Can't-Miss Halloween Celebrations at Your Favorite Theme Parks in 2022

What was once a quiet time at theme parks is now one of the busiest. From attraction overlays and themed food to parties that range from scary to family-friendly, Halloween is a beloved time of year for theme park-goers. 

Although theme park Halloween celebrations were limited for the last few years because of the pandemic, they’re now back with a vengeance in 2022.

Here’s our roundup of can’t-miss Halloween celebrations at your favorite theme parks.

Disney Resorts

Halloween Time is one of the most popular seasons at Disneyland. Guests enjoy spirited decor and seasonal overlays on the Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween and Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree attractions in Cars Land, and at the Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark in Avengers Campus. At Haunted Mansion Holiday, Jack Skellington’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme takes over during the Halloween and holiday seasons.

Clients can experience most of the Halloween fun with regular park admission, including the Dia de los Muertos celebration at Plaza de la Familia and the Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular with projections, special effects and Halloween-inspired songs (on select nights, the show includes fireworks).

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For the third year, California Adventure's separately ticketed after-hours Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party offers themed treat trails hosted by Disney villains; the Frightfully Fun Parade; Mickey’s Trick and Treat stage show; and Villains Grove, a unique immersive walking experience with sound, light and shadow effects.

Halloween Time at Disneyland runs Sept. 2 to Oct. 31; Oogie Boogie Bash happens on select nights from Sept. 6 to Oct. 31 (ticket-holders can enter California Adventure as early as 3 p.m.).

Meanwhile, at Walt Disney World, the separately ticketed Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Magic Kingdom with trick-or-treating and family-friendly entertainment, including the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show, Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween parade and the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks hosted by Jack Skellington.

“Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns during Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said Jodi Bainter, director of travel agency sales for The Walt Disney Company. "In addition to all the haunted happenings and special entertainment, we added even more fun with event-exclusive photo opportunities and a Halloween-themed 50th anniversary commemorative print."

The after-hours event takes place on select nights from Aug. 12 to Oct. 31. Clients can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. (reservations are not required, unless they plan to visit additional parks or enter Magic Kingdom earlier).
“We are thrilled for the return of favorite fall seasonal celebrations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World,” Bainter said. “And we are so grateful for the support of travel advisors, who do an amazing job of helping our guests plan trips to Disney destinations.”

Legoland Resorts

As a theme park brand designed for kids ages 2 to 12, it’s no surprise that Legoland Resorts in California, Florida and New York host kid-friendly Halloween celebrations included with admission.

This year, the annual Brick-or-Treat event is getting extra help from Lego Monsters, who are throwing an all-new Monster Party with costume contests, a scavenger hunt in Miniland, a groovy Halloween Dragon Party Coaster overlay, a new V.I.M. (Very Important Monsters) Dance Party and an exclusive new 4D movie: "The Great Monster Chase!"

But the best news? The monsters have also created a limited-edition pumpkin spice twist on Legoland's famous Apple Fries.

Legoland Halloween celebrations run on Saturdays from Sept. 17 to Oct. 29 in California; and on weekends from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30 in Florida and New York.

Sesame Place

As the only theme parks dedicated to beloved children’s program ”Sesame Street,” Sesame Place Philadelphia and Sesame Place San Diego are celebrating Halloween in not-too-spooky style with The Count's Halloween Spooktacular.

Kids can come in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed shows, dance parties, the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, interactive scavenger hunts and photo ops with Sesame Street pals (who will also be dressed up in costume).

The event runs on select dates from Sept. 17 to Nov. 6 in Philadelphia, and from Sept. 17 to Oct. 30 in San Diego.

Universal Parks

The after-hours, separately ticketed Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood dare clients to face their fears with haunted houses, scare zones and live shows inspired by the biggest names in horror.

This year, Universal is resurrecting its most iconic monsters in Universal Monsters: Legends Collide, as The Wolf Man, Dracula and The Mummy battle to break a curse. Clients will also brave The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare, an original haunted house based on the musician’s “After Hours" album, as well as come “face to mask" with Michael Myers as he re-creates his first killing spree from the original 1978 “Halloween.”

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The Orlando, Fla., event will include 10 haunted houses and five scare zones; in Hollywood, there will be eight haunted houses plus scare zones and the Terror Tram. The tram ride is a hair-raising journey through the studio’s backlot, where, according to Jon Corfino, vice president of creative for Universal Creative, “anything is possible” — especially with the recent addition of sets from Jordan Peele’s latest horror film, “Nope.”

"Storytelling is at the heart of Universal Parks, and Halloween Horror Nights is no exception," said Eric Marshall, senior vice president of Destination Sales for Universal Parks and Resorts. "Every year, we work closely with our travel partners to provide unique offers and vacation packages for their clients to enjoy the world's premier Halloween event, from vacation packages to premium products like our special guided R.I.P. Tour."

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from Sept. 2 to Oct. 31 in Orlando, and on select nights from Sept. 8 to Oct. 31 in Hollywood, Calif. The event is not recommended for kids under 13.

SeaWorld Parks

SeaWorld Parks, too, celebrates Halloween with the kid-friendly SeaWorld Spooktacular during the day, and super-scary Howl-O-Scream after dark. Both are included with admission in San Antonio, Texas, but only Spooktacular is included in San Diego and Orlando.

With family activities like trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, Halloween shows and parades (plus plenty of coasters and animal experiences), SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is a great choice for clients with kids who aren't ready for scarier events.

“Halloween at SeaWorld Orlando is a really fun time,” said Donna DeGiacomo, a Florida-based travel consultant for Pixie Vacations (and mom to a 5-year-old). “My son loves trick-or-treating and the rest of the Spooktacular events at SeaWorld, but our favorite is the themed breakfast with Sesame Street characters.”

She notes that families must purchase official SeaWorld trick-or-treat bags before entering the trick-or-treat trail.

Celebrating its 21st year in San Antonio, and its second in Orlando and San Diego, Howl-O-Scream transforms tranquil SeaWorld parks into havens for haunts that lurk in "terror-tories” and houses of horror. A two-park ticket offers a double dose of Howl-O-Scream at both SeaWorld Orlando and sister park Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

SeaWorld Spooktacular runs Thursdays through Sundays from Sept. 15 to Oct. 30 in San Antonio; on weekends from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31 in San Diego; and select dates from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31 in Orlando.

Howl-O-Scream runs select dates from Sept. 16 to Oct. 30 in San Antonio; select nights from Sept. 16 to Oct. 31 in San Diego; and select nights from Sept. 9 to Oct. 31 in Orlando. The event is not recommended for kids under 13.