Haunted houses and pumpkin patches are great, but Orlando's fall entertainment lineup has a lot more to offer this Halloween season. Theaters and concert halls across the city are rolling out a genuinely impressive slate of live performances — think gothic storytelling, horror musicals, and full orchestras accompanying classic scary films on the big screen.

The season kicks off early with American Gothic: The Harvest Ritual, an immersive stage production running August 20–31 at New Generation Theatrical Studio inside Fashion Square Mall ($35+). From there, Theater South Playhouse stages the cult favorite Little Shop of Horrors September 18 through October 4 (from $21), while Orlando Shakespeare Theater runs Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors — a fast-paced 90-minute send-up of the vampire legend — from September 23 through November 8, with preview performances Pay What You Will.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts anchors much of the season. Highlights there include Music for the Macabre on September 13, Evil Dead The Musical October 2–4, the Hocus Pocus-themed Rock Cauldron Cabaret October 7–10, gothic literature evening The Midnight Drearies on October 27, and — on October 30 — a screening of The Ring with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performing Hans Zimmer's score live. Halloween night itself brings the 1922 silent classic Nosferatu to Steinmetz Hall, accompanied by Grammy-nominated organist Cameron Carpenter performing his original live score.

Beyond Dr. Phillips, master illusionist David Caserta brings Haunted Illusions to Winter Garden's historic Garden Theatre on October 22, a string quartet performs a candlelit Halloween concert at The Abbey on October 23, and House of Blues at Disney Springs hosts a Halloween rock concert on October 31 featuring Magnolia Park, Ekoh, Oxymorrons, and Lost Trees. CityArts also hosts its 17th Annual Día de los Muertos & Monster Party on October 15, blending cultural tradition with Halloween-inspired art and a block-party atmosphere (suggested $5 donation).

This roundup was originally compiled by Orlando Date Night Guide.