As autumn settles in, Horizon West and the surrounding Central Florida area are alive with events to enjoy. From charming fall festivals to spine-chilling Halloween extravaganzas, there’s something for everyone to embrace the season. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening nearby and beyond:

Horizon West Highlights

Southern Hill Farms Fall Festival
Join the fun at the 9th Annual Southern Hills Fall Festival, happening each Thursday-Sunday between Sept. 28 and Nov. 17. Enjoy a variety of activities, including:

• Kids Zone: Petting zoo, motorized train, bounce houses, and more.
• Pumpkin Patch: Browse a wide selection of pumpkins.
• Food & Drink: Treat yourself to apple cider donuts, blueberry cobbler, and craft beer.
• Details and tickets: https://southernhillfarms.com/fall-festival/

Home State Brewing’s Oktoberfest, Ja!
Celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 12 PM to 5 PM at Home State Brewing. Highlights include:

• Live Polka Band: Dance to festive tunes.
• Stein Holding Competition: Test your strength.
• Food & Drink: Enjoy beer specials and tasty treats from local vendors.
• Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1441761146527275/

Hamlin Pumpkin Patch
Head over to the Hamlin Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 4pm to 8pm. The free event includes:

• Live Music: Performances by Rob Seay.
• Face Painting & Balloon Art: Fun for kids of all ages.
• Local Vendors & Food Trucks: Delicious treats and unique finds.
• Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/876828304012111/

Halloween Trick or Treat Trail and Market
Grab your fur babies, and your little ghouls and enjoy a fun night in the Biergarten at Home State Brewing on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Event includes:

• Jukebox Bingo: Get your game on and enjoy the evening!
• Dog Costume Contest: Bring your pooch!
• Local Vendors & Food Trucks: Delicious treats and unique finds.
• Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1666635537403557

Bears Who Care OktoBEARfest 5K Fun Run & Walk
Join this healthy, family-friendly event, either in person or virtually.

• Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances throughout the morning.
• Interactive Sponsor Booths: Explore and engage with various sponsors.
• Scavenger Hunt: Participate in a fun scavenger hunt.
• Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1015465176582408

Halloween Extravaganzas Outside of Horizon West

Orlando, known as the Halloween Vacation Capital, invites you to experience over 93 days of spooky fun with events that cater to all ages:

SPOOKY THEME PARK EVENTS

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Experience a magical Halloween at Magic Kingdom! From October 1st through October 31st, select nights will be transformed into a spooky wonderland with family-friendly fun. Trick-or-treating throughout the park will delight little ones, while enchanting Halloween-themed shows, parades, and character meet-and-greets will captivate everyone. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a spooky symphony, witness the dazzling displays of costumed characters, and capture those precious moments with Mickey Mouse and his friends dressed in their Halloween best. Don’t miss the enchanting Halloween decorations that adorn the park, creating a truly unforgettable experience for the entire family.

Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights

Prepare to be terrified! Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios returns with 48 nights of bone-chilling thrills from August 30th to November 3rd. Face your fears in haunted houses inspired by iconic horror films and original stories. Brave the terrifying scare zones that lurk around every corner, and experience the adrenaline rush of thrilling rides in the dark. Get ready for an unforgettable night of terror where every scream is a victory!

SeaWorld Orlando

Choose from 2 different Halloween experiences:

• • Spooktacular: Enjoy trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed shows, and festive decorations. Meet your favorite characters in their Halloween costumes, and watch the park come alive with spooky fun for the whole family. SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is a frightfully good time! (Weekends, Aug. 31 – Nov. 3)
  • Howl-O-Scream: Seaworld transforms into a terrifying wonderland for adults! Experience spine-chilling haunted houses, terrifying scare zones, and exhilarating rides in the dark. This adults-only event is not for the faint of heart – prepare to be spooked! (Sept. 6 – Nov. 2)

LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Brick or Treat

Get ready for a brick-tastic Halloween celebration at LEGOLAND Florida Resort! Brick-or-Treat, running weekends from September 14th to October 27th, is filled with spooky fun for the whole family. Follow the Brick-or-Treat Trail to collect candy and meet LEGO characters dressed in their Halloween best. Enjoy festive shows and activities, and experience the new Monster Skytacular drone show, a dazzling aerial spectacle featuring LEGO® characters and a spooky soundtrack. Don’t miss out on this unique Halloween experience, where LEGO creations meet spooky fun in a celebration perfect for all ages!

SCARES BEYOND THE THEME PARKS

Pirates Dinner Adventure

Ahoy, mateys! Set sail for adventure and spooky fun at Pirates Dinner Adventure with their special Halloween-themed “Vampirates” show. Prepare to be captivated by a thrilling blend of pirates, vampires, and a whole lot of spooky fun! Get ready for a feast fit for a pirate king, complete with a hearty meal enjoyed amidst the action. The “Vampirates” show will transport you to a world of swashbuckling adventure and eerie intrigue, featuring amazing aerial stunts, dazzling swordplay, and a cast of characters who will keep you on the edge of your seat. This unique dining experience combines the thrill of a pirate adventure with the spooky spirit of Halloween. So gather your crew and prepare for a night of excitement and laughter! (Sept. 19 – Oct. 31)

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience

Get ready for a colorful and spooky adventure at Crayola Experience’s Screamin’ Green Hauntoween! Unleash your creativity and embrace the spirit of Halloween with a variety of fun activities. Explore the world of color and imagination while enjoying spooky crafts, engaging scavenger hunts, and plenty of trick-or-treating opportunities. Dress up in your favorite costume and let your creativity soar as you create spooky masterpieces. Screamin’ Green Hauntoween is the perfect blend of Halloween fun and Crayola magic, providing a safe and engaging experience for the entire family. So get ready for a frightfully good time at Crayola Experience this fall! (Sept. 23 – Oct. 31)

Happy Frights at Harry P. Leu Gardens

Prepare for a magical and spooky adventure at Harry P. Leu Gardens’ Happy Frights! This enchanting event transforms the gardens into a whimsical wonderland of Halloween fun. Embark on a trick-or-treat journey through themed worlds, each filled with festive decorations, activities, and surprises. Encounter friendly characters, enjoy spooky storytelling, and delight in the beauty of the gardens illuminated by festive lights. Happy Frights is a unique and memorable experience that combines the magic of nature with the fun of Halloween. It’s a delightful adventure for families and children of all ages, making for a truly enchanting evening! (Select dates, Sept. 27– Oct. 31)

Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins

This daytime event brings a fun twist to the gator park, offering a unique blend of thrills and Halloween chills for the whole family. Meet interactive characters, including mischievous ghosts and playful goblins, who will add to the spooky fun. Enjoy themed activities, and don’t miss the exciting costume parade, where guests can show off their creative costumes. Gators, Ghosts and Goblins at Gatorland is the perfect opportunity to experience the thrill of the park with a Halloween twist. Get ready for an unforgettable day filled with gator encounters, spooky fun, and memories to last a lifetime! (Weekends, Oct. 12-27)