From family fun to the spooky legend of the Preserve Rider, monthlong celebration runs through Oct. 31
BABCOCK RANCH, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2026) – Babcock Ranch brings home the magic, mystery, marvels – and the screams – of Halloween this fall with the monthlong Halloween Nights through Oct. 31. Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural spectacle, an immersive experience that seamlessly blends family friendly fun with heart-pounding thrills and genuine scares for those who dare to venture inside the haunted house.
Hosted at Curry Commerce Center, Halloween Nights transforms Babcock Ranch into Southwest Florida’s premier autumn destination, complete with entertainment, interactive displays and a Family Fun Zone. Visitors will also enjoy seasonal beverages, themed cuisine and the Lantern Lounge, a full bar serving specialty sips and light snacks.
“We wanted to create something unique for our residents and Southwest Florida families,” said Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of developer Kitson & Partners. “We challenged the team to think beyond traditional celebrations and design an immersive experience that captures the imagination, brings neighbors together and creates lasting memories. Events like Halloween Nights are how vibrant communities come alive.”
At the heart of the event lies an original local folklore crafted exclusively for Babcock Ranch: the legend of the Preserve Rider. Tale has it that an old ranch hand vanished into the surrounding preserve alongside his horse, never to be seen again. Yet, on cool fall evenings, his lone glowing lantern reportedly still glides between the trees as he silently watches over the land.
Visitors encounter this ghostly guide inside an indoor haunted attraction, accompanied by atmospheric fog, chilling sounds, flickering and strobe lights and unsettling surprises.
“Guests will discover lanterns woven into the experience as a symbol of the Preserve Rider’s presence,” said Ally Bessette, director of events and community engagement for the Babcock Ranch Residential Association. “We’ve built our storytelling around that mystery to create an experience that feels unique to Babcock Ranch rather than a traditional haunted attraction.”
Beyond the chills, Halloween Nights is designed for everyone to enjoy at their own pace. Guests can marvel at lighted displays and interactive attractions, browse the themed gift shop and wander along festive areas such as the Lantern Lounge, Family Fun Zone, Graveyard Cinema and photo opportunities abound.
The experience evolves each week with specialty events throughout the month. Babcock Ranch residents receive discounted admission and exclusive experiences during the Oct. 21 Resident-Only Night. The town hosts Sensory-Friendly Night on Oct. 26, eliminating fog, strobe lighting and loud sound effects and increasing ambient lighting and trained volunteers.
Additional themed nights include discounts and promotions for students Oct. 15 and Trick-or-Treat Nights Oct. 23-24. The celebrations conclude with Glow Night on Oct. 30.
“Whether you’re seeking spooky scares, festive fun or a unique night out with family and friends, Babcock Ranch Halloween Nights offers something for everyone,” said Bessette. “Our goal is to create an annual can’t-miss tradition and destination for our residents and Southwest Florida.”
Presented by Statement Lighting in partnership with Kitson & Partners, Babcock Ranch Halloween Nights is hosted Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for children ages 2 and under and $30 for general admission and are available here. For questions or additional information, contact brhalloweennights@outlook.com.
At Babcock Ranch, innovation and community spirit define an event lineup that consistently draws visitors from across Southwest Florida. From seasonal festivals and live concerts to holiday celebrations and open-air markets, each gathering raises the bar while forging unforgettable moments.
Created by Kitson & Partners as an environmentally friendly community designed to weather storms through resilient infrastructure, sustainable design, elevation and location, half of Babcock Ranch’s 18,000-acre footprint is set aside as greenways, parks and expansive lakes, providing recreation and scenic backdrops for homes and businesses. The town offers over 100 miles of planned trails, themed recreational parks, collaborative workspaces and Founder’s Square, a regional destination that hosts food truck rallies, live music, farmers markets and signature festivals.
Over a dozen neighborhoods in Babcock Ranch offer condominiums, villas, townhomes, coach homes, single-family residences and luxury custom homes with dozens of one- and two-story floor plans by regional and national homebuilders. Neighborhoods boast innovative resort-inspired amenities, including a water park with slides and a lazy river, golf, restaurants, lakefront clubhouses, sports courts, pools, playgrounds, fitness centers and event lawns. Quick move-in homes offer immediate occupancy.
Babcock Ranch also offers rental opportunities, including single-family homes in The Flatwoods and traditional apartments at Canopy.
The town is planned for over 20,000 residences and approximately 6,000,000 square feet of commercial space. Built to Florida Green Building Coalition standards, homes emphasize energy and water conservation and have a full gig of fiber-optic connectivity. Prices range from the upper-$200,000s to $4 million.
For more information about Southwest Florida’s new hometown, located just northeast of Fort Myers off Babcock Ranch Road/State Road 31, visit the Woodlea Hall Discovery Center at 42850 Crescent Loop in Babcock Ranch, call 877-709-6620 or visit BabcockRanch.com.
