Skip to main content

Go back to blog

Best Halloween Attractions on International Drive

  • Monday September 28th 2026
  • Author: Matt Meyers

Pirates Of The Haunted Seas 360 Ocean Tunnel

Halloween brings plenty of seasonal activities to Orlando, and International Drive is one of the most convenient areas for families to build a day or evening around attractions, entertainment and Halloween events.

From marine life and family friendly treasure hunts to Halloween themed dinner shows, interactive attractions and horror conventions, there are several ways to celebrate the season on and around International Drive.

For families with younger children, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers Pirates of the Haunted Seas, while Crayola Experience Orlando brings Halloween activities into its hands-on attraction. Older children, teens and adults have additional choices, including The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando, Vampirates at Pirate's Dinner Adventure and Spooky Empire.

Here are some of the Halloween attractions and activities to consider when planning a fall visit to International Drive in 2026.

What Are the Best Halloween Attractions on International Drive?

The right Halloween attraction depends on the ages and interests of your group. International Drive has options ranging from family friendly daytime activities to Halloween entertainment designed more specifically for teens and adults.

Halloween attraction or activity

International Drive location

2026 dates

Best suited to

Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

ICON Park

Sept. 19 to Nov. 1

Families and younger children

Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience

Florida Mall area, International Drive corridor

Sept. 19 to Nov. 1

Kids and families

The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

ICON Park

Oct. 1 to Oct. 31

Families, teens and pop culture fans

Vampirates at Pirate's Dinner Adventure

International Drive

Select nights Sept. 22 to Oct. 31

Families and visitors wanting a themed dinner show

Halloween at Kings Dining & Entertainment

International Drive

Oct. 31

Families and adults

Spooky Empire

Hyatt Regency Orlando, International Drive

Oct. 30 to Nov. 1

Horror fans, teens and adults

Event schedules can change, so check the individual attraction or event website before visiting. The International Drive Orlando event calendar is also a useful way to see what is happening during your travel dates.

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

Pirates of the Haunted Seas

For families searching for Halloween activities in Orlando that combine seasonal fun with an indoor attraction, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers a family friendly way to celebrate Halloween.

The event takes place Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026, during normal aquarium operating hours. Pirates of the Haunted Seas is included with general admission to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.

Families can follow a pirate treasure hunt through the aquarium while discovering marine life along the way. The experience includes a treasure map, interactive activities, pirate encounters and educational activities.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is located at ICON Park on International Drive, making it especially easy to combine with other nearby attractions.

What can families do during Pirates of the Haunted Seas?

The seasonal experience includes:

  • A pirate treasure hunt

  • A themed treasure map

  • Pirate encounters

  • Interactive games and activities

  • Educational activities

  • Marine life exploration

  • A commemorative pirate themed prize and Halloween treat bag

The Halloween experience adds a seasonal layer to a visit, while the aquarium itself remains focused on marine life.

Families can explore underwater habitats and see marine animals including sharks, rays, sea turtles and other aquatic life. The aquarium also features its 360° Ocean Tunnel.

For parents planning things to do in Orlando with kids, the combination of an indoor aquarium and Halloween activities makes SEA LIFE Orlando a practical addition to an International Drive itinerary.

2. Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience Orlando

Families traveling with younger children have another Halloween option at Crayola Experience Orlando.

Screamin' Green Hauntoween runs from September 19 through November 1, 2026, with Halloween activities taking place alongside Crayola Experience's hands-on attractions.

The seasonal celebration includes a Halloween themed scavenger hunt, crafts, photo opportunities and character appearances. Trick-or-treating takes place at stations throughout the attraction on Saturdays and Sundays.

There are also themed periods throughout the event:

  • Sept. 19 to Oct. 4: Pirates & Princesses

  • Oct. 5 to Oct. 18: Superheroes

  • Oct. 19 to Nov. 1: Monsters & Magic

Crayola Experience also has select kids dance parties during the event, plus seasonal food and merchandise.

This makes Crayola Experience particularly relevant for families searching for Halloween activities in Orlando for kids, especially those who prefer creative, interactive activities over traditional haunted attractions.

Because Crayola Experience is an indoor attraction, it can also be useful when Florida weather affects outdoor plans.

3. The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

The Great Wax Heist

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

The experience runs from October 1 through October 31, 2026, at the ICON Park attraction on International Drive. Guests can follow clues and scan QR codes as they search for five hidden artifacts connected to the history and craftsmanship of Madame Tussauds.

The Great Wax Heist is included with admission to Madame Tussauds Orlando.

