Top 20 US Amusement Parks for Halloween Thrills
Updated for 2025!
Cedar Point Hall.oweekends. Sandusky, Ohio
My family and I eagerly head to Cedar Point for Halloweekends each fall. It's one of our favorite family activities. My stepdaughter loves the evening haunted events that start after 7 p.m., while my husband, son, and granddaughter prefer the family-friendly daytime activities. The nighttime crowds are overwhelming, so we avoid them. We understand why it's so popular. They do an excellent job of making Frontier Land a truly haunted experience.
Halloween at amusement parks combines the thrill of rides with spooky festivities. Here are the top 20 amusement parks across the US that offer the best Halloween weekends, along with information on locations, dates, and accommodation suggestions.
1. Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Location: Orlando, FL and Hollywood, CA
Weekends Available: Select nights from early September to early November
Highlights: Haunted houses, scare zones, live shows
Where to Stay: Universal’s on-site hotels or nearby options like the Hilton Universal City
2. Knott's Scary Farm
Location: Buena Park, CA
Weekends Available: Thursdays through Sundays, mid-September to Halloween
Highlights: Mazes, scare zones, live entertainment
Where to Stay: Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel or nearby budget hotels
3. Six Flags Fright Fest
Locations: Multiple locations including Jackson, NJ; Arlington, TX; and Valencia, CA
Weekends Available: Select nights from mid-September to Halloween
Highlights: Haunted attractions, scare zones, themed rides
Where to Stay: Nearby hotels or Six Flags partnered accommodations
4. Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream
Locations: Tampa, FL and Williamsburg, VA
Weekends Available: Select nights from mid-September to Halloween
Highlights: Haunted houses, live shows, scare zones
Where to Stay: On-site hotels or nearby options like the Embassy Suites Tampa
5. Cedar Point HalloWeekends
Location: Sandusky, OH
Weekends Available: Fridays through Sundays, mid-September to late October
Highlights: Haunted houses, shows, kid-friendly events
Where to Stay: Hotel Breakers or nearby budget-friendly hotels
6. Disneyland Halloween Time
Location: Anaheim, CA
Weekends Available: Early September to Halloween
Highlights: Halloween-themed attractions, parades, and shows
Where to Stay: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel or nearby budget hotels
7. Walt Disney World’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Location: Orlando, FL
Weekends Available: Select nights from mid-August to early November
Highlights: Trick-or-treating, themed parades, fireworks
Where to Stay: Disney’s on-site resorts or nearby options like the Swan and Dolphin Resort
8. Hersheypark in the Dark
Location: Hershey, PA
Weekends Available: Fridays through Sundays in October
Highlights: Trick-or-treating, themed rides, live entertainment
Where to Stay: Hershey Lodge or nearby affordable hotels
9. Kings Island Halloween Haunt
Location: Mason, OH
Weekends Available: Fridays and Saturdays, mid-September to late October
Highlights: Haunted mazes, scare zones, live shows
Where to Stay: Great Wolf Lodge or nearby budget hotels
10. Legoland Brick-or-Treat
Locations: Carlsbad, CA and Winter Haven, FL
Weekends Available: Saturdays and Sundays, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Costume contests, trick-or-treating, shows
Where to Stay: Legoland Hotel or nearby family-friendly hotels
11. SeaWorld Spooktacular
Locations: San Diego, CA; Orlando, FL; and San Antonio, TX
Weekends Available: Select weekends, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Trick-or-treating, themed shows, kid-friendly activities
Where to Stay: On-site hotels or nearby affordable options
12. Dollywood Great Pumpkin LumiNights
Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
Weekends Available: Late September to Halloween
Highlights: Pumpkin displays, light shows, kid-friendly activities
Where to Stay: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort or nearby budget hotels
13. Silver Dollar City’s Pumpkin Nights
Location: Branson, MO
Weekends Available: Wednesdays through Sundays, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Light displays, themed shows, family-friendly activities
Where to Stay: Silver Dollar City Campground or nearby affordable hotels
14. Carowinds SCarowinds
Location: Charlotte, NC
Weekends Available: Fridays and Saturdays, mid-September to late October
Highlights: Haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment
Where to Stay: SpringHill Suites or nearby budget-friendly hotels
15. Kennywood Phantom Fright Nights
Location: West Mifflin, PA
Weekends Available: Fridays and Saturdays, late September to October
Highlights: Haunted attractions, scare zones, themed rides
Where to Stay: Nearby budget hotels or B&Bs
16. California's Great America Halloween Haunt - Reports indicate that they will not be hosting seasonal events in 2025. Check before booking.
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Weekends Available: Fridays through Sundays, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Haunted mazes, live shows, scare zones
Where to Stay: Hyatt Regency Santa Clara or nearby budget hotels
17. Six Flags Over Georgia Fright Fest
Location: Austell, GA
Weekends Available: Select nights from mid-September to Halloween
Highlights: Haunted attractions, scare zones, themed rides
Where to Stay: Nearby hotels or Six Flags partnered accommodations
18. Knott's Spooky Farm
Location: Buena Park, CA
Weekends Available: Saturdays and Sundays, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Family-friendly activities, trick-or-treating, live shows
Where to Stay: Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel or nearby budget hotels
19. Lake Compounce Haunted Graveyard
Location: Bristol, CT
Weekends Available: Fridays through Sundays, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment
Where to Stay: Nearby budget hotels or B&Bs
20. Adventureland Bayville Scream Park
Location: Farmingdale, NY
Weekends Available: Fridays through Sundays, late September to Halloween
Highlights: Haunted attractions, scare zones, live shows
Where to Stay: Nearby budget-friendly hotels
Tips for Planning Your Halloween Weekend Trip
Book Early: Halloween weekends are popular, so book your accommodations and tickets well in advance.
Check Park Websites: Verify the exact dates and times for Halloween events, as they can vary each year.
Stay Close: Choose accommodations close to the park to maximize your time and minimize travel.
Plan Your Itinerary: Map out which attractions you want to visit to make the most of your time.
Pack Smart: Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and medications.
As Halloween approaches, it's the perfect time to plan a thrilling getaway to one of the top amusement parks in the U.S. From Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights to Cedar Point's HalloWeekends, these parks offer a unique blend of excitement and spookiness. Don’t miss out on these unforgettable experiences, start planning your Halloween adventure today! Let us know which amusement park you visited for Halloween—we’d love to hear about your experience!
Disneyland Halloween Time. Anaheim, CA.
