Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2026 has new Haunted Houses, Terror-tories and Shows this Season!
Howl-O-Scream® is back for 2026 select nights September 11, 2026 through November 01, 2026
🎃 Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® is BACK this fall – and it’s taking over the whole park! Get ready for 5 haunted houses, 6 terror-tories™, 4 sinister shows, and plenty of creepy surprises lurking around every corner. 😱 For the latest discounts on tickets visit our Busch Gardens Ticket Discount post HERE.
🌙 Feeling brave? Tackle 10 world-class coasters under the cover of night for a totally different thrill!
⚠️ Heads-up: after 6:00 PM, things get extra spooky (read: not-so-kid-friendly). Parental discretion is strongly advised! If you are an adult that doesn’t like being scared they have necklaces that you can purchase and wear that let staff know you don’t like jump scares! But they don’t grab you or touch you so a most it is a jump scare. They are good at those though!
👶 Friendly reminder: Sesame Street Forest of Fun, Land of the Dragons, and other kid areas close at 5:00 PM each night so the park can transform into its haunted self. Counts Spooktacular runs on Saturday’s and Sundays and is made for kids. More info on that below.
Haunted Houses in Howl-O-Scream 2026
First let’s start with the 5 Haunted Houses ALL-NEW HAUNTED HOUSE!
Anaconda: Dead on Arrival – ALL-NEW!
Set in the world of Anaconda, you’re sent deep into the Amazon to search for the missing film crew. What begins with an abandoned movie set quickly turns into a fight for survival as the jungle is overrun by the giant anaconda. Escape its deadly grip… or become its next victim.
Fright at the Museum – ALL-NEW!
At this museum, the past comes back to haunt you. What begins as an archaeological dig quickly becomes a nightmare when cursed artifacts awaken. From savage Vikings to undead pharaohs, the horrors of the past are waiting to claim their next discovery. Opening Sept. 25
🐺 Werewolves: The Wolf’s Revenge – Returning Favorite!
The legend lives! After years of silence, something more than human, more than animal has returned to the forest. Hunters thought they had captured the beast, locking it away in a secure facility… but now the hunters are the hunted. The chains are broken, the moon is high, and the werewolf is on the loose. Good luck making it out alive. 🌕
🩸 Bloodshot – Returning Favorite!
Deep in the ruins of Pompeii lies a secret bar that never closes… and never serves cocktails. 🍷 The vampires here are thirsty, the taps are dry, and they’re looking for their next “drink special.” Get out before last call… or you might end up becoming the main pour.
🤡 Clown Town – Returning Favorite!
The clowns of Festa Italia are back – and they’re madder than ever. Cast out for being “too terrifying,” they’ve created their own twisted circus where THEY make the rules. Escape if you can… before you become the punchline. 🎪
For Busch Gardens ticket discounts visit here.
Terror-tories at Howl-O-Scream for 2026
Howl-O-Scream has six Terror-tories and a roaming horde of monsters with chainsaws. The Terror-tories are sections of the park that you walk though…but beware…there are scary characters all about waiting to terrorize you!
Viper Valley Terror-Tory – ALL NEW!
Once a lively festival honoring the legends of the Amazon, this celebration is now overrun with slithering snakes, ready to strike around every twist and turn.
Witch’s Way Terror-Tory – ALL-NEW!
Beneath its cursed canopy, evil witches and ancient crones command the enchanted woods while twisted vines and haunted foliage close in around you. Lose your way, and the forest may claim you forever.
🪩 Disgrotesque – RETURNING FAVORITE!
Welcome to a disco inferno where the beats are sinister and the dance floor is a nightmare. 💃🪩 Towering skulls, glowing lights, and the Master of Mayhem turn France village into a macabre dance party you won’t forget.
🎄 Wicked Wunderland – RETURNING FAVORITE!
Holiday cheer has taken a dark turn in this haunted alpine village. ❄️ Garlands rot, snowmen snarl, and Krampus is on the prowl. It’s a twisted winter wonderland where the only gift is fear.
🔪 Ripper Row – RETURNING FAVORITE! ( Fan favorite – and these actors really know how to sneak up on you!) Whitechapel after dark? Bad idea. 🩸 Murder and mayhem lurk around every corner, and no one is who they seem. Step into the foggy alleys where shadows watch your every move – but beware, you might not walk back out.
🎭 Fest-Evil – RETURNING FAVORITE!
Mardi Gras has gone mad! 🎷🎭 The spirits of the swamp are spilling into the streets, drawn by the party vibes – but something darker has taken hold. What was once a celebration is now a curse, and you’re dancing right into danger.
