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15 Must Visit Fall Events in Orlando, Including Halloween at SEA LIFE Aquarium

  • Monday September 7th 2026
  • Author: Matt Meyers

Pirates Of The Haunted Seas Captain With Gold

Fall is one of the most exciting times to visit Orlando. The weather begins to shift, Halloween decorations start appearing across Central Florida, and theme parks and attractions roll out seasonal events that you cannot experience at other times of the year.

The best part is that there is no single way to enjoy fall in Orlando. Families with young children can choose daytime Halloween celebrations, while thrill seekers can head to after dark haunted events. Food lovers can explore seasonal festivals, and anyone looking for something a little different can find plenty of attractions beyond the major theme parks.

If you are planning an Orlando vacation between September and November, here are 15 fall events and experiences worth adding to your itinerary.

Orlando Fall Events at a Glance

Event

2026 Dates

Location

Best For

Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando

Sept. 19 to Nov. 1

ICON Park

Families and younger kids

The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

Oct. 1 to Oct. 31

ICON Park

Families, teens and pop culture fans

Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida

Select dates Sept. 5 to Oct. 31

Winter Haven

Families with kids

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Select nights Aug. 7 to Oct. 31

Magic Kingdom

Families and Disney fans

Halloween Horror Nights

Select nights Aug. 28 to Nov. 1

Universal Orlando

Teens and adults

Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando

Select dates Aug. 29 to Nov. 1

Orlando

Families with young children

Howl O Scream at SeaWorld Orlando

Select nights Sept. 11 to Oct. 31

Orlando

Older teens and adults

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween

Sept. 19 to Nov. 1

Orlando

Kids and families

Gators, Ghosts & Goblins

Oct. 10 to Oct. 25

Gatorland

Families

Zoo Boo Bash

Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31

Sanford

Young children and families

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Aug. 27 to Nov. 21

Walt Disney World

Foodies

Little Shop of Horrors

Sept. 18 to Oct. 4

Orlando

Theater fans

ICON Park fall entertainment

Fall season

International Drive

Families and groups

Orlando fall attractions and International Drive

September to November

Orlando

All ages

Event dates and details can change, so check the attraction or event's official website before visiting.

1. Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Pirates of the Haunted Seas

For families looking for a Halloween event in Orlando that is fun rather than frightening, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium belongs at the top of the list.

Running on Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026, Pirates of the Haunted Seas combines the underwater world of SEA LIFE Orlando with a pirate themed Halloween adventure. Guests can follow a treasure hunt, meet the Pirate Captain, take part in interactive activities and discover marine life throughout the aquarium. The event is included with general admission.

That makes it an especially easy addition to an Orlando family vacation. Instead of dedicating an entire evening to a Halloween event, families can explore the aquarium, walk through the 360 degree ocean tunnel, see sharks and rays and then take part in the seasonal pirate adventure.

Pirates of the Haunted Seas Quick Facts

Detail

Information

Dates

Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 19 to Nov. 1, 2026

Location

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium at ICON Park

Best for

Families and younger children

Experience

Pirate themed Halloween adventure

Included with admission

Yes

Highlights

Treasure hunt, Pirate Captain, marine life and interactive activities

For families searching for Halloween events in Orlando for kids, this is one of the easiest ways to add seasonal fun to a day of sightseeing on International Drive.

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2. The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

The Great Wax Heist

Halloween takes a celebrity turn at Madame Tussauds Orlando with The Great Wax Heist.

Taking place daily from October 1 through October 31, 2026, the experience invites guests to take part in a Halloween themed mystery inside the attraction. The event is included with regular admission, so there is no separate event ticket required.

It is a fun option for families, teens and pop culture fans who want something different from a traditional Halloween party. You can explore the wax figures, take photos and add a seasonal challenge to your visit.

Because Madame Tussauds is located at ICON Park, it is also easy to combine with SEA LIFE Orlando and other International Drive attractions for a full day.

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3. Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

Brick or Treat LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Halloween gets a LEGO® twist at LEGOLAND Florida Resort during Brick or Treat.

