Halloween in Orlando: Family-friendly events and trick-or-treating fit for all ages

Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
Updated ·9 min read

From Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights to SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, there are plenty of gory frights to go around this October in Orlando. But these frightening haunts aren’t suitable for children and families looking for simple, scare-free Halloween fun.

In Central Florida, Halloween enthusiasts of all ages can find trick-or-treating, community events and theme park happenings long before Oct. 31. Here are some ideas.

Community events

  • Orange County Library System hosts a number of events to celebrate the Halloween season, including mad science, creepy crafts, storytime and movie matinees. Explore the offerings and book recommendations throughout October. More information: ocls.info

  • Orlando Science Center has “Kids Night at the Museum” featuring spooky STEM programming, dinner and a film. Parents and caregivers can drop their “little monsters” ages 5 to 12 off at the museum for a night of fun. Tickets cost $80 for members or $85 for non-members for the first child; siblings can attend for $60 each. The event is 6-10 p.m. Oct. 15 at 777 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. More information: osc.org

  • Winter Garden’s Halloween Experience brings “frightening family-friendly festivities” to the Winter Garden community with live entertainment, a hay maze, themed decorations and food, plus outdoor movies. Eleven days of programming can be found Oct. 21-31 in downtown Winter Garden. More information: cwgdn.com

  • À La Cart Orlando, the Milk District’s food truck hangout, will host its fourth annual PumpkinFest with pumpkin beers and eats, plus daily activities. Throughout October, the venue will also be showing Halloween movies each Monday. Find specials and fall-themed fun 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 21-31 at 609 Irvington Ave. in Orlando. More information: alacartorlando.com

  • Longwood’s Monster Dash 5K joins the community for a running race and fundraising for the Longwood Historic Society. Costumes are encouraged. Registration costs $30 for the 5K run/walk and goes up in price closer to the event. A kid’s dash is free. The race begins at 8 a.m. Oct. 30 at 135 W. Church Ave. in Longwood. More information: longwoodmonsterdash.com

  • The 2022 Orlando Creepy Crawl 5K and Vampire Mile provide a themed running event in support of the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida. Race-day registration begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at 4990 New Broad St. in Orlando. More information: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/occ2/

  • Franklin’s Friends Howl-O-Ween Walk-a-Thon and Canine Costume Contest will host an estimated 750 animal lovers and their dogs at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs for a walk, canine costume contest and pet-friendly vendors. Proceeds will benefit Franklin’s Friends, which helps support Central Florida animal welfare. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Explore the event 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 22 at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. in Altamonte Springs. More information: franklinsfriends.info/events

  • Cocktails & Screams, Orlando’s Halloween-themed bar, hosts a family trick-or-treat brunch complete with characters from Hotel Transylvania. Tickets are $13.13 before taxes and fees. Enjoy the event noon-3 p.m. Oct. 23 at 39 W. Pine St. in Orlando. More information: facebook.com

  • Orange County Regional History Center provides a safe trick-or-treat event with games, crafts and activities for the whole family. Costumes are encouraged. The event is free for families with children ages 12 and younger. Festivities are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 29 at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando. More information: thehistorycenter.org

  • The City of St. Cloud’s Trunk or Treat hosts Halloween trick-or-treating, games and costumed visitors at Hopkins Park. The free event is 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 29 at 620 E. 17th St. in St. Cloud. More information: stcloudfl.gov

  • The City of Lake Mary’s Halloween Spooktacular hosts safe trick-or-treating in Central Park, followed by a movie in the park. In addition, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, activities, face painting, food vendors and more. The event begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 29; the outdoor movie begins at 6:30 p.m. at 100 N. Country Club Road in Lake Mary. More information: lakemaryfl.com

  • Avalon Park’s Spooktacular brings trick-or-treating, a costume contest, a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, live entertainment and food trucks to the community. Explore the free event 5-9 p.m. Oct. 29 at 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd. Orlando. More information: avalonparkorlando.com

  • The City of Maitland’s Fall-o-ween is a free family event with a costume contest, games and lots of candy. Festivities are 5-9 p.m. Oct. 29 at 1776 Independence Lane in Maitland. More information: itsmymaitland.com

  • A Nightmare on the Clermont Trails 5K provides an evening run with spook zones and Halloween-themed fun. Costumes are encouraged. Registration is $45; a virtual run is available for $39. Prices increase closer to the event. The race begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at 938 Victory Way in Clermont. More information: sommersportsevents.com