This makes it a useful option for families with older children, teens and pop culture fans who want a Halloween activity without attending a traditional haunted house.

Because Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium are both at ICON Park, the two attractions can also be combined into one International Drive itinerary.

Combining SEA LIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds

A family could spend part of the day exploring marine life at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium before visiting Madame Tussauds Orlando for The Great Wax Heist.

The two attractions offer very different experiences:

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Marine life

Celebrity and pop culture

Aquarium exhibits

Wax figures

Pirate themed Halloween experience

Interactive Halloween mystery

Pirates of the Haunted Seas

The Great Wax Heist

Sept. 19 to Nov. 1

Oct. 1 to Oct. 31

Particularly relevant for younger children

Particularly relevant for families and teens

Both attractions are located within ICON Park on International Drive, so they can be considered together when planning a multi attraction day.

4. Vampirates at Pirate's Dinner Adventure

For something different from an attraction or aquarium, consider Vampirates at Pirate's Dinner Adventure.

The International Drive Orlando event calendar lists Vampirates: The Haunting Search for Neptune's Treasure on select nights from September 22 through October 31, 2026.

Pirate's Dinner Adventure is located at 6400 Carrier Drive, just off International Drive.

The Halloween themed dinner show combines a pirate adventure with a vampire theme and live entertainment. The experience features the show's signature action, including aerial performances, swordplay, stunts and duels, with the Halloween storyline adding a seasonal twist.

This option works differently from SEA LIFE Orlando or Crayola Experience because the meal and live show are central to the experience.

For families planning an International Drive evening, Vampirates can also provide a Halloween themed alternative after spending the daytime at one of the area's indoor attractions.

5. Halloween Trick-or-Treating at Kings Dining & Entertainment

Families spending Halloween Day on International Drive can also consider Kings Dining & Entertainment.

On October 31, 2026, Kings is scheduled to offer family friendly trick-or-treating from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. The venue will also offer a separate evening Halloween activity for adults.

Kings combines bowling, dining and entertainment, so this can work well for families who want a more casual Halloween activity rather than a full scale theme park event.

It can also be useful as part of a broader International Drive day, particularly for groups with children of different ages who want an activity that is not exclusively focused on Halloween.

6. Spooky Empire on International Drive

For visitors who want to make Halloween weekend about horror culture, Spooky Empire returns to the Hyatt Regency Orlando at 9801 International Drive from October 30 through November 1, 2026.

Spooky Empire is a horror convention rather than a traditional theme park Halloween event. The weekend includes celebrity guests, panels, vendors, costume activities and other programming for horror fans.

The event is open to families, although some individual late night programming is intended for adults. Spooky Empire states that children 10 and under are admitted free with an adult.

For families with older children or adults interested in horror movies, costumes and pop culture, it offers a very different Halloween experience from the family attractions elsewhere on International Drive.

7. Halloween Activities at ICON Park

ICON Park is another useful starting point for a Halloween day on International Drive.

The complex brings together several attractions, restaurants and entertainment options, including SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando and The Orlando Eye.

For families, the attraction combination makes it possible to create an itinerary around indoor experiences while still having restaurants and other entertainment nearby.

A possible October itinerary could include:

Morning: Explore SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.

Late morning: Complete the Pirates of the Haunted Seas treasure hunt.

Lunch: Stay around ICON Park and explore the surrounding restaurants.

Afternoon: Visit Madame Tussauds Orlando and take on The Great Wax Heist.

Evening: Choose dinner, entertainment or a Halloween event elsewhere on International Drive.

This type of itinerary can work particularly well for families who want several shorter attraction experiences rather than spending an entire day at a theme park.

8. More Halloween Events Around International Drive

International Drive's Halloween calendar extends beyond dedicated attractions.

The official I-Drive Orlando event listings include additional seasonal and Halloween activities throughout the corridor. Some are designed for families, while others are geared toward adults and nighttime entertainment.

Depending on your travel dates, visitors may find:

  • Halloween themed dining and entertainment

  • Costume events

  • Trick-or-treating

  • Seasonal parties

  • Horror and pop culture events

  • Halloween nightlife

  • Special entertainment at International Drive venues

The timing matters because many of these events are limited to specific nights or weekends.

Checking the calendar before your trip can help you build a Halloween itinerary around the dates you are actually in Orlando.

How to Choose a Halloween Attraction on International Drive

International Drive has Halloween experiences for several different types of visitors.

For toddlers and younger children

Start with family focused daytime experiences.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium's Pirates of the Haunted Seas and Crayola Experience's Screamin' Green Hauntoween are two options that combine seasonal Halloween activities with attractions designed for families.

