Fall is approaching and it’s time to set the mood.
What I love about the fall is not only the cozy and warm scents, sweater weather, pumpkin and apple flavored treats, and Halloween but also the idea of transition–into a new semester and season. Fall represents new beginnings and transformation. As a person who values inner peace, I also view this transformative time as an opportunity to reevaluate goals, habits and aspirations. Take this time to get into the fall spirit and reflect.
As we all know, fall in Florida looks a little different–it’s still 80 degrees and there’s no changing color of leaves, which can make the fall vibes feel nonexistent–but there are still plenty of ways you can embrace and enjoy the fall season in Tampa. This ultimate fall guide will hopefully give you some inspiration on how to spice up the season.
Things to do in Tampa.
Events
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens
One of Tampa’s most popular annual Halloween theme park events that offers haunted houses, scare zones, trilling rides and more.
When: Saturdays and Sundays September 6 – November 2, 2024
Cost: There are different deals and packages but tickets are starting as low as $49.99
Annual Fall Fest at Armature Works
A riverfront pumpkin patch experience that consists of festive treats, activities, petting zoo and live entertainment.
When: October 22, 2024 from 12pm-5pm
Cost: Admission is free but parking is $20 from 10am-5pm
Spookala at The Florida State Grounds
A pop culture convention that brings celebrities from popular Halloween and horror movies/shows with photo opportunities, panels and more.
When: From 2pm-9pm on October 4 – 6, 2024
Cost: Prices range depending on the day
Friday: $35 in advance, $40 at the door
Saturday: $40 in advance, $50 at the door
Sunday: $35 in advance, $40 at the door
Weekend: $60 in advance, $75 at the door
Haunted Woods at Hillsborough River State Park
Preservation Society will be hosting a haunted trail at the park along with live music, costume contest and treats.
When: October 18 and 19, 2024
Cost: $15 cash only
Farms
Gallagher’s Pumpkin Patch at St.Pete
When: Open daily from 9am-9pm starting on September 16, 2024
Cost: None
Fall Harvest at Keel Farms
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-3pm from October 5 –27, 2024
Cost:None
Harvestmoon Fun Farm Fall Festival
When: Starting from September 28 – November 3, 2024
Cost: Daytime admission $15.95 (10am-5pm), Haunted Nights Admission: $24.95 plus tax (7pm-10pm)
Shows and Movies.
If you’re looking to have a cozy night in—light a fall scented candle, bake some cookies, sip on a warm drink, grab a blanket and give these fall and halloween shows and movies a watch.
Shows
- One Tree Hill
- Gilmore Girls
- Vampire Diaries
- Pretty Little Liars
- Sex and the City
- That 70’s Show
- How I Met your Mother
- Stranger Things
- Scream Queens
Movies
Fall Vibes
- When Harry Met Sally
- Autumn in New York
- Little Women
- Twilight
- Harry Potter
- Dead Poets Society
Non-scary Halloween
- Halloween Town
- Hocus Pocus
- E.T.
- The Addams Family
- The Goonies
- Hubie Halloween
- Beetlejuice
- Monster House
Scary Halloween
- American Horror Story
- IT
- Scream
- Trick or Treat
- Halloween
Music
Create a playlist that sets the tone for fall—perfect for your commute to class, while you’re making your breakfast or grinding out homework. If you’re not sure where to start, I listed my go-to songs that scream fall and full Spotify playlist below:
- We Fell in love in October by girl in red
- Slim Pickins by Saprina Carpenter
- Kiss Me by Sixpense None The Richer`
- Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
- Sweater Weather by The Neighourhood
- ‘tis the damn season by Taylor Swift
- Cardigan by Taylor Swift
- Feels like by Gracie Abrams
- Autumn leaves-Deluxe Edition by Ed Sheeran
- Cinnamon Girl by Lana Del Rey
Fall fits when it’s still warm outside.
Romper and open flannel with sneakers.
Simply adding a flannel over your romper is a cute and comfy way to add that fall flare when it’s 80 degrees.
Black or brown leather jacket with fitted dress.
If you’re a dress girly, or want to be a little less casual, style your fitted dress with a brown or black leather jacket and add black boots.
Crop top or tube top with cargo pants.
IMO, cargo pants scream fall. Pairing your cargo pants with an autumn colored crop top or tube top is such a cute look as we transition into cooler days.
T-shirt or sleeveless sweater with bootcut, boyfriend jeans or leggings.
Sleeveless sweaters are perfect for when you want that fall look without feeling too hot—paired with bootcut or boyfriend jeans to complete the look. For a more comfortable outfit, you could also pair it with leggings. Wearing an oversized t-shirt with jeans is also another way you can throw together a fall outfit.
Oversized sweaters with mini skirts, stockings and boots.
Throwing on an oversized sweater with a jean, satin or cotton mini skirt is one of my favorite ways to dress up for fall and of course adding on the stockings with boots just makes the look more festive.
Make your space feel like fall *on a budget.
Almost all of the following fall decor can be found on a budget at Walmart, 5 Below, HobbyLobby and depending on the type of product, Amazon, Target, HomeGoods and Michael’s have some affordable options too!
Artificial pumpkins
You can stick to the basic fall color scheme with pumpkins or match your room color scheme with pastel colored pumpkins.
Candles and hand soaps
Pumpkin spice, harvest apple, vanilla, berries, cinnamon and cedarwood scents.
Door Wreath
If you’re crafty, you can even create your own wreath— It’s a fun and festive way to customize your own decor!
Warm tone throw blanket and pillows
My favorite place to buy pillows and blankets is HomeGoods and Target! They have anything from basic to fun and festive.
Pine cones
Unfortunately, Tampa is not a place where you can collect pine cones out in nature, but you can buy them for cheap at any of the stores mentioned above!
String lights with artificial leaves
String lights and leaves can be bought separately depending on your budget and time, but they are also commonly sold as one item too.