Complete Guide to Halloween in Orlando

  • By Christopher da Costa
  • Published 21 July 2023
  • Revised 25 October 2024
Complete Guide to Halloween in Orlando
  • By Christopher da Costa
  • Published 21 July 2023
  • Revised 25 October 2024
Complete Guide to Halloween in Orlando
  • By Christopher da Costa
  • Published 21 July 2023
  • Revised 25 October 2024
For 2025 trips, it's time to pumpkin spice things up...

Just like every fairytale needs a villain, every Disney lover needs to visit Orlando during Halloween. And don't worry, the thrills stay family-friendly at events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

As for fright fans, you only need to go next door to Universal Orlando Resort. Their Halloween Horror Nights provide a full month of shows, rides and parties designed to make you run for the hills.

And if you keep on running, you'll discover the rest of the frightfully delightful events happening beyond theme parks, ranging from haunted shopping malls to roads - all listed in our complete guide to Halloween in Orlando below.

PS. whilst some of the following Halloween events are unconfirmed for 2025, many of them happen every year, so it's not too soon to plan your Orlando holiday today AND get early-bird savings.


BEST FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party



Join the spooky yet fun festivities at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, a family-friendly event for ghouls and boys at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Here, you'll find the huge Boo to You parade featuring all your favourite characters (including the villains), as well as scarily-good food and drink. Plus, plenty of family photo opportunities throughout. This year's live show is the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular. Inspired by the 1993 film, the mischievous Sanderson Sisters return beside amazing dancers, wild visual projections and otherworldly special effects that prove it's fun to be bad.

And you don't want to miss out on Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular enchanting explosions to witness a bewitching fireworks show.

Your family can even dress up for the occasion, as this is one of the few Halloween events where costumes are allowed. So, whether you want to be a scary Cinderella or reveal your inner Evil Queen, it's a night out not to be missed.
 

BEST FOR ADULT THEMES

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal



Renowned as one of Orlando's scariest events, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights is often spine-tingling and always thrilling. That's why it's been named Best Halloween Event by Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards for 14 years. Usually running between September and October, this year's event spills into early November, so you can expect over two months of haunted houses, scare zones and live shows.

This year, guests can get ready to be thrilled beyond their darkest dreams as Universal Orlando recently unveiled spine-tingling new themes for its first haunted house...

Dare to enter the suspenseful world of A Quiet Place. In this post-apocalyptic nightmare, silence means survival and anything is possible. Razor-sharp hearing creatures hunt anything that makes a sound, creating an atmosphere of constant, nail-biting tension. Based on the blockbuster hits A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, brace yourself to relive the films' most heart-pounding moments - from the Abbott family's eerily silent farmhouse to the nerve-wracking confines of the root cellar.

Then hold on tight, as there's even more harrowing excitement in store. Universal Orlando Resort just unveiled six ominous original content houses that promise to leave you breathless. First up is the disturbing Triplets of Terror, where the Barmy Triplets throw a gruesome birthday bash, reenacting their family's horrific murders. Then there's Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America, guided by the eerie La Muerta, featuring terrifying legends like Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza, and El Silbón. Next, delve into The Museum: Deadly Exhibits, where an evil force escapes from a folklore museum, and Major Sweets Candy Factory, where sinister sweets turn children into sugar-crazed fiends. Don’t miss the Goblin’s Feast, set in the eerie Goblin’s Feast Tavern, or Slaughter Sinema 2, a B-movie horror marathon at the Carey Drive-In.

Outside of the haunted houses, you will also need to watch the space you're in. There will be 5 Sinister Scare Zones where scare-actors are on the prowl. One place you can seek refuge is on the select rides remaining open, such as Jurrasic Park Velocicoaster.

Whichever themes are chosen for next year's Horror Nights, it's certain to sell out soon. Recommended to those aged over 13, tickets go on sale at least six months in advance, and you can get your tickets here
 

BEST NEW HALLOWEEN EVENT

Howl-O-Scream & Spooktacular, Seaworld Orlando



From holiday cheer by day to mature scares by night, SeaWorld's new Halloween schedule is making waves.

