If you visit Orlando occasionally, you might associate Orlando with summer vacations and Spring Break getaways. But when you become an Orlando local, you look forward to Halloween in Orlando as a time when so many fun events, it is hard to choose what to do each week. Halloween season isn’t kept to October here. We begin preparing and planning for Halloween in mid-August and Halloween and Fall events can last into November. As a top family tourist destination, Orlando has several family-friendly Halloween and fall events, but there are top-rated Halloween events for teens and adults too. Here’s a roundup of some of the best events for families and adults in and around Orlando this year.
Family Halloween Events
Disney World – Beginning September 15
The list of the top family-friendly Halloween events in Orlando begins with Disney World. While most of the Halloween festivities are centered at the Magic Kingdom, foodies can find special treats at every Disney World park and Disney Springs through October 31. In addition to a variety of treats, Disney World Halloween happenings include Halloween-themed cavalcades, or mini parades, featuring popular Disney Villains, Nightmare Before Christmas characters, and of course Mickey and his closest friends in Halloween costumes. Socially distanced character interactions, fall decorations, Halloween merchandise, and souvenir sippers and popcorn buckets are some of the other Halloween offerings. Costumes are also allowed through October 31 (even for adults), but be sure to check out the costume rules before your visit. I am looking forward to everything Halloween at the Disney parks this year, but a top tip is to be sure to make a park reservation prior to your visit.
SeaWorld – Beginning September 19
SeaWorld has two fun Halloween family events planned. SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular returns with several Halloween activities, including special decor, characters in costumes, trick-or-treating, cookie decorating, and a maze. SeaWorld Orlando has also added a drive-in movie experience with a Halloween twist. Flicks & Frights is a drive-in movie experience with a special line up of Halloween movie favorites and local food trucks with a variety of food options for visitors.
Legoland Orlando Resort – Beginning October 3
Legoland’s annual Brick or Treat event features special character experiences, trick-or-treating, and a scavenger hunt. Legoland’s Halloween event is considered one of the best for young children in Central Florida. Check out the event details before your visit, including special trick-or-treat hours, and safety precautions.
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween – Beginning October 1
Crayola Experience dedicates the month of October to Halloween crafts and activities with its Screamin’ Green Hauntoween event. Special Halloween photo ops, a scavenger hunt, and activities are included with regular admission. Hauntoween happenings is a great event for young artists.
Gatorland’s Gators Ghosts and Goblins – Beginning October 10
Gatorland has a fun event that is perfect for the family included in regular admission (and special price for Florida residents). The event includes costume characters, photo opportunities, a trick-or-treat trail, and a costume parade for younger guests. Be sure to also visit artisans and craft vendors that are also part of the event for early gift purchases.
Spooky Halloween Fun for Teens and Adults
Universal Orlando – Beginning September 18
Although Universal Orlando does have some family-friendly events, the theme park has more events and attractions that will interest teen and adult Halloween lovers. Guests 12 and under are invited to trick-or-treat at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Costumes are also allowed, but be sure to review the guidelines before you visit. Other Halloween offerings include s a Scarecrow Stalk scavenger hunt at Universal Studios, special drinks and treats, two Halloween scare houses, and a Halloween Horror Nights tribute store. The spooky wall of jack-o-lanterns in the tribute store is a great photo op. Be sure to show up early because parks have reached capacity for the special Halloween offerings.
Orlando Forum of Fear – beginning October 3
The Orlando Forum has two spooky events taking place in October geared more to teen and adult guests. The Dark Seance: A Haunted Dinner Experience features a three-course meal and haunting entertainment. The Forum’s website does say that some dates and times will be less scary for children, so be sure to check out the event details for specifics. The Orlando Forum is also hosting The Tunnel of the Damned, a haunted maze concept that will feature 480-feet of haunts and 20 scare actors. Additional activities for children are planned outside. Costumes are encouraged and face coverings are required.
Haunted Road – Beginning September 25
The Haunted Road event is probably the most anticipated new Halloween event in Orlando for teens and adults. The Haunted Road is Central Florida’s first contactless, drive-thru Halloween. Visitors can experience the event from the comfort and safety of their vehicle. The Haunted Road experience also has a family-friendly event for younger visitors. The less scary Halloween encounter takes visitors through the Enchanted Forest to meet some of their favorite fairy-tale creatures.
