A Nightmare on Franklin Street returns to historic and haunted Tampa Theatre

The Tampa Theatre is a historic theater and city landmark in Downtown Tampa, with the atmospheric and reportedly haunted movie palace opening on October 15, 1926, and now every October you can enjoy terrifying films, ghost tours, and more!

Tampa’s most historic ~ and most haunted ~ movie palace is once again hosting its most sinister series, A Nightmare on Franklin Street.

In late October, the hair-raising historic landmark goes 100% Halloween with classic horror movies, guest stars, ghost tours, spine-chilling stage shows, spooky storytelling, and family-friendly frights!

Highlights of this year's spooky season at The Tampa Theatre

Ghosts of Tampa Theatre Tour

Select Dates Oct. 13-31

Who was the man in seat 308? Where did Robert Lanier tear his final ticket? Why does Fink Finley continue to roam the balcony? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town? Learn the Theatre’s secrets and stories with a “balcony to backstage” tour that will focus on the historic movie palace’s ghostly guests, preternatural patrons and eternal employees.

The 90-minute tour kicks off in the lobby and does include climbing stairs and extended periods of standing. Doors open 15 minutes before tour time.

Ghost Tour tickets are $15 for general admission and FREE for Tampa Theatre Members. They do tend to sell out quickly, so please purchase your tickets in advance!

Halloween Happy Hour

Fridays, Oct. 13-27

Each Friday during the “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” series, Tampa Theatre will open its lobby at 5:00pm for a special Halloween Happy Hour before the movie starts at 7. No ticket is required – just join us under that iconic TAMPA marquee in heart of downtown for seasonal drink specials at the bar and discounts on our famous popcorn.

Besides the specials, there will be – for every drink you buy* – another ticket to enter into drawings for ghoulishly great prizes, including annual Theatre Memberships, local restaurant gift certificates, and more. And if you’re there until 6:30, we’ll even give away a couple of pairs of tickets to stick around for the 7:00pm screening of that evening’s film!

PHANTASMAGORIA XIV: Tales of the Undead

Sunday, Oct. 22

Victorian Horror Troupe Phantasmagoria “gathers round the gravestones” across five counties in Central Florida this fall with the newest entry in their long-running Halloween mainstage series, and will return to Tampa Theatre’s historic stage on Sunday, Oct. 22 with Tales of the Undead.

From terrifying Vampires fresh from their graves to Ghastly Revenants and Banshees, and from amusingly bewildered Ghosts to the very terrors of being buried alive – Phantasmagoria will weave their tapestry of “Whimsically Macabre” tales.

Works from Edgar Allan Poe, H.G. Wells, and Sheridan Le Fanu, plus Penny Dreadfuls, folklore, haunted poetry (including works from Dickens to Dickinson), and original tales come to life through Phantasmagoria’s signature blend of Evocative Storytelling, Phantastical Dance, Puppetry, Projections, Original Music and MUCH more!

NOTE: This show contains elements of horror and is recommended for children 8 and older.

Late Night, Lights Off Paranormal Investigation

October 27 & 28

Who was the man in seat 308? Where did Robert Lanier tear his final ticket? Why does Fink Finley continue to roam the balcony? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town?

The three-hour Late-Night, Lights-Off Paranormal Investigation experience begins with a “balcony to backstage” tour that will introduce guests to six of the historic movie palace’s most active preternatural patrons and eternal employees.

Then, go beyond the stories and spend some time exploring Tampa Theatre’s supernatural claims for yourself! Guests will have the exclusive opportunity to review previously collected video, photo and audio evidence of Tampa Theatre’s spirit activity, experiment with professional-grade equipment provided by GhostStop, and investigate alongside the experienced researchers from Genesis Paranormal Services.

Tickets are $50 ($40 for Tampa Theatre Members). Admission is limited to 40 participants each night. This event tends to sell out quickly, so please get your tickets in advance!

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