First, gather your little terrors for the kid-friendly Spooktacular. Here, guests under 13 can dress up in costumes with face painting available within the park. Next, you're ready to join events like the award-winning Sesame Street Party Parade - voted Best New Amusement Park Attraction. Elmo, Big Bird, and friends all get in on the act aboard colourful floats passing through the famous street, as your family laughs and learns as they go. 

Come dark, Howl-O-Scream comes to life. Even in the usually cute aquariums, there's something fishy going on. Transformed into a House of Horrors, you'll need to brave the dark passageways as ghosts and ghouls lurk behind corners on your route to freedom. But there's light at the end of the tunnel: high-energy musical shows and party zones with DJs deliver some respite! Plus, have you ever ridden your favourite attractions in the dark? It wouldn't be a Howl-O-Scream without them.

2021 was the launch of Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld – after previously being hosted solely at SeaWorld Busch Gardens. Themes from previous years include Jack the Ripper and murderous mermaids, but whatever SeaWorld chooses for 2025, it's sure to include a whole load of gore.
 

BEST FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Screamin' Green Hauntoween, The Crayola Experience



In the face of fear, sometimes it's best just to keep calm, and crayon.

Better yet, from the safety of the Florida Mall, you’ll find an attraction which is the biggest, brightest and boldest of things to do outside of the theme parks

In fact, you might just find your favourite Halloween event at the Screamin' Green Hauntoween at The Crayola Experience. Tailored towards crafty and creative kids, they can dig in and get their hands dirty crafting their very own mummy, painting a pumpkin, or conjuring a stained glass bat.

Next up is the spooky scavenger hunt. Here, young families can sneak into a mysterious tomb of an ancient Pharaoh and lurk through a creepy forest while encountering Crayola characters along the way. Lastly, you can dance the scares away at a DJ Dance Party on the weekends.

Screamin' Green Hauntoween happens from late September through the whole of October - ideal for a Florida holiday during the autumn half term.


BEST FOR FREE SCARES

Halloween in the Park, Kit Land Nelson Park in Apopka



Over at the City of Apopka, they offer all treats and no tricks. Their annual Halloween event is free for all ages and takes place for one day in late October. 

This year, the family-friendly activities include face-painting, costume contests, and bouncy castles, providing endless fun for the children. Adding to the excitement, Halloween-themed vendors will sell crafts, candy, and everything in between. Among them, there will be a special award for the best-themed booth that captures the spirit of Halloween without being too scary.

You can find a full schedule of events on the Parks and Recreation Apopka website. If you haven't heard of the city, it's just 18 miles from the centre of Orlando. 


BEST FOR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY TRICK-OR-TREATING



Each generation loves Halloween treats, but the tradition can be a bit too frightening for the 5.6 million children in the USA with food allergies. To create a friendly experience for all, Disney and SeaWorld's Halloween-hosted events are inclusive with their treats.

Walt Disney World has jumped on board the Teal Pumpkin Project movement. The dark turquoise colour signals allergy-friendly candy or small gifts. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween guests with food allergies receive a teal bag to store their goods. Instead of collecting traditional candy, cast members with teal aprons will grant you teal tokens. At the end of the evening, you can redeem these tokens at the park's Allergy-Friendly Centres, where you select sweets according to your dietary requirements. 

At SeaWorld Orlando, you can count on Von Count the Vampire. At the Spooktacular Breakfast, this charming ghoul and his Sesame Street friends ensure everyone has an allergy-free experience. What's more, when trick or treating across the theme park, you can also ask cast members about allergen-free options.


Are you ready to boo-gie on down to Florida? Check out our best Orlando holiday deals here.

Enjoyed This Article?
Now choose what happens next...
1
Looking to Book
a Holiday?

This button will take you to a short form where we'll ask about your destination and preferences. If you don't like filling in forms simply give us a call on 01708 989 371 and we'll be happy to help you.

2
Receive Our
Exclusive Offers

Join our email to receive exclusive offers and airline sales direct to your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime (but why would you want to?)