As we point out in this week’s cover story, Orlando loves it some Halloween. In keeping with tradition, practically every bar, art gallery and venue will host an appropriately haunting and creepy event to mark the occasion. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best Halloween stuff happening in and around Orlando – from haunted hayrides to creepy pub crawls to family-friendly Halloween fests – arranged by date. Get out your glow sticks and your sexy nurse outfits and celebrate with your creepy people.
Looking for something that's not listed here? Check out our online calendar and search our complete events database.
Through Oct. 27
Howling Halloween Brave visitors hop on the Screamline Haunted Zipline for a chilling twilight journey across three haunted bridges swaying as high as 68 feet above the ground, and seven ziplines with racing speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Various times Friday-Saturday; Forever Florida, 4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud; $85; 407-957-9794; floridaecosafaris.com.
The Longwood Haunt Travel through two haunted houses, 30 fright-filled rooms and a grave yard with hay rides, a bounce house and Kill the Zombie paintball for the kids; proceeds benefit Kid's House of Seminole. 7-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 754 Fleet Financial Court, Longwood; $10; longwoodhaunt.com.
Hallowtease Halloween-inspired Varietease performance presented by Babybluestar Productions. 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; The Venue, 511 Virginia Drive; $12-$15; 407-412-6895; thevenueorlando.com.
Through Oct. 28
Brick-or-Treat Family-friendly Halloween events in the park including a LEGO pumpkin build, scavenger hunts, dance parties, costume contests and a brick-or-treat trail around the park. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Legoland, One Legoland Way, Winter Haven; included with park admission; 877-350-5346; legoland.com.
SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular Kid-friendly music, games, trick-or-treating, sweet treat decorating, sea creature characters and more throughout the park. Noon-8 p.m. on select dates; SeaWorld, 7007 SeaWorld Drive; included with park admission; 407-363-2613; seaworldorlando.com.
The Monster Mash Halloween-style happy hour event with '70s, '80s and '90s DJ music and screenings of classic horror flicks. 4-9 p.m. Sundays; The Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; free; 407-425-7571; parliamenthouse.com.
Zoo Boo Bash Wear your costumes to trick-or-treat in the zoo, take a haunted hayride, participate in a costume contest and enjoy face painting. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3755 N. U.S. Highway 17-92, Sanford; $8.95-$12.95; 407-323-4450; centralfloridazoo.org.
Through Oct. 31
An Old Town Halloween Second annual festival features four Haunt-Zones, live entertainment, appearances by Florida Ghost Buster fan club and costume contests. 7-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Wednesday, Oct. 31; Old Town, 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee; free; 407-396-4888; myoldtownusa.com.
Downtown Orlando Ghost Tour Join American Ghost Adventures for a guided paranormal tour of historical buildings, with haunting stories and provided EMF detectors to capture ghost activity. 8 p.m. nightly; Downtown Orlando, Church Street; $30, visit website for schedule and details; americanghostadventures.com/downtownorlando.html.
Halloween Horror Nights 22The park turns into your worst nightmare with elaborate haunted houses, streetside scareactors and the brand new 3-D haunted house "Penn & Teller New(kd) Las Vegas." Don’t let the price of a theme-park ticket scare you off this fave Halloween event – though a full-price, general admission ticket is $88.99, Florida residents can score tickets for just $41.99 with promo codes from specially marked Coca-Cola products. 6:30 p.m. on select nights; Universal Orlando, 1000 Universal Studios Plaza; $88.99 general admission; 407-363-8000; halloweenhorrornights.com.
Haunted Hangar Walking Tour Hear creepy aviation lore and mysteries from the aircraft collection. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; Fantasy of Flight, 1400 Broadway Blvd. SE, Polk City; $28.95; 941-984-3500; fantasyofflight.com.
Phantasmagoria Empty Spaces Theatre Co(llaboration) presents a haunting production of large-scale puppetry, dance choreography and storytelling. 8:30 p.m. on select nights; $15-$20; 407-328-9005; facebook.com/phantasmagoriaorlando.
Through Nov. 2
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyWear your costume to the park for the Boo-to-You parade, spooky music, a fireworks display and costumed characters. 7 p.m.-midnight on select nights; Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista; $50.95-$69.95; 407-824-4321; disneyworld.com.
