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Halloween in Orlando is a whole season rather than a single night: in 2026 the big theme park events opened in August and September, and several run until Sunday, November 1. For the rest of October, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Disney’s Halloween party at Magic Kingdom and SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream are all still on select nights.
This guide lists the official dates still ahead, what each event includes, the costume rules park by park, and where to stay. Dates, prices and sell-outs change fast, so treat everything as accurate at the time of writing (October 8, 2026) and check the official pages before you buy.
Quick answer: For Halloween in Orlando 2026, Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights at Universal Studios Florida through November 1 (separate ticket, not recommended for kids under 13). Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs at Magic Kingdom on select nights through October 31, but Disney lists every 2026 night as sold out. SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights through October 31. For younger kids, SeaWorld’s Spooktacular, LEGOLAND’s Brick or Treat and Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins are included with regular admission on event days.
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Halloween in Orlando 2026 at a glance
These are the main events and the dates left from October 9 on. “Separate ticket” means a regular day ticket doesn’t get you in.
| Event | Where | Dates left in 2026 | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halloween Horror Nights | Universal Studios Florida | Wed–Sun nights plus Mon Oct 12, through Nov 1 | Separate ticket |
| Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party | Magic Kingdom | Oct 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 | Separate ticket, sold out |
| Howl-O-Scream | SeaWorld Orlando | Select nights through Oct 31 | Separate ticket |
| Halloween Spooktacular | SeaWorld Orlando | Select days through Nov 1 | Park admission |
| Brick or Treat | LEGOLAND Florida, Winter Haven | Oct 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31 and Nov 1 | Park admission |
| Gators, Ghosts and Goblins | Gatorland | Oct 10–11, 17–18, 24–25 | Park admission |
| Pirates of the Haunted Seas | SEA LIFE Orlando, ICON Park | Saturdays and Sundays through Nov 1 | Aquarium admission |
| The Great Wax Heist | Madame Tussauds Orlando, ICON Park | Through Oct 31 | Attraction admission |
LEGOLAND’s July event guide still ends Brick or Treat on October 31, but its current event page and park hours calendar both list Sunday, November 1 as an event day (park open 10 AM to 6 PM at last check).
Halloween Horror Nights 2026 at Universal Orlando
Universal’s 35th Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 28 to November 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Florida: Wednesdays through Sundays, plus Monday, October 12. From October 9, that leaves October 9–12, 14–18, 21–25 and 28–31, plus November 1. The event starts at 6:30 PM, and Universal suggests arriving at least an hour earlier to clear traffic, parking and security.
The 10 haunted houses include Stranger Things 5, Sinners, Hellraiser, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness, Evil Dead Burn and Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, plus scare zones such as Downtown Clowntown, live shows and rides such as Revenge of the Mummy. Universal warns the event may be too intense for young children and doesn’t recommend it for kids under 13. Costumes and costume masks aren’t allowed, it runs rain or shine with no rain checks, and Universal’s FAQ says nights are expected to sell out.
Tickets, Express and early-entry options
- Single-night tickets: priced by date and cheaper online than at the gate, says Universal. Regular day tickets and annual passes aren’t valid for the event, although Premier Passholders can reserve one free night.
- Halloween Horror Nights Express: one-time Express entry at every haunted house and participating rides, priced by night, on top of event admission. Universal has dropped its Fear plus Express pass products this year.
- Scream Early Ticket: adds Universal Studios Florida from 2 PM (enter by 5 PM) to your same-day event ticket, with at least three houses open early: Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser and Jack & Oddfellow.
- Stay & Scream: with a same-day Universal Studios Florida ticket or pass plus an event ticket, pick up a wristband at Guest Services and use the same early house openings.
Two details catch people out. The free Universal Express Unlimited that comes with Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific stays excludes separately ticketed events. And Universal’s free self-parking after 6 PM doesn’t apply on event nights, so standard fees apply ($35 including tax for self-parking at last check). Premium Scream Night on October 19 is sold out. For day-to-day park strategy, see our Universal Orlando tips for first-timers.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 at Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Halloween party takes over Magic Kingdom on 38 select nights from August 7 to October 31, 2026. From October 9, the nights still ahead are October 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31. It runs from 7 PM to midnight, ticket holders can enter from 4 PM, and you don’t need a separate park ticket or park reservation.
The catch: when we checked Disney’s party page on October 8, it said every 2026 date was sold out. Tickets had been $119 to $229 plus tax. If you don’t hold one, plan around the other events here, but check Disney’s page again before you give up.
Party guests get Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular with lasers and fireworks hosted by Jack Skellington, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show at Cinderella Castle and trick-or-treating around the park, with teal bags for guests with food allergies. New for 2026 is a masquerade with Stitch, Lilo and Angel in Tomorrowland.
Howl-O-Scream and Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld runs a scary event after dark and a family one during the day.
