Halloween Events in Orlando, FL (2026): 5 Local Picks

Looking for Halloween events in Orlando? Halloween Horror Nights at Universal is the big after-dark scare event, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party brings costumes and trick-or-treating to Magic Kingdom, and Gatorland's Gators, Ghosts & Goblins is a daytime option for younger kids.

5 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Halloween Horror Nights

Event in Universal, Orlando, $$$
Universal's long-running horror event turns Universal Studios Florida into 10 haunted houses and scare zones on select fall nights. It needs its own ticket, costumes are not allowed, and Universal does not recommend it for kids under 13.
- Halloween
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Nightlife
Website for Halloween Horror Nights (opens in a new tab)Directions to Halloween Horror Nights (opens maps)
2
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Event in Lake Buena Vista, $$$$
The family Halloween night at Magic Kingdom, with costumes welcome, trick-or-treating, a Halloween parade and a fireworks and laser show. All 2026 dates are sold out, so plan ahead for next year.
- Halloween
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Kids
Website for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (opens in a new tab)Directions to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (opens maps)
3
Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando

Event in International Drive, Orlando, $$
SeaWorld's separately ticketed event adds haunted houses, scare zones and themed bars after dark, with rides open at night. It is aimed at mature audiences, and costumes are not permitted.
- Halloween
- Theme park
- Ticketed
- Nightlife
Website for Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando (opens in a new tab)Directions to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando (opens maps)
4
Gators, Ghosts & Goblins

Event in Orlando, $$
Gatorland's daytime Halloween weekends are made for kids, with trick-or-treating, a children's costume parade, a haunted museum and animal meet-and-greets.
- Halloween
- Ticketed
- Kids
- Family
Website for Gators, Ghosts & Goblins (opens in a new tab)Directions to Gators, Ghosts & Goblins (opens maps)
5
Spooky Empire

Event in International Drive, Orlando, $$
A horror fan convention on Halloween weekend with celebrity guests, a vendor room, costume contests, a zombie walk and a horror film festival. VIP passes get in an hour early.
- Halloween
- Ticketed
- Adults
- Nightlife
Website for Spooky Empire (opens in a new tab)

Scary or not-so-scary

Orlando's Halloween events split into two groups. Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream are built for teens and adults, with gory haunted houses, roaming scareactors and late hours. Universal does not recommend Horror Nights for kids under 13, and Howl-O-Scream is aimed at mature audiences. For families, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party lets kids trick-or-treat in costume at Magic Kingdom, and Gatorland's Gators, Ghosts & Goblins runs during the day with a costume parade and treat bags. Spooky Empire is something else entirely: a fan convention for horror movie lovers, with autographs, vendors and costume contests.

When they run

Most of these events run on select nights or weekends from late summer through Halloween. Mickey's Not-So-Scary party and Halloween Horror Nights start in August, Howl-O-Scream begins in September, Gatorland's event takes over October weekends and Spooky Empire lands on Halloween weekend. Dates change every year, so check each official page for this year's schedule. Popular nights sell out, and all 2026 dates for Mickey's Not-So-Scary party are already sold out. Weeknights early in the season are usually less crowded at the theme park events.

Tips for a Halloween night out

Costume rules differ. Kids and adults can dress up for Mickey's Not-So-Scary party and Gatorland's daytime weekends, but costumes are not allowed at Halloween Horror Nights or Howl-O-Scream. Party tickets are separate from regular admission at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. Howl-O-Scream gates open at 6:30pm with the event starting at 7pm, and Mickey's party allows entry from 4pm. Wear comfortable shoes, eat before the lines get long and bring a small bag of candy-free snacks for kids who get tired. Have a meeting spot in case your group splits up in a crowded haunted house queue.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 5 Halloween events in Orlando. You'll find them in International Drive and Universal, spread across Orlando and Lake Buena Vista.

Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$ range, with a handful at $$$.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Halloween events in Orlando?

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal is the best-known scare event, and Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld is the other big after-dark option. For families, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Gatorland's Gators, Ghosts & Goblins weekends are the go-to choices.

Is Halloween Horror Nights OK for kids?

Universal does not recommend Halloween Horror Nights for children under 13. The event focuses on gory haunted houses and scare zones. Families with younger kids usually do better at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Gatorland's daytime Halloween weekends.

Can you wear costumes to Orlando Halloween events?

At Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests of all ages can come in costume, and Gatorland holds a children's costume parade. Spooky Empire runs costume contests. Costumes are not allowed at Halloween Horror Nights or Howl-O-Scream.

Where can kids trick-or-treat in Orlando?

Kids can trick-or-treat at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and at Gatorland's Gators, Ghosts & Goblins, which runs on October weekends during the day. Check each event's official page for this year's dates.

Is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party sold out?

Disney lists all 2026 dates as sold out. The party runs on select nights from August through Halloween each year, so watch Disney's site for next year's ticket release if you want to go.