As the Halloween season gets into full swing, those seeking spirits, spine-tingling experiences and haunted houses can find plenty of options throughout Central Florida.
From Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream to local attractions, there are plenty of haunts — and some not-so-scary events — to explore as Oct. 31 approaches.
Here’s a roundup of Halloween happenings in Central Florida this month.
Theme parks and attractions
Halloween Horror Nights: Universal’s signature autumn event brings 10 haunted houses, scare zones, themed tricks and treats to visitors, recommended for visitors ages 13 and older. Tickets are $94.99+ for a single night on select dates through Nov. 1. More information: universalorlando.com
“Hellraiser” and its antagonist, Pinhead, are the main draws of a haunted house based on the films during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Howl-O-Scream: Find frights at both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa. Each event includes haunted houses, scare zones and shows. Tickets start at $47.99 for SeaWorld or $48.99 for Busch Gardens with event nights through Oct. 31. SeaWorld Orlando has more mild daytime Halloween Spooktacular activities geared toward kids. More information: seaworld.com or buschgardens.com
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: The separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom has sold out all of its 2026 event dates. More information: disneyworld.disney.go.com
Brick-or-Treat, the Halloween event at Legoland Florida theme park, will again include meet-and-greets with seasonal characters. (Courtesy Legoland Florida)
Legoland Florida Brick or Treat: Discover the new “Brick or Treat Street” immersive walkthrough experience and enjoy a “hands-on Halloween adventure” with Lego monsters, live shows, light trails, nighttime trails and family fun. The event, which occurs on select dates through Nov. 1, is included with general park admission. More information: legoland.com
Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins: Back for its eighth year, the family-friendly event includes Swamp Ghost’s Museum, the Skunk Ape and Eddie the Yeti, the Cryptid Express, Frank N’ Steins Oktoberfest, the Gatorland Graveyard, a children’s Halloween costume parade, shows, treats and more. The event goes from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Oct. 25; festivities are included with park admission. More information: gatorland.com
Skunk Ape emerges from the swamp at Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins event last year. The family-friendly, fun-and-frights event features spooky scenes, chilling characters, children’s Halloween activities and animal meet-n-greets. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience: The family-friendly festivities include a scavenger hunt, Halloween crafts, photo ops and trick-or-treat stations on weekends. These activities run through Nov. 1 and are included in the admission price. More information: crayolaexperience.com
Pirates of the Haunted Seas at Sea Life Orlando: This family-friendly pirate quest includes treasure hunts, pirate meet-and-greets, educational talks, interactive games and treats. The event is included with admission and goes on through Nov. 1. More information: visitsealife.com
Madame Tussauds Orlando visitors will be able to use detective skills during the Great Wax Heist, an interactive scavenger hunt, during October. (Courtesy Madame Tussauds Orlando)
The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando: This scavenger hunt invites guests to solve an attraction-wide mystery while uncovering the story behind the attraction’s wax figures. The hunt is included with regular admission through Oct. 31. More information: madametussauds.com
Museum of Illusions Weird Wonders: This Icon Park attraction brings Halloween-themed enhancements to illusion experiences. Every Halloween package also includes a complimentary 3D puzzle to take home. Halloween packages start at $55.29 and include a two-ticket minimum. More information: moiorlando.com
Zoo Boo Bash at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: The zoo invites families and children to arrive in costume to experience decorations, games and trick-or-treat stations. Activities are available 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Oct. 31 and are included with admission. More information: centralfloridazoo.org
“Vampirates” at Pirates Dinner Adventure presents a “feast for the undead” with vampire pirates, stunts, live action and a three-course meal. (Courtesy of Pirates Dinner Adventure)
Vampirates at Pirates Dinner Adventure: The dinner show presents a “feast for the undead” with vampire pirates, stunts, live action and a three-course meal. The show is on select nights through Oct. 31 and has tickets for $43.95 (children ages 3-11) and $69.95 for adults. More information: piratesdinneradventure.com
Scream-A-Geddon: Visit this Pasco County attraction, about an hour and a half west of Orlando, to find five haunted houses, a unique Zombie Paintball Assault attraction and a recently upgraded midway. Online advance tickets start at $33.95; the event is on select nights through Nov. 1. More information: screamageddon.com
Bloodwater Bayou is full of mystery and Voodoo magic at Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Boo at the Zoo at Brevard Zoo: During weekends in October, visitors can trick-or-treat at themed stations, explore special activities, Halloween decorations, festive photos and festive performances, all included with daytime admission. Beware the Night is a family-friendly after-hours event on select nights featuring “hauntingly fun surprises.” Every Friday and Saturday, the zoo turns up the scares with the River’s Revenge trail recommended for ages 10 and up. Tickets for the after-hours event start at $33. More information: brevardzoo.org
The Haunting of River Ranch at Westgate River Ranch: Every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 7, guests can experience haunted stables, spooky activities, a scare zone and themed food and beverages. The ranch hosts a special Halloween-themed rodeo on Oct. 31. Stay & Scream packages are available on select weekends. More information: westgateresorts.com
Local haunts
Wekiva Island: Longwood’s riverfront hangout has tarot card readings and ghost stories on select dates this month. The main event is a Halloween party and costume contest on Oct. 24. The Tooting Otter Trick or Treat event starts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 24 with trick-or-treating and a costume parade, followed by the adults-only event and costume contest from 7-11 p.m. On Oct. 31, enjoy the annual Halloween costume paddle parade launching at 10:30 a.m. More information: wekivaisland.com
