Columbus Day Activities in Orlando 2026: The Great Wax Heist, Halloween Events & More

Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12, 2026, giving travelers a natural opportunity to plan a long weekend in Orlando.

The timing also puts the holiday right in the middle of Orlando's Halloween season. That means visitors can combine traditional Orlando attractions with seasonal experiences, from family-friendly Halloween activities to nighttime events designed for older audiences.

For pop culture fans, families and groups of friends, one particularly different option is The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

Running October 1 through October 31, 2026, the interactive Halloween scavenger hunt turns a visit to the celebrity attraction into a mystery. Guests use their smartphones to scan QR codes, follow clues and search for five hidden artifacts connected to the artistry and craftsmanship behind Madame Tussauds wax figures. The experience is included with regular Madame Tussauds Orlando admission.

And because Madame Tussauds Orlando is located at ICON Park on International Drive, it can easily become one part of a larger Columbus Day itinerary.

The Great Wax Heist Is a Different Kind of Halloween Activity

The biggest reason to put Madame Tussauds Orlando on a Columbus Day weekend itinerary is The Great Wax Heist.

From October 1 through October 31, five artifacts connected to the craft of creating Madame Tussauds wax figures have mysteriously disappeared. Visitors can help investigate the case by scanning QR codes and following clues throughout the attraction. Completing the hunt leads to a prize.

The Great Wax Heist at a glance

The experience is particularly useful for visitors who want Halloween atmosphere without making their entire day about a traditional haunted attraction.

It also gives groups a reason to explore the attraction differently. Instead of simply moving from figure to figure, friends and family members can work together to follow the clues while still enjoying the celebrity and pop culture experiences throughout Madame Tussauds Orlando.

For Halloween visitors, it can also become part of the day's photo story. Take pictures with favorite celebrities, capture group shots along the way, then finish by documenting your detective team after completing the mystery.

Why Madame Tussauds Orlando Works for Pop Culture Fans

The Great Wax Heist is only one part of the experience.

Madame Tussauds Orlando is an indoor attraction at ICON Park featuring more than 90 lifelike wax figures and interactive experiences connected to entertainment, music, sports, movies, television and popular culture.

That makes it particularly relevant for visitors who have built their Orlando trip around interests beyond traditional theme parks.

Music fans can encounter recognizable artists including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Maluma, Pitbull and Elvis Presley. Movie fans can find figures and experiences connected to stars such as Dwayne Johnson, while sports fans can encounter figures including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Shaquille O'Neal, Serena Williams and others. The attraction's lineup can change, so visitors interested in a specific celebrity should check the current attraction information before planning around that figure.

The distinction matters because Madame Tussauds Orlando is not simply a place to look at wax figures.

Many experiences are designed around interaction and photography. Guests can pose with figures, step into themed environments and create their own versions of familiar pop culture moments.

That makes it a useful Columbus Day activity for a group with different interests. One person may be there for music, another for sports, another for movies and another simply for the opportunity to take memorable photos together.

An Indoor Option for an Orlando Fall Itinerary

October is one of the busiest periods for seasonal activities in Orlando, but not every part of an itinerary needs to take place outdoors.

Madame Tussauds Orlando provides an indoor attraction option on International Drive, which can be useful when planning a day around several different experiences.

It can work particularly well as:

• A daytime activity during a Halloween weekend

• A break between outdoor attractions

• A pop culture-focused activity for teenagers and adults

• A family attraction when different age groups want something they can enjoy together

• A rainy-day alternative during an Orlando vacation

• A photo-focused stop for friends or couples

• A shorter attraction visit that can be combined with other ICON Park experiences

The attraction's indoor setting also makes it easier to build a flexible International Drive itinerary instead of committing an entire day to a single theme park.

For first-time Orlando visitors, that can be valuable. A Columbus Day trip does not have to mean choosing between an entire theme park day and staying at the hotel. ICON Park provides a collection of attractions that can be combined into a more compact Orlando entertainment day.

