Halloween Events & Things to Do in Orlando (2026)

Halloween in Orlando is much more than costumes and candy. From family friendly daytime celebrations to after dark Halloween events, Orlando comes alive with seasonal entertainment, special attractions, themed food and plenty of opportunities to make fall memories.

For families visiting Orlando in September and October, one of the newest Halloween experiences to add to the calendar is Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. This family friendly event combines the excitement of a pirate treasure hunt with the chance to explore an underwater world filled with sharks, rays, sea turtles and other incredible marine life.

But Pirates of the Haunted Seas is only one of the many Halloween events happening around Orlando in 2026. Families can also experience Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld Spooktacular, while older guests looking for more intense thrills can check out Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort or Howl O Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.

There is also a Halloween themed experience for fans of celebrities and pop culture at Madame Tussauds Orlando, where The Great Wax Heist brings a seasonal twist to the attraction.

Here is a look at some of the best Halloween events and things to do in Orlando in 2026.

Best Halloween Events in Orlando 2026

Event dates, times, entertainment and offerings can change, so check the attraction's official website before visiting.

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

For families planning Halloween activities in Orlando, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium offers a different way to celebrate the season.

Running Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026, Pirates of the Haunted Seas transforms a visit to the aquarium into a family friendly pirate adventure. The event takes place during normal aquarium operating hours and is included with general admission. 

The adventure begins with a pirate themed treasure hunt. Families can explore the aquarium while completing activities and discovering marine life along the way.

Guests can also:

• Follow a pirate treasure hunt

• Meet friendly pirates

• Learn pirate themed skills such as rope tying

• Take part in interactive games and activities

• Enjoy educational talks about sharks, coral reefs and Florida wildlife

• Complete coloring activities

• Explore thousands of marine animals

• Receive a commemorative pirate themed gold coin while supplies last 

The experience is especially appealing for families with younger children who want to celebrate Halloween without a traditional haunted house atmosphere.

And because SEA LIFE Orlando is an indoor aquarium, it is also an easy addition to an Orlando itinerary when Florida weather does not cooperate.

Why Pirates of the Haunted Seas is a great Halloween activity for families

Rather than choosing between Halloween fun and an educational experience, families can combine both during a visit to SEA LIFE Orlando.

2. The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

Halloween can also be a chance to step into the world of celebrities, music, movies and pop culture.

At Madame Tussauds Orlando, The Great Wax Heist adds a Halloween themed adventure to the attraction. Guests can explore the attraction while enjoying a seasonal storyline centered around the famous wax figures.

It is a natural fit for an Orlando Halloween itinerary because visitors can combine photo opportunities with their favorite celebrities and a limited time Halloween experience.

Located at ICON Park on International Drive, Madame Tussauds Orlando is also close to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, making the two attractions easy to pair during the same day.

That makes ICON Park a convenient stop for families and groups who want to experience more than one attraction without spending the entire day traveling between destinations.

3. Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

For families traveling with LEGO® fans, Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort is one of the major family Halloween events near Orlando.

The 2026 celebration takes place on select dates from September 5 through October 31 and includes Halloween themed entertainment, activities, LEGO builds, trick or treating and special characters. The event is included with general park admission and select Annual Passes.

Families can experience attractions throughout the theme park while also enjoying seasonal activities such as:

• Trick or treating

• LEGO Halloween builds

• Halloween themed entertainment

• Exclusive LEGO® Monster Minifigure characters

• The Great Monster Chase 4D movie

• Monster Party Carousel

• V.I.M. Dance Party

• LEGO® Candy Corn Scavenger Hunt

• Jammin’ Jacks live entertainment

• Monster Skytacular Drone Show

Brick or Treat is designed with families in mind, making it a good option for younger children who want Halloween fun without the intensity of a traditional haunted attraction.

4. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom

Another major Orlando Halloween event is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom.

In 2026, the separately ticketed event takes place on select nights from August 7 through October 31. Disney describes the celebration as a Halloween event featuring special entertainment, trick or treating, characters in Halloween costumes and seasonal experiences. 

Some of the returning favorites include:

• Mickey’s Boo To You Halloween Parade

• Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular

• Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

• Trick or treating throughout Magic Kingdom

• Halloween character appearances

• Special experiences on select attractions

Disney is also introducing new 2026 entertainment featuring Stitch, Lilo and Angel in a Tomorrowland masquerade. 

