TAMPA – Not to sound superstitious, but it doesn’t get much luckier than bringing back Tampa Theatre’s signature Halloween series, A Nightmare on Franklin Street, for its 13th year.
To celebrate, the theater will host an all-new lineup of classic horror films, creepy cult favorites, “Mummy & Me” family-friendly films, live shows and ghost tours on select dates all month long.
Ghosts of Tampa Theatre Tours
Who was the man in seat 308? Where did Robert Lanier tear his final ticket? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town?
Hear stories of Tampa Theatre’s ghostly guests, preternatural patrons and eternal employees in a two-hour tour. Tickets cost $15 for general admission (free for theater members) at these times:
- 10 a.m. Oct. 2, 16 and 30.
- 10 a.m. Oct. 3, 24 and 31.
- 2 p.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
- 10 a.m. Oct. 7.
- 2 p.m. Oct. 8, 22 and 29.
- 10 a.m. Oct. 25.
Guests who want to go beyond the stories and explore Tampa Theatre’s supernatural claims for themselves will have the opportunity to review previously collected video, photo and audio evidence, experiment with professional-grade equipment and investigate alongside the experienced researchers from Genesis Paranormal Services during the Late Night, Lights Off Paranormal Investigation at 10 p.m. Oct. 17. Tickets cost $50 ($40 for theater members).
Stage & scream … er screen
This year’s Nightmare series schedule offers three opportunities to witness spooky stories told live on Tampa Theatre’s historic stage:
- On Oct. 18, Hokus Pokus Live! conjures up a wickedly spoopy, fully scripted theatrical experience at 8 p.m. starring Ginger Minj (global drag superstar, actress, comedian, singer and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” icon), Jujubee (“RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “DRAG: The Musical”), and Sapphira Cristál (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”) as the legendary Sanderson Sisters and featuring Landon Cider (“Dragula”) as Billy. With hauntingly hilarious comedy, powerhouse vocals and a dash of magic, this live spectacle brings the cult classic to the stage like never before. Tickets start at $59.50 plus applicable taxes and fees. This show is limited to adults.
- Victorian Horror Troupe Phantasmagoria returns to Tampa Theatre at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 with a very special journey through the tales of iconic artist and author Edward Gorey in celebration of his 100th birthday year! Hauntingly whimsical tales like “The Gilded Bat” and “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” come to life through Phantasmagoria’s signature blend of storytelling, dance, puppetry, projections and original music. The show is recommended for ages 8 and older. Tickets cost $30 ($20 for theater members).
- Cozy up under the movie palace’s iconic star-lit sky for an evening of Campfire Stories at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. The Suncoast Storytellers are back with a family-friendly program of PG tales appropriate for all ages (who don’t mind having a chill sent down their spine). Tickets cost $10 for general admission and free for theater members.
Mummy & Me
Up on the silver screen, “Mummy & Me” screenings, sponsored by Tampa Electric, give grown-ups the perfect opportunity to bring their young ghouls and goblins to an age-appropriate screening for free.
Kids 12 and younger get in free. Everybody else pays $10 ($7 for theater members):
- ”Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989, Rated G) at 1:45 p.m. Oct. 4.
- ”Haunted Mansion” (2023, Rated PG-13) at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5
- “Scooby-Doo” (2002, Rated PG) at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19
- “Hocus Pocus” (1993, Rated PG) at 3 p.m. Oct. 25
Specialty Screenings
The series is splattered with plenty of specialty screenings for adults, too, including:
- A century ago, Lon Chaney made audiences scream out loud with his ghastly visage as the “Phantom of the Opera” (1925). At 7 p.m. Oct. 24, world-renowned soprano Juliet Petrus and Tampa Theatre’s own artist-in-residence, Steven Ball will accompany the silent suspense film with an original score on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Tickets cost $14.50 ($11.50 for theater members).
- The theater welcomes back the Beyond Any Measure shadow cast for two screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) at 7 and 11 p.m. Oct. 25. Audience participation is encouraged, but leave the sticky/drippy props at home. Tickets cost $15 ($12 for theater members).
- Once you’ve experienced “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – be it for the first or 1,001st time – on Saturday night, come back Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. to learn where it all began. “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror” (2025) is a joyful and wild ride through the tale of the cultural juggernaut. From its humble origins as a London fringe theater play, the new documentary tracks its meteoric rise, fall and resurrection to become the biggest cult film of all time, with intimate access to its creator Richard O’Brien and other major players such as Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Lou Adler. Tickets cost $12 ($9 for theater members).
- October’s Big Picture series puts on its Halloween costume with Science Fiction Creature Feature films like “The Invisible Man,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” “Frankenstein,” “Doctor X” and “Forbidden Planet” every Wednesday evening. There are also anniversary screenings of “Prom Night” and “Scary Movie,” classic titles like “The Birds,” “Clue” and “An American Werewolf in London,” modern favorites like “Teen Witch,” “Tales from the Hood” and “The Conjuring,” and more – a total of 62 soul-shattering show times over the month-long series.
Times, titles and tickets are available now at the historic Franklin Street Box Office and online
at TampaTheatre.org/nightmare.
