Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Antonio is the park’s after-dark Halloween event, and 2026 marks its 25th anniversary. The official SeaWorld page lists select dates from September 11 through November 1, 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The event starts at 7 p.m. and continues to park close, with guests able to enter the park from 6 p.m. New for 2026 are three haunted houses, including one based on the horror film franchise I Know What You Did Last Summer, plus a new stage show.
The event suits teens and adults who want haunted houses, roaming monsters and Halloween cocktails. The park describes it as intended for a mature audience, with violence, gore and blood. Families with younger kids will be better served by the separate daytime Halloween Spooktacular. Howl-O-Scream is included with regular park admission and with Annual Passes on event dates, so there is no separate event ticket.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: SeaWorld San Antonio
- Dates: Select dates, September 11 to November 1, 2026
- Event nights: Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (check the park calendar)
- Haunted houses: 5
- Scare zones: 8
- New for 2026: Three new haunted houses and the Shamu Rocks: Moonlight Mayhem show
- Ticket: Included with admission
What’s new for 2026
The 25th anniversary lineup adds three haunted houses. I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch is licensed from Sony Pictures and draws on the 1997 film, including its raincoat-wearing Fisherman. Dead Wreckoning is built around a doomed pirate ship in its final hours. Witch of the Woods centers on a witch who lures visitors into her lair deep in the forest. On the entertainment side, Shamu Rocks: Moonlight Mayhem is a new show for the event.
Haunted houses and scare zones
Five haunted houses are open this year. Along with the three new ones, The Swamp at Blackwater Bayou and Dis-Assembly Line return. The park also lists eight scare zones spread across the grounds, where roaming monsters work the crowds between houses. Monster Stomp returns as one of the event’s stage productions, and the park lists three stage productions in total. Seven themed bars serve Halloween cocktails. Check the official event page for the current scare zone names, since we could not confirm them individually.
Daytime and family activities
Family Halloween content runs separately as Halloween Spooktacular, on select dates over the same September 11 to November 1 window. It includes trick-or-treating at multiple locations for kids ages 12 and younger (in limited quantities), the Spookley the Square Pumpkin maze for photos, Kid-friendly Halloween shows and character experiences, and a Dia de los Muertos celebration with cultural performances. A Baby Shark live show and meet-and-greets are listed as opening September 18. Scare content does not begin until 7 p.m., so daytime guests can enjoy the family activities first. Check the park calendar for the exact hours on your date.
Tickets, passes and Fast Lane
Howl-O-Scream is included with all admission products and Annual Passes on event dates, and single-day daytime tickets include access to the nighttime event. You can buy tickets on the SeaWorld San Antonio website. The park also sells Howl-O-Scream Upgrades, which it calls Evil Upgrades or Fear Passes. These offer priority entry to popular rides and haunts plus reserved seating at participating shows. The ticket page also mentions an Ultimate VIP Tour and a Boo-ze & Brews experience. Prices were not listed on the pages we checked, so confirm them at checkout.
Tips for your visit
Costumes are not allowed, so plan to come as yourself. Because the event runs on select nights, confirm your date on the park calendar before you buy. Entry opens at 6 p.m., and arriving at the start gives you an hour to get in and pick a first haunted house before the event officially begins at 7 p.m. Lines tend to build later in the evening, so consider using an upgrade if you want to fit in all five houses. San Antonio evenings can stay warm into early October, then cool off, so check the forecast and dress in layers. Wear comfortable shoes for the walking. The park does not publish an age minimum on the pages we reviewed, but the content is described as intense, so use your own judgment for teens. For parking and any bag rules, check the official event page before you go.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Howl-O-Scream 2026 at SeaWorld San Antonio FAQs
When does Howl-O-Scream 2026 start and end?
SeaWorld San Antonio lists select dates from September 11 through November 1, 2026, mainly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The event begins at 7 p.m. and guests can enter from 6 p.m. Check the park calendar for the exact nights.
Is Howl-O-Scream included with park admission?
Yes. The park lists the event as included with admission and with Annual Passes on event dates. Optional upgrades such as priority entry and reserved show seating cost extra.
Is Howl-O-Scream too scary for kids?
The park says it is intended for a mature audience and includes violence, gore and blood. Younger kids will likely prefer the daytime Halloween Spooktacular, which has trick-or-treating and a pumpkin maze.
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Photo: ExclusiveAgent / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.