Kids will be trick-or-treating indoors this Saturday, weaving past exhibits instead of front porches, as the Tampa Bay History Center hosts its 15th annual A Night at the Museum Halloween event on October 24, 2026. The afternoon event turns the museum into a costumed trick-or-treat trail, with candy, crafts, games and entertainment built around 15 separate treat stations scattered throughout the building.
According to tampabayhistorycenter.org, guests can collect treats at those 15 stations while also taking in crafts, games and costumed characters positioned around the museum. The event has become a recurring Halloween tradition for families in the area, and this year marks its 15th run, as first reported by Tampa Bay 28.
Entry is timed rather than open-door. Doors open at 2 p.m., with ticketed entry windows scheduled in 15-minute intervals and the final ticketed entry allowed at 5 p.m., per the museum's event listing. The whole affair wraps up at 6:30 p.m., giving families roughly a four-and-a-half-hour window to work the whole building before it closes out for the night.
Picking Your Entry Time and What to Expect Inside
Because entry is staggered, families need to plan ahead rather than just showing up. The museum's event page notes that attendees should select their ticket based on their preferred entry time when they purchase, which should help spread out crowds across the afternoon rather than bunching everyone up at the front doors at once.
Once inside, the event leans into full Halloween mode: costumed characters posted around the museum, photo opportunities with those characters, a costume contest for kids who come dressed up, and hands-on activities mixed in alongside the trick-or-treat stations. It's less a single attraction and more a self-guided Halloween circuit through the museum's halls.
Allergy-Friendly Treats Built Into the Event
Families managing food allergies or other dietary needs get a dedicated option this year. The event is participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, offering allergy-friendly and non-food treats so kids with dietary restrictions aren't left out of the trick-or-treating.
There's also a cost break for museum members. The History Center notes that members save 15% on event tickets during both the presale and the public sale window, a detail worth knowing for families who already hold a membership and are weighing whether to buy early.
