Complete Guide to Halloween in Orlando

For 2026 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.

BEST FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Disney’s Magic Kingdom with dates still to be confirmed, yet it typically runs from mid-August through to the end of October, bringing a spell of spooky fun made for little ghouls and boys alike.

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. While we’re still awaiting all the details, last year’s live show was the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, inspired by the 1993 film.

And you don't want to miss the bewitching fireworks show with its enchanting explosions.

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 Legend, earning the title of the World’s Premier Halloween Event. From 28th August to 1st November 2026, you can expect over two months of haunted houses, scare zones and live shows.

This year marks a chilling milestone with its 35th anniversary, and the darkness is deeper than ever. Expect twisted new themes, hair-raising surprises, and sinister upgrades like Premium Scare Nights, where the terror comes faster with shorter wait times.

Halloween Horror Nights announced its first haunted house for this year, Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control. If you dare to enter, you'll find yourself in the middle of a long-running feud between Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow, where chaos and control collide. More houses are still to come, with plenty of new nightmares waiting to be unleashed.

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.

Recommended to those aged over 13, tickets are now on sale and you can get your Halloween Horror Nights tickets here. 
 

BEST FOR SEPARATE CHILDREN & ADULT EVENTS

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 on select dates from 29th August to 1st November 2026. Here, guests under 13 can dress up in costumes with face painting available within the park. Start your day feasting with Halloween royalty at Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast. Next, you're ready to join events like the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Bubble Dance Party, and the award-winning Sesame Street Party Parade. 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.

Launched at SeaWorld Orlando in 2021, after previously being hosted solely at SeaWorld Busch Gardens, Howl-O-Scream terrorises Orlando on select nights from 11th September to 31st October 2026. While this year’s horrors are still lurking in the shadows, past chaos was unleashed by Havoc, the Ambassador of Darkness, whose explosive show Throttle left audiences rattled. If history repeats itself, expect five haunted houses packed with twisted tales and five fear-soaked scare zones dragging you into realms of madness, decay, and supernatural dread.
 

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 that is the biggest, brightest, and boldest thing to do outside the theme parks.

In fact, you might just find your favourite Halloween event at the Screamin' Green Hauntoween at The Crayola Experience, from 19th September to 1st November 2026. Tailored towards crafty and creative kids, they can dig in and get their hands dirty painting a Halloween mask, crafting a paper pumpkin, or moulding their very own not-so-scary ghost.

There’s also a Spooky Scavenger Hunt, packed with clues leading to a prize, plus colourful Crayola characters dressed in their Halloween best, so you can be ready for fang-tastic photo ops with your favourite crayons.

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

BEST FOR LITTLE ONES' FIRST HALLOWEEN

LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven

Just a 45-minute drive from Orlando, Brick-or-Treat returns to LEGOLAND Florida in 2026 on select dates usually between mid-September and the end of October for fright-sized, family-friendly fun, included with regular admission. From 2 to 7pm, little ghouls and goblins can roam through themed trick-or-treat trails, scooping up goodies with their free treat bags in hand. Along the way, you’ll bump into frightfully fun LEGO characters like the Zombie Cheerleader, Lord Vampyre, and the mysterious Plant Monster.

There’s live entertainment too, including the V.I.M. Dance Party, plus the award-winning Monster Skytacular Drone Show featuring 500 drones and fireworks. Kids can also build LEGO pumpkins,try out for the Zombie Cheer Crew, and ride Halloween-themed attractions like the Monster Party Carousel. And costumes are most welcome to add to the festivities. 

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. 

Meanwhile, SeaWorld Orlando has implemented the Teal Pumpkin Program, which lets guests with food allergies collect a teal token and swap it at Coconut Bay Traders for safe, tasty alternatives, ensuring everyone can join the fun.


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