Add Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

For families visiting Columbus Day weekend, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium is a natural companion experience.

The seasonal event runs Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026. It is included with general admission to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and features a pirate treasure hunt, pirate encounters, interactive activities and marine life experiences throughout the aquarium.

The timing is important for Columbus Day planning.

In 2026, Columbus Day is Monday, October 12. Pirates of the Haunted Seas operates on weekends, so visitors who want both seasonal experiences should plan SEA LIFE Orlando for Saturday, October 10, or Sunday, October 11 rather than assuming the pirate event will operate on the Monday holiday.

That creates an easy two-attraction weekend:

Visitors can also reverse the order depending on their plans.

Can you combine Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Orlando?

Yes. Current Madame Tussauds Orlando ticket options include combination tickets that allow visitors to choose from ICON Park attractions, including Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Orlando Eye.

The important planning distinction is that the ticket combination does not change the seasonal event schedule. The Great Wax Heist is available throughout October, while Pirates of the Haunted Seas is a weekend experience.

For a Columbus Day weekend trip, checking both attraction calendars before selecting dates can help you build the itinerary around the experiences you actually want.

Build an ICON Park Day Around Your Visit

Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and The Orlando Eye are all located at ICON Park on International Drive. Current combination ticket options allow visitors to choose two or three ICON Park attractions depending on the ticket purchased.

That makes ICON Park useful for travelers who want to experience several attractions without planning separate theme park days.

A simple itinerary could look like this:

Late morning: Start at Madame Tussauds Orlando and work through The Great Wax Heist while exploring the celebrity and pop culture experiences.

Early afternoon: Stop for lunch around ICON Park.

Afternoon: Add SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, particularly if your visit falls on Saturday or Sunday and you want Pirates of the Haunted Seas.

Later afternoon or evening: Consider The Orlando Eye or continue exploring International Drive.

The exact order should depend on attraction operating hours and your selected ticket dates, so check the official schedules before visiting.

More Halloween Activities Around Orlando

Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando are only two options during Orlando's 2026 Halloween season.

Visitors planning a Columbus Day trip can also find seasonal experiences at several of the city's major attractions.

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven offers Brick or Treat on select dates during the fall. This is particularly relevant for families already planning a trip to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.

SeaWorld Orlando offers Halloween Spooktacular on select dates from August 29 through November 1, 2026. The daytime event includes Halloween activities and trick-or-treating and is included with park admission.

For older teens and adults looking for a more intense Halloween experience, Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando runs on select evenings from September 11 through October 31, 2026. It is separately ticketed and includes haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and other nighttime experiences. SeaWorld describes the event as designed for mature audiences and notes its intense themes.

Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights and Disney's Halloween offerings are also part of Orlando's broader fall attraction calendar, although those experiences have different audiences, ticketing structures and intensity levels.

The useful distinction is that The Great Wax Heist does not require a separate Halloween event ticket. It is incorporated into a regular visit to Madame Tussauds Orlando.

That can make it a practical choice for visitors who want a seasonal activity without dedicating an entire evening to a separately ticketed Halloween event.

Make Time for Wax Hands

Another option to consider during a visit is Wax Hands.

The current Madame Tussauds Orlando information lists Wax Hands as a daily experience from noon until one hour before closing. Participants must be at least 8 years old and able to safely reach the wax without assistance.

Wax Hands can be a useful addition for families, friends or anyone who wants a physical souvenir connected to the attraction.

Because the experience has specific age and reach requirements, families should check the current information before making it part of their plans.

Consider the VIP Tour for a Deeper Look at the Attraction

Visitors who are particularly interested in celebrity stories and the craftsmanship behind the figures can also consider the Madame Tussauds Orlando VIP Tour.

The current VIP experience focuses on celebrity stories, behind-the-scenes information, wax figure artistry and photo opportunities. The tour can accommodate up to 10 guests and currently includes a Madame Tussauds guidebook, a single-color single-hand Wax Hands experience and Magic Memories VIP Photo Pass digital downloads.

That makes it a different proposition from a standard attraction visit.

