Top Orlando Events to Experience in October
Don’t miss IMMERSE, Halloween celebrations, theme‑park nights, and more cultural highlights that make October a must‑visit month in Orlando.
October in Orlando is a vibrant blend of spooky thrills, culinary adventures, and artistic showcases. Whether you’re arriving for a weekend or a full month, our curated events calendar guarantees something unforgettable.
Theme Park Events in Orlando for October
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort
Before exploring Orlando’s world‑renowned theme parks, consider discounted tickets from Visit Orlando. We partner with Walt Disney World®, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld® Orlando, and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, plus a host of other attractions.
Select Nights Through Nov. 2: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort
Every fall, Universal Orlando Resort transforms into a realm of fright with Halloween Horror Nights, featuring 10 haunted houses, five scare zones, and live entertainment. This year’s lineup includes “Stranger Things,” “Jordan Peele’s Us,” “Ghostbusters,” “Universal Monsters,” “House of 1,000 Corpses,” “Killer Klowns From Outer Space,” “Depths of Fear,” “Nightingales: Blood Pit,” “Yeti: Terror of the Yukon,” and “Graveyard Games.” Scare zones—such as “Zombieland: Double Tap,” “Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe,” “Anarch‑Cade,” “Vanity Ball,” and “Vikings Undead”—add to the adrenaline. Live shows like “Halloween Marathon of Mayhem” and “Academy of Villains: Altered States” punctuate the night. If the intensity becomes overwhelming, many attractions offer thrilling escapes across the park.
(WARNING: EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR MASKS ALLOWED. Separately ticketed event. Event occurs rain or shine. No rain checks, returns or refunds. Dates, times, attractions and entertainment are subject to availability and may change without notice. Free self-parking after 6 p.m. and Universal Cinemark Matinee Free Parking Program not valid for Halloween Horror Nights event nights. Other restrictions may apply. Universal elements and all related indicia TM © 2019 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.)Select Nights Through Nov. 1: Mickey’s Not‑So‑Scary Halloween Party
Experience a family‑friendly celebration at Magic Kingdom® Park, featuring jack‑o‑lanterns, surprises, and spirited entertainment across a record‑breaking 36 nights in 2019.
Through Nov. 23: Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival
The festival spans 87 days and showcases global cuisine, music, chef demos, workshops, and the “Eat to the Beat” concert series. Family activities include Remy’s Ratatouille‑inspired scavenger hunt, nightly dance parties, and kid‑focused demonstrations. Admission to the festival is included with park entry; food and beverages are sold separately.
Weekends Through Oct. 27: SeaWorld® Orlando’s Craft Beer Festival
Re‑opened after popular demand, the festival offers 100+ draft brews and curated menu pairings across the park.
Weekends Through Oct. 27: Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld® Orlando
Enjoy the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, dance parties, trick‑or‑treating, and character encounters themed around the sea.
Weekends, Oct. 5-7: Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
All‑ages trick‑or‑treating, character meet‑and‑greets, a scavenger hunt, and the Pirate Cove Fireworks Spectacular light up this celebration.
Oct. 12: Brick Dash 5K at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
Join the Halloween‑themed 5K (separate admission). LEGOLAND offers 5K/park admission combo packages for a full day of fun.
Featured Events in Orlando for October
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® Features More Than 120 Restaurants, Including The H Cuisine (Pictured)
Extended Through Oct. 7: Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining®
In its 14th year, this program offers three‑course prix‑fix meals for $35 per person at 120+ restaurants. Each meal supports NAMI Greater Orlando & Lighthouse Central Florida. Browse options and reserve via VisitOrlandoMagicalDining.com.
Oct. 12: Come Out With Pride Festival
The 15th‑year LGBTQ celebration features live entertainment, vendors, and a Lake Eola fireworks finale.
Oct. 17-24: Orlando Film Festival
Hosted at Cobb Plaza Cinema Cafe, the festival offers screenings, Q&A panels, script readings, and parties. It has earned a spot on MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.”
Oct. 18-19: IMMERSE
Downtown Orlando’s premier performing‑arts experience showcases over 1,000 artists from 100+ organizations. Highlights include Blue Man Group, Diavolo, and the Architects of Air.
