St. Petersburg spends the last full weekend of October at its most playful. On Saturday the St. Pete Pier hosts a costumed dog parade while Florida CraftArt leads a morning walk past the murals of the Central Arts District. On Sunday twenty two blocks of Central Avenue close to cars for Halloween on Central, and on Tuesday the Morean Arts Center welcomes an illustrator to talk about two decades of work. Between October 22 and October 30, here are four picks that cover the waterfront and the avenue.
St. Pete Pier Costumed Dog Parade
Why It Stands Out
Saturday, October 24, from four until eight in the evening, the St. Pete Pier fills Family Park with dogs in costume, and the parade itself starts at six. Registered dog and owner teams walk the Pier while spectators watch. Judges choose finalists who go onstage for a live Crowd Favorite round, with prizes for Best Human and Pet Duo, Most Original Pet Costume, and People's Choice. Every participating dog gets a commemorative Pier leash, and every team gets a numbered bib.
Best For
Dog owners, families with kids who love costumes, and anyone who simply wants to watch costumed dogs parade along the waterfront. The Pier's Pumpkin Patch is open the same day, so photos are easy.
Timing and Planning
Entering the costume contest costs twenty dollars per dog plus taxes and fees, and registration is required through the Pier's event page. The page does not list a spectator price. Arrive early for a spot along the parade route, and bring water for your dog.
Walking Mural Tour with Florida CraftArt
Why It Stands Out
Saturday, October 24, from ten until 11:30 in the morning, Florida CraftArt at 501 Central Avenue leads a guided walk through the Central Arts District. The route covers more than thirty murals in a four block area, with the stories behind how each one came to be. It runs about an hour and a half.
Best For
New residents who want to learn the neighborhood on foot, visiting friends and family, and anyone who has admired a mural on the way to lunch and wondered who painted it.
Insider Tip
Registration is required and the tour is limited to twenty five people. Tickets are twenty five dollars for adults and fifteen dollars for children, with the youngest walkers free. Book online or call 727-821-7391 Monday through Thursday between ten and five. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Tips for the guide are welcome.
Halloween on Central
Why It Stands Out
Sunday, October 25, from noon until five, the Grand Central District and the EDGE District close twenty two blocks of Central Avenue to cars for the sixth annual Halloween on Central. The hosts call it the largest street festival in St. Petersburg, with costumes, family entertainment, live music, local vendors, and candy along the way. Zones include a family area called the Boo-levard of Play in the 2600 and 2700 blocks, a sensory area with non edible trick or treat goodies and a quiet space for breaks, and a car show in the 3000 block.
Best For
Families with kids of every age, costume lovers, and neighbors who want to see how many different parts of the avenue they can cover in one afternoon.
Neighborhood Angle
The festival stretches across the EDGE and Grand Central Districts, so every block has its own personality. St. Pete Catalyst lists the event as free, and the official page does not list a price. PSTA buses are fare free that day and the SunRunner keeps running until midnight, so leaving the car at home is the easy choice.
Palehorse Artist Talk featuring special guest Erik Jones
Why It Stands Out
Tuesday, October 27, from six until seven in the evening, the Morean Arts Center at 719 Central Avenue hosts Palehorse, a commercial illustrator and studio artist, for a talk about his new Shapeshifter collection. He walks through roughly two decades of work, including rock posters, skateboard graphics, wrestling inspired art, and apparel design, with special guest Erik Jones. His exhibition, Shapeshifter: New and Select Works by Palehorse, runs through December 31.
Best For
Working artists, design students, collectors, and anyone who has a favorite concert poster on the wall at home.
Timing and Planning
Registration is handled through Eventbrite. Neither the Morean's page nor the Eventbrite page lists a price, so check the ticket page before you go. Note that the Morean Arts Center is at 719 Central Avenue, while the Chihuly Collection is across the street at 720.
Event Q&A
Which event is best for families?
Halloween on Central on Sunday, with its family zone, trick or treat stops, and car free blocks. The Costumed Dog Parade on Saturday evening is a close second for families with a four legged member.
Which event feels most on-brand for a date night?
The Palehorse Artist Talk on Tuesday evening, followed by dinner anywhere along Central Avenue. For a downtown option, Marly Music presents guitarist Andrew York at the Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday, October 22 from seven until 8:30, with tickets at fifteen dollars for members and thirty five dollars for non-members, museum admission included.
Which event is worth planning ahead for?
The Walking Mural Tour, which is capped at twenty five people, and the Costumed Dog Parade, where the costume contest requires registration. Both are Saturday, so sign up early in the week.
Which event gives the best sense of local community?
Halloween on Central. It is put on by two neighborhood districts, powered by local vendors, and attended by neighbors from all over the city.
What else is happening downtown?
The Museum of Fine Arts hosts Art After Dark on Thursday, October 22 from five to eight with a t-shirt screen printing pop-up, sixteen dollars for non-members, with printing at twenty five dollars. The Saturday Morning Market sets up at the Al Lang Stadium lot, 100 1st Avenue SE, on Saturday, October 24 from nine to two. Movement Mondays returns to the Pier's North View Edge on Monday, October 26 from seven to nine, a free, sober, family friendly evening of DJs, dancing, and flow arts.
What is coming right after the window?
The Walking Mural Tour with Florida CraftArt runs again the following Saturday, October 31, if you miss this weekend's tour.
