Heads up: Halloween weekend has passed. This guide covered events from Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Orange County is making a full weekend of it, from a free neighborhood haunt in Dr. Phillips to a 2 a.m. block party in Thornton Park.
Quick Facts
- When: Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
- For grown-ups: Thornton Park Halloween Block Party and OSC After Dark (both 21+, Saturday)
- For families: Boo! Orlando, Boxi Park’s Sunday kids’ day and Allen Asylum’s not-so-scary half hour
- Free picks: Allen Asylum, plus Boxi Park Boo Bash (pay as you go for food and drinks)
Thornton Park 13th Annual Halloween Block Party
The big one downtown. On Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., the Thornton Park District takes over E. Washington St. and Summerlin Ave. with outside bars, drink specials, live entertainment by Vaudeville Entertainment and sets from DJ Rick GZ and DJ K1X. Costume contest sign-up runs 9 to 11 p.m. at the main stage, and the grand prize is $500. It’s 21+, so bring your ID, and it happens rain or shine.
Tickets: $20 early bird, $30 presale and $40 the day of the event, plus fees, on the district’s Eventbrite page. The party is a fundraiser for Thornton Park community improvement projects.
OSC After Dark: Halloween
The Orlando Science Center turns into an adults-only Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets include an open bar all evening, with food from local vendors for purchase. Expect a dance party in DinoDigs under the dinosaurs, a laser light show, karaoke, Halloween trivia, telescope viewing in the observatory, a vendor market and a costume contest with prizes. Ages 21+; costumes are encouraged, but face coverings must come off for ID checks.
Tickets: General and member tickets are sold through the Science Center; check its site for current prices. Proceeds support the Science for All Fund.
Boxi Park Boo Bash Weekend
Lake Nona’s shipping-container food park runs four days of Halloween, Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. Thursday brings the Boxi Park Run Club at 6:30 p.m. Friday is the Blonde Ambition Glow Party. On Halloween night, catch live music from Mike Lynch and Adam Duss, DJ Rincon and C’Nergy Band, a roaming Beetlejuice at 7 p.m. and an adult costume contest at 9 p.m. Sunday belongs to the kids, with bounce houses at noon, face painters and balloon artists at 1 p.m. and crafts at 2 p.m.
Good to know: Boxi Park is cashless (cards only). Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Boo! Orlando
Two jump-scare monster mazes (one deep sea, one circus), free carnival games, a high ropes course, local food trucks and stand-up comedy make this the pick for families with older kids. Its last nights are Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1. The event is designed for ages 8 and up, with no blood or gore, and younger guests can meet the monsters in a friendlier light during the Meet the Monsters hour from 5 to 6 p.m. before the mazes begin. Kids 12 and under need an adult. Every ticket supports Commission 127, which serves local foster and adoptive families.
Tickets: Gates are open 5 to 10 p.m. both nights, and the mazes run from 7 to 9:45 p.m. at Nona Adventure Park, 14086 Centerline Drive, in Lake Nona. Check the Boo! Orlando site for tickets.
Allen Asylum
A free haunt with a neighborhood heart. According to WKMG News 6, this family-built haunted house in Dr. Phillips is in its 20th year and opens Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31. Per WKMG, a not-so-scary hour for younger visitors runs from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and the full scare runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. The haunt’s own website wasn’t loading as of Oct. 28, so check local listings before you head out.
Why We’re Hyped
A Saturday Halloween means nobody has to choose between trick-or-treating and a night out. Take the kids to Boxi Park or Boo! Orlando, swing by a free haunt in Dr. Phillips, then hand them off and head to an open bar under the dinosaurs or a costume contest on Washington Street.
The Details
- Thornton Park Halloween Block Party: Sat., Oct. 31, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.; E. Washington St. and Summerlin Ave., Orlando; 21+; $20–$40 plus fees; Eventbrite
- OSC After Dark: Halloween: Sat., Oct. 31, 8–11 p.m.; Orlando Science Center, 777 E. Princeton St., Orlando; 21+; Orlando Science Center
- Boxi Park Boo Bash Weekend: Thu., Oct. 29–Sun., Nov. 1; Boxi Park, Lake Nona; cashless; Boxi Park
- Boo! Orlando: Sat., Oct. 31, and Sun., Nov. 1, 5–10 p.m. (mazes 7–9:45 p.m.); Nona Adventure Park, 14086 Centerline Dr., Lake Nona; Boo! Orlando
- Allen Asylum: Fri., Oct. 30, and Sat., Oct. 31; not-so-scary hour 6–6:30 p.m., full scare 7–9 p.m.; Dr. Phillips; free (per WKMG News 6)