Through Nov. 3
A Petrified Forest If you like having the bejeezus scared out of you, try this on for size: A Petrified Forest is an 85,000 square foot outdoor haunted scare trail, featuring zombies and blood and gore and monsters. After you’ve walked the trail, stick around for the Halloween festival, which features live music, mini golf and laser tag. 7:30-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-midnight Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3; A Petrified Forest, 1360 State Road 436, Altamonte Springs; $15-$20; 407-468-6600; apetrifiedforest.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 24
Scare Fair Open House Prospective students and the general public are invited to learn more about the university's programs, with food, games and community vendors. 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Keiser University, 5600 Lake Underhill Road; free; 407-273-5800; kuopenhouse.com.
TCM Event Series PresentsFrankenstein and The Bride of FrankensteinThis double creature feature is presented as part of Universal’s 100th anniversary. The studio famously brought to life Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and the modern Prometheus, tonight’s big meanie. It’s like the Marvel plan without The Avengers payoff. Unless you count The Monster Squad, which you should. 2 p.m., 7 p.m.; various theaters; $12.50; fathomevents.com.
The Devil's Rejects Wednesday Fright Pitcher series showing of 2005's Rob Zombie thriller. 8 p.m.; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; free; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Thursday, Oct. 25
5th Annual Bloodbath: A Halloween Party Wear red or a costume for free cover, with music by DJ Ants and a Pledge Cast show starring Kitana Gemini, Kai'ja Adonis, Demii Cache and Chevelle Brooks. 9 p.m.; Revolution Nightclub, 375 S. Bumby Ave.; free; 407-228-9900; revolutionorlando.com.
Halloween Bash with DJ Cruz & Suspence EDM and Top-40 music, beer pong games, an oxygen bar, two-for-one drink specials and a costume contest with cash prizes. 10 p.m.; Boss, 39 W. Pine St.; free-$5; 407-497-2677.
Ignition Dance of the Dead with Mord Fustang, Doorly Halloween-themed EDM club night with dance and acrobatic performances, graphic artists and drink specials all night. 10 p.m.; Firestone Live, 578 N. Orange Ave.; $10; 407-872-0066; firestonelive.net.
Spooktacular Costume 5K Run/WalkThe Rose Runs Series asks runners and walkers to wear a Halloween costume and compete in a three-mile route around UCF’s campus, with a post-race networking party, games, prizes for the best costume and a portion of proceeds to benefit meningitis awareness. 5 p.m.; University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd.; free, donations accepted; roserunseries.com.
Oct. 25-Oct. 27
Southern Ghosts Orlando Ghost Tours Explore haunted properties in the downtown Orlando area on this guided paranormal tour. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; Downtown Orlando, Church Street in front of the Five Guys; $20; 407-234-6611; southernghosts.com/orlando.html.
Oct. 25-Oct. 31
Titanic Ghost Tour View the exhibition and hear scary stories from staff members who have experienced paranormal encounters. 7 p.m. daily, 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31; Titanic – The Experience, 7324 International Drive; $24.95; 407-248-1166; titanictheexperience.com/ghost-tour.html.
Friday, Oct. 26
Costumes for a Cause Guys With Ties Philanthropy hosts a costume party with free drinks and a costume contest to benefit Darkhorse Benefits and Rescuing Animals In Need. 8:30 p.m.; Vain, 22 S. Magnolia Ave.; $20, costume required; 407-835-3590; guyswithties.org/orlando.
Ghost StoriesThe gardens come alive with haunting storytelling, food and drinks for purchase. 7:30 p.m.; Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave.; $10; 407-246-2620; leugardens.org.
Halloween Costume Party Participants can win a $50 Kiwi's gift card. 10 p.m.; Kiwi’s Pub & Grill, 801 W. State Road 436, Altamonte Springs; free; 407-788-7666; kiwispub.com.
Halloween Costume Party Wear your most creative costume and win up to $500 in cash prizes. 7-11 p.m.; Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Road, Longwood; free; wekivaisland.com.
Halloween Monster Ball II with Disco Jr. and DJ Koolaid Halloween-themed club night with DJ music and bottle service available. 10 p.m.; Firestone Live, 578 N. Orange Ave.; $15-$20; 407-872-0066; firestonelive.net.
Movies Under the Stars: It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Grab a blanket or lawn chair for free popcorn, local vendors and a showing of the animated film. 6:30 p.m.; Avalon Park Town Center, 13001 Founders Square Drive; free; avalonpark.com.
Walking Dead Pub Crawl Dress in your undead best for free drinks at five downtown Sanford watering holes. 8 p.m.; Downtown Sanford, East First Street and South Park Avenue, Sanford; $10; 407-318-0486.