Howl-O-Scream
Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights from September 11 to October 31, 2026, through its own entrance next to the main gate. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the event starts at 7 PM. SeaWorld lists 5 haunted houses (including the new I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch), 6 scare zones, 5 themed bars and live shows, and rides such as Ice Breaker, Mako and Pipeline operate, weather permitting.
SeaWorld calls it an event for mature audiences, with blood, gore and violence; under-18s are admitted, with no child price. Costumes, masks and heavy face paint aren’t allowed, bags bigger than 8 by 5 inches can’t go through the event entrance, and there’s no re-entry. At the time of writing SeaWorld advertised online single-night tickets from $47.99 in an offer it said ends October 11; prices exclude parking, taxes and fees. Daytime Quick Queue isn’t valid at night: the event sells its own Front Line Fear Pass.
Halloween Spooktacular
Spooktacular runs on select days through November 1 and is included with park admission. Kids trick-or-treat along a decorated trail (you buy a reusable bag), and there’s a Sesame Street dance party and crafts. With tickets for both events, you can wait in a holding area at the Waterfront and enter Howl-O-Scream from inside the park. SeaWorld’s two-park pass also covers Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, on select nights through October 31.
Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is in Winter Haven, about 45 minutes from Orlando by LEGOLAND’s estimate; our route check puts it about 38 miles from Magic Kingdom’s parking area, roughly an hour without traffic. Brick or Treat is included with admission on October 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31 and, per the event page, November 1.
New this year is Brick or Treat Street, a walk-through trick-or-treat trail past LEGO monster homes, plus the Potion Mischief Light Trail after dark. Candy stations open from 2 PM to 7 PM, and the Monster Skytacular drone show starts at 8 PM on October 10, 17, 24 and 31. At the time of writing, LEGOLAND advertised kids’ tickets from $39 in an offer it says ends November 1.
More family-friendly Halloween events in Orlando
- Gatorland, Gators, Ghosts and Goblins: the event’s 8th year runs October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, from 10 AM to 5 PM, included with admission, with Swamp Ghost’s Monster Museum and a children’s costume parade at 1:30 PM.
- SEA LIFE Orlando, Pirates of the Haunted Seas: an indoor pirate treasure hunt on Saturdays and Sundays through November 1, included with general admission.
- Madame Tussauds Orlando, The Great Wax Heist: through October 31, follow QR-code clues to five hidden artifacts, included with admission. Both are at ICON Park on International Drive.
Halloween costume rules at Orlando’s parks
Costume rules differ between parks, and even between day and night at the same park. These are the official rules at the time of writing:
| Where | Costumes | Masks and face paint |
|---|---|---|
| Disney parks, regular days | Not for guests 14 and older | No masks for guests 14 and older |
| Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party | All ages, within Disney’s guidelines | 13 and under: masks with eyes fully visible; 14 and older: no masks |
| Universal parks, daytime | Allowed within the dress code | No costume masks; face paint on up to half the face |
| Halloween Horror Nights | Not allowed (except Premium Scream Night) | No costume masks |
| SeaWorld Spooktacular | All guests welcome | 13 and older: no masks or hoods; face paint by park artists only |
| SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream | Not allowed | No masks or heavy face paint |
| LEGOLAND Brick or Treat | Adults and kids welcome | No full-face masks |
At Disney’s party, costumes for guests 14 and older can’t drag on the ground, capes can’t go past the waist, and you can’t pose for photos as a character. Universal also bans veils, long trains and weapons, and LEGOLAND bans gory costumes and prop or realistic-looking weapons.
Timing, weather and getting between events
Halloween, October 31, 2026, is a Saturday: the last night of Disney’s party and Howl-O-Scream, while Halloween Horror Nights and Brick or Treat continue on November 1. Visit Orlando notes that hurricane season runs to November 30, with August to October the most active months; Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream run rain or shine.
Planning more than one event? These road distances (OSRM routes to each park’s parking, rounded, no traffic) show how the parks spread out. Late-night event traffic adds time.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Universal to SeaWorld | About 6 miles | About 15 minutes |
| SeaWorld to Magic Kingdom parking | About 11 miles | About 20 minutes |
| Universal to Magic Kingdom parking | About 15 miles | About 25 minutes |
| Magic Kingdom parking to LEGOLAND | About 38 miles | About 1 hour |
After Halloween the season turns fast: SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration starts November 6. Our Christmas in Orlando 2026 guide has every holiday date, and our New Year’s Eve in Orlando guide covers the countdown nights.
Where to stay for Halloween in Orlando
Halloween events end late, so the best hotel is one within walking distance or a short ride of the event you care about most. For neighborhoods, start with our guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando. Add resort fees, parking and hotel tax (12.5% in Orange County, home to Universal and SeaWorld; 12% in Polk County, home to LEGOLAND) before you compare. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
For Halloween Horror Nights: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Universal’s hotel guests get a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights entry gate until 7:30 PM (not on Premium Scream Night dates), free transportation to the parks and CityWalk, and access to The Keyholder Bar, a limited-capacity event bar serving cocktails and mocktails (21+ for alcohol). Cabana Bay is a value-priced choice on-site: Loews says it’s within walking distance of both parks and CityWalk, with free shuttle buses as a backup, so there’s no drive after a late night.
