Halloween Activities in Orlando (2026): Best Halloween Events, Attractions and Things to Do

Orlando knows how to celebrate Halloween. In 2026, the city is once again packed with Halloween events, family friendly activities, haunted houses, trick or treating, themed entertainment and plenty of opportunities to dress up.

From the major theme parks to attractions around International Drive, there is a Halloween activity in Orlando for just about every type of visitor.

Families can spend the day collecting candy at Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort or enjoying SeaWorld Spooktacular. Disney fans can experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, while horror fans can head to Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights or SeaWorld Howl O Scream.

There is also a different kind of Halloween mystery waiting at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

From October 1 through October 31, 2026, guests can take part in The Great Wax Heist, an interactive Halloween scavenger hunt that turns a visit to the celebrity wax attraction into a mystery to solve. The experience is included with admission and challenges guests to find five hidden artifacts using QR code clues throughout the attraction.

Whether you are planning a family vacation, a couples getaway, a weekend with friends or a full Halloween trip to Orlando, here are some of the best Halloween activities to add to your 2026 itinerary.

Best Halloween Activities in Orlando in 2026

Dates and admission policies are subject to change, so check each attraction's official website before visiting.

The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

If you want to add something different to your Halloween itinerary, head to Madame Tussauds Orlando at ICON Park for The Great Wax Heist.

Taking place from October 1 through October 31, 2026, The Great Wax Heist is an interactive Halloween scavenger hunt that gives guests a mystery to solve while exploring Madame Tussauds Orlando.

The story begins with priceless artistry tools mysteriously disappearing from the archives of Madame Tussauds. Your job is to help recover them.

You will use your smartphone to scan QR codes located throughout the attraction. The clues lead you through the experience as you search for five hidden artifacts connected to the craftsmanship behind Madame Tussauds wax figures. Once the heist is complete, there is even a prize waiting for participants.

The Great Wax Heist at a glance

The experience also gives guests an opportunity to learn more about Marie Tussaud and the history of wax artistry.

That makes The Great Wax Heist particularly interesting for families and groups who want a Halloween activity in Orlando that is interactive without being a traditional haunted house.

Why Visit Madame Tussauds Orlando for Halloween?

Madame Tussauds Orlando is already a popular place to meet lifelike wax figures of celebrities, athletes, entertainers and other famous personalities.

During October, The Great Wax Heist gives visitors another reason to explore.

Instead of simply moving from one figure to the next, guests have clues to follow and artifacts to discover. You may find yourself paying closer attention to the details around you as you work with your group to solve the mystery.

The experience also fits easily into an Orlando itinerary because Madame Tussauds Orlando is located at ICON Park on International Drive.

For visitors spending time around I Drive, The Great Wax Heist can be combined with other attractions, restaurants and entertainment in the area.

Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Halloween gets an underwater twist at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium with Pirates of the Haunted Seas.

This seasonal experience brings pirate themed Halloween fun into an aquarium setting, giving families another option for celebrating Halloween in Orlando.

Instead of a traditional haunted house, guests can explore an underwater world filled with sharks, rays, turtles, colorful fish and other marine life while enjoying the seasonal atmosphere.

Pirates of the Haunted Seas is particularly well suited to families who want Halloween entertainment without making their entire day about scares.

SEA LIFE Orlando is also located at ICON Park, making it easy to combine with Madame Tussauds Orlando for a full day of attractions.

That creates an especially convenient Halloween itinerary for families staying near International Drive.

Start with SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, then head to Madame Tussauds Orlando for The Great Wax Heist.

Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

For families with young children, Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort is one of the biggest Halloween activities near Orlando.

Brick or Treat takes place on select dates from September 5 through October 31, 2026. The event is included with general theme park admission and features Halloween entertainment, trick or treating, LEGO® character encounters, seasonal activities and nighttime entertainment.

One of the biggest additions for 2026 is Brick or Treat Street, an immersive walkthrough experience where families can visit LEGO® Monster homes, discover interactive surprises and collect treats.

The event also features the return of the Monster Skytacular drone show, combining drones, fireworks and music for a nighttime Halloween spectacle.

Why families choose Brick or Treat

Brick or Treat is designed with families in mind, making it a good choice for younger children who may not be ready for traditional haunted attractions.

Kids can wear costumes, collect candy, meet LEGO characters and enjoy Halloween themed entertainment while still experiencing the rides and attractions throughout LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

If your Orlando vacation includes children and Halloween is a major part of the trip, Brick or Treat is an easy event to add to the itinerary.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom

Disney fans have another major Halloween event to consider in 2026.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party returns to Magic Kingdom from August 7 through October 31, 2026. The separately ticketed event includes Halloween entertainment, trick or treating, character appearances, seasonal shows and a Halloween parade. 

