Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois runs on select nights from September 19 through November 1, 2026. The park marks the 35th Fright Fest this year. Regular daytime operations continue, and the park turns scary at dusk, so the day and the night event share one gate. Two new haunted mazes, Blair Witch: No Signal and Nightmares, are the main additions for 2026.
The event suits two kinds of visitors. Families with younger kids can enjoy the daytime park, fall treats and the Tricks and Treats activities, while teens and adults can stay for the scare content after dark. Coasters in the dark, live shows and the scare zones come with park admission. The haunted mazes are a separate purchase, either through a bundle or a standalone pass. The park does not recommend the evening scare content for children under 13.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, Illinois
- Dates: September 19 to November 1, 2026
- Event nights: Select nights (check the park calendar)
- Haunted houses: 5
- Scare zones: 7
- New for 2026: Two new mazes: Blair Witch: No Signal and Nightmares
- Ticket: Scare zones and shows included with admission; mazes are an add-on
What’s new for 2026
Two of the five mazes are new this year. Blair Witch: No Signal sends guests through forest scenes in near-total darkness. Nightmares is built around twisted clowns, crawling spiders and disorienting illusions.
The live entertainment lineup also adds two new shows, MasqueRAVE and The Velvet Quarter, according to Haunted Attraction Network. The Uprising: Nightly Call of the Dead returns. Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which ran in 2025, is no longer part of the lineup.
Haunted houses and scare zones
Five mazes make up the 2026 lineup. Alongside the two new ones, three return: The Conjuring Universe, SAW: Legacy of Terror and The Estate at Wretched Meadows.
Seven scare zones spread through the park after dark: Necropolis, Oddities: Circus of Madness, Forbidden Forest, Underworld, Head Bangerz, Lost Souls and Wretched Meadows. Necropolis is listed as returning. The scare zones are open-air, so you meet them while walking between rides.
Daytime and family activities
Daytime operations run as usual on event days. The park lists Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest as its family-friendly fall activities, so check the park calendar for which dates each one runs.
The scare content begins at dusk. The park does not recommend Fright Fest after 6 p.m. for children younger than 13, so plan to finish family time by early evening if your group includes younger kids. Exact nightly hours are not published on the pages reviewed, so confirm them on the park calendar before you go.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
Park admission covers the rides, scare zones and shows. Haunted mazes require a separate pass. Fright Fest Bundles, which combine admission with maze access, start at $75. The Haunted Attractions Pass, which covers the mazes only, starts at $35. Pricing is dynamic by date, so the price you see depends on the night you choose.
Haunted Attraction Network reports that an Express upgrade is available. The official page also lists a 2027 Gold Pass at $85 per person for multi-park access. Season pass perks for Fright Fest are not detailed on the pages reviewed, so pass holders should check their benefits with the park. Buy tickets on the official Six Flags Great America site.
Tips for your visit
Because the event runs only on select nights, check the park calendar first and pick a confirmed Fright Fest date. If you plan to do several mazes, buy the maze add-on or bundle ahead of time, since prices change by date.
Arrive in the afternoon so you can ride in daylight and then stay for the after-dark scare content. Late September and October evenings in northern Illinois can turn cold, so bring a jacket and comfortable shoes for walking.
Costumes are restricted. The official page says full-face masks are prohibited for guests over 12, and Haunted Attraction Network reports that costumes and face coverings are not allowed, so leave costumes at home. No height requirements for the scare content are listed, and parking details are not published on the pages reviewed, so check the park site for parking rates.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great America FAQs
When does Fright Fest 2026 start and end?
Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great America runs on select nights from September 19 through November 1, 2026. Check the park calendar for the specific event dates.
Is Fright Fest included with park admission?
Partly. The scare zones, live shows and coasters in the dark come with park admission. The haunted mazes need a separate pass or a Fright Fest Bundle, which starts at $75 with admission included. A mazes-only Haunted Attractions Pass starts at $35.
Is Fright Fest too scary for kids?
The park does not recommend Fright Fest after 6 p.m. for children younger than 13. Daytime operations, Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest are the better fit for younger kids.
Get More from Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great America
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great America, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.
Photo: Jonrev / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.