Emerald Cut After Dark at King’s Landing: Paddle on Rock Springs Run after dark from King’s Landing in clear-bottomed kayaks equipped with underglow LED lights. Prices are $99 for a single kayak or $189 for a tandem kayak. The event is Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. More information: kingslandingfl.com
The Terror 2 at Boggy Creek: This haunted event takes over Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures in Kissimmee with a nighttime airboat adventure, a haunted swamp truck ride and a wooded haunted trail with an add-on interactive gel blaster experience. The attraction also features themed food and drinks, event merchandise and a comic book. The event, which takes place on Saturdays in October, offers timed-entry tickets, including a $60 combo ticket for all three primary experiences. Haunted truck tours and airboat tours are available separately. More information: bcairboats.com
Showcase of Citrus is a Clermont attraction with Florida fruits and gifts, plus Halloween-themed festivities. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Showcase of Citrus: During the Clermont attraction’s fall festivities, board a haunted monster truck to see creepy creatures, unexpected scares and things lurking among the trees. The experience is recommended for guests ages 12 and older. The experience is available on select nights in October, with tickets priced at $19.40 for children ages 4-12 and $29.75 for adults. More information: showcaseofcitrus.com
A Petrified Forest: “Central Florida’s premier scream park” is back with three scare trails in Altamonte Springs, plus add-ons: a live-action escape ride and an immersive, full-touch haunt. This year’s theme is “Chaos Reigns.” Tickets start at $38 for admission to all three scare trails, with add-ons and upgrades available. More information: apetrifiedforest.com
Far Reach Scream Park: This Tavares haunt is located on Far Reach Ranch with two haunted trails in Lake County, plus access to the Florida Oddities Market, games, photo ops, drinks, live music, lawn games and more. Tickets start at $20 for spectators or $30 for general admission. The event is Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 24. More information: fearreachscreampark.com
Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail: Three trails on the Grimley grounds present three “distinct worlds of fear” after dark at Umatilla’s Sunsational Farms. Tickets cost $30-$100 for the event on Friday and Saturday nights in October. More information: drgrimleyshauntedtrail.com
“Silver Scream — Cursed” is this year’s movie-inspired theme for the Storyteller of Vennetta haunted house at 13161 Vennetta Way in Windermere. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Storyteller of Vennetta: This homegrown haunt takes place in A.J. Martinez’s garage, where he transforms his space each year for neighborhood families to experience scares. The theme is “Silver Scream – Cursed.” The haunt returns from 7:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October starting Oct. 10. The haunt is open until 11 p.m. on Halloween — 13161 Vennetta Way in Windermere. The home haunt is free but accepts donations. More information: storytellerhaunt.wixsite.com or @storytellerofvennetta on Instagram.
St. Cloud’s Trail of Terror: Back for its 16th year, this local haunt is back with an “all-new nightmare” celebrating the event’s Sweet 16 at Peghorn Nature Park. Birthday festivities have taken a sinister turn. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. The event is from 8-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 24. More information: stcloudfl.gov
Tales of Terror Haunted Attraction: Central Floridians looking for a good scare can partake in tales of terror and nightmares at this rural Lake County haunt. This year, experience “Camp Independence: Condemned” and “Deadwater Travel Plaza.” The adventure has three levels of intensity and is open only to guests aged 18 and older. Tickets range from $20-$45 with additional VIP upgrades, packages and add-ons available. The haunt is open select nights in October starting Oct. 17. More information: talesofterrorhaunt.com
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
Girls react to Michael Myers at the Orlando Haunted Maze during its opening in Lockhart on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando Haunted Maze: This homegrown haunt takes place in the backyard of George Goldstein, whose passion for Halloween transforms his home (3209 Calloway Drive in Orlando) into a haunted house every October. The attraction is open with $10 tickets at the door at 7:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday nights through Oct. 31. More information: facebook.com
Face the Fear: This Winter Springs haunt presents “The Legend of GrizGo,” which tells the story of a monster that’s part grizzly and part gorilla. This outdoor haunt is on the campus of The Church @ 434 (817 E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs). Tickets are $13 per adult and $8 per child age 10 and under. Hours are 7:15-10:15 p.m. Oct. 23, 24 and 30. More information: facethefearhouse.com
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail: This Plant City haunt is back for its 13th season, featuring three haunted trails, two escape games and a haunted hayride. The trails are “Troupe 13,” “Symphony no. 13” and “The 13th Blood Rite.” The attraction “may not be suitable for children under 12,” and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Tickets start at $27 with timed entry. The event starts at 7:15 p.m. Friday-Sunday through Oct. 31 and Oct. 29, for “Family Fright Nite.” More information: sirhenryshauntedtrail.com
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
The moon rises over the neon sign of the Silver Moon Drive-In near Lakeland. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Silver Moon Drive-In: This Lakeland drive-in theater shows “Halloween” and “Halloween II” on screen one (with a special carload ticket) and “Misery” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” on screen two on Oct. 9. From Oct. 10-15, the lineup for screen two stays the same, while screen one will show “Poltergeist” and “The Exorcist.” Standard tickets are $8 for ages 10 and older and $3 for children ages 4-9. Children younger than 4 years old enter for free. On Oct. 30, the drive-in will show a classic monsters marathon at the same time as a Grind House marathon. Tickets for a carload of people cost $39.19 each on Eventbrite. More information: silvermoondrivein.com or eventbrite.com
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