Top 20 US Amusement Parks for Halloween

Cedar Point Halloweekends

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Cedar Point Halloweekends 〰️

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, though—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

  • 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

  1. Book Early: Halloween weekends are popular, so book your accommodations and tickets well in advance.

  2. Check Park Websites: Verify the exact dates and times for Halloween events, as they can vary each year.

  3. Stay Close: Choose accommodations close to the park to maximize your time and minimize travel.

  4. Plan Your Itinerary: Map out which attractions you want to visit to make the most of your time.

  5. Pack Smart: Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and medications.

Visit these top amusement parks during Halloween weekends to enjoy a thrilling and spooky experience and make unforgettable memories with family and friends. Whether you prefer intense scares or family-friendly fun, there’s a Halloween event for everyone.


Disneyland California

〰️

Disneyland California 〰️

Jaime

I'm Jaime, the older sister, navigating the whirlwind of raising a blended family, welcoming pets, and embracing grandparenthood. My career has spanned decades, with cherished years at home with my son. From blogging in the early days of social media to balancing career and family, I'm excited to dive back into writing and share my love for travel, gardening, DIY projects, and more. Let's embark on this adventure together!

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