The 2026 celebration takes place on select dates from September 5 through October 31. Families can enjoy trick or treating, seasonal entertainment, playful LEGO monster characters, themed activities and the all new Brick or Treat Street immersive walkthrough.

Other 2026 highlights include the New Brick or Treat Street, LEGO® Candy Corn Scavenger Hunt, The Dragon: Castle Candy Caper and Department of Monstrous Vehicles.

Brick or Treat is included with general Theme Park admission, making it a strong choice for families who want to combine Halloween activities with rides and attractions.

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4. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

For a classic Disney Halloween experience, head to Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

The separately ticketed event takes place on select nights from August 7 through October 31, 2026. Guests can dress in costume, trick or treat throughout the park and enjoy exclusive Halloween entertainment.

The evening also features favorites such as Mickey’s Boo To You Halloween Parade and Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular.

This is a particularly popular option for families who want the classic Disney version of Halloween.

5. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

If your idea of fall fun involves haunted houses, scare zones and plenty of thrills, Halloween Horror Nights is one of Orlando's biggest seasonal events.

Universal Orlando's 2026 Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 28 through November 1.

Unlike the daytime family events on this list, Halloween Horror Nights is designed for guests looking for a much more intense Halloween experience. It is a separately ticketed nighttime event at Universal Studios Florida.

For horror fans and older visitors, it can easily become one of the highlights of an Orlando fall vacation.

6. Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando

Families with younger children can celebrate Halloween during SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular.

The 2026 event runs on select dates from August 29 through November 1 and features family friendly Halloween activities, trick or treating, seasonal decorations and character experiences. 

It is a good choice for families who want Halloween entertainment during the daytime without the intensity of an after dark haunted event.

7. Howl O Scream at SeaWorld Orlando

Looking for something more intense? Howl O Scream at SeaWorld Orlando takes Halloween into the evening.

The separately ticketed event takes place on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026. Guests can experience haunted houses, scare zones and nighttime thrills throughout the park.

This is one for older teens and adults who want a traditional haunted Halloween atmosphere.

8. Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience

Halloween does not have to mean haunted houses. At Crayola Experience Orlando, Screamin’ Green Hauntoween brings colorful seasonal fun to families from September 19 through November 1.

The event includes Halloween crafts, a themed scavenger hunt, photo opportunities and weekend trick or treating. 

There are also themed weeks throughout the event, including Princesses & Pirates, Superheroes and Monsters & Magic.

For younger kids, it is a great alternative to Orlando's more intense Halloween attractions.

9. Gators, Ghosts & Goblins at Gatorland

Halloween and alligators come together during Gators, Ghosts & Goblins at Gatorland.

The family friendly daytime event takes place October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, 2026, and is included with regular park admission. 

Families can enjoy themed entertainment, trick or treating, animal encounters, games, photo opportunities and a children's Halloween costume parade.

It is a uniquely Florida way to celebrate fall.

10. Zoo Boo Bash at Central Florida Zoo

For another family friendly Halloween experience outside the major theme parks, head to Sanford for Zoo Boo Bash at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.

The 2026 event takes place October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31. Guests can dress up, trick or treat and explore the zoo while enjoying seasonal decorations, games and other activities.

All activities are included with zoo admission, making this another option for families looking for Halloween activities during the daytime.

11. EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Fall in Orlando is not all about Halloween.

At Walt Disney World, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival gives visitors another reason to spend time at the theme parks. The 2026 festival runs from August 27 through November 21.

Guests can sample food and beverages from global marketplaces, enjoy entertainment and take part in activities throughout EPCOT.

It is an especially good choice for adults and families who want to build a fall day around food rather than Halloween.

12. Little Shop of Horrors

For something away from the theme parks, theater fans can catch Little Shop of Horrors in Orlando on select dates from September 18 through October 4, 2026.

The musical follows a meek floral assistant and a carnivorous plant with plans for world domination. It is a fun way to ease into the Halloween season while experiencing Orlando's performing arts scene.

