One of the Tampa Bay beaches’ biggest fall traditions is back for a three-day weekend built around seafood, live music and the waterfront atmosphere that makes John’s Pass such an easy place to linger.

The 45th Annual John’s Pass Seafood Festival runs Friday, October 23, through Sunday, October 25, at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach.

Admission is free, and organizers say the festival will go on rain or shine.

Friday runs from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At its core, this is a food festival, with local seafood vendors serving the kind of Gulf Coast dishes people expect to find near the docks.

The event also stretches well beyond lunch or dinner.

Live music is scheduled on two stages, and the weekend also includes arts and crafts vendors, beverages, shopping, games and family entertainment.

Halloween season is worked into the schedule too.

Friday evening includes trick-or-treating for kids, while Saturday night brings an adult costume contest and block party from 6 to 9 p.m.

That mix of seafood festival and Halloween weekend gives the event a different feel depending on when you visit.

Families who want a calmer experience may prefer Saturday or Sunday morning, while people looking for a bigger festival atmosphere may want the evening hours.

Parking is the part worth planning before you leave home.

The John’s Pass Village lot is being used for festival shuttle drop-off, and visitors are encouraged to use other transportation options rather than circling the busiest blocks.

A free shuttle will run from Madeira Beach City Hall each day of the festival.

On Saturday and Sunday, an additional free shuttle will run from Madeira Beach Fundamental School.

The Suncoast Beach Trolley is another useful option for people coming from Clearwater Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach and other beach communities.

For visitors coming from St. Petersburg, a SunRunner-to-Beach-Trolley combination can also reduce the parking headache.

The transportation plan is especially important because the festival is expected to draw large crowds throughout the weekend.

Once you arrive, the easiest strategy is to treat John’s Pass like a walkable festival district rather than a quick stop.

Give yourself time to browse the vendors, watch some music, walk the boardwalk and sample more than one dish instead of trying to rush through.

Because the event lasts three days, it is also one of the better weekend festivals for people who want flexibility.

Friday works well for an after-work visit, Saturday has the longest day and the costume block party, and Sunday offers a shorter final session for families who prefer daytime crowds.

John’s Pass Seafood Festival remains one of the easiest ways to combine local food, beach-town atmosphere and live entertainment in one outing.

For Tampa Bay residents who have not visited John’s Pass in a while, this is a strong excuse to head back to the boardwalk and make a full day of it.

Official information: John’s Pass Seafood Festival and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater event and transportation details.