For a family reunion, group of friends or special occasion, the VIP Tour can add more context to the experience rather than simply adding another attraction to the itinerary.

Availability and tour details can change, so check the current offering before planning your Columbus Day schedule around a specific tour time.

Who Will Enjoy Madame Tussauds Orlando Over Columbus Day Weekend?

Pop culture fans

This is an obvious fit for visitors who want to combine celebrity culture, movies, music, sports and interactive photography.

Rather than choosing one celebrity-focused activity, Madame Tussauds brings multiple areas of pop culture together in one indoor attraction.

Families

Families can combine the celebrity experience with The Great Wax Heist, then continue to another ICON Park attraction or SEA LIFE Orlando.

For families with younger children who want Halloween activities without a traditional haunted-house format, Pirates of the Haunted Seas offers another seasonal option on the weekend.

Friends and teenagers

The combination of recognizable celebrities, interactive scenes and photography gives groups plenty of opportunities to create their own pictures and choose favorite figures across music, movies, sports and television.

The Great Wax Heist adds another shared activity because the group can work together to solve the mystery.

Couples and adults

For adults who have already experienced Orlando's major theme parks, Madame Tussauds can provide a different type of entertainment.

Pair the attraction with dinner, other ICON Park experiences or an evening event elsewhere in Orlando for a day that feels more centered around entertainment and pop culture.

International visitors

For travelers visiting Orlando from the United Kingdom, Brazil or elsewhere, ICON Park can also be a straightforward way to combine several recognizable Orlando attractions in one entertainment district.

Madame Tussauds provides the celebrity experience, SEA LIFE Orlando adds marine life and The Orlando Eye provides panoramic views from 400 feet above the city.

Should You Visit on Columbus Day or the Weekend?

The answer depends on what you want to do.

Choose Saturday or Sunday, October 10 or 11, if Pirates of the Haunted Seas is a priority. The SEA LIFE Orlando seasonal event operates on weekends.

Choose Monday, October 12, if you want a holiday-day activity centered around Madame Tussauds Orlando. The Great Wax Heist continues through October 31, so it is available on the Columbus Day holiday.

Use a combination ticket if you want to experience multiple ICON Park attractions. Current options include two- and three-attraction choices involving Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and The Orlando Eye.

The best itinerary is therefore less about fitting in as many attractions as possible and more about matching the attraction schedule to the type of day you want.

Annual Passes Can Make Sense for Repeat Visitors

Visitors planning more than one Orlando attraction day may also want to compare current Annual Pass options with individual tickets.

The current Madame Tussauds Orlando Annual Pass offering includes options providing unlimited admission to Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and The Orlando Eye, along with additional benefits. Current 2027 Annual Pass offers also include access to the remainder of 2026 under the listed promotion.

Because Annual Pass terms, pricing and promotions can change, compare the current benefits against your actual Orlando plans before purchasing.

Plan Your Columbus Day Weekend in Orlando

Columbus Day 2026 arrives at a useful point in Orlando's fall calendar. Monday, October 12 falls during a month filled with Halloween activities, seasonal attractions and entertainment across Central Florida.

For visitors who want something centered around celebrities and pop culture, The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando gives the holiday weekend a distinctive seasonal activity.

From October 1 through October 31, guests can follow clues, scan QR codes and search for five hidden artifacts while exploring an attraction filled with lifelike celebrity figures and interactive experiences. The hunt is included with admission, so the Halloween experience becomes part of a regular Madame Tussauds visit.

Then build outward from there.

Add Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium if your trip includes Saturday or Sunday. Consider The Orlando Eye for another ICON Park experience. Explore more of International Drive. Or choose one of Orlando's larger Halloween events for the evening, depending on the age and interests of your group.

The result is a Columbus Day itinerary that does not have to revolve around one type of Orlando attraction.

It can be a weekend of celebrity photos, Halloween mysteries, marine life, pop culture, entertainment and time together.

And at Madame Tussauds Orlando, the October mystery is already waiting to be solved.