Shows for 2026 Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens
Don’t miss this year’s four spirited productions that are said to be “worth dying for.” Guests can enjoy showtimes throughout the day in indoor theatres and in Ireland village. Keep reading to see more about each one.
🎸 Skeletones In Your Closet – Returning Favorite! (on stage in the Festhaus – it was fantastic!)
Ever wake up with a tune stuck in your head? 🎶 It’s because The Skeletones have been throwing a midnight jam session in your room! These bony rockers aren’t here to scare you – just to play all night long. Don’t worry, they’ll be gone by sunrise… but the song might still be stuck in your head because they are all famous. This is in the Festhaus so grab something to eat and enjoy the show!
The Starfright Orchestra RETURNING FAVORITE!
Celebrate the start of Howl-O-Scream with the return of Starfright Orchestra! Celebrate the start of Howl-O-Scream with the return of Starfright Orchestra! On September 12 and 13, the high-energy swing band will take the stage in the Globe Theater. Performing a signature soundtrack of spooky songs and familiar TV tunes, it’s the perfect way to kick off Busch Gardens’ most sinister season.
🧪 Fiends – RETURNING FAVORITE! (this one has been revamped so if you have seen it in prior years you will want to catch it again!)
Dr. Freakenstein is back, and fame has only made him wilder! 🌌 His next big plan? To use his brand-new intergalactic teleportation tube to make himself a legend across space AND time. Buckle up – this one’s part mad science, part party, and 100% fiendishly fun. Not really for kids but definitely for adults!
🥁 Monster Stomp® on Ripper Row – RETURNING FAVORITE! (This opens September 26th so we didn’t get to see it on Media Night – but we have seen it many times over the years. This is a solid show and one we always enjoy!) Jack the Ripper has never been this… musical. 🎭 This high-energy rock and rhythm spectacular brings a killer twist to the streets of Whitechapel. Back by popular demand, opening September 26!
🎃 Jack is Back!
They’re back… and ready to party! 🕺 Join Jack O’ Lantern and the spirits of Howl-O-Scream past in France Plaza for a daytime monster bash. Ghouls and goblins of all ages are welcome to show off their best monster moves and dance the day away! 👻💃
BOOze Bars at Howl-O-Scream
BOOZE BARS – Stop by one of the 5 themed BOOze bars located throughout the park for liquid courage to tackle your greatest fears. Become the mastermind behind the scares at the interactive Control Bar, where guests can initiate scares in different villages and houses with the push of a button.
Stop by one of the five themed BOOze bars located throughout the park for liquid courage and a sinister snack to tackle your greatest fears.
Fanta Fright House
Legs & Kegs – New France
Restless Spirits – Italy Gardens
Witches Brew – Oktoberfest
BarKastle Spirits – Oktoberfest
Bürgermeister’s Hideaway – Germany
Howl-O-Wine Bar – France
Don’t forget to stop by some of the shops for Halloween swag including shirts, decorations, jewelry, and much more.
There are absolutely no costumes allowed in the park for the general public. But if you want to join in the Halloween fun, we would recommend getting your face airbrushed. I had my whole face done in under 5 minutes. It is easy, silly and you look crazy in selfies which is great fun.
Busch Gardens becomes a seriously scary place at 6 p.m. when the Howl-O-Scream haunts come out. Guests should consider the park’s elevated scare factor when deciding whether Howl-O-Scream is appropriate for young children after 6 pm. If your little ones do not like scary creatures coming at them with chainsaws, or creatures jumping out from the woods, then you might plan to end your visit at 5:45 pm. They will have a great time during the day and for older kids, teen and adults – Howl-O-Scream is a great time anytime!
Halloween Spooktacular at Busch Gardens 2026
During the daytime Howl-O-Scream has lots of fun kid-friendly activities. These include trick or treating, a hay maze, character fun, and more. Saturdays & Sundays from Sept. 19 – Nov. 1, 2026 kids (ages nine and under) are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and join the Halloween fun including exciting, family-friendly rides, our hay maze, and a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
For more information visit Busch Gardens. For the latest discounts on tickets visit our Busch Gardens Ticket Discount post HERE.
We hope this review helped you decide to enjoy Howl-O-Scream with your family this season. It is a scream-fest-of-a-good-time – it’s official..we love it!
Want to read more about Busch Gardens? Check out our other Unofficial Guides:
Busch Garden: Unofficial Guide (great tips from locals)
Busch Garden’s Food & Wine Festival Unofficial Guide
WilliamsburgFamilies.com is a member of the Thrill Chasers™ Blogger Ambassador team and is invited to attend new ride and show openings as well as review food and events at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
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