Standard rooms sleep up to four and family suites with a kitchenette up to six. Overnight self-parking was $26 plus tax per vehicle at the time of writing, and daytime visits come with Early Park Admission (park ticket required). Volcano Bay, next door, closes for maintenance from October 26, 2026. More in our Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort guide.
Check your dates for Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort on Booking.com
For Howl-O-Scream and Spooktacular: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
SeaWorld lists the Renaissance as an Official Hotel “across the street from SeaWorld Orlando,” and Marriott says it’s within walking distance of the park, so you can walk to Howl-O-Scream instead of paying for park parking and driving back afterward. SeaWorld’s hotel program lists perks such as Priority Entry and a park shuttle; check which apply to your booking.
At last check (a June 2026 archived copy of its Marriott page), Marriott listed a daily shuttle to Disney, Universal, Epic Universe and SeaWorld, with self-parking at $44 and valet at $56 a day. For more walkable options, see our best hotels near SeaWorld Orlando.
See prices and availability at Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
For Brick or Treat: LEGOLAND Florida Resort hotels
Staying on-site saves the drive from Orlando. LEGOLAND Hotel and Pirate Island Hotel are steps from the park entrance, Beach Retreat is a short free shuttle ride away, and guests of the first two get Early Park Access 30 minutes before opening. On event days, hotel guests can visit the Monster Makeover Station in the LEGOLAND Hotel lobby (8:30 AM to noon) for temporary tattoos and hair color spray.
A nightly resort fee of $35 plus tax applies at all three hotels, and whether breakfast is included depends on how you book, so check your rate. Our guide to hotels near LEGOLAND Florida compares them with cheaper Winter Haven options.
Compare rates for LEGOLAND Florida Resort hotels on Booking.com
For Disney’s party: a hotel near Magic Kingdom
If you hold party tickets, staying close to Magic Kingdom shortens the trip back after midnight. Disney’s own resorts aren’t sold on Booking.com, so book those with Disney. Our guide to hotels near Magic Kingdom compares Disney’s resorts with non-Disney picks.
Going to Horror Nights? see Halloween Horror Nights hotels for Stay & Scream, packages and late-night transport.
Weather, crowds and dates: see Orlando in October and Orlando in September.
Frequently asked questions
When is Halloween Horror Nights 2026 in Orlando?
Universal Studios Florida hosts Halloween Horror Nights on select nights from August 28 to November 1, 2026: Wednesdays through Sundays, plus Monday, October 12. The event starts at 6:30 PM and needs its own ticket; regular day tickets and annual passes don’t get you in. Premium Scream Night, a sold-out upgraded night, is October 19.
Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 sold out?
Yes, at the time of writing. On October 8, 2026, Disney’s party page said all 2026 event dates were sold out. From October 9, the nights still ahead are October 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31, from 7 PM to midnight. Tickets had been listed at $119 to $229 plus tax.
Can adults wear costumes at Disney World and Universal?
At Disney, guests 14 and older can’t wear costumes or masks on regular park days, only at separately ticketed events such as the Halloween party, and still without masks. Universal’s daytime dress code allows costumes but bans costume masks, veils and long trains. Halloween Horror Nights bans costumes except on Premium Scream Night.
What are the best Halloween events in Orlando for young kids?
Choose the daytime events included with admission: SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, with trick-or-treating (bag purchase required) and a Sesame Street dance party, LEGOLAND Florida’s Brick or Treat, which LEGOLAND designs for ages 2 to 12, and Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins on October weekends. Disney’s party suits kids too, but 2026 is sold out.
Is Howl-O-Scream OK for teenagers?
SeaWorld describes Howl-O-Scream as an event for mature audiences, with blood, gore, violence and risqué content not intended for children. It still admits guests under 18, with no child ticket, so it’s your call. Universal, for comparison, doesn’t recommend Halloween Horror Nights for kids under 13. SeaWorld also sells a “No-Boo” necklace for nervous guests.
What can you do in Orlando on Halloween night 2026?
October 31, 2026 is a Saturday. Halloween Horror Nights runs at Universal, Howl-O-Scream has its final night at SeaWorld, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has its last (sold-out) night, and LEGOLAND runs Brick or Treat with the Monster Skytacular drone show at 8 PM. Buy tickets ahead and confirm hours on each official calendar.
Bottom line
Halloween in Orlando 2026 still has plenty left after October 8: Halloween Horror Nights through November 1, Howl-O-Scream through October 31, and Spooktacular, Brick or Treat and Gatorland’s weekends for younger kids. Disney’s party is sold out, so plan around the others, buy event tickets online, and book a hotel within walking distance or a short ride of your main event. Compare rates for your dates in the search box on this page.
Sources checked in October 2026: Halloween Horror Nights 2026 (Universal Orlando), Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular, Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida