Howl-O-Scream is SeaWorld Orlando’s after-dark Halloween event, and the 2026 season runs on select nights from Sept. 11 to Oct. 31. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the event starts at 7:00 p.m. This year’s lineup has five haunted houses, six scare zones, five themed bars and live shows. The headline addition is “I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch,” the park’s first movie-inspired haunted house.
The event is built for teens and adults who want scare content, not a family daytime Halloween party. SeaWorld describes it as designed for mature audiences. It is a separately ticketed evening event, so regular daytime admission does not get you in. If you want a low-fright fall visit, this is not the right night to pick.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: SeaWorld Orlando
- Dates: Select nights, Sept. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026
- Event nights: Select nights; Fridays and Saturdays in September, with more nights added in October (check the park calendar)
- Haunted houses: 5
- Scare zones: 6
- New for 2026: I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch, plus three other new houses and four new scare zones
- Ticket: Separate event ticket
What’s new for 2026
The park says four of the five haunted houses have all-new storylines. The biggest is “I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch,” based on the 1997 Sony Pictures film. Guests walk through the Southport setting while the Fisherman stalks the path. It is the first time SeaWorld Orlando has used a movie license for a Howl-O-Scream house.
The other new houses are Everything Must Stay, The Dark Net and The Crawl Space. Four of the six scare zones are new as well, and all five themed bars are new this year. Dead Air is the new live show. The park announced the lineup on Aug. 27, 2026.
Haunted houses and scare zones
The five houses are I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch, Everything Must Stay, The Dark Net, The Crawl Space and The Rave Yard. Everything Must Stay is set in an unsold suburban home where every open house goes badly for the buyers. The Dark Net is a dystopian city where cyborgs hunt for blood. The Crawl Space sends guests through abandoned tunnels toward something huge and hungry. The Rave Yard is the returning house, an underground rave beneath a cemetery with neon-lit tombs.
The six scare zones are Dooms District, Extermination Order, Nekrosis and Just One More Chapter, which are all new, plus returning Trailer Park Tragedy and Woodrot Hollow. Dooms District follows apocalypse survivors, Extermination Order puts pest-control crews on the streets, Nekrosis is a seaside town frozen in Y2K, and Just One More Chapter is a gothic garden. The park also lists two roaming hordes.
The five bars are Byte Bar, The Rewind, Resurrection Club, The Black Sheep and Larva Lounge.
Daytime and family activities
There is no daytime or family trick-or-treat program in the Howl-O-Scream ticket. The event is an evening experience that begins at 7:00 p.m., with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Because it is separate from regular admission, plan on arriving in the evening rather than spending the day in the park first, unless you buy a combined ticket.
Between houses there is plenty to do. The shows are Dead Air, Hellzapoppin: The Grave Danger Thrill Show, Throttle and Monster Stomp. Four rides run during the event: Ice Breaker, Mako, Pipeline and Expedition Odyssey. Check the park calendar for show times and any daytime park hours on the date you pick.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
The official ticket page lists a Single-Night ticket from $47.99, a Pass Member single night from $39.99, an Any Night ticket at $64.99, a Night & Day ticket at $99.99 and group tickets for 15 or more from $42.99. Press coverage of the announcement quoted lower starting prices for two or more tickets, so prices appear to change with date and quantity. Confirm the total at checkout.
For unlimited visits, the Two Park Unlimited Scream Pass is $124.99 for SeaWorld only or $189.99 with Busch Gardens. The Front Line Unlimited Scream Pass adds priority access to haunted houses and rides, at $349.99 for SeaWorld only or $499.99 with Busch Gardens. Front Line Fear upgrades and VIP Terror Tours are also offered, so ask about a one-night skip-the-line option when you buy. Parking is not included in ticket prices, and extra fees apply. Buy on seaworld.com.
Tips for your visit
September nights are limited to Fridays and Saturdays, and October adds more nights, so check the calendar before booking. Weeknights that are on the schedule are usually the easier choice if you want shorter lines, though this is a general pattern and not a park guarantee.
Arrive near 6:30 p.m. so you are inside when the event starts at 7:00 p.m. Head to the new headliner house early, since a movie-based house will likely draw the longest waits. Florida evenings can be hot and rainy, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a light rain layer. The park says all haunted houses are ADA accessible. Keep in mind the event is meant for mature audiences, and children under 18 pay full price.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Howl-O-Scream 2026 at SeaWorld Orlando FAQs
When does Howl-O-Scream 2026 start and end?
The event runs on select nights from Sept. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7:00 p.m. Check the park calendar for the exact nights.
Is Howl-O-Scream included with park admission?
No. It is a separately ticketed evening event. The official page lists Single-Night tickets from $47.99, and a Night & Day ticket at $99.99 combines it with daytime access. Parking costs extra.
Is Howl-O-Scream too scary for kids?
SeaWorld says the event is designed for mature audiences, with intense haunted houses, scare zones and roaming hordes. There is no family daytime Halloween option in the event ticket, so parents of young children may prefer to skip it.
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.