Families around Central Florida will find a mix of Halloween programming, live performances, wildlife activities and free community gatherings during Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend, Oct. 9-11.
Halloween-themed options include the opening weekend of Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins, running weekends Oct. 10-25. This year’s returning Swamp Ghost’s Museum will share macabre facts about vampires and mummies tied to Bram Stoker’s literary works. At Dinosaur World in Plant City, Jurassic Haunt: Pirates of the Prehistoric continues on select nights through Nov. 1 with illuminated trails, scare zones, a haunted train ride, face painting and temporary tattoos.
Several Saturday, Oct. 10 events are designed for younger visitors. Kids Day at A Petrified Forest in Altamonte Springs includes trick-or-treating along its outdoor trail, plus a dunk tank, costume parade, games, crafts and prizes; daytime characters will not wear their nighttime costumes. Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in Orlando will host Owloween with animal meet-and-greets, photo opportunities, food vendors and trick-or-treating.
Orlando Wetlands will offer Creatures of the Night from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, with guided sunset tours, games, candy, live animals and a “Curse of the Marsh” puzzle. The program focuses on the roles bats, snakes, spiders, alligators and other wetland animals play in a healthy ecosystem.
Free events include Oktoberfest at Avalon Park in Orlando on Saturday evening, featuring vendors, food trucks, a polka band, alpine dancing, a bounce park, teen area and kids entrepreneur market. Geneva Dark Sky Night in Sanford will provide telescope viewing and constellation laser tours with the Emil Buehler Planetarium and Central Florida Astronomical Society. The Orlando Philharmonic’s free Symphony Storytimes: Spooky Serenade is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9.
Also on the weekend calendar, CFCArts will stage Disney’s Moana Jr. in Winter Park on Oct. 9 and 10. The Mennello Museum’s free Family Funday returns Sunday, Oct. 11, with admission, docent-led tours and a fine arts project included.
