Candy buckets and chainsaw scares can share a Halloween vacation, but they make very different nights out. Admission rules can be just as different. Before you reserve a hotel, choose the kind of fright your group wants and check what each park ticket actually includes.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando goes all in on horror at Universal Studios Florida. Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from Aug. 28 through Nov. 1, 2026, with 10 haunted houses for its 35th year. It’s a separately ticketed event, not an add-on automatically included with daytime park admission. Universal also warns that it’s not recommended for children under 13. Book for the scares, not for a quiet night with younger kids.
Knott’s Scary Farm in California
At Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, the familiar park becomes a much darker place after sunset. The 2026 Scary Farm lineup has 10 mazes, including the new Inked and Unearthed, plus five scare zones. The event runs on select nights from Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 and requires its own admission ticket. Knott’s advises against bringing children under 13, making it a better pick for older horror fans than a family candy hunt.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Florida gives you another reason to pack a brave friend. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Howl-O-Scream features six haunted houses, led by the new Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape. The event runs on select nights through Oct. 31, 2026, and starts at 7 p.m. Event ticket holders can enter as early as 5 p.m., but the ticket does not cover regular daytime admission. That difference matters if you also want a full day of rides.
HalloWeekends at Cedar Point
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, makes it easier to split the day between pumpkin fun and nighttime screams. HalloWeekends runs on select dates from Sept. 17 through Nov. 1, 2026, with daytime family activities and haunted experiences after dark. One new haunt, Diablo: The Infernal Path, draws on the video game. Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends page says the haunted mazes require a Haunted Attractions Pass in addition to park admission unless you buy a bundle with both.
Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain
In Valencia, California, Six Flags Magic Mountain turns its roller-coaster park into Fright Fest on select nights from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1, 2026. The maze lineup includes the new werewolf-themed Wolves’ Blood and the returning Vault: 666 Unlocked. You can enjoy the event atmosphere with valid park admission, but entering the haunted mazes costs extra through a Haunted Attractions Pass. The park does not recommend Fright Fest for children under 13.
Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure
New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure brings movie horror to its 2026 Fright Fest lineup. The new JASON: Blood Reign and Final Destination: Death’s Playground appear alongside The Conjuring Universe. Fright Fest runs on select nights from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1, with extra Thursday dates beginning Oct. 8. Scare zones and shows are part of the event atmosphere, but haunted mazes need a separate Haunted Attractions Pass. Check that cost before you choose a hotel near Jackson.
Hersheypark Halloween in Pennsylvania
You don’t have to choose between candy and creepy creatures at Hersheypark. Its Halloween event runs on weekends through Nov. 1, 2026. Children 12 and younger can collect treats at 14 candy stops, while Dark Nights begins at 6 p.m. with five haunted houses and five scare zones. Unlike the maze add-ons at several other parks, Dark Nights is included with Hersheypark Halloween admission. A scare-free route also lets families move around without walking through the darker areas.
Buy the Night You Actually Want
A cheaper ticket can become an expensive surprise when you have to buy the experience you traveled for separately. Pick your must-do attraction first, then compare admission terms, age guidance, and operating dates before you book the room. The right Halloween trip starts with knowing exactly what kind of night you’re buying.