Howl-O-Scream is the after-dark Halloween event at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia. The 2026 season runs September 11 through November 1 on select nights, with scare content starting at 6 p.m. and continuing until park close, which is roughly 10 to 11 p.m. depending on the night. New for 2026 are two scare zones, Viper Valley and Witch’s Way, plus a new show called Undead Diva.
Howl-O-Scream is aimed at teens and adults. The park says the event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood and is not intended for children. Families who want something gentler can look at the separate daytime Halloween Spooktacular on weekends. Howl-O-Scream is included with regular park admission, so you do not need a separate event ticket, though optional upgrades are sold for the haunted houses.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia
- Dates: September 11 to November 1, 2026 (select nights)
- Event nights: Select nights; check the park calendar (Fridays to Sundays in September, most Thursdays to Sundays in October, plus Monday October 12 and Sunday November 1)
- Haunted houses: 5
- Scare zones: 5
- New for 2026: Viper Valley and Witch’s Way scare zones, Undead Diva show
- Ticket: Included with admission; optional Quick Queue upgrades
What’s new for 2026
Two of the five scare zones, which the park calls Terror-Tories, are new this year: Viper Valley and Witch’s Way. A new show, Undead Diva, joins the entertainment lineup. Monster Stomp on Ripper Row is also a new show and opens October 1.
Fright at the Museum, an archaeological dig gone wrong, opens on September 25, later than the rest of the event. If a particular house matters to you, check the park calendar before you buy tickets.
Haunted houses and scare zones
The 2026 event has five haunted houses. Anaconda: Dead on Arrival follows a search for a missing film crew in the Amazon. Fright at the Museum is set around a dig site that goes wrong. Werewolves: The Wolf’s Revenge has hunters tracking a creature that breaks free from containment. Bloodshot is a vampire dive bar built among Pompeii ruins. Clown Town is a demented circus run by exiled clowns.
The five scare zones are Viper Valley (new), Witch’s Way (new), Disgrotesque, Wicked Wunderland and Ripper Row. Skeletones In Your Closet returns as a show, and the park lists four shows in total. It also lists six BOOze bars and says the park’s coasters stay open at night.
Daytime and family activities
Howl-O-Scream itself does not begin until 6 p.m. Earlier in the day the park runs Halloween Spooktacular, which it describes as silly, not-too-spooky family fun. It runs on Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1. The park’s event page does not give a full activity list, so check the Spooktacular page for details.
The park also promotes an All-Day-Dining Deal during the event. Ask at the gate or check the official page for current terms.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
Howl-O-Scream is included with valid park admission. Haunted house lines can get long on busy nights, so the park sells Quick Queue options that give priority access to the haunted houses and select rides on the date you choose.
According to a Haunted Attraction Network guide updated September 24, 2026, Haunted House Quick Queue costs $89.99, Quick Queue Unlimited Plus costs $109.99, and the NO BOO necklace costs $19.99. Prices can change, so confirm them on the official Busch Gardens site before you buy. The park’s FAQ does not list season pass perks, so check with the park if you hold a pass.
Tips for your visit
Re-entry is not permitted after 8 p.m., so plan your meals and any breaks before then. Bags are not allowed after 4 p.m., except wristlets and fanny packs under 8 by 5 inches. Medical and diaper bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Guests who arrive before 4 p.m. may keep their bags all day.
Costumes are not permitted for guests. Dress for cool evenings, since houses and queues are largely outdoors. Weekday nights in October and early September evenings tend to be calmer than Saturdays, though the park does not publish crowd forecasts. The FAQ mentions a Weather or Not Assurance policy, so read its terms if the forecast looks poor. The FAQ does not state height rules or parking details, so check the park before you go.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Howl-O-Scream 2026 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg FAQs
When does Howl-O-Scream 2026 start and end?
Howl-O-Scream 2026 runs from September 11 through November 1 on select nights at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Scare content starts at 6 p.m. Check the park calendar for the exact dates.
Is Howl-O-Scream included with park admission?
Yes. The park says a valid park admission is required and no separate event ticket is needed. Quick Queue upgrades for the haunted houses are optional and cost extra.
Is Howl-O-Scream too scary for kids?
The park says the event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood and is not intended for children. Children under 18 may attend at a parent’s discretion. Halloween Spooktacular, held on weekend daytimes, is the milder option.
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Photo: Cjh1452000 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.