Kennywood is calling 2026 its longest Phantom Fall Fest yet, with the haunted event running select dates from September 12 through November 1 in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. By day it is a family-friendly fall festival with rides and trick-or-treating; after 6 p.m. the park flips into what longtime fans still call Phantom Fright Nights, with seven haunted houses and four outdoor scare zones taking over the midways.
Whether you searched for Phantom Fall Fest, Fright Night, or just ticket prices, this guide covers the same event from both angles: the gentle daytime visit built for younger kids and the full after-dark haunt experience for teens and adults, plus exactly what it costs and how the tickets work.
Quick Answer
Phantom Fall Fest 2026 runs select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 12 to November 1 at Kennywood. Gate admission is $74.99, with dated tickets available from as low as $37.49 on discounted dates; the price covers rides, all seven haunted houses and all four scare zones, so there is no separate haunt upcharge. The after-dark portion of the event is the same thing people search for as “Fright Night” at Kennywood — Kennywood’s own marketing still calls it Phantom Fright Nights.
Is “Fright Night” the Same Thing as Phantom Fall Fest?
Yes. Phantom Fright Nights is Kennywood’s name for the after-dark half of Phantom Fall Fest — the stretch after 6 p.m. when the seven haunted houses and four scare zones open and the daytime family activities wind down. It is not a separate ticket or a separate event; it is included in the same Phantom Fall Fest admission described above.
If you are looking specifically for the scares, plan to arrive close to 6 p.m. on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday event date. Friday nights run the full evening (6 to 11 p.m.) with no daytime crowd to compete with, which makes them the closest thing to a pure “fright night” visit on the calendar.
What’s New for 2026
The headline change is Ghostwood Estate: Open House. Kennywood’s trackless dark ride has been converted into a walkthrough set in the home of Lord Kenneth Ghostwood. Before 6 p.m. on weekends, the lights stay on and guests meet characters and collect candy; after 6 p.m., the same estate becomes an adult-oriented haunted house with live scare actors moving through its rooms alongside the existing animatronics. Daytime trick-or-treating in the estate starts September 19.
The second addition is the Fall Fest Tasting Experience, a food event with seasonal items such as a potato kielbasa skillet, smoked sausage mac and cheese, and maple cinnamon sweet potato fries. A five-sample tasting card is $39.99, and season passholders get six samples for the same price. Coverage also notes mALICE in Wonderland Unleashed has been expanded from earlier years.
The 7 Haunted Houses and 4 Scare Zones
Kennywood lists seven haunted houses for 2026: Ghostwood Estate: Open House, Detached, mALICE in Wonderland Unleashed, Shady Grove, Dark Shadows, Voodoo Bayou and Kennyville Cemetery. Detached is the long-running fan favorite, built around a puppet maker’s toy shop. Shady Grove is a hospital, Dark Shadows is a pitch-black walkthrough, Voodoo Bayou is a swamp, and Kennyville Cemetery is zombie themed.
Four scare zones roam the midways after dark: Fear Fest, a carnival with clowns; Dead Light District, a zombie-apocalypse city block; Hellbilly Hollow, a cannibal farm in the cornfields; and The Welcoming, a fog tunnel. All seven haunts and four zones start at 6 p.m. on every event day and are included with regular admission.
Daytime and Family Activities
Weekend afternoons are the gentler part of the event. More than 30 rides operate during Phantom Fall Fest, and Kiddieland and Kennywood Junction are open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The lights-on Ghostwood Estate trick-or-treat walk is the main new family draw for 2026, and fall-themed food and seasonal decor round out the day.
Hours vary by day: Fridays run 6 to 11 p.m. (haunts only, no daytime family session), Saturdays run noon to 11 p.m., and Sundays run noon to 10 p.m. Kids 12 and under may wear costumes; guests over 12 cannot. Because the event runs on select dates only, always check the park calendar before you go.
Phantom Fall Fest Ticket Prices and How They Work
Kennywood prices Phantom Fall Fest the same way it prices regular park admission: a standard gate price, with cheaper dated tickets for specific calendar days booked in advance. The gate price is $74.99, and dated online tickets start at $37.49 on discounted dates — roughly half off — so buying a dated ticket ahead of time online is consistently the cheapest way in. That single price covers park rides, all seven haunted houses and all four scare zones; there is no separate haunt ticket to buy.
Kennywood also sells Speedy Pass, a paid skip-the-line add-on that shortens waits on select rides and haunts, for guests who want to move faster through the busiest nights. Gold and Platinum season passholders on 2026 and 2027 passes get unlimited Phantom Fall Fest admission at no extra charge, which is usually the better value if you plan to visit more than once or twice. For the current calendar, exact dated prices, and parking details, check the official Kennywood website before you buy, since pricing and open dates shift throughout the season.
Tips for Your Visit
Guests 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older with a valid ID, so bring ID for the adult in your group. Weekend nights are the busiest; a Friday visit or a discounted date is a calmer way to see the haunts. If you want both the daytime and after-dark versions of Ghostwood Estate, arrive on a Saturday or Sunday early enough to walk it before 6 p.m.
Pittsburgh in October can be cold and wet, so pack layers and a rain jacket. Kennywood says all haunts are wheelchair accessible. Check the official site for parking details and the event calendar before you leave, since prices and hours vary by date.
Photos
Plan Your Kennywood Visit
Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Keeps your phone strapped to you, not in a loose-article bin. Zip it before the lift hill and walk straight off the exit ramp.
Kennywood Phantom Fall Fest 2026 FAQs
When does Phantom Fall Fest 2026 start and end?
The event runs on select dates from September 12 to November 1, 2026. Fridays run 6 to 11 p.m., Saturdays noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays noon to 10 p.m. Daytime trick-or-treating in Ghostwood Estate starts September 19. Check the park calendar for exact open days.
Is “Fright Night” at Kennywood the same event as Phantom Fall Fest?
Yes. Phantom Fright Nights is Kennywood’s name for the after-dark portion of Phantom Fall Fest, when the seven haunted houses and four scare zones open at 6 p.m. It uses the same ticket as the daytime event, not a separate admission.
What are Phantom Fall Fest ticket prices for 2026?
Gate admission is $74.99. Dated tickets bought online in advance start at $37.49 on discounted dates. Either ticket covers rides, all seven haunted houses and all four scare zones. Gold and Platinum season passholders get in free.
Is Phantom Fall Fest included with park admission, or is it a separate ticket?
It is included. The seven haunted houses and four scare zones are part of regular Phantom Fall Fest admission, not an upcharge. Speedy Pass is the only optional paid add-on, and it only applies to wait times, not entry.
Is Phantom Fall Fest too scary for young kids?
The daytime hours (noon to 6 p.m. on weekends) are designed for families, with lights-on trick-or-treating and no scare actors. The haunted houses and scare zones that start at 6 p.m. are built for teens and adults and are not recommended for young children.
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