For families wanting an indoor Halloween activity

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Crayola Experience and Madame Tussauds Orlando are all indoor attractions.

That can be particularly useful when planning around Florida rain or when your family needs a break from outdoor activities.

For families with older children

The Great Wax Heist, Vampirates and other International Drive entertainment can add more variety to an itinerary.

Older children may also enjoy the broader Orlando Halloween calendar, but families should check individual event descriptions to make sure the experience matches their group's preferences.

For horror fans

Spooky Empire provides a convention style Halloween experience, while larger Orlando theme park events such as Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream offer separately ticketed nighttime Halloween entertainment.

These are substantially different from family friendly daytime attractions, so check age recommendations and event descriptions before purchasing tickets.

Is SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium a Good Halloween Activity for Kids?

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium can be a useful Halloween activity for families with young children because Pirates of the Haunted Seas combines a pirate themed treasure hunt with the aquarium's marine life experience.

The event is family friendly and takes place during normal aquarium operating hours on Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026. It is included with general admission.

Families can enjoy the seasonal activities without making the entire day about traditional Halloween scares.

Is SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium a Good Rainy Day Activity?

Yes. SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is an indoor attraction, so it can be included in an Orlando itinerary when rain changes outdoor plans.

That makes the aquarium particularly relevant to families searching for indoor things to do in Orlando, rainy day activities in Orlando and family attractions on International Drive.

During fall, Pirates of the Haunted Seas adds a seasonal reason to visit.

What Can You See at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium?

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers an indoor marine life experience featuring thousands of sea creatures, themed habitats and a 360° Ocean Tunnel.

Visitors can see marine life including sharks, rays, sea turtles and other aquatic animals while exploring the aquarium.

The experience provides a different type of attraction from Orlando's theme parks, making it an option for families who want to add marine life and an educational experience to their vacation itinerary.

How to Plan a Halloween Day on International Drive

The easiest way to plan an International Drive Halloween day is to choose activities based on your family's ages and the type of Halloween experience you want.

Your priority

International Drive option

Halloween fun for young children

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium or Crayola Experience

Indoor attraction

SEA LIFE Orlando, Crayola Experience or Madame Tussauds

Marine life

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Creative activities

Crayola Experience

Celebrity and pop culture

Madame Tussauds Orlando

Halloween dinner and live entertainment

Vampirates

Casual Halloween Day activity

Kings Dining & Entertainment

Horror and pop culture

Spooky Empire

Larger scale nighttime Halloween

Consider Orlando's major theme park Halloween events

Remember that not every Halloween experience operates every day. Some are available daily during a date range, while others operate only on selected dates or weekends.

Halloween Attractions on International Drive FAQ

International Drive offers several Halloween experiences in 2026, including Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience, The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando, Vampirates at Pirate's Dinner Adventure and Spooky Empire. The best fit depends on your family's ages and preferred type of Halloween experience.

Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience are two family focused options. SEA LIFE's event features a pirate treasure hunt and marine life, while Crayola Experience offers crafts, a scavenger hunt, photo opportunities and weekend trick-or-treating.

Pirates of the Haunted Seas is a family friendly Halloween experience at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. It includes a pirate treasure hunt, themed activities and marine life exploration and runs on Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026. The experience is included with general admission.

Screamin' Green Hauntoween is Crayola Experience Orlando's 2026 Halloween celebration. It runs from September 19 through November 1 and includes a Halloween scavenger hunt, crafts, photo opportunities, character appearances and weekend trick-or-treating.

The Great Wax Heist is a Halloween themed interactive mystery at Madame Tussauds Orlando. Running October 1 through October 31, 2026, the experience uses clues and QR codes to guide visitors through a search for five hidden artifacts.

Plan Your Halloween on International Drive

Halloween on International Drive is not limited to one type of attraction.

Families with younger children can spend the day exploring marine life at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and taking part in Pirates of the Haunted Seas. Creative families can add Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience, while teens and pop culture fans may prefer The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

For an evening experience, Vampirates adds a Halloween themed dinner show to the itinerary. Halloween Day also brings activities such as trick-or-treating at Kings Dining & Entertainment, while horror fans can plan around Spooky Empire during Halloween weekend.

That variety makes International Drive a useful part of an Orlando vacation itinerary, particularly for families who want to combine indoor attractions, seasonal entertainment, dining and Halloween activities without spending every day at a theme park.

For families visiting this fall, check the event dates before you travel, choose activities that suit your group and leave some room in the itinerary to explore International Drive.

Health