Kids can come in costume, trick-or-treat in the park, and enjoy more Halloween activities.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular: Trick-or-Treat Trail

For many children, the highlight of SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular is the Trick-or-Treat Trail, which begins in the Key West area of the park. Guests participating in the trail are required to purchase a reusable trick-or-treat bag, available for sale outside the brightly colored pink and teal Coconut Bay Traders building at the start of the trail. If you have a bag from previous years, you’re welcome to use that as well.

Kids collect treats at candy stations, where goodies are dropped into their bags via a festive PVC pipe. Parents and guests of all ages can also join in the fun! Each station clearly labels the type of candy being distributed. During my recent visit with my kids, we received candy like Nerds, Haribo Goldbears, Smarties, lollipops, Albanese gummy bears, Sour Punch straws, gummy turtles, and more. (No chocolate is given out—it would melt under Florida's sun!) SeaWorld does a great job ensuring that the stations remain well-stocked and accessible. My kids especially loved the bubble stations along the trail, which added to the event’s fun, underwater atmosphere.

For children with allergies, teal tokens can be picked up at each candy station and redeemed for allergy-friendly treats at the Coconut Bay Traders store.

Meet one of the beautiful mermaids at SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular: Entertainment & Character Meets

SeaWorld Spooktacular provides a variety of kid-friendly entertainment, ideal for younger children. A favorite for little ones is the Pumpkin Garden & Story Time, located near the underwater dolphin viewing area. Here, you can explore a garden filled with pumpkin fish, and at scheduled times throughout the day, a storyteller reads festive tales in the garden.

New this year is the Harvest Maze, located near the Journey to Atlantis ride. Note that the maze is not stroller-friendly. Also near Journey to Atlantis, at the end of the candy trail, is the Scarecrow Dance Party, where you can dance along to popular tunes with scarecrow performers. Plus, on Fridays in October, costumed kids can participate in a costume contest.

Watch the Sesame Street Halloween Parade with colorful floats and your favorite characters.

Over in Sesame Street Land, you'll find even more Halloween fun, such as the Sesame Street Halloween Parade with colorful floats and your favorite Sesame Street characters in special Halloween costumes, along with a Halloween Story Time with Big Bird. Both events occur at select times throughout the day, so check the SeaWorld app for exact schedules. Pro tip: Platinum passholders enjoy the roped-off section with shaded seating to watch the parade.

Throughout the event, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for photos with colorful characters, including mermaid meet-and-greets, pumpkin princesses, candy witches, and stilt-walking pirates.

For an extra special treat, guests can book the Spooktacular Breakfast with Shamu & Crew, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 am. This event can be reserved in advance online for an additional cost.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular: Event Details

SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular is included with a regular admission ticket. If you’re a passholder, this is a great perk because you can enjoy the Halloween fun without any additional cost. If not, purchasing tickets online ahead of time can save you money, as SeaWorld often offers discounts for advance purchases or multi-day passes.

The Halloween Spooktacular runs on weekends and select weekdays from August 31 through November 3, 2024, from 12pm-5pm, making it ideal for families with young children who may need to leave before dark. The daytime hours ensure that the event stays lighthearted and accessible to little ones who might not enjoy nighttime scares. For those looking for more frights, consider grabbing tickets to SeaWorld’s nighttime event, Howl-O-Scream.

Guests of all ages are welcome to wear costumes. However, those 13 and older are not allowed to wear costume masks or hoods, and all costumes must comply with the park's standard dress code. Additionally, face painting is only permitted if done by park artists. Keep in mind that comfortable shoes are essential, as there will be plenty of walking around the park. Also, make sure costumes are not too bulky or restrictive, as the Florida weather is still quite warm in the fall.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular: Tips for Families

• Bring a stroller for younger kids, as there’s a lot of ground to cover.
• Bring sunscreen and hats since the event takes place during the day and the Florida sun can still be strong in the fall.
• Check the event schedule (found on the SeaWorld app) to plan shows and character meet-and-greets.

Photos by the author