Columbus Day Weekend in Orlando: Activities and Things to Do

Columbus Day weekend is a useful time to plan an Orlando getaway. In 2026, Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12, creating a long weekend from Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12. The timing also lines up with Orlando's fall and Halloween season, giving visitors plenty of ways to combine sightseeing, family attractions and seasonal activities.

One easy place to start is Orlando Eye, a 400-foot observation wheel at ICON Park on International Drive. An approximately 20-minute flight in an air-conditioned glass capsule offers 360° views of Orlando and Central Florida, making it a natural sightseeing experience to place near the beginning or end of an International Drive day.

From there, your Columbus Day weekend itinerary can branch out. Spend part of the weekend at ICON Park, follow a pirate treasure hunt at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, investigate The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando, or head toward Winter Haven for family Halloween events at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida.

Here is how to make the most of the long weekend without trying to fit every Orlando attraction into one day.

When Is Columbus Day Weekend in 2026?

Columbus Day is observed on Monday, October 12, 2026, so the holiday weekend runs from Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12.

That timing is especially convenient for travelers who want to combine traditional Orlando sightseeing with Halloween activities. Several seasonal experiences are scheduled during the weekend, including Brick or Treat on October 9, 10 and 11, Peppa's Halloween Party on October 10 and 11, and Pirates of the Haunted Seas on October 10 and 11. The Great Wax Heist runs throughout October.

Because seasonal schedules can change, check each attraction's official information before finalizing your plans.

Start Your Orlando Weekend With a Flight on Orlando Eye

For visitors staying around International Drive, Orlando Eye is a convenient way to begin an Orlando sightseeing day.

Located at ICON Park, Orlando Eye rises 400 feet above International Drive and provides panoramic views from air-conditioned glass capsules. The approximately 20-minute flight gives you time to look across the Orlando skyline and Central Florida landscape from a different perspective.

The experience can work particularly well at the beginning of a holiday weekend because it does not require committing an entire day to one attraction.

You can take a flight on Orlando Eye, spend time exploring ICON Park, have lunch or dinner, and then continue to another Orlando activity. That makes it a practical option for travelers who already have theme park days planned but want to add sightseeing to their itinerary.

Why Put Orlando Eye on Your Columbus Day Weekend Itinerary?

Orlando Eye can fill several different roles in a long weekend:

• First-time visitors: Get an elevated introduction to Orlando and Central Florida.

• Families: Take a break from full-day theme park schedules with a more relaxed sightseeing experience.

• Couples: Add panoramic views to an afternoon or evening on International Drive.

• Repeat visitors: Experience Orlando from a different perspective without dedicating an entire day to another theme park.

• International Drive visitors: Combine the flight with nearby attractions, dining and entertainment at ICON Park.

Visibility depends on weather and conditions, so distant landmarks are never guaranteed. Florida weather can also affect attraction operations, particularly during storms or lightning. Check current operating information before heading out.

Spend Time Exploring ICON Park

One advantage of choosing Orlando Eye for your Columbus Day weekend is the location.

ICON Park is the destination; Orlando Eye is one of its attractions. The entertainment complex sits at 8375 International Drive and includes attractions, restaurants, shopping and entertainment, making it possible to build several activities into one stop.

For example, you could plan an International Drive afternoon around:

1. A flight on Orlando Eye

2. An indoor attraction such as SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium or Madame Tussauds Orlando

3. Time to explore the promenade

4. A meal or dessert

5. Additional entertainment based on your group's interests

ICON Park also lists attractions such as Ripley's Crazy Golf, the Carousel on the Promenade, Museum of Illusions Orlando, In The Game, Spheres Bubble Show and other experiences. Availability, hours and pricing vary, so check the attraction you plan to visit before your trip.

The key planning advantage is simple: you do not necessarily need to travel across Orlando every time you want to add another activity to your day.

Add a Pirate Adventure at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

If your Columbus Day weekend includes Saturday or Sunday, Pirates of the Haunted Seas at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium fits naturally into an International Drive itinerary.

The family-friendly seasonal experience runs on Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1, 2026, which means it is available on October 10 and October 11 during Columbus Day weekend. The event is included with SEA LIFE Orlando admission.

Guests can follow a pirate treasure hunt through the aquarium, use a themed treasure map, discover marine life and complete the adventure to receive a pirate prize. The event also incorporates interactive activities and educational experiences throughout the aquarium.

This is particularly useful for families because SEA LIFE Orlando is an indoor attraction. If an October afternoon brings rain or a change in plans, an indoor aquarium can provide a different type of Orlando activity without abandoning the day's itinerary.

Because Pirates of the Haunted Seas is a weekend-only experience, Saturday or Sunday is the better time to include it. The event is not scheduled for Monday, October 12.

Solve The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando

For something different, add The Great Wax Heist at Madame Tussauds Orlando.

The interactive Halloween scavenger hunt runs October 1 through October 31, 2026, so it is available throughout Columbus Day weekend. Guests use their smartphones to scan QR codes, follow clues and search for five hidden artifacts connected to the craftsmanship behind Madame Tussauds wax figures. The experience is included with admission.

This makes The Great Wax Heist a good choice for travelers who want their Halloween activity to involve a mystery rather than a traditional haunted attraction.

It also fits neatly into an ICON Park itinerary because Madame Tussauds Orlando is located at the same destination as Orlando Eye and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.

For a group with different interests, that combination can make planning easier. One person might be interested in celebrity figures and photography, another might prefer marine life, while everyone can share the experience of taking in Orlando from above.

Take the Family to Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort

Families willing to venture beyond International Drive have another major option during the holiday weekend: Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.

