The unusual Wesley Chapel property created by artist Lewis VanDercar is bringing its Halloween tradition to a new generation with an afternoon of art, games, characters and family activities.

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL --- One of Wesley Chapel's most unusual properties is opening its gates today for a new family Halloween event rooted in a much older piece of local history.

The Warlock House Enchantment will host its first Warlock Family Spookfest on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. at 25950 Queen Sago Place in Wesley Chapel.

The event combines Halloween activities with the art, gardens and unusual atmosphere of the property created by artist Lewis VanDercar, who became known locally as the "Warlock of Wesley Chapel."

A Different Kind of Halloween Event

Organizers describe Spookfest as a playful, family-oriented experience rather than a traditional haunted house.

Families will be able to explore themed activity areas around the property, encounter costumed characters and take part in games, crafts, storytelling and other activities.

The event also includes live entertainment, food and vendors.

Children receive a Warlock Apprentice Passport, a token satchel and five complimentary Magic Tokens when they arrive.

As they explore the property, children can collect stamps while visiting activities involving themes such as pirates, mermaids, herbology, bubbles, carnival games and broom decorating.

Some activities are included with admission, while Magic Tokens are used for selected games, crafts and special experiences. Additional tokens will be available during the event.

The Story Behind the Warlock House

What makes today's event particularly local is the property itself.

Lewis VanDercar arrived in the Wesley Chapel area in the 1970s and transformed his property into an unconventional environment filled with gardens, sculptures, unusual architecture and artwork.

VanDercar became a distinctive figure in the area's history and was known as the "Warlock of Wesley Chapel."

Halloween also became part of life at the property decades ago.

The family says today's Spookfest represents a new chapter in that tradition, bringing Halloween activities back to the Warlock House for a new generation.

More Than Spookfest

Today's event is also part of a broader October program at the property.

Throughout the month, the Warlock House is offering Statuary Night Tours on Tuesdays and Fridays, with tours scheduled at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Those tours are separate from today's family event and focus more closely on the property's sculptures, architecture, history and nighttime atmosphere.

Organizers emphasize that the tours are not conventional haunted-house experiences and do not rely on actors or manufactured scares.

What to Know Before You Go

Event: Warlock Family Spookfest
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m.
Location: The Warlock House Enchantment
Address: 25950 Queen Sago Place, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Admission: $15 adults; $10 children age 10 and older; free for children under 10
Ages: All ages welcome
Costumes: Encouraged

Every child receives a Warlock Apprentice Passport, token satchel and five complimentary Magic Tokens to begin the experience.

For Wesley Chapel families, today's Spookfest offers something beyond another seasonal festival: an opportunity to experience a distinctive piece of local history while a decades-old Halloween tradition begins a new chapter.

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