Check Out The October 2021 Orlando Calendar

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HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

MORTEM MANOR

Ongoing: Journey through two floors in this Old Victorian-themed haunted mansion open year-round and named one of the scariest haunted houses in America by The Travel Channel. 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee. 407-507-0051. mortemmanor.com

BUSCH GARDENS HOWL-O-SCREAM

Through Oct. 31: There is nowhere to hide in the scare zones and haunted houses of Tampa Bay’s biggest frightening experience. Friday,  Saturday 7 p.m.-1 a.m., Thursday, Sunday 7 p.m.-midnight. 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa. 813-884-4386. buschgardens.com

DISNEY AFTER HOURS BOO BASH

Through Oct. 31: Walt Disney World Resort has cooked up some ghoulishly great fun for the bewitching season, with special décor, lighting and music setting the tone for a not-too-scary visit. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Mickey and pals keep the lights on in the Magic Kingdom for three extra hours of spooky fun and trick or treating. Separate ticketed event. Costumes encouraged. disneyworld.disney.go.com

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

Through Oct. 31: It’s that time of year, when Universal Studios hopes to scare you right out of your socks. The evil minds behind the scenes have been working to create the best of the worst experiences, including 10 terrifying haunted houses, sinister scare zones and surprise visits from Jack the Clown. orlando.halloweenhorrornights.com

SEAWORLD’S HOWL-O-SCREAM

Through Oct. 31: Horror has surfaced from the depths to terrorize this once-kid-friendly theme park. Freak out in haunted houses, at terrifying shows and through scare zones and rides. Separate ticketed evening event for mature audiences. No costumes allowed. 7 p.m. 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando. seaworld.com

SCREAM ‘N’ STREAM HAUNTED DRIVE-THRU

Through Oct 31: It’s clowns vs. zombies, and you’re trying to escape a top-secret laboratory armed with laser guns and unlimited ammo. Will you survive? 7-11 p.m. Oviedo Mall, 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. 407-552-4129. screamnstream.com

THE HAUNTED ROAD

Through Nov. 7: Last year’s haunted ride was a twisted take on a beloved fairytale but mysterious things began occurring to the staff. The workers and the owners have come to the realization that the road is actually haunted. Check online for times. 15239 Lake Pickett Road, Orlando. 407-906-8878. thehauntedroad.com

A PETRIFIED FOREST

Oct. 1-30: Voted one of the top haunted houses in Florida in 2019, A Petrified Forest is a walk in the park—if you love terror. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine. 1360 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs. 407-468-6600. apetrifiedforest.com

LEGOLAND BRICK OR TREAT

Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31: Experience the spooky, kooky fun at one of the few kid-friendly Halloween events in Central Florida. Trick or treat throughout the park, meet exclusive Halloween characters and watch the fireworks. Included with admission. 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. legoland.com

THE FAMILY GHOULS

Oct. 2: This live, scripted Halloween Punk Rock Spooktacular features performances by Our Escape and Casket Culture. 21 and up. 8 p.m. Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave., Orlando. 407-748-8256. willspub.org

HALLOWEEN BOO-TIQUE

Oct. 2: Scary folk art is a thing. Stop in and peruse the works of artists who have an undying thirst for the whimsically macabre. Complimentary seasonal hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. 4-8 p.m. Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery, 211 E. 1st St., Sanford. 407-323-2774. jtfolkart.com

TRICK OR TREAT AT MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS ORLANDO

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: Sweet treats are to be had on Wednesday evenings throughout October as guests make their way through Halloween-reimagined exhibits throughout the museum. 5-8 p.m. 8441 International Drive, Orlando. 386-256-1001, 833-541-0992. Reservations required and may be made online. moiorlando.com

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

Oct. 9-31: Orlando Repertory Theatre actor Stephen Pugh leads the audience into the spooky goings-on in the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow in this one-man theatrical adaptation of the classic. Check website for times. 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando. 407-896-7365. orlandorep.com

LEU GARDENS HAUNTING TALES

Oct. 22: The gates open at 6 p.m., with spine-tingling tales beginning at 7:30 p.m. Grilled food, drinks and treats will be available for purchase or bring a picnic dinner. Alcohol permitted. Bring chairs or a blanket. Buy tickets online. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

AVALON PARK SPOOKTACULAR

Oct. 30: Join in the spooky fun in downtown Avalon Park with trick-or-treating, prizes, food trucks, vendors and more. 5-9 p.m. 3680 Avalon Park East Blvd., Orlando. 407-658-6565. avalonparkorlando.com

ORLANDO BIG BAND BOO HALLOWEEN CONCERT

Oct. 30: Dress in your best costume for a frighteningly good time as the Orlando Big Band performs swinging tunes from the past and a chilling telling of “The Headless Horseman.” 7:30 p.m. Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford. 407-321-8111. wdpac.com

