Phantom Fall Fest is Lake Compounce’s Halloween event in Bristol, Connecticut. It is the current name for the event many visitors still know as the Haunted Graveyard. The 2026 season runs from September 19 through November 1 on select days, and each day is split in two: family-friendly daytime fun, then haunted attractions after 6 p.m. New for 2026 are a trick-or-treat trail called Candy Corn Country and a K-Pop inspired show called Ghoul Girls, while the five haunted houses are all returning.
The event suits two kinds of visitors. Families with younger children can spend the afternoon in Kiddie Land, trick-or-treating and watching shows before the scares begin. Teens and adults who want the after-dark experience can stay for the haunted houses and scare zones. Phantom Fall Fest is included with a Lake Compounce park ticket rather than sold as a separate event, and season passholders get in through their pass. The park’s mazes and scare zones are aimed at older guests.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut
- Dates: September 19 to November 1, 2026
- Event nights: Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (check the park calendar)
- Haunted houses: 5
- Scare zones: 2
- New for 2026: Candy Corn Country trick-or-treat trail and Ghoul Girls show
- Ticket: Included with park admission
What’s new for 2026
The 2026 additions are aimed at the daytime crowd. Candy Corn Country gives Kiddie Land a trick-or-treat trail, and Ghoul Girls is a K-Pop inspired performance show. The park has not announced a brand-new haunted house for 2026. Project Nightmare, which debuted in 2025, returns for its second season and is the newest of the houses.
The menu also has seasonal items, including Pumpkin Spiced Fried Oreos, Maple Bacon Pecan Fried Dough and Candy Corn Sundaes on the sweet side, and Hot Honey Chicken Pizza, chili in a bread bowl and smoked turkey legs on the savory side.
Haunted houses and scare zones
Five haunted houses are listed for 2026: Project Nightmare, mAlice in Wonderland 3D, Bloodcraft, Malignant: Overgrown Evil and MediEvil. Project Nightmare was billed as the most intense attraction in the event’s history when it debuted, so it is the one to think about if you are less keen on heavy scares.
Two scare zones are listed, Sawmill Slashers and Atomic Prom. The park says more than 100 scare actors roam the grounds after dark, so expect encounters along the midway as well as inside the houses.
Daytime and family activities
Daytime programming centers on Kiddie Land, the new Candy Corn Country trail and the Ghoul Girls show. Costumes are welcome during daytime hours, which makes the afternoon a good fit for younger trick-or-treaters. Check the park calendar for any other daytime characters or activities on the day you visit.
Haunted attractions and the more intense scare content begin at 6 p.m. Listed hours for the season are Fridays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event runs on select days only, so confirm your exact date on the park calendar before you plan a trip.
Tickets, passes and Speedy Pass
Amusement Today lists single-day tickets at $24.99 for the 2026 event, and the park advertises online discounts, so buy ahead rather than at the gate. Prices can change with demand and date, so check the ticket page when you order. Admission includes access to the scare zones and haunted houses. Unlimited Phantom Fall Fest admission is included with Platinum, Gold and Silver season passes, and Gold and Platinum passes add perks such as free parking.
Lake Compounce sells Speedy Pass, a virtual queue that lets you reserve haunt and ride times in advance instead of standing in the standby line. The park says it can cut wait times at popular attractions by up to 90 percent. We could not load the Speedy Pass price or the list of eligible haunted houses for 2026, so check the Speedy Pass page and the Phantom Fall Fest ticket page before you buy, and reserve early on busy Saturdays.
Parking is listed at $28 for general parking, which can be bought online or on arrival, and $45 for preferred parking, which is first come, first served with limited availability.
Tips for your visit
Everyone aged 17 and under needs a chaperone aged 21 or older with valid ID, and one chaperone can accompany no more than four guests aged 17 or younger per day. Prop weapons, face paint and masks are not permitted at any point during the event, though costumes are welcome during the day. Security has been tightened with bag checks and a weapons detection system at the entrance.
During Phantom Fall Fest, bags larger than 8 by 5 by 2 inches are not permitted, with exceptions for childcare supplies and medical bags. That is much smaller than the 15 by 15 by 15 inch limit that applies on regular park days, so plan to carry only the essentials. The park has not published a recommended age or specific height rules in the sources we found, so use your own judgment for younger children after 6 p.m.
For a shorter wait, arrive around 1 p.m. on a Saturday or Sunday, spend the day in the park and move to the houses as it gets dark. Reserving haunt times with Speedy Pass can also help on crowded nights. Fridays start at 6 p.m., so they suit visitors who only want the haunted content. Dress for cool New England evenings and check the forecast, since rain can affect outdoor attractions.
Explore more: every theme park Halloween event for 2026, by state.
Phantom Fall Fest 2026 at Lake Compounce FAQs
When does Phantom Fall Fest 2026 start and end?
It runs from September 19 to November 1, 2026 on select days, mostly weekends. Listed hours are Fridays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check the park calendar for the exact dates.
Is Phantom Fall Fest included with park admission?
Yes. Event access comes with a Lake Compounce ticket, listed at $24.99 for a single day, and it is included with Platinum, Gold and Silver season passes. Parking is charged separately unless your pass includes it. Speedy Pass, the virtual queue for reserving haunt and ride times, is a separate purchase, so check the park’s Speedy Pass page for current pricing.
Is Phantom Fall Fest too scary for kids?
The daytime hours before 6 p.m. are family friendly, with Kiddie Land, trick-or-treating and shows. The haunted houses and scare zones after 6 p.m. are aimed at older guests, and anyone aged 17 or younger needs a chaperone aged 21 or older. Parents of younger children should check the houses and decide for themselves.
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Photo: Wildcat1 at English Wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.