13. Enjoy Fall Attractions Along International Drive

International Drive is one of the easiest places to build a full day of fall fun in Orlando. The popular entertainment district is home to attractions, restaurants, shopping and seasonal experiences, making it a convenient choice for families visiting Central Florida.

For a family friendly fall itinerary, start at ICON Park with a visit to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Orlando, then explore more of International Drive throughout the afternoon and evening. With Halloween events taking place at attractions across Orlando during September and October, International Drive can also serve as a convenient home base for exploring several seasonal experiences.

Fall is a particularly good time to explore the area because you can combine indoor attractions with outdoor entertainment, making it easy to adjust your plans around the weather.

14. Explore ICON Park During the Fall

One of the easiest ways to experience fall in Orlando is to build an evening around ICON Park.

Located on International Drive, ICON Park puts several attractions, restaurants and entertainment options in one walkable destination. That makes it particularly convenient for families who want to combine attractions such as SEA LIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds with dinner and other activities.

A fall visit also makes it easy to build your own itinerary around seasonal events happening nearby.

For families, it can be a simple way to experience several Orlando attractions without spending an entire day inside a theme park.

15. Make Your Own Orlando Fall Adventure

One of the best things about fall in Orlando is that you do not have to choose just one type of experience.

You could spend the morning exploring an aquarium, visit a theme park in the afternoon and finish the evening at a seasonal event. Or you could dedicate an entire day to Halloween activities for kids, with trick or treating and family entertainment.

For example, a family staying near International Drive could visit SEA LIFE Orlando, explore Madame Tussauds and enjoy ICON Park in the same day. Another family could combine Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida with the Resort's rides and attractions.

The possibilities are almost endless.

How to Choose the Best Fall Event in Orlando

If you want...

Consider...

Halloween fun for younger kids

Pirates of the Haunted Seas

A family friendly Halloween event

Brick or Treat

Disney Halloween

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Intense Halloween thrills

Halloween Horror Nights

A family daytime Halloween event

SeaWorld Spooktacular

Haunted houses and scare zones

Howl O Scream

Hands on Halloween activities

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween

Animals and Halloween

Gators, Ghosts & Goblins

Trick or treating at a zoo

Zoo Boo Bash

Celebrity and pop culture fun

The Great Wax Heist

Food and drinks

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

Theater and fall entertainment

Little Shop of Horrors

Plan Your Fall Visit to Orlando

With so many events happening across Central Florida, fall is a great time to experience more than just the major theme parks.

Families can choose from kid friendly Halloween events, interactive attractions, animals, food festivals and seasonal entertainment. And if Halloween is the main reason for your visit, Orlando offers everything from playful daytime celebrations to some of the country's biggest nighttime haunted events.

For families who want Halloween fun without the fright, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is an easy place to start. The event combines a pirate themed treasure hunt and seasonal activities with all the marine life and exhibits families can enjoy during a regular aquarium visit. 

And because SEA LIFE Orlando is located at ICON Park, you can make an entire fall day out of exploring the area.

Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a longer Orlando vacation, there is plenty happening this fall to fill your calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Events in Orlando

Some of the top fall events in Orlando in 2026 include Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando, The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando, Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Halloween Horror Nights, SeaWorld Spooktacular and Screamin’ Green Hauntoween.

Family friendly options include Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando, Brick or Treat Street at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, SeaWorld Spooktacular, Screamin’ Green Hauntoween, Gators, Ghosts & Goblins and Zoo Boo Bash. These events focus on daytime activities, costumes, trick or treating and family entertainment rather than intense scares.

Fall events in Orlando begin as early as August, with many Halloween and seasonal events continuing through October and into November. In 2026, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando runs from September 19 through November 1, while several other major Halloween events begin in August or early September.

Yes. Pirates of the Haunted Seas activities are included with general admission to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. The 2026 event runs Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1 and includes a pirate themed treasure hunt, interactive activities and a Pirate Captain experience. 

Orlando has plenty of fall activities beyond Halloween, including the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, theater performances, aquarium visits, wildlife attractions, International Drive entertainment and seasonal experiences at attractions throughout Central Florida. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs through November 21 in 2026. 

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