Things to Do: October 2023 Edition

It’s officially Spooky Season! Vista Cay has you covered with all things fright, fear, and family fun this Halloween season. Enjoy lighthearted fall festivities for the whole family or elevated scares. Here are some of the scary fun offerings happening this October.

 

Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival 

Vista Cay's General Manager Recommends!

 

 

Photo courtesy of Southern Hill Farms

 

This Fall Festival at Southern Hill Farms is the top fall fun pick from our General Manager here at Vista Cay! Gather your whole family for a picture-perfect fall experience, complete with U-pick sunflower fields, pumpkin patches, a corn maze, and much more. If your kids are wating to experience interactve farm life, be sure to swing by the petting zoo and tractor rides. Then when you're craving locally grown foodie fun, check out the specialty treats, such as the seasonal apple cider donuts and pumpkin muffins. For a full list of activities and fun during this Fall Festival, check the wesite here. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance!

 

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

 

 

Photo courtesy of Universal 

 

If you’re an ultimate horror fan, this late night event is for you! Halloween Horror Nights is held on select nights from September through November 1st from 6:30 pm - 2 am. Enjoy ten themed haunted houses featuring Netflix’s Strangers Things and HBO’s The Last Of Us, alongside Universal originals. Walk through five scare zones to the park’s beloved attractions and enjoy themed drinks and food throughout the park. Ticket prices fluctuate based on dates and demand, so check out the event site here for more information. 

 

Friday the 13th Murder Mystery Dinner

 

 

Photo courtesy of eventbrite

 

Enjoy a night like no other in Lake Nona at their Friday the 13th Murder Mystery Dinner. Guests will be assigned roles and be fully immersed in a real-life murder mystery storyline. Enjoy dinner and a drink while acting as detectives solving this murder case. Tickets are $75 and will start at 7pm. For more information and tickets, visit the event’s Facebook page here. 

 

Happy Frights at Leu Gardens

 

 

Photo courtesy of Visit Orlando

 

On select nights, enjoy family friendly haunts at Leu Gardens throughout the month of October. The event will feature food, characters, and trick or treating. Tickets are $25, and parking is available to purchase online for $15. If you’re looking for an elevated haunt, attend their Haunting Nights event instead, featuring food, art, and a few jumpscares along the way. For information on both events, check out the Leu Gardens website here. 

 

Lake Nona Pumpkin Carving Workshop

 

 

Photo courtesy of eventbrite

 

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to carve a perfect pumpkin, look no further than this Pumpkin Carving Workshop in Lake Nona! The event will be led by Paul Dever, world renowned Pumpkin Artist whose work has been featured on Food Network. You’ll receive a pumpkin carving tool kit to take home, and tickets are $65. This master class is on October 12th from 6 - 9pm and would make for the perfect date night or family outing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event site here. 

 

Spooky Empire

 

 

Photo courtesy of Spooky Empire

 

Calling all horror fanatics! Spooky Empire is a three-day convention from October 27th-29th and is the ultimate spot for all things spooky. Enjoy vendors, celebrities, music, and a tattoo & film music festival. Featured is the horror film festival, featuring short and long feature works with a past attendance of 15,000+ people. Interested? Visit the event site here for more information!

 

Goblins and Giggles at Gaylord Palms

 

 

Photo courtesy of Click Orlando

 

For a family-friendly day of fun, check out Goblins and Giggles, hosted annually by Gaylord Palms in Orlando. The event features tons of things to do, like trick or treating, a Jack-O-Lantern walk, a spooky scavenger hunt, and more! Check out their Pirate-themed escape room, available for an additional fee. There are also multiple show offerings, including a night LED show, and informational sessions on Florida’s wildlife offerings like alligators and snakes. For more information, visit the Gaylord Palms website here. 

There are tons of events in Orlando happening in the month of October, and we hope that however you choose to celebrate the Spooky Season you choose Vista Cay as your place to stay! With prime location distance from Orlando’s beloved theme parks, a stay with Vista Cay is the right way to spend your Fall.