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12 Best Spooky Halloween Events in Florida

Halloween is a holiday that’s designed to give you a scare, which means things are about to get spooky in the Sunshine State. Extending beyond the traditional haunted houses, these Halloween-themed events cater to trick or treaters of all ages, with both family-friendly thrills for the pint-sized trick or treaters to the terror-inducing chills for full-grown ghoul enthusiasts. Get in the holiday spirit at one of these top Halloween events in Florida.

Halloween Events for Teens & Adults

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando
Credit: Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando by Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Orlando

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando

Florida’s premier Halloween event, the streets of Universal Studios in Orlando become alive with terrifying creatures designed to give you some gut-wrenching scares. This year, there are many haunted houses to explore, each themed with special effects, from the Netflix original Stranger Things to the truly evil Exorcist. There are even dedicated scare zones that are sure to send a shiver down your spine. An exciting new addition, Universal has partnered with the creators of The Last of Us video game. This thrilling experience will have you going through an abandoned Pittsburgh, taking you on the same epic journey you take in the game. 

Official Website
Dates: Select Nights September 1st– November 4th, 2023

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream, Tampa Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream, Tampa

Run for cover at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream in Tampa, as you’ll find unexpected terrors hidden around every corner. The event features new houses this year in addition to live, interactive entertainment and the chance to experience some of the park’s top thrill rides in the dark. Try and keep your cool at horrifying houses and terrifying scare zones or try to survive thrilling roller coasters in the dark.

Official Website
Dates: Select Dates between September 8th and October 31st, 2023

Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld Orlando
Credit: Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld Orlando by Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld Orlando

Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando

Promising to be bigger than ever before, Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld offers pulse-pounding thrills and chills. You’ll have to escape angry haunts as they rampage through scare zones and explore haunted houses with dark passageways at this fully immersive event. You can also enjoy nighttime coaster rides, catch a live music dance show, and quench your thirst at an interactive bar. There’s also DJs and party zones for a dance break between frights.

Official Website
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from September 8th – October 31st, 2023

Scream n’ Stream, Orlando Scream n’ Stream
Credit: Scream n’ Stream by Scream n’ Stream

Scream n’ Stream, Orlando

Located at the Florida Mall, Scream n’ Stream is the ultimate way to experience Halloween – all from the comfort of your own car. The Drive-Thru Haunted House has terrifying surprises around every corner. Load up the car with your friends and drive inside this unique adventure, which includes lighting, fog, and real monsters all around your car. Best of all, the price is per car, not per person.

Official Website
Dates: Select Dates in October

Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park, Dade City Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park, Dade City
Credit: Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park, Dade City by screamageddon.com

Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park, Dade City

Dubbed one of the scariest haunted houses in the country, Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park in Dade City is for the truly dedicated Halloween fans. Ravenhill Asylum is an interactive attraction offering a fully immersive experience where visitors will be forced to make important decisions, while Blackpool Prison is full of horrible criminals and Rage 3D is a dizzying assault on your senses. Take a break from all the action and adrenaline-fueled terror at Monster Midway, where you’ll find craft beer vendors and fried and grilled food.

Official Website
Dates: Select Dates in September and October

Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing, Jacksonville Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing
Credit: Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing by Haunt Nights

Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing, Jacksonville

Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing in Jacksonville takes their event to the next level. At Payn Manor, everyone’s nightmare comes true as the maid, butler and groundsmen seek revenge on you, the guest of honor. Dark Fables 3D, the largest attraction of its kind in the area, takes visitors through narrow passageways filled with creepy characters. 

Official Website
Dates: Select Dates in October

A Petrified Forest, Altamonte Springs A Petrified Forest
Credit: A Petrified Forest by A Petrified Forest

A Petrified Forest, Altamonte Springs

One of the highest-rated Halloween events in Central Florida, A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs, is sure to leave the hair on your neck standing up. Brave your way through the haunted outdoor scare trails and do your best to make it out unscathed, while the special Total Eclipse Night is not for the faint of heart. You’ll be given one glow stick, and if a creature steals it along the way, you won’t be given a second chance. On the other hand, Kids Day is designed for younger family members with trick-or-treating, arts and crafts and a bounce house.

Official Website
Dates: Select Dates in October

Halloween Events for Families

Busch Gardens Spooktacular, Tampa Busch Gardens Spooktacular,
Credit: Busch Gardens Spooktacular, by Busch Gardens Spooktacular,

Busch Gardens Spooktacular, Tampa

Busch Gardens Tampa is hosting a kid-friendly Spooktacular event for the entire family. You can enjoy not-too-spooky fun during the day at The County’s Spooktacular Brunch in Busch Gardens® Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™. Kids under the age of nine can dress up for the costume parade and join dance parties with their favorite Sesame Street friends. There will also be a festive hay maze, pumpkin scavenger hunt and trick-or-treating throughout the park.

Official Website
Dates: Weekends September 9th – October 31st, 2023

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Orlando Halloween Parade at Disney World in Orlando
Credit: Halloween Parade at Disney World in Orlando by © Viavaltours | Dreamstime.com

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Orlando

Disney’s kid-friendly Halloween event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, is the perfect place to take the entire family. You can join some of your favorite Disney characters for an evening of spirited fun with a long list of attractions to explore. Watch the skies come alive with lasers and fireworks, join a wickedly fun celebration at Cinderella Castle with Hocus Pocus, or see your favorite characters at Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade. Don’t forget to visit the famous Haunted Mansion.

Official Website
Dates: Select Nights August 11th to November 1st, 2023

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular, Orlando SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
Credit: SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular by SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular, Orlando

SeaWorld also has a family-friendly Halloween event for the little ones. The daytime event includes a decorated trail and offers a chance to meet all sorts of colorful characters. Kids can dress up and enjoy trick or treating. Attendance at the event is included with park admission.

Official Website
Dates: Select Dates from September 16th – October 31st, 2023

Brick or Treat LegoLand Florida, Orlando Brick or Treat LegoLand Florida
Credit: Brick or Treat LegoLand Florida by legoland.com

Brick or Treat LegoLand Florida, Orlando

If you’ve got little ones, they’ll love the Halloween fun at Brick or Treat Legoland. It includes tons of candy, an all-new show lineup, and ever-before-seen exclusive LEGO® characters. You can join the Monster Party on select weekends this fall, which includes live entertainment and shows, limited-time attractions, character meet and greets, a costume parade, and of course – trick or treating.

Official Website
Dates: Select days September 16th -October 29th, 2023

Halloween at Old Town, Kissimmee Old Town, Kissimmee
Credit: Old Town, Kissimmee by Old Town

Halloween at Old Town, Kissimmee

Old Town is an iconic walking district in Kissimmee, full of shops, rides and entertainment. Over the Halloween holiday period, it transforms into a spooky destination with festive decorations, trick-or-treating, and performances of the Halloween favorite, “Thriller.” There will also be free trick or treating with candy stations and a costume contest.

Official Website
Dates: October 31st, 2023

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