Let's start off with some honesty. Helene and Milton somewhat robbed us of fun this fall. But it's not too late to soak in all the pumpkin patches, ghoulish delights, and seasonal shopping.

This coming weekend is full of possibilities to make the most of the time granted to us by Mother Nature:

Get in, we're going shopping

Halloween on Central returns to St. Pete on Sunday, Oct. 27. A total of 22 city blocks will be taken over by a host of vendors, local small businesses, food trucks, costumed characters, and plenty of entertainment. The fun takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. between MLK Street and 31st Street.

The day before those festivities, the monthly Mezzo Market is back with its usual slew of small businesses, arts and crafts, and tasty treats on Saturday, Oct. 26. Connect with the community on Baum Avenue and bring your wallet to grab goodies from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Among Hyde Park Village's leaf-laden streets and winding tree canopy, you can feast your eyes on masterpieces at the 34th Annual Arts Fest. Local artists will be showing off their creations on Saturday, Oct. 26 + Sunday, Oct 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and there's some free parking lots to choose from too.

And if Halloween isn't really your thing, Ybor City's Vintage Roost is already celebrating the holiday season. The beloved vintage store is hosting three days of festive browsing excellence this weekend, starting Friday, Oct. 25 where lights, decorations, and seasonal cheer will accompany your search for hidden treasures + unique gifts.

There's something in the water. | Photo via Florida Aquarium

Bring the kiddo(s)

The 7th Annual Heights Fall Fest is offering face painting, seasonal fun, a pumpkin patch, and a bounce house by the Hillsborough River on Saturday, Oct. 26 + Sunday, Oct. 27 from 12 to 5 p.m. each day.

Head to the Florida Aquarium for Guppyween, where kids in costume get in for free alongside a paying adult. There, the whole family can enjoy costumed divers, trick-or-treating, and underwater pumpkin carving. Pro tip: There's a sensory-friendly session on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Tampa Riverwalk is hosting its 8th Annual Trick or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 26. There will be 50+ treat stations between Curtis Hixon Park and Waterworks Park, plus a bunch of Halloween activities for costumed kids between 4 and 7 p.m.

And here's one for the pup parents. Get your furry friend in their best costume for Sparkman Wharf's Howl-O-Ween dog costume contest. It's free to enter, and is taking place on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m., with registration starting an hour before.

For more family-friendly fun, we also recommend hitting up one of the pumpkin patches which adorn the Tampa Bay area, including the one on the St. Pete Pier.