Trust us, we know you’re thinking that real life has provided more than enough scares this year without Halloween piling on. And yet, there’s fun to be had (hopefully) in this list of Orlando’s drive-through haunts, socially distanced spookiness and all-ages safe fun.
Ghosts of Winter Park
Oct. 28-30
Explore over 100 years of Winter Park’s haunted history as you traverse the old brick streets and hear spooky stories aplenty. $38. Times and tickets available at originalorlando.com
Photo via Original Orlando ToursScream n’ Stream
Oct. 28-31Mrb>
A drive-through haunt on a 32-acre abandoned RV park in Kissimmee with a storyline worthy of a ’90s slasher flick, SNS fits the frights into a 1.25-mile-long tableau. $54-$75 (priced per vehicle). 2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee, screamnstream.com
Photo via Scream N’ Stream/FacebookTunnel of the Damned
Oct. 28-31
A paranormal entity has taken over the island of Manhattan and turned its residents into zombies. Bad news: You’re stuck in a tunnel, and the only way out is through. There’s a dinner theater add-on (called “The Dark Séance”) if the walkthrough isn’t enough for you. $180-$87.50. Orlando Forum, 6362 International Drive, facebook.com/theorlandoforum
Photo via Odd-o-Ts/FacebookTales From Titanic
Oct. 28-Nov. 1
Blockbuster film and Celine Dion hit aside, the story of the Titanic has more than a little haunted creepiness to it, and this event will explore some of the more eerie myths and mysteries swirling around the doomed ship. A ghostly guide will lead small groups through the Titanic’s exhibits, telling paranormal-tinged tales about the unlucky denizens on the ship. Various times, $15.75-$21.95. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, 7324 International Drive, titanicorlando.com
Photo via Titanic, the Artifact ExhibitionHaunted Road
Oct. 28-Nov. 7
An immersive, contactless drive-thru haunt telling an original, theatrical story with twisted creatures and “unexpected scares” in every scene. A family-friendly version is offered in the daytime on select weekends. $20-$79. 15239 Lake Pickett Road, thehauntedroad.comHaunted Hikes in the Garden
Oct. 29-30
Rarely is Mead Garden open at night, so what better time than Halloween to join a storytelling tour guide for an eerie (socially distanced) jaunt through the grounds to hear scary tales and strange local lore? Various times, $13-$20. Mead Botanical Garden, 1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park, meadgarden.org
Photo by Matthew MoyerSpooky Poochie Pet Costume Contest
Oct. 30
Look, we’re going to revel in whatever scraps of Halloween we can get this year, and the prospect of a socially distanced pet costume contest sounds spooktacular. All manner of dressed-up dogs and cats – bow of respect to whomever manages to wrangle a costume on a cat – will do the Monster Mash at the Colonialtown North Roundabout. Bring treats. 7 p.m., free. Colonialtown North Roundabout, facebook.com/colonialtownnorth
Photo via Petco/FacebookGators, Ghosts and Goblins
Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Gatorland’s (kinda) scary daytime shindig – included with regular park admission – encourages park visitors to come in costume (“nothing scary or gory, please”) and promises costumed character meet and greets, a trick or treat trail, a spooky train ride, and Frank and Stein’s Octoberfest, complete with an “undead” polka band.
Photo by Matt Keller LehmanA Lot of Pumpkins Fall Festival
Oct. 28-31
Pumpkin patch, pony rides, hayrides, farm animal encounters and autumn fun. $12-$23. Santa’s Farm, 35317 Huff Road, Eustis, santaschristmastreeforest.com
Photo via Santa’s Farm/FacebookRocky Horror Picture Show
Oct. 30
Cult film supreme Rocky – a campy, glammy midnight-movie staple since the 1970s – will be screened one night only, with plenty of added fanfare like cocktails and “cult movie prop bags” for sale. 9 p.m., $15. Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford, wdpac.com
Photo via Rocky Horror Picture Show OfficialMonster Mash
Oct. 29
The Restaurant & Allied Partnership of Central Florida throws an all-star fundraiser for local restaurants with a Halloween twist dubbed the Monster Mash. This “Mask-For-Aid Ball” features 25 special dishes and drinks from local restaurants, along with music and live entertainment. 6 p.m., $125-$250. Dr. Phillips House, 135 N. Lucerne Circle E., rapcf.org/monster-mash
Photo via Monster Mash/FacebookDouble, Double Toil & Trouble
Oct. 30
Preps Dance Company puts their unique spin on the cult-fave film Hocus Pocus. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., $16-$18. Athens Theatre, 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand, athensdeland.com
Photo via Athens TheatreSpooky Nooky Movie Night
Oct. 30
The Nook on Robinson is screening a diverse slate of creepy fare in their back parking lot, programmed by Joshua Martin of Uncomfortable Brunch and Cartoons & Cereal infamy. On offer is a serving of retro Halloween commercials, Boris Karloff’s definitive take on Frankenstein, Elvira’s Halloween Special as it aired in 1986 on MTV, and Bride of Frankenstein. 6:30 p.m., free. The Nook on Robinson, 2432 E. Robinson St., facebook.com/thenookonrobinsonWays to be Wicked
Oct. 31
A family-friendly Halloween-themed musical revue. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., $10. Penguin Point Productions, 1700 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo, penguinpointproductions.com
Photo via Penguin Point ProductionsMidnight Movies: Deep Red
Oct. 31
Close out Halloween night of a truly cursed year with this atmospheric giallo classic courtesy of horror maestro Dario Argento. 11:30 p.m., $12. Enzian Theater, 1300 Orlando Ave., Maitland, enzian.org
Photo via DiabolikThis Is Halloween
Oct. 31
The CFCArts Symphony Orchestra returns to live action with a daytime show at Mead Garden promising the “greatest hits” of Halloween in a classical style. So the Psycho theme better get an airing. 3 p.m., $15. Mead Botanical Garden, 1300 S.Denning Drive, Winter Park, meadgarden.org
Photo via CFCArts/FacebookUncomfortable Brunch: Peeping Tom
Nov. 1
Loner works at a film studio during the day and at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he’s making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. Noon, $9. Enzian Theater, 1300 Orlando Ave., Maitland, enzian.org
Screen capture via Youtube user pirika666SeaWorld Spooktacular
Oct. 28-Nov. 1
SeaWorld annual Spooktacular daytime event promises a “slightly spooky trick or treat trail” and socially distanced meet-and-greets with “silly Halloween characters.” With Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party canceled, this is a must-do for Orlando’s all-ages theme park lovers.
Photo via SeaWorldPumpkinFest
Oct. 28-30
The vendors at Orlando food truck park À La Cart are whipping up all manner of pumpkin-centric food and adult beverages to be enjoyed outdoors.
Photo via À La Cart Orlando/FacebookHalloween At Universal Orlando
Oct. 28-Nov. 1
This year sees a very scaled-down Halloween celebration at Universal. But you’ve still got two of the planned houses – Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy – for this year’s canceled HHN event up and running, trick or treating for the kids and the HHN tribute story. All included with park admission!
Photo via Universal Orlando