Guests can enjoy familiar Halloween favorites including Mickey’s Boo To You Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Disney also notes that event offerings can change.

This is a popular option for families who want Halloween combined with classic Disney characters and entertainment.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando

For older teens and adults who want serious Halloween thrills, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando is one of the biggest Halloween events in Orlando.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 28 through November 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Florida. The separately ticketed event features 10 haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and access to select rides and attractions. 

The 2026 lineup includes haunted houses inspired by major names in horror, including Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness and Evil Dead Burn. Other announced experiences include Stranger Things 5, Sinners and Hellraiser. 

Universal warns that Halloween Horror Nights can be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under 13. Costumes and costume masks are not permitted at the event. 

For horror fans, however, it remains one of the defining Halloween experiences in Orlando.

SeaWorld Spooktacular

Families looking for a daytime Halloween event can head to SeaWorld Orlando for Halloween Spooktacular.

SeaWorld Spooktacular runs on select dates from August 29 through November 1, 2026. The family friendly event includes trick or treating, themed entertainment, decorations, characters and seasonal activities. It is included with park admission, although a reusable candy bag is required for trick or treating. 

Children can also meet Spookley the Square Pumpkin and enjoy Halloween activities throughout the park. 

SeaWorld also offers Howl O Scream for visitors who prefer a more intense Halloween experience. Howl O Scream runs on select dates from September 11 through October 31, 2026 and is separately ticketed. 

That gives SeaWorld visitors two distinctly different ways to celebrate Halloween.

More Halloween Activities in Orlando

The major theme parks and attractions are only part of the Halloween calendar.

Orlando also offers seasonal events for families, art lovers and visitors who want something outside the major theme parks.

Screamin Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience

Crayola Experience hosts Screamin Green Hauntoween from September 19 through November 1, 2026.

The event combines Halloween fun with colorful crafts and creative activities, including themed crafts and a scavenger hunt. Weekend activities also include trick or treating.

This is another good option for families with younger children.

Gators, Ghosts & Goblins at Gatorland

For a uniquely Florida Halloween experience, consider Gators, Ghosts & Goblins at Gatorland.

The event takes place on select dates from October 10 through October 25, 2026 and gives families an opportunity to combine Halloween activities with one of Central Florida's most distinctive attractions. 

Halloween events in downtown Orlando

Halloween activities are not limited to the theme parks.

Orlando also hosts seasonal arts, entertainment and cultural events. Visit Orlando lists events such as the 17th Annual Dia de los Muertos & Monster Party at CityArts on October 15, 2026. The event combines Halloween and Day of the Dead inspired art with food, entertainment and vendors.

For visitors who want a break from theme parks, events like these can add a different side of Orlando to a Halloween vacation.

Halloween Activities in Orlando: Which Event Is Right for You?

How to Plan a Halloween Trip to Orlando in 2026

The biggest decision is choosing how much Halloween you want in your itinerary.

A family with younger children could spend one day at LEGOLAND Florida Resort for Brick or Treat, another day exploring SEA LIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds Orlando, and another enjoying SeaWorld Spooktacular.

A group of adults or older teens could build an itinerary around Halloween Horror Nights, Howl O Scream and other nighttime Halloween entertainment.

Disney fans may want to plan around a night at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

For visitors staying around International Drive, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando are especially convenient because both attractions are located at ICON Park.

A sample Halloween itinerary

Not every visitor needs five Halloween days, of course. The idea is to mix different types of experiences so your trip includes both daytime activities and nighttime entertainment.

Why Halloween in Orlando Is Worth the Trip

There are plenty of places to celebrate Halloween, but Orlando offers something that is difficult to match.

You can spend the morning exploring an aquarium, solve a mystery at a wax museum, collect candy from LEGO Monsters, meet Disney characters, walk through elaborate haunted houses and finish the night watching a Halloween spectacular.

The variety means families do not have to choose a single type of Halloween experience.

For a unique addition to your 2026 itinerary, make time for The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando. From October 1 through October 31, you can become part of an interactive mystery, follow QR code clues, search for five hidden artifacts and learn more about the artistry behind the attraction's famous wax figures.

Bring your smartphone, pay attention to the clues and see whether you can solve the case.

Then continue exploring everything Halloween in Orlando has to offer.

Make Halloween in Orlando Part of Your 2026 Vacation

From family friendly Halloween activities to some of the most intense haunted attractions in the country, Orlando has something for every Halloween fan.

Whether you want to collect candy, meet characters, explore an aquarium, see famous faces, solve a mystery or test your courage inside a haunted house, October is a great time to experience the city.

And if you are visiting Madame Tussauds Orlando this Halloween, keep your eyes open.

The Great Wax Heist is waiting.

Five artifacts have disappeared.

The clues are hidden.

The mystery is yours to solve.