Halloween is so much more than just one night of trick-or-treating, especially in Florida! There are celebrations that begin in September and don’t end until in November. We’re talking serious family fun! So whether you’re looking to have a not-so-scary time with Mickey, an autumn celebration with Shamu the killer whale, you’ll find it here. But beware! Some of these events will have you running to your mummy!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Select nights through Nov. 1, 2009, 7 p.m. until midnight
Suitable for all ages, kids and even adults dress in costumes and trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom in the evening. This event is not included in regular park admission. It’s a separate ticket. Fewer people means no lines for even the most popular rides. Don’t miss the HalloWishes Fireworks Display and Boo To You Halloween Parade.


SeaWorld’s Orlando Spooktacular
Every Saturday and Sunday in October
This one is a SEA-sonal favorite and all this fun is included in your regular admission. The fun starts at noon with 15 trick-or-treat stations and costumed characters like Gummy Worm Wanda. There are also two additional events: Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast (a character breakfast with Sesame Street favorites) and the Spooky Spectacular Sleepover where you can stay the night!


Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights
Sept. 25, 26 and Oct. 1-4, 8-11, 15-18, 21-25, 28-31, 2009
This is a favorite among the adult crowd and it’s not recommended for children under 13. This year, you’ll find a cinematic theme highlighting three creepy movies: Chucky, The Wolfman and Saw. You’ll also find mutant characters that’ll give you nightmares for years to come! Ask about their Gory Getaway Package Deals.


The Pumpkin Patch at Little Farm, Redland
Oct. 10 to Nov. 1, 2009. Pumpkin Patch Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3 to 7 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Little Farm is rated E for everyone. Take a drive into the country and discover this gem -- a real life working farm that your kids will love -- and learn from. Pick out a pumpkin, see farm animals, ride ponies, explore the butterfly garden, and more.


Zoos Go Batty With Halloween Fun
  • Zoo Boo in Tampa - Select nights from Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 2009.
    Activities are rated by scariness and there are many to experience. From the Little Tykes Boo House, rated one skull, to Sinister Shadows, a seven on the scary skull scale, the zoo promises visitors a super fun night.
  • MetroBoo in Miami - Oct. 30 & 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Kids ages 12 and under are welcome to come in costume and trick-or-treat around the zoo. There will be costume contests, music and games by Radio Disney, animal encounters, face painting, and rock climbing. Attend Spooky Night on Oct 30 and take spooky tram rides, watch scary movies, and take ‘Thriller’ dance lessons.  
  • Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular - Oct. 22-25 & 29-31, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
    Come explore the town of Pumpkinville and its lively inhabitants. Along the way, trick or treat, enjoy music, dancing, food, bounce houses, and a giant slide. Jack-o-lanterns light the paths to special animal exhibits, candy stations, an Enchanted Forest and a Pirates Cove.
  • Central Florida Zoo Boo Bash - Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, & 31, 2009, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Bring your kids in costume and bring a bag to fill up with goodies as you trick-or-treat around the wildest neighborhood in Central Florida! You’ll find haunted hayrides, a pumpkin patch for family photos, face-painting and oodles more.


Halloween Haven at Flamingo Gardens, Davie
Oct. 30 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wear your costume and take part in the costume parade and tour; have story time with the Good Witch; and don’t miss the ‘Not Too Scary Haunted House’ for kids with music and foggy graveyards. Your admission includes access to 60 acres of the botanical gardens, too.


Uncle Donald’s Farm in Lady Lake
Pumpkin Patch opens October. Fall Fun Nights Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24.
Enjoy an old fashioned hay ride; walk on the wild side and see nocturnal animals like panthers and owls; meander through the Pumpkin Patch; and meet a bevy of reptiles in the Creepy Crawly Barn. Oh, and don’t forget to get lost in the hay maze.

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream
Oct. 1-31, 2009, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays
With a warning on their website stating they’ll be gore, blood and violence. This is one for adults only. It’s a ten on the Scream-O-Meter for sure. There are scare zones, horror shops, shows and haunted houses such as the Nightshade Toy Factory.

Honeymoon Island State Park
Oct. 23-24, 2009 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Good family fun under the stars is what you’ll find at the 12th annual Halloween in the Park. They’ll be face painting, games, storytelling, food and fun. For adults and older kids, there’s a scary trail with a haunted house. Bring bug spray, a flashlight and bag for goodies.

Key West Fantasy Fest
Family Day is Nov. 1, 2009
Key West Fantasy Fest is legendary for adults but the day after Halloween is Children's Day featuring food, games, crafts and a children's costume contest. All the fun is at Bayview Park at Truman Avenue and Eisenhower Drive.

Fright Nights at Silver Springs, Ocala
Every Friday and Saturday night in October from 8 to 11 p.m.
This adult event is put on by the Ocala Jaycees and this is the 37th year! Explore Terror Island or the Voodoo Bayou (at your own risk). Or take a cruise on the Lost Souls Haunted River. For family fun, visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays and find games, scavenger hunts and more treats.

Monster Splash at Miami Seaquarium
Oct. 24-31, 2009 (excluding Oct. 26 & 27)
Everyone’s invited for a day or night of thrills and chills. In addition to scary, creepy stuff for adults (this year’s theme is Buried Alive) there’ll be happy hauntings for the little ones at ‘Frightening Manor.’ Kids 12 and under can trick-or-treat on weekend nights, 5-8:30 p.m.

Majestic Oak Farm, Cottondale
Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 2009
It’s time for Fall Farm Days at the Majestic Oak Farm where you can choose farm fresh apples and pumpkins, try old fashioned apple bobbing, sample apple cider, take an orchard tour, enjoy a tractor pulled hayride, and spend the day laughing and having tons of country fun!

This is just a sampling of the Halloween Hot Spots to be had in Florida. So put on those costumes, grab your camera (and a sack for treats!), and go have some great fall fun!  

If You Go:

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
The Magic Kingdom
407-W-DISNEY or 407-934-7639
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

SeaWorld Spooktacular Event
SeaWorld Orlando
http://www.seaworldspooktacular.com/swfspook.html

Universal Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Orlando Resort

Little Farm
13401 S.W. 224 St., Goulds
305-258-3186

ZooBoo 2009 at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa
1101 W. Sligh Avenue, Tampa
http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/zooboo/index.html

Miami MetroBoo
12400 SW 152 St., Miami
305-251-0400

Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular
370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville
904-757-4463

Halloween Haven at Flamingo Gardens
3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie
954-473-2955
www.flamingogardens.org

Uncle Donald’s Farm, Lady Lake
2713 Griffin Ave., Lady Lake
352-753-2882

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream
Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay Honeymoon Island State Park
727-469-5942

Key West Fantasy Fest Children’s Day
305-292-8912
http://www.fantasyfest.net/schedule.cfm

Fright Night at Silver Springs, Ocala
5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs
352-236-2121
www.SilverSprings.com

Monster Splash at Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne
305-361-5705

Majestic Oak Farm, Cottondale
2035 Palmview Road, Cottondale
850-352-4879