Boo! Ghosts, Witches Are Partying Big Again In Florida

By Georgina Cruz

After concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic that caused the downsizing or cancellation of several big Halloween celebrations in Florida in 2020 –like for instance, Fantasy Fest in Key West – fans need not fear: parties and celebrations have risen from the dead, so to speak, for 2021 and there is even one that will terrorize Orlando for the first time this year. Among the 2021 Halloween celebrations that sometimes begin in August, continue in September and culminate on Oct. 31, are several at some popular Florida destinations including Miami, Tampa and Key West as well as at the theme parks in Orlando.

Some of the festivities are family-friendly as they are not too scary, others are recommended for adults –and intrepid ones at that, because of their intense haunted houses and scare zones. Here is a list of a half dozen big celebrations. Dates, as is the case with special events, are subject to change.

Lake Buena Vista/Orlando – Disney World is presenting a family-friendly event, After Hours Boo Bash in the Magic Kingdom. The separate-ticket-party celebrates Halloween on select evenings from Aug. 10 to Oct. 31 (the festivities start at 9 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. depending on the date). Visitors may wear costumes and there are cavalcades on Main Street with Disney characters, including Mickey, Minnie and Pluto in their Halloween outfits, as well as Disney villains like Maleficent, who appears as a fire-breathing dragon. Visitors are able to collect free treats and opt for Halloween-themed delights at restaurants for a fee. The Magic Kingdom shops will also offer Halloween-themed merchandise for purchase. Info: www.disneyworld.com.
Orlando – Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, one of the nation’s biggest, returns this year, marking its 30^th anniversary, on select nights from Sept. 3 to Oct. 31. On the frightful agenda are haunted houses, terror zones and entertainment. The event is recommended for adults. Info: www.halloweenhorrornights.com.

Orlando visitors looking for a family-friendly celebration may wish to check out SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular. This event is featured at the park during weekends from Sept. 18 to Oct. 31. Themed to the sea, kids may attend in costume and trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, sirens, octopus and other characters. The festivities are included in admission to the park. New for 2021 SeaWorld Orlando will also present Howl O Scream, an intense, ticketed event featuring haunted houses and scare zones on select nights Sept. 10-Oct. 31. This nighttime fright fest is like the one of the same name that has been presented at SeaWorld Orlando’s sister park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, for years. Info: www.seaworldorlando.com.

Key West – One of the biggest Halloween celebrations not just in Florida, but in the country, is Fantasy Fest, which returns this year Oct. 22-31. Among the activities and events are a Street Fair, Bahamian Goombay Festival, parties and the big Fantasy Fest Parade. Some events are family friendly, some may be outrageous, and some are free while others are ticketed. Info: https://fantasyfest.com.
Tampa – Howl-O-Scream comes to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on select nights from Sept. 10 to Oct. 31. This event will offer scare zones, haunted houses and other terrors. It is a ticketed event, and it is recommended for adults as it may result to be too intense for children. Info: www.HowlOScream.com.
Winter Haven – Brick-or-Treat in LEGOLAND Florida offers family-friendly festivities during weekends in October. Among the activities is trick-or-treating, Halloween characters, costume contest, and Halloween-themed entertainment. The festivities are included in regular admission to the park. Info: www.legoland.com.