Central Florida, October 1, 2025
News Summary
As the fall season arrives, Central Florida is alive with a resurgence of Halloween events, featuring haunted houses, thrilling trails, and diverse community gatherings. From family-friendly activities to spine-chilling attractions, local venues offer unique experiences beyond typical theme park celebrations. Highlights include Foggy Bluff Haunt, Halloween Pub Crawl in Cocoa Beach, and Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail, showcasing a variety of themes and activities. With various events running throughout October, visitors are encouraged to check for details and attend these festive celebrations.
Central Florida
Overview
The fall season in Central Florida brings a resurgence of Halloween events, including haunted houses and thrilling trails. Local attractions offer unique experiences beyond the major theme parks’ Halloween celebrations. Email submissions for local haunted houses or trails to [email protected] for inclusion in event listings.
Top Event Highlights
The following list summarizes scheduled openings, dates and distinctive features of Central Florida Halloween attractions and community events for the 2025 season. Event names, dates and descriptions are provided as announced.
- Foggy Bluff Haunt in Melbourne: Opens Oct. 17, featuring themes like “Krampus claws” and runs on Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and Nov. 1.
- Halloween Pub Crawl in Cocoa Beach: Scheduled for Oct. 18; proceeds benefit homeless veterans.
- Boo at the Zoo at Brevard Zoo: Takes place on weekends in October with trick-or-treating and activities.
- Haunted Trail at Rotary Park: Opens on Oct. 17; includes multiple scare zones and a Friday night movie.
- Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail in Umatilla: Opens Oct. 3 with three distinct trails and runs every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 1.
- Not Too Scary Halloween Boo Bash! in Lady Lake: Family-friendly event on Oct. 25 at Guava Street Athletic Complex.
- Spooky Park’s Haunted Trail in Lady Lake: Occurs on Oct. 18, featuring ghosts and zombies.
- Tales of Terror Haunted Attraction in Astatula: Opens Oct. 10; marketed as a high-intensity haunt.
- Halloween Flix at the Garden in Winter Garden: Series on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 featuring family-friendly and adult horror films.
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics in Orlando: Scheduled for Oct. 23 and 30, featuring a candlelight concert.
- Avalon Park Spooktacular: Takes place on Oct. 25 with food trucks and costume contests.
- Mortem Manor in Kissimmee: Open year-round; known for its Victorian-themed haunted attraction.
- A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs: Opens Oct. 3; features three trails with a new escape ride and immersive theater experience.
- Face the Fear in Winter Springs: Scheduled for Oct. 24-26, focusing on an abandoned prison theme.
- Hometown Halloween in The Villages: Runs Oct. 23-26 with live music and carnival games.
- Cassadega Haunted Attraction in Lake Helen: Opens Oct. 17, themed around “Zozo’s Urban Legends.”
- Sorosis Club of Orange City’s Annual Haunted House: Runs from Oct. 17 to 31 with an “Apocalypse: Final Days” theme.
Additional Community Events
Many Central Florida venues are hosting unique events during Halloween, from haunted trails to pumpkin patches and family-friendly activities. Community contributions and local events are encouraged to be shared for broader awareness and participation.
What to Expect and Practical Notes
Events include a mix of family-friendly programming and high-intensity haunted attractions. Several venues operate on weekends only, while some run multiple consecutive dates in October and early November. Mortem Manor is noted as open year-round. Specific dates, themes and schedules vary by attraction; visitors should check with individual venues for ticketing, age recommendations, accessibility and safety guidelines before attending.
How to Submit an Event
Email submissions for local haunted houses or trails to [email protected] for inclusion in event listings.
Background
Central Florida’s Halloween offerings expand beyond major amusement park festivals, incorporating independent haunted houses, themed trails, concerts, and family-oriented community gatherings. The seasonal variety includes immersive theater experiences, escape-ride elements, charity-focused events, and long-running attractions that operate year-round or during extended October schedules.
FAQ
What does the fall season bring in Central Florida?
The fall season in Central Florida brings a resurgence of Halloween events, including haunted houses and thrilling trails.
Do local attractions offer experiences beyond major theme parks?
Local attractions offer unique experiences beyond the major theme parks’ Halloween celebrations.
How can local haunted houses or trails be included in event listings?
Email submissions for local haunted houses or trails to [email protected] for inclusion in event listings.
When does Foggy Bluff Haunt in Melbourne open and what are its dates?
Opens Oct. 17, featuring themes like “Krampus claws” and runs on Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and Nov. 1.
When does Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail in Umatilla open and how often does it run?
Opens Oct. 3 with three distinct trails and runs every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 1.
Is Mortem Manor open year-round?
Mortem Manor in Kissimmee: Open year-round; known for its Victorian-themed haunted attraction.
When does A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs open and what does it feature?
Opens Oct. 3; features three trails with a new escape ride and immersive theater experience.
Key Event Features Chart
| Event | Location | Opening / Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foggy Bluff Haunt | Melbourne | Opens Oct. 17; runs Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Nov. 1 | Features themes like “Krampus claws” |
| Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail | Umatilla | Opens Oct. 3; runs every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 1 | Three distinct trails |
| Mortem Manor | Kissimmee | Open year-round | Victorian-themed haunted attraction |
| A Petrified Forest | Altamonte Springs | Opens Oct. 3 | Features three trails with a new escape ride and immersive theater experience |
| Tales of Terror Haunted Attraction | Astatula | Opens Oct. 10 | Marketed as a high-intensity haunt |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: Spooky Season Events
- Visit Orlando: Halloween Events
- Orlando Sentinel: Halloween Highlights
- Fox 35 Orlando: Halloween Features
- B1039: Halloween Horror Nights
- Wikipedia: Halloween
- Google Search: Halloween events Central Florida
- Google Scholar: Halloween attractions Florida
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Halloween
- Google News: Halloween Orlando
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
