Education
- USF St. Petersburg University Police
Special thanks to all of our sponsors and collaborators at the City of St. Petersburg and Bayfront Health, as well as internal sponsors: USF St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor’s Office, University Police, and USF St. Petersburg's Office of Community Relations.
