We’ve done the work, so you don’t have to. Here is a guide to all of the Halloween-themed events happening at theme parks across the United States. If you notice we missed any, let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook page and we will be sure to add it to the list!
Family-Friendly Events
Hersheypark: Hersheypark After Dark runs weekends in October and will be plentiful in the sweet treats department (it is a candy-themed park after all). Kids can wear costumes and trick or treat.
Walt Disney World: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns this year with so much to enjoy on select dates from August through Halloween. This is a ticketed event that features the Boo-to-You parade, special character appearances, exclusive party treats, a nighttime fireworks spectacular, trick or treating, and more. Most rides will be open with lower wait times due to the limited capacity. This is also the one time when adults can dress in costume at Walt Disney World. Limitations to costumes do apply so be sure to check Disney’s website for restrictions.
Disney California Adventure: Oogie Boogie Bash is a ticketed event that is unfortunately sold out. However, guests can still enjoy holiday theming throughout Disney California Adventure and Disneyland including the holiday overlay on Haunted Mansion.
Cedar Point: Halloweekends take place on select days September 16-October 30. The event features family-filled holiday fun during the day and spooky thrills after dark. During the day, families can enjoy special shows including the Peanuts gang in their Halloween costumes. In the evenings, scare seekers can enjoy scare zones and haunted houses.
Dollywood: Great Pumpkin LumiNights Presented by Covenant Health is a special fall-themed event that includes THOUSANDS of Jack-o-Lanterns displayed and lit up at night. There will also be special treats and no-so-spooky entertainment. The event runs on select days from September 24th through October 30th.
Silver Dollar City: Harvest Festival Presented by Humana is an event showcasing different artisans and craftsmen. It also features thousands of illuminated pumpkins and special fall treats. With Pumpkins in the Cit Presented by Mercy you can also enjoy night rides on some of the best attractions at Silver Dollar City, special photo-ops, and a garden of giant pumpkins. This fall event runs September 21st through October 29th.
Lagoon: Frightmares offers something for all scare levels including nine haunted attractions, entertainment, special food, and games. Guests who wish to not be scared can purchase a “no scare” glow stick for a dollar. There are also scare-free zones in kiddieland and three non-scary attractions for children. The dates for this event are TBD and we will update you when they have been announced.
Sesame Place: Count’s Halloween Spooktacular runs select dates from September 17th through November 6th, and includes costume fun, trick or treating, special shows, a Scarecrow scavenger hunt, and a parade.
LEGOLAND: Brick or Treat Presents Monster Party is a no-so-spooky event featuring live entertainment, limited-time attractions, character appearances, a costume parade, and of course, trick or treating. This event takes place at all three LEGOLAND locations on select weekends in September and October.
Holiday World: Happy Halloween Weekends includes trick or treating and a fun-house called SCAREbnb that is more fun than scary. There is also Holidog’s 3D Halloween Adventure, corn mazes and hayrides, Kitty’s Dance Spooktacular, and Professor Holiday’s Wacky Workshop of Wonders. For those seeing a little more scariness, there is Carnival Chaos, filled with clowns and other carnival haunts. Family-friendly costumes are also permitted! This fun-filled event runs on weekends from September 24th through October 30th.
California’s Great America and Valleyfair: Tricks and Treats is an all-new, all fun, and no fright event that features two different lands: Land of Tricks and Land of Treats. Land of Treats will delight with its candy theming and Land of Tricks offers a spooky but not scary theme. Both lands will include fun games, characters, DJs, crafts, and costume contests. This event runs on select dates at both parks from October 23-October 30th.
Kennywood: Phantom Fall Fest includes special festive foods and décor and family-friendly fun during the day. After 6 pm, the park features scare zones and haunted houses. More information on this event including dates is still forthcoming. We will be sure to update this article when it is announced.
Kentucky Kingdom: Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom will include over 1000 illuminated pumpkins and pumpkin sculptures. There will also be trick or treating and seasonal snacks. You can check out this gourd-o-rific event on weekends in October.
Knott’s Berry Farm: Knott’s Spooky Farm on weekends during regular park hours from September 29th through October 31st. This event features holiday decor, trick or treating, fun costumes, and dance parties with the Peanuts gang. See below for details on Knott’s Berry Farm’s more adult offering, Knott’s Scary Farm.
Six Flags: Fright Fest Presented by Snickers takes place at all Six Flags parks on select days in September and October. While specific events and live entertainment will vary from park to park, the events all feature spooky characters, live shows, haunted houses and scare zones, and trick or treating. This is another offering where it is more family-friendly during the day and turns scarier in the evening.
Looking for something with a bit more fright? Now let’s check out all those events intended for your scare hunting teen or adult…
Intended for Adults and Teens
Universal Studios: Halloween Horror Nights at both Universal Studios Orlando and Hollywood are regarded as one of the best scare-filled Halloween events at any theme park. Both parks include several haunted houses at this ticketed event with themes like Halloween (the movie), The Horrors of Blumhouse, and The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare. There are also scare zones, live entertainment, and special themed food and drinks. You can even enjoy some of your favorite rides. Halloween Horror Nights run on select dates from early September through Halloween.
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens: Howl-O-Scream is a ticketed night event running at both the Busch Gardens parks and SeaWorld. It features scare zones, haunted houses, thrilling coaster rides, and live entertainment. You can check it out on select dates from September 9th through October 31st.
Worlds of Fun: Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun features fog-filled midways that will be crawling with 400 monsters and ghouls after 6 pm. Can you make it from one ride to the next without getting spooked? The event runs on select days from September 16th through October 29th.
Kings Dominion: Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion runs select nights from September 24th through October 30th and includes haunted mazes, scare zones, ride thrills, and live shows.
Kings Island: Halloween Haunt at Kings Island was voted the best theme park Halloween event last year by USA TODAY. It features scare mazes and scare zones, rides on coasters, and live entertainment. The event runs on select dates from September 23 through October 29.
Dorney Park: Halloween Haunt at Dorney Park runs select dates from September 16th through October 29th and includes scare mazes, scare zones, rides, and live entertainment.
Knott’s Berry Farm: Knott’s Scary Farm takes place on weekends in October. It features creepy mazes and haunted attractions and shows. You won’t be able to escape on of the more than 1,000 lurking around every turn throughout the entire park. This is a separate ticketed event, and tickets go on sale August 15th. The event runs select nights from September 22 through October 31.
Carowinds: SCarowinds includes haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment, and rides. This event runs on select dates from September 16th through October 31st.
Let us know your thoughts on the line up for Halloween 2022 by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page and don’t forget to give us a heads up if we have missed a great event which is taking place. Happy Halloween!
