Channeling its reputation as ‘theme park capital of the world,’ Orlando is now in full swing for spooky season, declaring itself “Halloween Vacation Capital” and inviting visitors to discover a full slate of frightful family events in October – from haunting theme park events and kid-friendly trick-or-treat trails to terrorizing adults-only performances and Halloween-themed activities.

Highlights include the largest horror convention in the US, extended theme park Halloween events, haunted botanical gardens, an all-new Halloween drone show, and adults-only horror-themed performing arts shows and even a Beetlejuice themed brunch.

“Orlando lives up to our reputation as the Halloween Vacation Capital by conjuring up more than three months of Halloween celebrations for all ages (and) everyone in the family, including the pop culture enthusiast, the haunted house thrill seeker and especially the sweet tooth,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO, Visit Orlando.

Among the highlights:

Spooky theme park events

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort (select nights through Oct. 31) returns to Magic Kingdom Park with spooky entertainment, including the “Hocus Pocus” Villain Spelltacular! at Cinderella Castle, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, Disney Junior Jam for young partygoers, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, the Trick-or-Treat Trail and more.
• Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida (select nights through Nov. 3) features 10 terrifying, movie-quality haunted houses – including ones inspired by “A Quiet Place” and “Insidious” – plus five sinister scare zones, outrageous live entertainment and some of Universal Studios’ most exhilarating attractions.
• At SeaWorld Orlando, guests can experience three Halloween-themed events: Little ones can dress up in their favourite costumes and meet colorful Halloween characters at the SeaWorld Spooktacular (weekends through Nov. 3), a family-friendly daytime event included with regular theme park admission. Guests will be able to enjoy an exclusive Sesame Street Halloween Parade, Scarecrow Halloween Dance Party and other themed activities; Howl-O-Scream (select nights through Nov. 2) returns for nights of fully immersive fear with new fright-inducing haunted houses and scare zones, thrilling nighttime coaster rides and experiences, interactive themed bars, electrifying live shows and more.
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Brick or Treat Presents Monster Party (weekends to Oct. 27), a signature Halloween event included with theme park admission, features a trick-or-treat trail, live entertainment, exclusive LEGO characters and a cinematic experience. Guests will also be able to experience the brand-new Monster Skytacular drone aerial show, illuminating the sky over Lake Eloise exclusively on Brick-or-Treat nights.

Beyond the theme parks

• Pirates Dinner Adventure offers “Vampirates: When the Blood Moon Rises” (to Oct. 31), a Halloween-themed dinner show suitable for all ages that features aerial artistry, swordplay, death-defying stunts and dynamic duels.
• Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience (to Oct. 31) includes a themed scavenger hunt, spook-tastic crafts, character photo ops, weekend trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and slime making.
• Happy Frights at Harry P. Leu Gardens (select dates to Oct. 31) features a trick-or-treat journey through twelve themed worlds with fun surprises, including a mysterious swamp, a Crazy Carnival, a Mad Hatter maze, hip-hop dancing aliens, giant deadly plants, live music at a Dia de Muertos celebration and more.
• A Petrified Forest (select nights Oct. 4-Nov. 2) offers three horrifying trails with uniquely themed rooms and frightful scares around every turn, set in a genuinely spooky .8-hectare forest. The annual Halloween event now features food concessions, local art vendors, laser tag, backstage tours and more.
• Spooky Empire (Oct. 11-13), one of the largest horror conventions, returns for a weekend-long event. Halloween and rock n’ roll fans of all ages can meet TV stars, buy collectibles from over 200 vendors, see new films and old favorites, join large Zombie Walks and get tattooed by top artists.
• Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins annual daytime Halloween event (weekends, Oct. 12-27) features a haunted zone and exhibit, interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets, candy giveaways, a children’s Halloween costume parade and more.
• Lake Nona Town Center (Oct. 26) will host the Lake Nona Graveyard Smash. Mortals will be able to party with ghosts and ghouls, participate in trick-or-treat stations, experience live music and take a journey through inflatable courses. Free and open to the public.
• Phillips Center for the Performing Arts presents Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical (Oct. 31 – Nov. 3), a hilarious “upside down” take on the hit Netflix series in all its campy 1980s glory and featuring a night of adventure, thrills, pubescent angst, cheap effects, dancing monsters and more.

Adults-Only entertainment

• Renaissance Theatre Company presents “Nosferatu” (select dates through Nov. 10), a 90-minute horror experience led by a cast of 32 vampires into hidden corners of the building. Later in the evening, with separate admission, guests can attend an exclusive Vampire Nightclub featuring dancers, music, specialty cocktails and drag performances.
• Haunting Nights at Harry P. Leu Gardens (to Oct. 31) serves as the teenager/adult-focused counterpart to Happy Frights, with jump scares and themed characters. Guests can also enjoy hip-hop dancing aliens and festive foods for a more chill vibe.
• Cocktails & Screams in Downtown Orlando is a year-round Halloween-themed bar, featuring live music and an extensive list of creative cocktails. Guests can enjoy spooky experiences, like the Beetlejuice Brunch, Quiet Place: Silent Disco Party, Just A Bunch of Hocus Pocus Drag Show, Dan Sperry Shock Illusionist Show and more. Click here for a full list of events.
• Scream n’ Stream Drive-Thru Halloween Experience (weekends Oct. 6-29), a haunted Halloween drive-thru event, will return for its third year featuring seven horrifying zones complete with monsters, music, lighting and special effects.
• The Orlando Zombie/Halloween Crawls (Oct. 25, 26, 31) in downtown Orlando features killer-drink specials and a Halloween contest at over 10 bars and nightclubs, with all-day and all-night access tickets available.

For more information on Orlando’s Halloween events, click HERE.

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