  • Lake Eola will show an outdoor screening of “Hotel Transylvania” on the park’s east lawn during Halloween weekend. Family and friends should bring blankets, chairs and snacks. Enjoy the movie beginning at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at 512 E. Washington St. in Orlando. More information: downtownorlando.com

  • The City of Sanford’s Fang-Tastic Fest is a kid-centric event geared toward trick-or-treaters ages 12 and younger. The festival at Ft. Mellon Park features costume contests, carnival games, inflatables and sweet treats. The festivities are 2-5 p.m. Oct. 30 at 600 E. 1st St. in Sanford. More information: sanfordfl.gov

  • Audubon Park Covenant Church’s Halloween Block Party brings candy, games and trunk-or-treating o the community, plus an outdoor viewing of “Casper.” The free event begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at 3219 Chelsea St. in Orlando. More information: audubonparkchurch.com or facebook.com

  • Halloween at Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs gives a community-oriented alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating. Families can gather candy around Cranes Roost Lake and enjoy live entertainment, costume contests, games and kids’ activities. The free event is 5-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. in Altamonte Springs. More information: altamonte.org

Theme parks, resorts and attractions

  • SeaWorld Spooktacular brings trick-or-treating, costumes, Sesame Street characters and “spooky surprises” to Orlando this Halloween season. The special event is included with theme park admission and runs Fridays-Sundays through Oct. 31 at 7007 SeaWorld Drive in Orlando. More information: seaworld.com

  • Legoland Florida’s Brick-or-Treat brings family-friendly festivities to Central Florida with activities for all ages. Guests can find Lego Halloween monsters, shows, sweet treats and other Halloween-themed fun. The event, which is included in park admission, runs during weekends through Oct. 30 at 1 Legoland Way in Winter Haven. More information: legoland.com

  • Fun Spot’s Hallo-wiener Dog Derby features dachshunds and other small dogs racing in this Halloween-themed pup event. Registration is available for participating pooches at floridawienerdogderby.com, but all leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to come. The event begins at 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at 5700 Fun Spot Way in Orlando. In addition, Fun Spot offers trick-or-treat trails, “fright bites” and photo spots around the park through Oct. 31. More information: fun-spot.com

  • Gators, Ghosts and Goblins at Gatorland provides another year of family-friendly fun with multiple themed haunt zones, interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets and a costume parade. Guests can also find candy, games and giveaways. Tickets (before tax) cost $22.99 for children ages 3-12 and $32.99 for adults. Discounts are available for Florida residents at the gate. The event happens 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 15-30 at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando. More information: gatorland.com

  • Dezerland Action Park offers kids in costume free entry to the Orlando Auto Museum where they can take photos with vehicles from “Spider-Man,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Munsters” and more. The offer is valid this month. Explore the park, which is open daily at 5250 International Drive in Orlando. More information: dezerlandpark.com

  • Museum of Illusions, the Icon Park attraction full of mind-bending exhibits, hosts a dog-friendly “Puppy Paw-ty” for one special day. Find the festivities from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 13 at 8735 International Drive in Orlando. More information: moiorlando.com

  • The Wheel at Icon Park offers a “Spooktacular Florida Fun Pack” with a ride for up to six people in a private capsule. The package, which costs $119.99, includes popcorn and drinks. A “ghoulishly glowing” light show will take place on the lawn each night, with shows at 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday-Saturday. Find the deals and festivities through Oct. 31 at 8375 International Drive in Orlando. More information: iconparkorlando.com

  • Zoo Boo Bash at the Central Florida Zoo features trick-or-treating stations near animal enclosures and activities for the whole family. Tickets start at $15.95 for children ages 3-12, $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for seniors ages 55 and older for online advanced tickets. Costumes are encouraged for the event 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30 at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. in Sanford. More information: centralfloridazoo.org

  • The Promenade at Sunset Walk hosts its third annual Halloween trick-or-treating event, plus a car and truck show, near Margaritaville Resort Orlando. Guests can also enjoy live music, street performers and candy, plus dining and shopping options. The free-admission event is 4-8 p.m. Oct. 29 at 3251 Margaritaville Blvd. in Kissimmee. More information: sunsetwalk.com

  • Old Town’s Halloween provides family-friendly fun with trick-or-treating, live entertainment and a costume contest. Free festivities begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway in Kissimmee. More information: myoldtownusa.com

Did I miss any Halloween events? Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.