Fright Fest is the after-dark Halloween event at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. In 2026 it runs on select nights from September 18 through November 1, so check the park calendar for the exact dates before you buy. The event combines haunted mazes, scare zones, live shows and open rides. New for 2026 are two mazes: JASON: Blood Reign, the park’s first Friday the 13th maze, and Final Destination: Death’s Playground.
Fright Fest suits teens and adults who want scare content, and the park says it is not recommended for children under 13. Park admission covers the scare zones, shows and rides, but the haunted mazes are sold separately, either in a bundle with admission or through an All-Season Haunted Attractions Pass. Families with younger kids will find the event a poor fit, since the park’s own guidance points away from it.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey
- Dates: September 18 to November 1, 2026
- Event nights: Select nights (check the park calendar)
- Haunted houses: 9
- Scare zones: 5
- New for 2026: JASON: Blood Reign and Final Destination: Death’s Playground
- Ticket: Mazes are a separate purchase; bundles with admission start at $80
What’s new for 2026
The official Fright Fest page lists two new mazes for 2026. JASON: Blood Reign brings the Friday the 13th franchise to the New Jersey park for the first time, and Final Destination: Death’s Playground is the second debut. Haunted Attraction Network’s 2026 guide counts four new mazes, adding Twisted Holidays and Deadwood Cabin, but the park’s own page does not say when those two first opened. Treat JASON and Final Destination as the confirmed new mazes.
Dead Man’s Party is also back after a one-year absence. The show has run since 1999 and is described as more fun than frightening, which makes it a good break between mazes.
Haunted houses and scare zones
The park lists nine mazes: JASON: Blood Reign, Final Destination: Death’s Playground, The Conjuring Universe, Army of the Dead, Asylum, Twisted Holidays, Deadwood Cabin, Big Top Terror and The Witch’s Reflection. Some are built around film franchises, while others are original park concepts.
Five scare zones fill the walkways between rides: CarnEvil, Exile Canyon, Plaza De La Muerte, Curse of Blackbeard’s Bounty and The Bloody Fountain. Scare zones are included with admission, so you can see them without a maze ticket.
Daytime and family activities
Fright Fest is an evening event, and the official page does not describe any daytime family programming such as trick-or-treat trails. Live entertainment includes Dead Man’s Party, Unleashed, The Awakening, Blade Drummers and Freak Show. Check the park calendar for show times on the night you plan to visit.
Guests 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older after 4 p.m., according to Haunted Attraction Network’s summary of the park’s policy. Confirm the current chaperone policy on the park’s code of conduct page before you go. The park has also posted a notice that the Wild Safari portion is closed September 26 and 27 due to weather, with unused tickets valid through the end of the season.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
Admission is required for everyone, regardless of age. Fright Fest Bundles, which combine park admission with access to the haunted mazes, start at $80. The All-Season Haunted Attractions Pass starts at $75 and covers the mazes on any Fright Fest night, though you still need admission or a pass to enter the park.
The official page lists an Express upgrade for both the bundles and the all-season pass. It does not give a price, so check it at checkout. The page also advertises the 2027 Gold Pass at $99 per person, which includes East Coast park access. Buy on the Six Flags Great Adventure website, since prices can change by date.
Tips for your visit
Start times and operating days are not listed on the event page, so look at the park calendar for the night you choose. Arrive early enough to ride before the scare content starts, then head to the mazes while the lines are shorter. If you plan to see several mazes, the all-season pass or an Express upgrade is worth pricing out.
Dress for cool New Jersey evenings and wear comfortable shoes, since the park is large and you will walk between zones. Weather can affect the schedule, so check the park’s site on the day. Parking rates are not listed on the event page, so confirm the cost before you drive.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great Adventure FAQs
When does Fright Fest 2026 start and end?
Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great Adventure runs on select nights from September 18 through November 1, 2026. Check the park calendar for the specific dates and hours.
Is Fright Fest included with park admission?
Partly. Admission covers the park, scare zones, shows and rides, but the haunted mazes are sold separately. Bundles with admission start at $80, and the All-Season Haunted Attractions Pass starts at $75.
Is Fright Fest too scary for kids?
The park says Fright Fest is not recommended for children under 13. Guests 15 and under also need an adult 21 or older with them after 4 p.m., so check the current chaperone policy before you go.
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Photo: User:FlyingLeopard2014 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.