For families who want a classic Orlando theme park Halloween experience, this is one of the most recognizable choices.

5. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort

For a much more intense Halloween experience, Universal Orlando Resort hosts Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 28 through November 1, 2026. The event's 35th year features haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and horror themed experiences. Universal lists 10 haunted houses for the 2026 event and warns that the experience may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under 13. 

The event is separately ticketed and is designed for guests who want a high intensity Halloween night.

The 2026 event includes horror properties and original concepts, including experiences connected to Stranger Things 5, Sinners, Hellraiser and Evil Dead Burn, along with original haunted houses and themed scare zones.

Halloween Horror Nights is best suited to older teens and adults rather than families with young children.

6. SeaWorld Spooktacular

SeaWorld Orlando offers a different Halloween experience during the day with SeaWorld Spooktacular.

The family friendly event runs on select dates from August 29 through November 1, 2026, according to SeaWorld's event calendar. Guests can enjoy trick or treating and meet Halloween characters during the daytime celebration.

This makes SeaWorld Spooktacular another option for families who want seasonal activities without committing to a late night Halloween haunt.

The combination of marine life, rides and seasonal entertainment can make SeaWorld a full day addition to an Orlando vacation.

7. Howl O Scream at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando also offers a completely different Halloween experience after dark with Howl O Scream.

The 2026 event runs on select nights from September 11 through October 31. It is separately ticketed and begins at 7 p.m., with event gates opening at 6:30 p.m.

Unlike SeaWorld Spooktacular, Howl O Scream is designed for mature audiences and features intense themes, including blood, gore and violence. Costumes are not permitted. 

That distinction is important when planning Halloween activities in Orlando. SeaWorld offers a family friendly daytime Halloween experience and a separate nighttime event intended for mature audiences.

More Halloween Things to Do in Orlando

The major theme parks and attractions are only part of the Halloween season in Central Florida.

Depending on the ages and interests of your group, you can also build an Orlando Halloween itinerary around:

Explore ICON Park

ICON Park on International Drive puts several attractions within the same entertainment destination. Families can visit SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Orlando during the same outing, making it an easy way to combine marine life, celebrity experiences and Halloween fun.

Visit Orlando's family attractions

Orlando has plenty of attractions that do not require a Halloween event to make a great fall activity. Aquariums, interactive attractions, museums, mini golf and entertainment venues can all be combined with seasonal events.

Plan a Halloween themed day

One of the easiest ways to experience several Orlando Halloween activities is to combine a daytime family event with an evening experience.

For example, a family could visit SEA LIFE Orlando for Pirates of the Haunted Seas during the day and then explore another attraction nearby. Guests who prefer a more traditional Halloween party can build a separate evening around one of Orlando's major theme park events.

Orlando Halloween Events at a Glance

How to Choose the Best Halloween Event in Orlando

The best Halloween event depends on the type of experience your group wants.

For young children: Pirates of the Haunted Seas, Brick or Treat and SeaWorld Spooktacular are strong choices because they focus on family friendly entertainment.

For Disney fans: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party combines characters, trick or treating, entertainment and attractions.

For LEGO fans: Brick or Treat brings Halloween into the colorful world of LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

For celebrity fans: The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando offers a Halloween themed way to experience famous wax figures.

For older teens and adults: Halloween Horror Nights and Howl O Scream offer significantly more intense Halloween experiences.

Make SEA LIFE Orlando Part of Your Orlando Halloween Plans

Halloween in Orlando gives families plenty of choices, but Pirates of the Haunted Seas offers something that stands apart from traditional Halloween events.

Instead of haunted houses and frightening characters, families can follow a treasure hunt through an underwater world, meet friendly pirates and discover incredible marine animals along the way.

With the event running Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026, families have multiple weekends to add Pirates of the Haunted Seas to an Orlando vacation or local fall outing. The event is included with general admission, so there is no separate Halloween event ticket required. 

Whether your Orlando Halloween itinerary includes a pirate adventure at SEA LIFE Orlando, LEGO monsters at Brick or Treat, Disney characters at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or an intense night at Halloween Horror Nights, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season.

For families who want Halloween fun with a splash of ocean adventure, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is a great place to start.