WJRR's Halloweenie Roast: Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, J-Devil, All That Remains, Machine Head, In This Moment, Royal Bliss 3 p.m.; Tinker Field, 287 S. Tampa Ave.; $35-$145; wjrr.com.
Oct. 26-Oct. 27
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Watch the 1970s British film with costumes, live actors, props and dancing. 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; Athens Theatre, 124 N. Florida Ave., DeLand; $10-$13; 386-736-7456; athenstheatre.org.
V/H/S 2012 Magnolia Pictures new horror release starring Calvin Reeder and Lane Hughes. Midnight Friday-Saturday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $10; 407-629-0054; enzian.org. (Read our review here.)
Oct. 26-Oct. 28
Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend Three-day horror convention with the Freak Show Film Festival, tattoo festival, psychic medium show, the infamous zombie walk and guest appearances by celebrities including Robert Englund, Tyler Mane, John Kassir and others. Various times Friday-Sunday; Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway; $30-$199; 888-690-4695; spookyempire.com. (Read our Selections preview of this event here.)
Oct. 26-Oct. 31
Plazaween Four-night Halloween block party with costume contests, live bands including Skindeep, Reel Big Fish and Trans Am, DJ music and drink specials. Various times Friday-Sunday, Wednesday, Oct. 31; Wall Street Plaza, Wall and Court streets; free-$10; 407-849-0471; wallstplaza.net.
Oct. 26-27, Oct. 31
The Rocky Horror Picture Show The Rich Weirdoes presents a shadow cast of the film with audience participation, props and costumes. 11:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9:35 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31; Universal Cineplex 20, CityWalk at Universal Orlando; visit website for details; 407-354-5998; richweirdoes.com.
Oct. 26-Nov. 5
The Twilight Zone: A Live Radio Play This community theater production stages four episodes of the classic television series, including "One for the Angels" directed by Tom Larkin, "The Hitch-Hiker" directed by Tabitha Rox, "The Midnight Sun" directed by Tara Corless and "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street" directed by Robert Cunha. 8 p.m. Monday, Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park, 419A W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; $10-$18; 407-920-4034; breakthroughtheatre.com. (Read our Selections preview of this event here.)
Saturday, Oct. 27
A Gorey Halloween at Redlight Redlight The bar hosts a group art show with works inspired by the illustrations of Edward Gorey; through Nov. 22. 8-11 p.m.; Redlight Redlight, 2810 Corrine Drive; free; 407-893-9832; redlightredlightbeerparlour.com.
Avenge the Night: The Halloween Superhero Edition Superhero costume party features $4 themed shots, up to $500 in cash prizes for the best costume and music by DJ Chino and Guess Jeans Marc Sparks. 9 p.m.; Touch, 55 W. Church St.; call for price; 888-455-2634; touch-orlando.com.
Costume Changing Room Party Swap your old Halloween costume for a new(er) one, and enjoy free beer by Orlando Brewing, DJ music and dancing. 9 p.m.; Death By Pop-Up Shop, 1844 E. Winter Park Road; $5; 407-960-4745; deathbypopshop.com.
Dash for Dogs 5K & Halloween Pet Festival Reid Ewing from ABC's Modern Family hosts a fundraising walk, Halloween costume contests, a vendor fair, food trucks and live music. 7:30 a.m.-noon; Fort Mellon Park, 1000 E. First St., Sanford; donations accepted; dashfordogs.com.
Falcon Presents: Miss Carrion Pageant Compete in a Halloween costume contest, with music by DJ Stranger and up to $100 in bar tab and gift card prizes. 8 p.m. Saturday; The Falcon, 819 E. Washington St.; free; 407-423-2788; thefalconbar.com.
Funk Off presents: Hal-O-Wrd Halloween costume party with music by DJs BMF and Nigel, live painting by Andrew Spear, costume contest and food offerings by the Over Rice food truck. 9 p.m.; The Orange Studio, 1121 N. Mills Ave.; $7.
Halloween Carnival The bar hosts Halloween spirits and shots, Carnival-style games, food such as hot dogs and candy apples, and a midnight screening of horror flick V/H/S. 8 p.m.; Eden Bar at the Enzian, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; free; 407-629-1088; enzian.org.
Halloween Costume Contest Wear a costume and compete to win prizes. 8 p.m; Fish on Fire, 7937 Daetwyler Drive; free; 407-812-6881; fishonfireorlando.com.
Halloween Howl This annual community event offers family-friendly trick-or-treating, arts and crafts for the kids, carnival games, haunted houses and food and drinks. 2-5 p.m.; Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park; free; 407-691-1250; rollins.edu.
