Orlando is preparing for an extended Halloween season, offering over 80 days of events that range from family activities to horror-themed experiences. The city’s schedule includes major theme park celebrations, a large horror convention, performing arts shows, and themed dining options.
“As travelers increasingly look for destinations that offer more than just a day of Halloween fun, Orlando stands out with a full season of immersive experiences across every corner of our region,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “From nationally recognized theme park celebrations to local arts events, family festivals and fan-favorite haunts, our Halloween lineup showcases the creativity, scale and variety that make Orlando a top fall travel destination for all ages.”
Theme parks are central to the festivities. Walt Disney World Resort will host Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park on select nights from August 15 through October 31. This event features entertainment such as the “Hocus Pocus” Villain Spelltacular!, dance parties inspired by “Zombies 4,” parades, trick-or-treat trails, and other attractions.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida runs on select nights between August 29 and November 2. Visitors can experience ten new haunted houses—some based on films like “Terrifier” and “Friday the 13th”—as well as scare zones and live entertainment.
SeaWorld Orlando will present three distinct Halloween events: SeaWorld Spooktacular offers daytime activities for families; Howl-O-Scream brings back nighttime scares; and Howl-O-Sprint is a themed 5K race with haunted elements.
Other area attractions are also participating. LEGOLAND Florida Resort will hold Brick or Treat Presents Monster Party on select dates in September through early November. Crayola Experience has scheduled Screamin’ Green Hauntoween from September 20 to October 31 with crafts and trick-or-treating.
Dining venues are joining in as well. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs becomes a pop-up bar with special menu items throughout October. Mangoni Italian Market Pizza in Winter Garden transforms into The Haunted Mangoni until October 31 with themed food, drinks, and tarot card readings.
Additional events include Pirates Dinner Adventure’s “Vampirates” dinner show; Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins weekends; Spooky Empire horror convention from October 31 to November 2; Hard Rock Hotel’s Velvet Sessions concert series featuring Sebastian Bach; Renaissance Theatre Company’s Nosferatu immersive vampire experience; downtown bar takeovers like Nightmare on Orange; Cocktails & Screams’ annual Vampire Ball; the Orlando Zombie Crawl nightlife event; Nightmare at The Pointe multi-venue party; Ivanhoe Village’s Once Upon a Halloween potion walk; Milk Mart Spooky Soiree marketplace; The Gothic Market exhibition at Camping World Stadium; Zombietoberfest Day in Audubon Park Garden District; and Lake Nona Town Center’s Graveyard Smash party.
Performing arts venues have also scheduled special programming throughout October at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts including concerts, musicals such as Little Shop of Horrors, screenings like Rocky Horror Picture Show’s anniversary celebration with original cast members present, Walking with Ghosts storytelling by Amy Bruni, Twilight in Concert accompanied by live music, Rock Orchestra by Candlelight performances, Stranger Sings! parody musical presented by Theatre South Playhouse (September 19–October 5), and Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert Live to Film performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (November 1).
Visit Orlando is the official tourism association for Central Florida representing over 1,600 member companies involved in travel-related businesses across the region. More information about these events can be found at VisitOrlando.com or VisitOrlando.org.
