ABOVE: Photo courtesy All Hallows’ Masquerade Ball.
TAMPA | The All Hallows’ Masquerade Ball, Tampa Bay’s not-for-profit event last held in 2019, will celebrate its 44th haunting Oct. 22.
All Hallows’ is one of the region’s longest-running traditions, a private, by-invitation-only costume party thrown almost every year since 1981. A small group of organizers host the gathering, which in recent years has welcomed around 2,500 attendees.
The group’s figurehead “Casper” communicates directly with guests in writing as each event draws closer, providing important details like that year’s theme. In 2020 and 2021, amidst the height of the pandemic, that included sharing news that the events were cancelled.
“It was difficult to postpone, but it was also the absolute no-brainer, right thing to do,” Casper explains. “As a matter of fact, when we sent out the notice to guests, several sent in notes saying that they were disappointed but that we did the right thing.”
Casper announced All Hallows’ return in June, asking guests to save the Oct. 22 date and teasing this year’s theme. Invitations were mailed in early September, revealing it as “Carnivale: Celebrating the Peculiar.”
Attendees were given a number of costume suggestions. They include dressing for the Carnivale’s so-called “Tabernacle of Terror,” “Clown Town” and “Sideshow Spectacle,” among others.
The celebration will once again return to Bryan Glazer JCC from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., offering ticketed guests the opportunity to mingle and dance the night away. Casper says All Hallows’ hosts are hard at work and eager for the event to return now that it’s safe.
“All Hallows’ is a not-for-profit event that we do it for the community, and every year we do try to do something to make the guests feel special,” Casper explains. “This is their party, their environment, and their safety is what’s most important to us.”
The 44th All Hallows’ Masquerade Ball will be held Oct. 22 from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at Bryan Glazer JCC, located at 522 N. Howard Ave. in Tampa. It is a private, ticketed event. Learn more at AllHallowsBall.org.
