Howl-O-Scream is the after-dark Halloween event at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. In 2026 it runs on select nights from September 11 through October 31. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the event itself starts at 7 p.m. and continues until park close. The new headliner is Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape, a haunted house built around a film crew fighting to survive. Three new scare zones also debut this year.
The event is written for a mature audience, and the park says it contains intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood. It is a separate ticket, so daytime park admission does not get you in, and Annual Passes are not valid for entry. If you want a family-friendly fall day, this is not the right event. If you enjoy haunted houses, roaming monsters and adult-oriented shows, it is a good fit.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Dates: Select nights, September 11 to October 31, 2026
- Event nights: Select nights (check the park calendar)
- Haunted houses: 6
- Scare zones: 6
- New for 2026: Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape haunted house
- Ticket: Separate ticket (daytime admission not included)
What’s new for 2026
The biggest addition is Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape, the new haunted house. Three scare zones are new as well: Mr. Gleam’s Auto Spa, Rootbound and The Punchline: Riot. The park also describes the returning scare zones as having new storylines, and it frames this year around a Dark Side of the Gardens theme.
Guests will also find new extras around the park. These include Fear Foto, an immersive photo experience with three scenes, and Madame Mary’s Red Rum Social, a speakeasy-style bar. New bars include Forsaken Bar, which comes with The Fallen photo op, plus Nurse’s Nightcap and Dark Side of the Gardens. The show Fiends! Resurrected returns with new music and monsters.
Haunted houses and scare zones
The park lists six haunted houses. Along with the new Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape, the lineup has Stranglewood Estate: RePossessed, Circus of Fear: Killer Encore, Shadows of Wonderland: Reign of Madness, Raven’s Mill and M.A.R.S.
There are six scare zones. Mr. Gleam’s Auto Spa, Rootbound and The Punchline: Riot are new. A roaming horde called The Dead-End Kids also appears. A trade guide lists the returning zones as Breadcrumbs to Nowhere: Once Upon a Time, The Pestilence: Lazarus Strain and Ragnar’s Wrath: Call of Odin.
Daytime and family activities
Howl-O-Scream is an evening event, and the park does not list any kids activities such as trick-or-treat trails. Scare content runs from 7 p.m. to park close. The 5 p.m. gate opening gives you two hours to settle in, ride coasters and eat before the event starts.
Shows fill out the night. Fiends! Resurrected is a pop-culture show, and Cirque X-Scream features trampoline and aerial acts. Costumes are not admitted.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
Prices on the official ticket page start at $48.99 for a Single-Night ticket, or $38.99 online for Pass Members. Groups of 15 or more can buy tickets starting at $43.99 each. An Any Night ticket is $72.99, and a Night and Day Combo starts at $97.99 and includes daytime admission. The Unlimited Scream Pass runs from $124.99 to $189.99, depending on whether you choose one park or both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld. Tickets are non-refundable and nontransferable.
For shorter waits, the Front Line Unlimited Scream Pass runs from $349.99 to $499.99 and lets you skip the lines every night all season. A Fright Feast add-on is a buffet from 6 to 7 p.m. that includes front-of-the-line access to select haunted houses. Check the ticket page for its price. An Overnight Fright Package bundles an Any Night admission with a hotel stay, free parking and discounts.
Tips for your visit
Event nights are select dates, so check the park calendar before you pick a day. Weekend nights are usually busier, so a weeknight date or an early arrival helps. Because gates open at 5 p.m., arriving then lets you do rides and eat before the crowds build for the houses.
There are no rain checks or readmits, so watch the forecast and dress in layers. Leave costumes at home. The park does not state a height or age limit for the scare content, only that the event is for a mature audience, so use your own judgment with teens. Check the park’s website for current parking details.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Howl-O-Scream 2026 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay FAQs
When does Howl-O-Scream 2026 start and end?
Howl-O-Scream 2026 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay runs on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the event starts at 7 p.m. Check the park calendar for the exact nights.
Is Howl-O-Scream included with park admission?
No. It is a separately ticketed night event. Single-Night tickets start at $48.99, and Annual Passes are not valid for entry. A Night and Day Combo starting at $97.99 includes daytime admission.
Is Howl-O-Scream too scary for kids?
The park says the event is intended for a mature audience and contains intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood. It is best suited to teens and adults, and parents should decide based on their child’s comfort with horror.
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Photo: Father of JGKlein, used with permission / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.