For 2024 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 still unconfirmed for 2024, 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 13 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 10 haunted houses...
Summon the courage to face
The Exorcist: Believer, where you'll confront unspeakable horrors from the depths of possession. Escape the clutches of the demented doll in
Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count and survive the heart-pounding ordeal in
Universal Monsters: Unmasked, where monsters of lore come to life in their most terrifying forms.
Then hold on tight, as there's even more harrowing excitement in store. Brace yourself for
Stranger Things 4, defying the sinister hold of Vecna's curse as you plunge into a series of eerie and nightmarish encounters, all leading up to the final battle in the terrifying Mind Lair of this power-hungry monster. And that's not all. Inspired by the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic PlayStation video game,
The Last of Us brings its chilling world to life.
Outside of the haunted houses, you will also need to watch the space you're in. There are 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 2024, 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. 
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