Halloween Party The pub hosts a costume contest with $50-$100 bar tab prizes. 8 p.m.; Cricketers Pub and Eatery, 7563 Sand Lake Road; free; 407-730-2111; cricketersarmspub.com.
Halloween Show with the New Earth Project 10 p.m.; Taste Restaurant, 717 W. Smith St.; free; 407-835-0646; tastecp.com.
Halloween Spooktoberfest and Costume Contest The City of Casselberry sponsors an evening of family-friendly trick-or-treating, parades, crafts, live dance performances and DJ music. 5-9 p.m.; Lake Concord Park, 127 Quail Pond Circle, Casselberry; free; casselberry.org.
Halloween Storytime & Costume Parade Kids wear costumes and enjoy treats, Halloween activities and a reading of The Monsters' Monster by Patrick McDonnell. 11 a.m.; Barnes & Noble, 2418 E. Colonial Drive; free; 407-894-6024.
Howl-A-Ween & Hallow Ice Cream Event Bring your pup for a doggy costume contest and your little ones for a kids costume contest. 2 p.m.; Rainbow Sno-Cones, 3114 Corrine Drive; free; 407-896-9105.
Howl'oween Dog Costume Party Dress up your pooch for the chance to win prizes. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Graffiti Junktion, 900 E. Washington St.; free; 407-426-9503; graffitijunktion.com.
Howl-O-Ween Bash Wear your costume and win up to $1,500 in cash and prizes, with beer and shot specials and dueling pianos. 6 p.m.; Howl at the Moon Saloon, 8815 International Drive; call for price; 407-354-5999; howlatthemoon.com.
Kid's Trick or Treat on Park Avenue Wear your costumes and grab candy from participating retailers. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Park Avenue at Morse Boulevard, Winter Park; free; cityofwinterpark.org.
Lip Stick Ball: A Halloween Party The club offers drink specials, music by DJs Rob, Infinite and Ants, and a Halloween-themed burlesque show by Les Vixens. 8 p.m.; Revolution Nightclub, 375 S. Bumby Ave.; free; 407-228-9900; revolutionorlando.com.
Orlando Brewing's Halloween Party The brewery offers haunted brewery tours, live bands, food and a costume contest. 1 p.m.; Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave.; free; 407-872-1117 orlandobrewing.com.
Spooktacular Halloween-themed family event with trick-or-treating at local merchants, a costume parade and pumpkin carving. 5-9 p.m.; Avalon Park Town Center, 13001 Founders Square Drive; free; avalonpark.com.
Trick or Treat Night The bar offers Halloween-inspired draft beers, bobbing for bottles contests and more. 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; The Gnarly Barley, 7431 S. Orange Ave.; free; 407-854-4999; thegnarlybarley.com.
Trick or Treat Safe Zone Kids enjoy three floors of trick-or-treating, with pumpkin decorating, creepy crafts, photo opportunities and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd.; free; 407-836-8500; thehistorycenter.org.
Oct. 27, Oct. 31
Halloween The bar hosts two nights of costume contests, with $3000 in cash prizes up for grabs. 9 p.m. Saturday, Wednesday; The Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; call for details; 407-425-7571; parliamenthouse.com.
Sunday, Oct. 28
K Cinema: Halloween The restaurant hosts a showing of the horror film in the garden, with light bites and a garden bar. 6:30 p.m.; K Restaurant, 1710 Edgewater Drive; $10; 407-872-2332; kwinebar.com.
Kids Halloween Party Dress in your costume for a pizza buffet, cupcake decorating, contests and a showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas. 11 a.m.; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $5-$15; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Halloween Spooktacular Concert Featuring the Central Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. 7 p.m.; Orlando Lutheran Towers, 300 E. Church St.; free.
House of WhoresCompete in a skimpy Halloween costume contest and win up to $200 in cash and prizes, with drink specials, a poker tournament, go-go dancing. 8 p.m.; Revolution Nightclub, 375 S. Bumby Ave.; free; 407-228-9900; revolutionorlando.com.
Theatre of Blood Cult Classics series showing of 1973's mystery starring Vincent Price. 9:30 p.m.; 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $5; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Annual Church Street Halloween Party Outdoor block party features a costume contest with up to $3,000 in cash prizes, dollar and nickle drink specials, live and DJ music. 5 p.m.; Downtown Orlando, Church Street and Orange Avenue; visit website for details; churchstreetbars.com.
