For families and visitors seeking some Halloween fun beyond the theme parks, Orlando offers a mix of spooky entertainment for all ages this fall.
Families can enjoy kid-friendly events like trick-or-treat trails, an all-new Halloween drone show and a party with ghouls and ghosts at the Lake Nona Graveyard Smash. Those seeking a real scare can explore the nation’s largest horror convention, take a creepy tour of Orlando’s haunted botanical gardens or check out select adults-only, horror-themed performances.
Family-Friendly Frights
Pirates Dinner Adventure presents “Vampirates: When the Blood Moon Rises” from Sept. 19 to Oct. 31. The Halloween-themed dinner show suits all ages and features aerial artistry, swordplay, death-defying stunts and dynamic duels.
Happy Frights at Harry P. Leu Gardens, with select dates from Sept. 27 to Oct. 31, features a trick-or-treat journey through 12 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.
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience is fun for the whole family. Held from Sept. 23 to Oct. 31, the event includes a themed scavenger hunt, “spook-tastic” crafts, character photo ops, weekend trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and slime making.
A Petrified Forest, with select nights from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2, offers three horrifying trails with uniquely themed rooms and frightful scares around every turn—all set in a spooky 2-acre forest. The annual Halloween event now features food concessions, local art vendors, laser tag, backstage tours and more.
Spooky Empire, held Oct. 11-13, is one of the largest horror conventions. Returning 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 is set for Oct. 12-27. The event features a haunted zone and exhibit, interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets, candy giveaways, a children’s Halloween costume parade and more.
On Oct. 26, Lake Nona Town Center will host the Lake Nona Graveyard Smash. Mortals will 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.
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience is fun for the whole family. Held from Sept. 23 to Oct. 31, the event includes a themed scavenger hunt, “spook-tastic” crafts, character photo ops, weekend trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and slime making.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts presents “Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical” from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. A fun “upside down” take on the hit Netflix series, the performance features the best of the 1980s with the whole Hawkins gang for a night of adventure, thrills, pubescent angst, cheap effects, dancing monsters and more.
Thrilling Experiences for Adults-Only
Renaissance Theatre Company presents “Nosferatu” from Sept. 13 to Nov. 10. The 90-minute horror experience is 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, held Sept. 27 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.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will present the “Rocky Horror Picture Show 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour with Barry Bostwick” on Oct. 4 at Steinmetz Hall. Guests can enjoy an original and unedited screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast, audience participation, costume contest and more.
Scream n’ Stream Drive-Thru Halloween Experience, held only on the weekends from Oct. 6-29, is a haunted Halloween drive-thru event. Returning for its third year, the event includes seven horrifying zones complete with monsters, music, lighting and special effects.
The Orlando Zombie/Halloween Crawls, held only on Oct. 25, 26 & 31 in Downtown Orlando, features killer-drink specials and a Halloween contest at over 10 bars and nightclubs. All-day and all-night access tickets are available.
For more information on Orlando’s Halloween events, click here.
