As a chill settles over Orlando North, Seminole County this Halloween, you may feel the shivers set in, but don’t worry, the fear of missing out can’t get to you here. With countless spooky events and family-friendly fall activities happening around every corner, your social calendar will be booked until long after the ghosts retire to their attics and the vampires cozy up in the basement. Keep reading to learn about our favorite haunts rolling around this October.
SANFORD GHOST TOURS
Date: Fridays & Saturdays
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Magnolia Avenue 115, 32771 Sanford, FL
If anything screams Halloween, it’s a guided tour through the haunted history of Downtown Sanford. When you embark on a Sanford Ghost Tour, an expert guide with a certain sixth sense will lead you on a 90-minute excursion into the supernatural as they let you in on unearthed secrets of ghostly encounters with former residents of Sanford. While this isn’t ghost hunting, you will get to see the sights and venture, if you dare, to a historic building that is rumored to be haunted by lingering spirits.
Ghost tours take off at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, with a maximum group size of 12. Tickets start at $20 and all ages are encouraged to join in on the spooktacular.
HOLLERBACH’S OKTOBERFEST
Date: Oct 14, 6:00 PM – Oct 16
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Sanford Civic
Center, 401 E Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771
Come down to try out the latest witches’ brew at Hollerbach’s Oktoberfest, an annual festival celebrating German food, beer, music, dance, folk costumes, and of course Gemütlichkeit! Just around the corner from their iconic location in downtown Sanford, their taking over the Sanford Civic Center to accommodate visitors from far and wide who want to experience a taste of Germany a little closer to home.
While the event is free to attend, the only way to purchase food and drinks is with a reloadable wristband. New this year, Hollerbach’s is making it easier than ever for you to enjoy Oktoberfest with their reloadable wristbands that allow wearers to get through lines faster and load funds onto their band with a tap of their phone. The Oktober Fest band starts at the low price of $5.00 with an option of upgrading to the Hollerbach Fest band and pin combo that includes a fun souvenir to help you remember a scary good time.
HALLOWEEN AT CRANES ROOST
Date: October 31, 2022
Time: 5 – 9 p.m.
Location: 274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Have you been looking far and wide for a Halloween bash that’s fun for the whole family? The search is over — mark your calendars for a legendary Halloween at Cranes Roost Park. This event was designed with the community in mind, as a way to bring residents together and give them a fun alternative to traditional door-to-door trick or treating. Local businesses will set up shop around the park to hand out trinkets and candy to an estimated 15,000 kids.
Beyond the not-so-normal trick-or-treating, there will also be costume contests, live music and dance performances, games and activities, and a few surprises the event organizers have hidden up their sleeves. Oh, and did we mention admission is free?
FALL COFFEE FLIGHTS AT NEW CITY COFFEE CO.
Hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: 124 N. 4th St., Ste. 1500, Lake Mary, Florida 32746
Between the spooks and scares, take a break for a few sips at New City Coffee Co. Try their newest fall coffee flight that’s gone viral for its aesthetic look and delicious flavors. This season, the bold baristas at one of our favorite local coffee shops have debuted the flavors candy corn, white pumpkin, cookie butter, and maple pecan. Come see for yourself what all the talk is about…
HORSEBACK RIDE AT HIDDEN PALMS RANCH
Location: 1410 Oakway, Sanford, FL 32773
In the heart of Seminole County, there’s the family-owned, locally loved business Hidden Palms Ranch. Famous for their horseback rides through the idyllic landscapes of the Lake Jesup Conservation Area, visitors have the opportunity to experience private, guided tours through the trails. If that alone doesn’t make you want to break out your cowboy boots, the swamp sunflowers that line Lake Jesup will. Every year, they come into full bloom from late September until late October, giving you the perfect opportunity to go on a journey through the fields of flowers.
THE PETRIFIED FOREST
Date: Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday in October + Special Events
Time: Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 – 10 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays: 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 1360 E Altamonte Dr, Altamonte Springs FL 32701
Three haunted trails, one low price, and endless nights spent on what might be lurking in every wood you pass. If you’re looking for a heart-pumping, hair-raising scare this Halloween season then you’re going to want to gather your most fearless friends and take a trip to The Petrified Forest.
These outdoor trails wind their way through bone-chilling houses and are home to believable scare actors that weave into the crowd to catch attendees when they least expect it. Due to the nature of the haunt, event organizers suggest no children under 12 and if they do come, they must be accompanied by an adult. In addition to the jump scare and haunting attractions, there will be food trucks, art vendors, and entertainment at the event.
There are three different experiences for you to choose from, with the most common being the FURY Pass which gives you access to all three trails starting at $31.98.
ZOO BOO BASH
Date: October 22, 23, 29 & 30
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 pm
Location: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
If you’re on the hunt for a Halloween event perfect for all ages, you’re going to want to make a stop at the Zoo Boo Bash this season. Take a walk on the wild side while trick-or-treating safely in the designated areas at the Central Florida Zoo. Kids are encouraged to bring bags and put on their favorite costumes to take part in the fun activities put out for every member of the family.
No matter which haunting Halloween experience you attend in Orlando North, Seminole County, you are sure to make memories that will fang — sorry, hang around long after you leave. Make the most of your next visit and Do Orlando North the right way when you get out explore using our expert tips and itineraries crafted by locals.