Carrie's Blood Prom: A '70s Disco Blood Bath Art show, film showings and dance party based on the horror film Carrie. 8 p.m.; Stardust Video & Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road; visit website for details; 407-623-3393; stardustie.com.
Electric House of Terror Halloween-inspired club night with music by DJs Ilgin, Albert Day, Sage Armstrong, Yamil Lugo and others. 10 p.m.; 578 N. Orange Ave.; $15; 407-872-0066; firestonelive.net.
Fright Night with Disco Jr, DJ Dev, DJ BlaquThe club hosts a Halloween costume contest and party. 10 p.m.; Vain, 22 S. Magnolia Ave.; call for price; 407-318-4668; vainorlando.com.
Halloween at Cranes Roost This one’s good to take the kids to: They can go trick-or-treating around the lake, enter costume contests, bounce around in inflatable houses, and take in the live entertainment. 5-9 p.m.; Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs; free; 407-571-8863; uptownaltamonte.com.
Halloween Bash with Tooltime, Aramix Vega, DJ Nook It The club offers Halloween-inspired drink specials and live DJ sets. 9 p.m.; Suite B, 50 E. Central Blvd.; call for price; 407-246-1750.
Halloween Jazz Night 9:30 p.m.; Natura Coffee & Tea, 12078 Collegiate Way; free; 407- 482-5000; naturaorlando.com.
Halloween Part II Join in a costume contest and win up to $3,000 in cash, plus watch the Halloween Spooktacular show starring Gidget Galore, Ginger Minj and others. 8 p.m.; The Parliament House, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail; call for price; 407-425-7571; parliamenthouse.com.
Halloween Torture Show Watch as performers make their way through a maze of improv comedy games. 7:30 p.m.; SAK Comedy Lab, 29 S. Orange Ave.; $12-$15; 407-648-0001; sak.com.
Halloween Trick or Treating and Costume Contest Mall retail participants will hand out candy to little ones, while kids 12 and under compete in a costume contest. 5-8 p.m. Wednesday; Oviedo Mall, 1700 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd., Oviedo; free; 407-977-2400; facebook.com/oviedomall.
Halloween Trivia Challenge and Costume Contest With up to $200 in prizes for the best costume. 8 p.m.; Fiddler’s Green, 544 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; free; 407-645-2050; fiddlersgreenorlando.com.
Kali's Dance: A Samhain Celebration to the Goddess of Death and Destruction Join in a witches ball, with a chair-decorating contest, costume contest, harvest buffet banquet, dancing and cash bar. 7 p.m.; Little Fish Huge Pond, 401 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; $20; 407-221-1499; littlefish-hugepond.com.
Night of the Living Punk With Shitfits (Misfits cover band), Totalimmortal (AFI cover band) 9 p.m. Wednesday; The Social, 54 N. Orange Ave.; $5; 407-246-1419 ; thesocial.org.
Poltergeist Halloween night showing of 1982's horror flick directed by Tobe Hooper. 8 p.m.; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; free; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Pumpkins & Munchkins in Shady Park Family-friendly event with games, bounce houses, a costume contest and a trick-or-treat trail. 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Shady Park, corner of New England and Pennsylvania avenues, Winter Park; free; 407-599-3275; cityofwinterpark.org.
Step Into the Black Orlando Weekly teams up with Captain Morgan for an invite-only Halloween party, with free samples of Captain Morgan Black and tunes by Q-Burns Abstract Message; "Like" us on Facebook and RSVP to the event page to receive an invite. 7-10 p.m.; The Beacham, 46 N. Orange Ave.; FREE; 407-377-0400; facebook.com/orlandoweekly.
The Milk District Freaktoberfest Halloween Party Milk Bar, Spacebar and Sandwich bar team up for a block party with fire spinners, burlesque shows, comedy performances, horror film screenings, music and Coney Island Freaktoberfest Blood Red Lager on draft. 7 p.m.; The Milk District, East Robinson Street and North Bumby Avenue; free; 407-896-4954; themilkdistrict.com/freak.html.
The Old School Originals 6: Halloween Costume Party Techno house, electro and funk music by DJs Jade, Celestial Rhythm, Fusion and Jay Skinner. 9 p.m. Wednesday; Bikkuri Sushi, 1915 E. Colonial Drive; $3; 407-894-4494; bikkurisushi.com.
Trick Or Treat Bring the kiddos in their costumes for trick-or-treating, discounted canoe rentals, Fruit Shoot pumpkin-carving activity books and more. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Road, Longwood; free; wekivaisland.com.
