Tampa Theatre (711 N Franklin St), one of the city’s most historic and haunted landmarks, returns this October with its 12th annual “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” series from October 11-31. This Halloween extravaganza offers a thrilling combination of classic horror films, ghost tours, live performances, and family-friendly events, transforming the theater into the ultimate destination for fans of the macabre.
The event kicks off on Friday, October 11, with a Franklin Street Block Party from 5pm-7pm. Visitors can explore vendor booths showcasing unique items such as dark-themed plants from The Citrine Ghost, original art from Summer Elaine Hue and Scott Swenson, and seasonal accessories from I Am So Not Cool Jewelry. The Central Gourmet Food Truck and Frozen Stiffs Ice Cream Hearse will provide spooky treats, while “sidewalk scare-aoke” by Dave & Busters adds extra chills to the fun. The block party is free and open to everyone.
Later that evening, the Theatre will screen Stephen King’s classic Carrie at 7pm, followed by the slasher favorite Prom Night at 10pm. Tickets for each film are $10 or $7 for members.
Horror Classics Return During “Nightmare on Franklin Street”
On October 20, Phantasmagoria returns with “Grim and Grimmer Tales,” an artistic mix of storytelling, dance, and puppetry, reviving the works of Poe, James, and other legendary horror writers. This eerie show will bring spine-tingling stories to life. On October 21, a free event called “Campfire Stories” will take place, offering chilling tales for all ages.
Families can enjoy “Mummy & Me” screenings of family-friendly films like Coraline and Beetlejuice, with kids 12 and under receiving free admission.
Tampa Theatre will also feature special screenings such as Nosferatu paired with Radiohead’s music, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the locally produced thriller Bitter Souls. For ghost-hunting enthusiasts, the theater offers its famous haunted tours throughout October, recounting the eerie tales from Tampa Theatre’s haunted past.
55 Events Over 21 Spooky Days This October
The schedule for family-friendly films includes:
- Coraline (2009, Rated PG for scary images, some language) at 2:00pm Monday, Oct. 14
- Beetlejuice (1988, Rated PG for mild profanity, crude humor) at 7:00pm Tuesday, Oct. 15
- The Ghost & Mr. Chicken (1966, Not Rated/G-equivalent) at 4:00pm Saturday, Oct. 19
- Hocus Pocus (1993, Rated PG for scary images, some language) at 3:00pm Saturday, Oct. 26
In addition, the series will feature 50th-anniversary screenings of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Young Frankenstein, along with classics like The Birds, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, and The Masque of the Red Death. Modern favorites such as House of 1000 Corpses, Donnie Darko, and Hellraiser will also be shown, totaling 55 thrilling events across the 21-day series. Full details and tickets are available on Tampa Theatre’s website.
