SCarowinds is Carowinds’ after-dark Halloween event, running select nights from September 11 through November 7, 2026, with haunted mazes, scare zones, live shows and the park’s coasters running after sunset.
This guide covers exactly what you need before you buy: the full schedule, how the two-ticket system for park admission and mazes works, every maze and scare zone for 2026, parking basics, and the family-friendly daytime alternative for kids under 13.
Quick Answer
SCarowinds 2026 runs select nights from September 11 through November 7 at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. Park admission covers the scare zones, live shows and rides; the five haunted mazes (including the new Jason: Blood Reign) require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass or a bundle ticket, and The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is priced on its own. The event is not recommended for kids under 13 — families with younger children should visit the daytime Tricks and Treats event instead.
SCarowinds 2026 Dates and Hours
SCarowinds operates on select nights from September 11 through November 7, 2026, with an extra pair of nights added for November 6-7 beyond the event’s original closing date. Because it runs on select nights rather than every night of the week, always check the park’s online calendar before you plan a trip — Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are typically scheduled every week, with some Thursdays added as the season progresses.
Event start times generally fall between 6 and 7 p.m., with mazes opening roughly an hour after park rides go into evening mode. Closing times vary by night and by how late rides, mazes and shows are scheduled to run, so confirm the hours for your specific date rather than assuming they match a previous visit.
What’s New for 2026
The headline addition is Jason: Blood Reign, a maze that places guests inside scenes drawn from across the Friday the 13th film franchise, set in the dark woods around a summer camp. The park and several event guides treat it somewhat differently — the official event page files it under immersive experiences, while other haunt coverage counts it as the event’s fifth maze — so budget for it as part of the maze lineup either way.
Three scare zones are new for 2026: Carnevil – Midway of Mayhem (a clown-themed zone), Lost Souls (a cult-themed storyline) and Restricted (built around a 1959 government weapons-test premise). Four new shows round out the additions: The Resurgence, Blade Drummers: The Sacrifice, Sinister Slide Squad and Incantations with the Enchantress.
Every Haunted Maze and Scare Zone
The maze lineup for 2026 includes Paranormal Inc., Slaughterhouse, Silver Scream Studios: Director’s Cut, The Toothfairy and the new Jason: Blood Reign. The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is a separate walkthrough set in the world of the Conjuring films, where guests act as paranormal investigators; it’s priced and reserved apart from the main maze pass.
The five scare zones — Carnevil, Lost Souls, Restricted, The Hollow and Grave Garden — are open to anyone with park admission and are generally milder than the ticketed mazes, making them a good option for guests who want atmosphere without a full scare-actor encounter. Six live shows fill out the evening, including returning favorites The Spectral Sisters and Wake the Dead alongside the four new 2026 productions.
Tickets, Passes and Pricing
SCarowinds uses a two-tier ticket structure. Regular park admission covers scare zones, shows and rides during event nights. The haunted mazes need an add-on: either a Haunted Attractions Pass purchased on its own, or a bundle that combines park admission with maze access in one purchase. The official event page lists bundles starting around $55 and a standalone maze pass starting around $10, both plus a processing fee and tax — but these starting prices change with demand and date, so treat them as a floor rather than a guarantee.
The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is priced and sold separately from the main maze pass. Season passholders can typically add an all-season haunted attractions pass for unlimited maze entry across the run. An optional no-scare necklace is also sold at the park and online for guests who want to skip most scare-actor interactions in the zones (it doesn’t apply inside the mazes). Because prices shift throughout the season, check the current rates and available dates on the official SCarowinds event page before buying.
Parking and Getting There
Carowinds sells standard parking and a closer preferred parking option, both by the vehicle per day; exact rates fluctuate across the season and are cheaper when prepaid online than at the gate. On SCarowinds nights, lots fill with both daytime park guests and evening-only visitors, so arriving with extra time for the entrance gates and parking toll plazas is worth it, especially on weekend nights. Current parking rates and any event-specific parking notes are posted on the official Carowinds website.
Tricks and Treats: The Family-Friendly Daytime Option
Families with younger children aren’t left out — Tricks and Treats runs on select weekend days from mid-September through early November, during daytime hours before the scares begin. It includes a trick-or-treat trail, a costume contest, a pumpkin patch, PEANUTS character meet-and-greets, and other activities the park bills as all fun, no fear. It’s included with regular park admission, so no separate ticket is needed.
Because SCarowinds and Tricks and Treats run on overlapping dates but at different times of day, families can combine a daytime Tricks and Treats visit with an early exit before the evening scare zones activate, or return another night without kids for the full SCarowinds experience.
Tips for Your SCarowinds Visit
Pick your night using the park calendar first — weekend nights draw the biggest crowds, so a Thursday or Sunday (when scheduled) is usually calmer for maze lines. Arrive before sunset if you also want ride time, since coasters like Fury 325 are far less crowded in daylight than they become once the mazes open.
Dress for changing October and early-November weather with a layer and closed, comfortable shoes for standing in maze queues. Kids under 13 are better served by Tricks and Treats than SCarowinds itself, per the park’s own guidance. Finally, build in extra time for parking and gate entry on peak nights — it’s consistently the part of the evening visitors most underestimate.
Photos
Plan Your Carowinds Visit
- Carowinds park guide: hours, tickets, rides and parking
- Carowinds height requirements for every ride
- Scariest rides at Carowinds, ranked
- Carowinds roller coaster history
- WinterFest 2026 at Carowinds
Small enough to ride with on most coasters, big enough for a phone, card and keys. Two zippers mean nothing falls out upside down.
A fan and a mist in one, rechargeable. Very popular in queue lines once the afternoon sun hits.
Build a working coaster on the kitchen table and learn why the first drop has to be the tallest. A good gift for young coaster fans.
SCarowinds 2026 at Carowinds FAQs
When does SCarowinds 2026 start and end?
SCarowinds 2026 runs on select nights from September 11 through November 7, 2026, including two added nights on November 6-7 beyond the event’s original close date. Operating nights and hours vary by week, so check the Carowinds calendar before you buy tickets.
Is SCarowinds included with regular park admission?
Partly. Park admission covers the scare zones, live shows and rides during SCarowinds. The haunted mazes, including the new Jason: Blood Reign, require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass or a bundle ticket, and The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is sold as its own separate experience.
Is SCarowinds too scary for kids?
Carowinds does not recommend SCarowinds for children under 13. Families with younger kids should plan around Tricks and Treats instead, a daytime weekend event with no scare content that runs on select days through early November.
What is new at SCarowinds for 2026?
The big addition is the Jason: Blood Reign maze, themed to the Friday the 13th film franchise. Three new scare zones (Carnevil, Lost Souls and Restricted) and four new shows also debut in 2026 alongside the returning mazes and attractions.
Do I need a separate ticket for parking?
Yes. Parking at Carowinds is sold separately from admission, with a standard and a closer preferred option priced per vehicle per day. Rates are generally lower when prepaid online, and current pricing is posted on the official Carowinds site.
How much are SCarowinds tickets?
Pricing starts around $55 for a bundle that includes park admission and maze access, or around $10 for a maze-only add-on to existing admission, plus processing fees and tax. Prices change with date and demand, so confirm current rates on the official SCarowinds event page before purchasing.
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