When Lake Nona's Halloween night happens, what's actually there, and who it's built for.

Carved Halloween pumpkin for Graveyard Smash at Lake Nona Town Center

By David Myers, Broker Associate · NonaOrlandoProperties.com · Last updated September 2026

Graveyard Smash is Lake Nona's free Halloween event at Lake Nona Town Center, also billed as Spooknona Graveyard Smash. It is historically held on the last Saturday in October before Halloween. Trick-or-treat stations normally run from 5 to 8 PM. Admission is free and no ticket is needed. The event is built around young children, with a kids' zone of inflatables and face painters.

Graveyard Smash turns Lake Nona Town Center into one large, walkable trick-or-treat route for a single evening in late October. It is free, it starts early, and it is designed for small children in costume rather than for teenagers or adults looking for a party.

An earlier version of this post promised pet parades, costume contests and pumpkin painting. None of those appear in recent listings for the event, so we have taken them out. Here is what Graveyard Smash actually looks like now.

What is Graveyard Smash?

Graveyard Smash is a free, one-night Halloween event at Lake Nona Town Center with trick-or-treat stations, a kids' zone and a DJ.

Lake Nona runs it as one of its signature community events, and recent promotion uses the name Spooknona Graveyard Smash. Families move between decorated trick-or-treat stops around Lake Nona Town Center, and the kids' zone adds inflatables and face painting.

Graveyard Smash at a glance
Also called Spooknona Graveyard Smash
When Historically the last Saturday in October before Halloween
Hours Trick-or-treating normally 5 to 8 PM
Cost Free, no ticket needed
Where Lake Nona Town Center, 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
Best for Families with young children

When is Graveyard Smash held?

Graveyard Smash is historically held on the last Saturday in October before Halloween.

The pattern has held for several years: Saturday, October 28, 2023; Saturday, October 26, 2024; and Saturday, October 25, 2025. Expect it in late October again, and check Lake Nona's official event page for the exact date before you plan around it.

Because it falls a week or so before October 31, it does not compete with trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood on Halloween night.

What happens at Graveyard Smash?

Graveyard Smash centers on trick-or-treat stations, with a kids' zone of inflatables and face painters and a DJ with Halloween-themed entertainment.

Recent editions have added character performers and face painters and airbrush tattoo artists, and Town Center restaurants sell Halloween-themed treats. The mix changes a little every year, so treat any specific activity as likely rather than guaranteed.

What has not shown up in recent listings: pet parades, costume contests, pumpkin painting and craft stations. If one of those is the reason you are going, confirm it first.

What time does Graveyard Smash start and end?

Graveyard Smash normally starts at 5 PM, and trick-or-treating runs until about 8 PM.

The end time has varied. The 2023 and 2024 editions ran until 10 PM, with the DJ and themed entertainment continuing after trick-or-treating closed at 8. The 2025 edition was listed as 5 to 8 PM. Arrive early if candy is the goal; the stations are the first thing to wind down.

Does Graveyard Smash cost anything?

No. Graveyard Smash is free and open to the public, and you do not need a ticket.

The only spending is optional: food and drinks from Town Center restaurants and vendors. Boxi Park, the container food park at Town Center, is the easy option for dinner before or after trick-or-treating.

Is Graveyard Smash good for older kids?

Graveyard Smash is aimed at families with young children, so older kids and teens may find it short on things to do.

The core of the evening is trick-or-treating, inflatables and face painting, all of which suit elementary-age children and younger. Costumes are welcome at any age, but there is no haunted attraction or late-night program for teenagers.

Pros, Cons and Our Take

Pros

  • Free, with no ticket or registration.
  • Early hours fit young children's bedtimes.
  • Everything is in one walkable place, with restaurants on hand for dinner.
  • It happens before Halloween, so families can still trick-or-treat at home on the 31st.

Cons

  • Trick-or-treating usually ends around 8 PM, which leaves late arrivals with little to do.
  • Built for younger children; teens will likely be bored.
  • The date is confirmed only a few weeks ahead.
  • Specific activities change from year to year, so a favorite from last year may not return.

Our Take

Graveyard Smash is one of the easiest Halloween outings in the area for families with small children: free, early, contained and close to food. Go at 5, finish trick-or-treating before 8, and eat at Town Center afterward. Families with teenagers can skip it.

What the Neighbors Know

Halloween in Lake Nona is usually two events, not one. Graveyard Smash is the town-wide gathering a week or so before the holiday, and neighborhood trick-or-treating happens on the 31st itself. The two work together rather than competing, which gives families two chances to go out in costume.

For the rest of the year's calendar, see our Lake Nona events guide.

Official Sources

Buying or selling in Lake Nona? Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Graveyard Smash?

Graveyard Smash is held in October, historically on the last Saturday before Halloween. Check Lake Nona's official event page for the exact date each year.

Is Graveyard Smash free?

Yes. Graveyard Smash is free and open to the public, and no ticket is needed.

What time is Graveyard Smash?

It normally starts at 5 PM, with trick-or-treating running until about 8 PM. Some years the DJ and entertainment have continued until 10 PM.

Where is Graveyard Smash held?

Graveyard Smash is held at Lake Nona Town Center, 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827.

Is Graveyard Smash the same as Spooknona?

Yes. Recent promotion calls the event Spooknona Graveyard Smash.