Orlando’s Halloween Autumn

There is so much going on this autumn in Orlando that we thought it might be best to do a round-up of all the special events and happenings that help to make this time of year extra special.

No surprises that Halloween is top of the pops in the autumn, or Fall as they call it in America, and most of our theme parks and attractions make a big effort to celebrate this “season.” But there are other events and opportunities, too, especially if you like to sample different cuisines.

Fortunately, our friends at Visit Orlando have compiled a full list of everything you need to know for YOUR visit this September, October and November, with the city gearing up for an extraordinary autumn filled with Fall festivities.

With 93 days of frightful scares and family-friendly fun at theme parks and attractions, foodie culinary experiences and vibrant cultural celebrations, our favourite destination presents an exceptional array of events for visitors of all ages.

“From experiencing a taste of our dining scene at a discounted price to the Halloween thrills that you can only find in the Halloween Vacation Capital, Orlando offers something for every traveller this fall,” says Casandra Matej, president and CEO for Visit Orlando. “Lively local events, ranging from our local LGBTQ+ pride celebration to our Hispanic heritage celebration, round out the diverse offerings.”

Halloween Thrills

Known as the Halloween Holiday Capital, Orlando is filled with spine-tingling excitement and spooktacular events at the theme parks. The festivities offer something for everyone, ranging from fright-inducing thrills for adults and teens at world-class haunted houses to friendly chills the whole family can enjoy.

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort (select nights, now through November 1) makes a frightfully fun return at the Magic Kingdom. The family-friendly, all-ages event features eerie entertainment that includes the fab Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular! at Cinderella Castle, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, Disney Junior Jam for young party-goers, Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Disney Characters in costume, and more than 20 favourite attractions with a Halloween twist. Guests are also invited to wear costumes, with some restrictions.

• Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida (Sept. 1-Nov. 4) returns for a record-breaking 48 nights featuring 10 new, movie-quality haunted houses featuring everything from cinematic greats to original abominations, including the all-new Stranger Things 4 and The Last of Us houses; five scare zones filled with creatures lunging from the shadows; and two scintillating live shows.

• At SeaWorld Orlando, guests can experience TWO Halloween-themed events:

Howl-O-Scream returns to terrorise guests on select nights from September 8 to October 31. Offering 24 nights of fully immersive fear, the event will feature fright-inducing haunted houses and scare zones; thrilling night-time coaster rides and experiences; an interactive bar; and an electrifying live show.

Little ones can dress up in their favourite costumes to go Trick-or-Treating and meet colourful Halloween characters at the SeaWorld Spooktacular (weekends, Sept. 16-Oct. 29), a family-friendly daytime event included with regular theme park admission.

• Brick or Treat Presents Monster Party at LEGOLAND Florida Resort (weekends, Sept. 16-Oct. 29), a signature Halloween event included with theme park admission, will feature tons of candy, an all-new show line-up, never-before-seen exclusive LEGO characters and an all-new cinematic experience to create the ultimate family Halloween celebration.

Foodie Events

The allure of Orlando extends beyond its adrenaline-pumping attractions with an array of savoury eats and delectable treats throughout the destination this autumn.

• Celebrating its 18th year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining (Aug. 18-Oct. 1) returns with more than 130 of Orlando’s best restaurants serving up three-course prix-fixe menus for either $40 or $60, as part of a new tiered menu system. This year’s roster brings 22 new restaurants to the dining programme, as well as eight restaurants recognised by the prestigious Michelin Guide.

• SeaWorld Orlando’s Craft Beer Festival (now through Sept. 4) features more than 100 craft brews, wines, seltzers and cocktails, including an unbeatable mix of domestic and local Florida favourites. Guests can also savour more than 20 speciality food items expertly paired to match their preferred brews. Then, top it all off with nightly fireworks during Ignite.

• At the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (now through Nov. 18), guests can sample exciting and unexpected flavours from around the globe as they circle Epcot’s iconic World Showcase. This delicious celebration features more than 25 global Marketplaces, including a menu of new dishes and beverages along with live entertainment, family activities and more. This year, the festival welcomes back two fan-favourite flavour destinations: Hawaii, featuring tastes from the Pacific paradise; and The Noodle Exchange, offering ramen and noodle bowls. On September 22, four all-new Global Marketplaces will debut to mark the Disney100 celebration that commemorates the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.

• Central Florida Veg Fest (Oct. 28), the family and dog-friendly vegan event held at Orlando Festival Park near downtown Orlando, returns for its 18th year this autumn. The event will feature a day of educational exhibits and activities from a diverse cross-section of vegan cuisines and lifestyles, including new products and ideas from more than 200 vendors and 100 contributors, as well as a wide variety of food preparation demos.

• The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic (Nov. 10-11) will return for its 14th year, treating guests to a street party festival with unlimited food and beverage tastings at diverse food stations, featuring culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and wine from around the world.

Fall Festivals & Events

The city’s vibrant arts and music scene takes centre stage in October and November with an array of lively celebrations.

• Come Out With Pride Orlando (Oct. 21) returns for its 19th year for a celebration at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. This non-profit celebration fosters a sense of community, encourages LGBTQ+ citizens to live openly and with pride, and educates the public. Attendees will be able to experience a diverse series of live entertainments featuring local artists and celebrity headliners; view The Most Colourful Parade with more than 100 groups of participants strolling a mile through downtown Orlando; and enjoy the signature Fireworks Grand Finale over Lake Eola.

• Festival Calle Orange (Oct. 27) is Central Florida’s largest Latino experiential event. Taking over 10 city blocks, the one-day event features four stages with performances from musicians and artists showcasing Hispanic culture and more than 40 artists and vendors serving authentic food and drinks throughout.

• Fall Fiesta in the Park (Nov. 4-5) will return for its 52nd year to Lake Eola Park, where visitors and locals alike can celebrate the beauty of the season as hundreds of artist and crafter booths surround the park, along with a variety of food vendors, live entertainment and a kids’ zone.

• The wildly eclectic Electric Daisy Carnival (Nov. 10-12) will return to Orlando at Tinker Field History Plaza, featuring three days of more than 120 dance music acts, full-size carnival rides and art, for one of the most vibrant and electrifying editions of EDC.

What would you be most excited to see of the Orlando’s autumn entertainment? Tell us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages… and don’t forget to interact with us on Pinterest and now TikTok too!