More Halloween Events in Orlando for October
Orlando: Halloween Vacation Capital®
- Through Nov. 2: Howl‑O‑Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Select Nights, Oct. 4 – Nov. 2: Dark Horizon – Point of No Return
- Oct. 19-31: Gators, Ghosts and Goblins at Gatorland
More Foodie Events in Orlando for October
- Weekends Through Nov. 24: Food & Wine Weekends at Waldorf Astoria Orlando
- Oct. 4: Harry’s Sip & Savor Pairing Series
- Oct. 24: Feast on the 50
- Oct. 26: Central Florida Veg Fest
Cultural Events in Orlando for October
- Oct. 12-13: Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
- Oct. 19: Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Cultural EXPO
- Oct. 19-20: Winter Springs ARToberFEST
- Oct. 27: Festival Calle Orange
Live Theater, Concerts, Comedy and More in Orlando for October
Hard Rock® Live at Universal CityWalk in Orlando
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (Downtown Orlando)
- Oct. 4-6: Be Original Theater Festival
- Oct. 11-12: The Second City, Greatest Hits Vol. 59
- Oct. 12: Wayne Brady
- Oct. 18: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas With Live Symphony Orchestra
- Oct. 19: Alison Krauss
- Select Nights, Oct. 22-27: Les Misérables
Hard Rock Live (Universal CityWalk)
- Oct. 3: Peppa Pig Live!
- Oct. 4: Scott Stapp
- Oct. 12: Maggie Rogers
- Oct. 18: Nate Bargatze
- Oct. 19: Anjelah Johnson
- Oct. 25: Classic Albums Live – Pink Floyd’s The Wall
- Oct. 27: Ace Frehley
- Oct. 30: 98.9 WMMO Presents Sebastian Bach
Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Near Downtown Orlando)
- Select Nights Through Oct. 6: Evita
- Select Nights, Oct. 9 – Nov. 24: Macbeth
- Select Days, Oct. 19 – Nov. 16: Miss Nelson Is Missing!
Orlando Museum of Art (Near Downtown Orlando)
- Oct. 29: Arts Society – Poetics of Place
Harry P. Leu Gardens (Downtown Orlando Area)
- Oct. 19: Jazz’n Blues Concert at Leu Gardens
The Winter Park Playhouse (Winter Park)
- Oct. Select Nights Through Oct. 13: Desperate Measures
Amway Center (Downtown Orlando)
- Oct. 26: The Chainsmokers – World War Joy North American Tour
Addition Financial Arena (University of Central Florida)
- Oct. 12: for KING & COUNTRY
- Oct. 23: Logic With J.I.D. & YBN Cordae
Garden Theatre (Winter Garden)
- Select Nights, Oct. 11-27: Deathtrap
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center (Sanford)
- Oct. 5: Purple Madness – A Tribute to Prince
- Oct. 6: Symphonic Underground’s Dancing Mad – A Final Fantasy IV Tribute
- Oct. 19: ANJ and Angel Events Present Unshakeable Faith
- Oct. 20: Tripping the Live Fantastic – A Tribute to Paul McCartney
Movie Events in Orlando for October
Enzian Theater in Maitland
- Oct. 4: The Others
- Oct. 6: FilmSlam
- Oct. 19: Saturday Matinee Classics – Don’t Look Now
- Oct. 24: Movie Classics at the Ritz Theatre Presents The Day the Earth Stood Still
- Oct. 31: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Sports & Outdoors Events in Orlando for October
Catch Orlando Magic Games at Downtown Orlando’s Amway Center
- Oct. 6: Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Chicago Fire
- Oct. 12: Orlando Solar Bears vs. South Carolina Stingrays
- Oct. 17-20: Biketoberfest
- Oct. 18: Orlando Solar Bears vs. Norfolk Admirals
- Oct. 23: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Oct. 27: U Can Finish 5 Mile & 2 Mile Presented by AdventHealth
- Oct. 30: Orlando Magic vs. New York Knicks
Cover image courtesy IMMERSE.
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