October was a fun-filled, spooktastic month in the city of Orlando! From haunted houses to era-themed whiskey balls, here’s a list of all the highlights just in case you missed it!
Some people are so excited for Halloween that they can’t help but to start the celebrations early! Each fall, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party invites guests to dress in costumes and trick-or-treat throughout Magic Kingdom after regular park hours. This year’s boo-free bash took place from August 25th-November 1st and included a parade, bewitching fireworks and more.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights is considered one of the world’s largest, most elaborate Halloween celebrations. Every year, Universal enlists a “scream team” of designers to research the human psyche and its deepest fears to create haunted houses and “scare zones” of terrifying magnitudes for guests. On September 15th, the 27th annual event returned to the delight of thousands. You have until November 4th to join in on the scream-worthy celebrations!
SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular was an ocean of Halloween fun for the whole family! During the event, families were immersed in an underwater “fantasea” including trick-or-treating, whimsical pumpkin fish, sea-themed arts and crafts and up-close animal encounters in a family-friendly event that could only come from SeaWorld. With multiple candy stations and a wide array of sweets and treats, kids were swimming in Halloween goodies all month long!
On October 5th, 1st Thursday returned to the Orlando Museum of Art for a special “Ghosts & Ghouls” event. Artists extended beyond earthly boundaries for inspiration to create works depicting dark, horror, goth, and other Halloween themes. The works ranged from Hollywood inspired movies or TV icons, eerie/creepy landscapes and architecture, ghostly or ghoulish images, spooky or spoofy to anything associated with the paranormal, the uncanny, and the unexplained.
Mather’s Social Gathering is Orlando’s hottest new venue and on October 9th, whiskey enthusiast across the city were invited over to celebrate Beam Suntory Spirits in the most probationary fashion! The private Industry Prohibition Themed Whiskey Cocktail Ball featured a variety of premium craft cocktails complimentary of Beam Suntory. Guests in 1920s/1930s era attire enjoyed amazing whiskies all night long such as The Manhattan made with Knob Creek Rye, The Goldrush made with Jim Beam Black and more. Check out Mather’s Social Gathering for a full menu of not-to-be-missed cocktails!
The largest trade and consumer show in North and South America dedicated to cake, chocolate, sugar arts and more was held from October 13th-15th at the Orange County Convention Center. The Americas Cake Fair, hosted by Satin Ice, featured industry celebrity headliners, including TLC’s “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro, Food Network stars, more than 100 hands-on classes and demonstrations, cake competitions, live challenges, a sugar art fashion show and a VIP meet and greet with celebrities.
More than 1,000 artists and performers brought the heart of the city to life in downtown Orlando on October 21st. Hosted by Creative City Project, guests of IMMERSE discovered a diversity of artists with amazing talents, while experiencing interactive shows, art installations and inspiring live performances all over Downtown Orlando from Cirque du Soleil, the Orlando Philharmonic orchestra and the Orlando Ballet.
The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returned from October 27th-28th with exciting new dishes debuting alongside returning festival favorites. The Food & Wine Classic offers guests unlimited tastings at more than 50 stations featuring culinary selections from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and wine from more than 30 wineries amidst a festive backdrop of live entertainment on the hotel’s scenic causeway. The event also includes hands-on seminars with the hotel’s chefs and certified beverage experts.
Horror enthusiasts entered the dark side of comic con from October 27-29th at Spooky Empire! The annual weekend event featured an array of activities including a tattoo festival, film festival, celebrity autographs, zombie walk, kids zone, costume and cosplay contest, huge exhibitor room, live music, performances, Q&A’s with artists, authors and filmmakers, a game room, seminars, creepy cars, among many other fun and exhilarating activities.
Children across Orlando had an opportunity to trick-or-treat in the wildest neighborhood in town at Zoo Boo Bash 2017! From October 28th-29th, visitors to Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens explored a haunted hayride, visited the pumpkin patch for a fun photo and learned about the myths and realities of some misunderstood animals. Children donned costumes for trick-or-treat stations and even got their faces painted at the fun, not-too-scary event that was a delight for young and old alike.