Scream and Stream – Beginning September 25
Located in Kissimmee, Scream and Stream is also a drive-thru haunt event where guests remain in their vehicle during the experience. In addition to Scream and Steam, the location offers a haunted air boat tour and a contactless Drive Boo Trick-or-Treat event for kids. Some of the event proceeds go to Second Harvest Food Bank and there are additional donation options available at the event.
Face the Fear – Beginning Oct. 23
Face the Fear located in Winter Springs, FL is another drive-thru haunt experience in the age of COVID-19. This year’s theme has a historical backstory and is called The Gator King. Face the Fear is a non-profit Halloween event with tickets benefiting charity.
Halloween Cocktails
A new addition to the Orlando Halloween experience and the themed bar scene is Cocktails and Screams. This new Orlando bar offers Halloween-themed cocktails and plenty of photo ops with its macabre decor. Visitors are also getting into the Halloween spirit with frightful outfits and costumes when they attend this new Orlando haunt.
Universal Studios Orlando’s Halloween-themed Skeleton Bar is located inside the theme park’s Cafe Labamba. Skeleton Bar has a small menu of Halloween-inspired cocktails and snacks. Guests ordering Halloween-inspired spirits and food are also immersed in haunting decor and lighting that feels more like a mini haunted house than a bar.
Haunted Places in Orlando
If you want to explore outside the theme parks and attractions for an authentic haunted experience, Orlando has a few haunted places that may give you a scare. The Maitland Art Center is one of the most famously haunted places in Central Florida. The Maitland Art Center hasn’t announced a ghost tour this year, you can plan a visit to explore the haunted grounds on your own. Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery is another haunted destination that is also on the list of the most haunted places in Florida. You can take a tour of the cemetery during the daytime, but you may also be able to arrange a 2-hour moonlight guided tour of this notoriously haunted destination for an even spookier experience.
Fall Farm Activities
You would be surprised to learn how many family farms are in the Orlando area. Several local farms are offering fun, outdoor, socially distanced events. Wear closed toe shoes that are good for walking in dirt or mud and you may want to bring your own reusable bags for any produce or items that you may buy. Below are some of our favorite and popular farm and Orlando pumpkin patches, but there are several more pumpkin patches to choose from in the area.
Grande Lakes – Fall on the Farm – Weekends in October and November
On Orlando’s Grande Lakes resort property sits an 18,000 square foot farm, Whisper Creek. Whisper Creek Farm is hosting a Fall on the Farm event with crafts, a hayride, pumpkin picking, a farmer’s market, and so much more. Due to limited capacity, tickets are required and can be requested through the Grande Lakes website.
SpringHill Farms – Beginning September 26
SpringHill Farms is a charming, family-owned farm located in Claremont, less than a half-hour drive from Disney World. It offers a pumpkin patch, sunflowers, several photo ops, tractor rides, live music, and food trucks. This is our favorite fall farm experience in the Orlando area. If you are interested in attending, purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.
Lake Catherine’s Blueberry Farm – Beginning September 26
Lake Catherine Blueberry Farm is another local family farm with annual fall events. Several activities are planned this year including a family fall maze, a haunted Halloween maze, an escape room experience, and a dark forest trail of terror. The farm also offers more traditional fall pumpkins and tractor rides.
Pumpkin Patch in Celebration
With so many fall festivals and pumpkin patches becoming crowded or advanced tickets sold out, locals have found alternative, last-minute pumpkin patches that require less planning or last-minute options. The small pumpkin patch in Celebration held at the Community Presbyterian Church has become a solid alternative. Annual pumpkin sales benefit Help Now Osceola. In addition to a wide selection of pumpkins, good prices, and several photo op areas at the patch, it is good to know that your purchase is benefiting a great cause.
There is so much to see and do in the Orlando area, especially at Halloween time. Every year there is a variety of family-friendly and adult Halloween events that are difficult to choose from. We hope you have the opportunity to explore some of these Orlando events. I would love to know what your favorite Orlando fall event is or which one you are looking forward to as a local.
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