Brick or Treat is scheduled on October 9, 10 and 11, 2026, making all three days of the main Columbus Day weekend an option. The Halloween celebration is included with general Theme Park admission on participating dates.

The 2026 celebration includes the new Brick or Treat Street, where families can explore LEGO® Halloween environments and interactive experiences. Other seasonal activities include the Potion Mischief Light Trail, LEGO Candy Corn Scavenger Hunt, The Dragon: Castle Candy Caper, Mischief Town Carousel and Department of Monstrous Vehicles.

The useful distinction for families is that Brick or Treat does not have to replace a full day at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. The seasonal activities can be combined with the Theme Park's rides, attractions and entertainment.

For a Columbus Day weekend itinerary, consider making one full day your LEGOLAND Florida day rather than trying to combine it with several major Orlando attractions. The resort is in Winter Haven, so giving the destination its own day creates a more manageable schedule.

Plan a Preschool-Friendly Halloween at PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida

Traveling with toddlers or preschoolers? PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida offers another Columbus Day weekend option in Winter Haven.

Peppa's Halloween Party takes place on October 10 and 11, 2026, with the celebration also scheduled on other select October dates. The event is included with General Admission or Annual Passes.

The celebration includes:

• Halloween meet and greets

• Multiple candy and treat stations

• An exclusive Peppa's Halloween Party pop badge

• Halloween episodes inside the Cinema

• Seasonal food and beverage offerings

Trick-or-treating stations operate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Halloween celebration.

Because PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida is designed around preschool-age visitors, this can be a better fit for families with very young children than Halloween experiences built around scares or nighttime thrills.

It also makes sense to group PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida with other Central Florida family attractions in the Winter Haven area rather than trying to return to International Drive between every activity.

A Columbus Day Weekend Itinerary That Does Not Feel Rushed

One of the biggest mistakes visitors make during a long Orlando weekend is treating the extra day as an invitation to schedule four major attractions every day.

A better approach is to give each day a purpose.

This is an example itinerary, not an official schedule. Your ideal version depends on where you are staying, the ages of your group and whether you already have theme park tickets.

The main planning principle is to cluster attractions by location.

An International Drive day can revolve around Orlando Eye and ICON Park. A Winter Haven day can focus on LEGOLAND Florida Resort or PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida. That approach can reduce unnecessary driving and leave more time for the experiences themselves.

How to Choose the Right Columbus Day Weekend Activities

Not every traveler needs the same Orlando itinerary.

For Families With Young Children

Prioritize activities that work during the day and do not rely on intense Halloween themes.

Good options include Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Orlando's Pirates of the Haunted Seas, Brick or Treat and Peppa's Halloween Party.

For Couples

Build a day around sightseeing and shared experiences. A flight on Orlando Eye can provide the views, followed by dinner and another ICON Park attraction.

The Great Wax Heist can also add a playful activity for couples who enjoy pop culture, photography and interactive experiences.

For First-Time Orlando Visitors

Use the long weekend to mix different types of attractions rather than filling every day with theme parks.

Orlando Eye provides sightseeing from above, while ICON Park offers several additional experiences within the same destination. A separate day can then be reserved for a major theme park or Central Florida attraction.

For Repeat Orlando Visitors

The holiday weekend can be an opportunity to explore areas of Orlando outside your usual theme park routine.

International Drive offers attractions, dining and entertainment, while seasonal experiences such as Pirates of the Haunted Seas and The Great Wax Heist provide reasons to revisit familiar destinations during October.

What Should You Book First?

For a holiday weekend, start with experiences that have fixed dates or limited seasonal availability.

For October 9 through 12, that means checking the schedules for:

• Brick or Treat: October 9, 10 and 11

• Peppa's Halloween Party: October 10 and 11

• Pirates of the Haunted Seas: October 10 and 11

• The Great Wax Heist: October 9 through 12, as part of its October 1–31 run

Then fit Orlando Eye and other flexible activities around those commitments.

For Orlando Eye, check current ticket availability, operating information and weather-related updates before visiting.

A Few Practical Tips for Columbus Day Weekend in Orlando

Leave room for Florida weather. October can bring changing weather conditions. Outdoor plans may need to shift, while indoor attractions such as SEA LIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds can provide useful alternatives.

Do not confuse event dates with daily attraction availability. Seasonal experiences often operate only on specific dates. Pirates of the Haunted Seas, for example, is scheduled for weekends, while Brick or Treat and Peppa's Halloween Party have select dates.

Group attractions geographically. Orlando is spread out, so building a day around International Drive and another around Winter Haven can make the weekend less tiring.

Check current ticket information. Prices, promotions, hours and attraction availability can change. Verify details directly with each attraction before booking.

Do not overpack the itinerary. A four-day weekend gives you more flexibility, not necessarily a reason to add more attractions. Leave time for meals, breaks and unexpected changes.

Columbus Day Weekend Activities in Orlando at a Glance

Event dates and offerings are subject to change, so verify current information before your visit.

Make Orlando Eye Part of Your Long Weekend

A Columbus Day weekend in Orlando does not have to be built around one type of attraction.

Start with a flight on Orlando Eye and see Central Florida from 400 feet above International Drive. Then use the location at ICON Park as a base for additional experiences such as SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Madame Tussauds Orlando. On another day, head to Winter Haven for Brick or Treat or Peppa's Halloween Party, depending on the ages and interests of your group.

The most useful Orlando itineraries leave enough room to enjoy the destination instead of racing from one attraction to the next. With a little planning around event dates and location, the October 9–12 holiday weekend can combine Orlando sightseeing, International Drive attractions and seasonal Halloween activities into a trip that feels full without feeling overpacked.