TRICK OR TREAT SAFE ZONE

Oct. 30: Celebrate the scary amid the legendary creatures highlighted in the exhibit “Giants, Dragons & Unicorns—The World of Mythic Creatures.” 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando. 407-836-8500. thehistorycenter.org

HALLOWEEN AT CRANES ROOST PARK

Oct. 31: Families trick-or-treat in a safe environment as local businesses hand out candy and trinkets from booths lining the lake. Live entertainment, costume contests, games, food and beverages are available for sale. 5-9 p.m. 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs. 407-571-8180. altamonte.org

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

Oct. 30, 31: No Halloween is complete without the interactive version of the cult-favorite castle full of oddballs. Prop bags available for purchase. Costumes strongly encouraged. Saturday 10 p.m., Sunday 8 p.m. Pre-show fun begins 30 minutes before the movie starts. Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. 407-877-4736. gardentheatre.org

SPECIAL EVENTS

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Through Nov. 20: Take a taste tour around the world at marketplaces featuring authentic global cuisine and beverages while enjoying the sights and sounds at entertainment spots located throughout the World Showcase. 200 Epcot Center Drive, Lake Buena Vista. disneyworld.disney.go.com

JOYBOX

Through Oct. 24: Experience joy in this interactive art exhibition in downtown Orlando designed around everything happy. Joybox is the second installment of a yearlong program of immersive arts events from Creative City Project, the team behind the popular interactive IMMERSE arts performance shows. creativecityproject.com

AVALON PARK OKTOBERFEST

Oct. 8, 9: Come spend the evening in the Avalon Park beer garden, sipping Germany’s favorite beverage. Enjoy Alpine dancing, live music and food. Beer Garden Preview is Friday, and the festival takes place on Saturday. 5-10 p.m. both days. 3651 Avalon Park Blvd. East, Orlando. 407-658-6565. avalonpark.com

COME OUT WITH PRIDE ORLANDO

Oct. 9: This year’s Most Colorful Parade will be preceded by the National Trans Visibility March, with an anticipated 5,000 supporters making their way through downtown Orlando. Come Out With Pride supports the LGBTQ+ community through grants and scholarship programs. Times TBA. comeoutwithpride.com.

LEU GARDENS JAZZ’N BLUES CONCERT

Oct. 9: Soak up the melodic atmosphere in one of Orlando’s most beautiful gardens as three bands on three stages fill the air with jazz, blues and a little bit of everything in between. Pack a picnic dinner and seating or blankets and settle in for the evening. Alcohol permitted. 7-10 p.m. Buy tickets online. Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. 407-246-2620. leugardens.org

48th ANNUAL WINTER PARK AUTUMN ART FESTIVAL

Oct. 9, 10: The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce hosts the only juried fine art festival exclusively featuring Florida artists in this community sidewalk show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Park, 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park. 407-644-8281. winterpark.org

13TH ANNUAL WINTER PARK PAINT OUT & GARDEN GALA

Oct. 10-16: The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens opens to the public as plein air artists paint at the museum and nearby locations. Close out the week and celebrate the museum’s 60th anniversary at the Great Gatsby Garden Gala, Oct. 16 from 6-9 p.m. 633 Osceola Ave., Winter Park. 407-647-6294. polasek.org

READING BETWEEN THE WINES

Oct. 14: New York Times best-selling author Steve Berry headlines this virtual fundraiser for the Adult Literacy League. Live via Zoom 6-7:30 p.m. adultliteracyleague.org/watch-party

IMMERSE 2021

Oct. 15-17: This event is a downtown celebration of athleticism, art, diversity, music and interactive exhibitions, including Color Day, when the audience is the canvas. Get tickets online. creativecityproject.com

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

Oct. 16: Musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra perform all-new symphonic arrangements as high-definition video scenes put you in the action. 8 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org

MASTERCHEF LIVE!

Oct. 18: Foodies and fans of MasterChef and MasterChef Junior get an extra helping of suspenseful entertainment in a family-friendly show that features head-to-head cooking challenges and sometimes-messy demonstrations. 7 p.m. Hard Rock Live, 6050 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-351-5483. hardrock.com

L.O.L. SURPRISE! LIVE

Oct. 19 & 21: Beloved characters, including Lady Diva, Swag and Royal Bee, come to life to sing and interact with their fans. 6 p.m. Tuesday show at King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. 321-242-2219. kingcenter.com. Thursday show at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014.
drphillipscenter.org

GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIETY OKTOBERFEST

Oct. 22, 23 & 29, 30: The German American Society of Central Florida holds its Oktoberfest over two consecutive weekends. Enjoy live music in the Biergarten Pavilion and authentic German cuisine, German dancers and a traditional flag parade. Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. German American Club, 381 Orange Lane, Casselberry. 407-834-0574. orlandogermanclub.com

THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE!

Oct. 24: “Come on down” to try your hand at winning fabulous prizes in this touring edition of TV’s most popular game show. 7:30 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. 844-513-2014. drphillipscenter.org