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In our Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream 2026 Guide, we’ll tell you about the event’s dates, discount ticket info, haunted houses & other attractions.
This is an event I’m excited to talk about, as this after-hours Virginia Halloween event is a favorite of family’s.
Now, before I begin, I feel I must say that Howl-O-Scream is a scary, intense event. It is not recommended to children. But it really is an amazing event for anyone who loves getting scared at Halloween.
Dates
So let’s start by talking about the dates for 2026. It begins on September 11, 2026.
In September, Howl-O-Scream takes place on:
- Friday Nights
- Saturday Nights
- Sunday Nights
In October, Howl-O-Scream takes place on:
- Thursday Nights
- Friday Nights
- Saturday Nights
- Sunday Nights
It also takes place on two additional dates:
- Tuesday, October 12, 2026
- Sunday, November 1, 2026
Haunted Houses
There are five scary haunted houses at Howl-O-Scream this year. So get ready to make your way around dark passageways and round dimly lit corners.
Anaconda: Dead on Arrival
This is perhaps the most exciting of the haunted houses this year, because it is themed to the Anaconda movie. The premise of the haunted house is that you’re in the Amazon looking for the missing film crew. Pretty soon, though, you’ll just be fighting for survival when you see that the jungle has been overrun by a giant anaconda.
Fright at the Museum
This is another brand new haunted house. The premise is a museum where cursed artifacts awaken. This includes undead pharaohs and ruthless Vikings.
Please note this haunted house does not open until September 25th.
Werewolves: The Wolf’s Revenge
You may have heard stories about that creature. You know, the one people say is more than an animal and more than a human.
Some thought this creature was long gone. But after years of silence, there’s talk this creature is lurking somewhere in the forest – and the carnage left behind sure seems like proof the creature is still around.
Luckily for you, brave hunters have now successfully captured the creature. So the story ends there, right?
Wrong. The hunters may have thought they successfully brought the creature to a containment facility. But it appears the creature has broken through the chains.
Are you brave enough to enter the containment facility?
This is a returning favorite haunted house!
Bloodshot
Archaeologists have discovered something in Pompeii the general public may not know about. And that is a dive bar full of guests of the undead kind!
This is a dive bar that is not for the faint of heart. After all, there are very thirsty vampires there looking for a drink. And we are not talking Vodka or whiskey.
Will your blood be their next drink?
This is another returning favorite haunted house!
Clown Town
This is yet another returning favorite haunted house. The premise here is that some clowns were kicked out of Busch Gardens’ Festa Italia village because they were considered “too terrifying” for the family-friendly theme park. But now they’re back, and they’re angry and vengeful.
Upgrades
Haunted houses are often the main attraction at a Howl-O-Scream. If that is the case for you, you might want to consider purchasing a Howl-O-Scream Haunted House Quick Queue pass.
The following quick queue ticket options are available:
- Howl-O-Scream Quick Queue Unlimited Plus (Best Value)
- Starting Price: $99.99
- Haunted Houses: Unlimited priority access to all haunted houses for the entire day.
- Unlimited Ride Access: Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot, Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, Finnegan’s Flyer, Griffon, Loch Ness Monster, Pantheon, and Tempesto.
- One-Time Ride Access: DarKoaster, InvadR, and Verbolten: Forbidden Turn.
- Howl-O-Scream Haunted House Quick Queue
- Starting Price: $69.99
- Includes: One-time priority access to all haunted houses for one day.
Terror-Tories
Terror-tories are areas in the park where you can walk around – and get terrified by monsters! Actors dressed up in costume coming up to you can be scary or triggering, and if you don’t want this particular scare experience, consider purchasing a No Boo Necklace. When the actors see your necklace, they should leave you alone (provided they do make a few mistakes – but for the most part, I’ve found this necklace works).
But onto the terror-tories! There are five terror-tories, with three returning ones and two brand-new additions!
Ripper Row
This is my favorite terror-tory, in large part because I find the story of Jack the Ripper so fascinating. But also because it’s well done. It is located at the front of the Park in the England section (naturally).
Viper Valley Terror-Tory
This is a brand new terror-tory. The premise here is that a once lively festival honoring the legends of the Amazon have been overrun with snakes!
Witch’s Way Terror-Tory
In this brand new terror-tory, you’ll enter the woods, where evil witches reign supreme. If you get lost in these woods, you may never come out!
Disgrotesque
Disgrotesque is a returning favorite terror-tory in France where the disco balls are gleaming from towering skulls and you are met with lights, music, and madness. It is a very different – and very terrifying – take on a disco gone bad. Very bad.
Wicked Wunderland
This returning fan favorite terror-tory puts a twisted spin on the holiday season. And since it is located in the Germany section, you know Krampus is going to make an appearance!
Shows & Musical Acts
One thing I love about Busch Gardens Williamsburg is all the great shows. Well, Howl-O-Scream does not disappoint in this department. There are multiple shows exclusive to guests of Howl-O-Scream.
In fact, this year there are four shows, with two of them being brand new to Howl-O-Scream! You can get reserved seating for these shows here.
Fiends
This is a returning favorite show that takes place at the Abbey Stone Theatre in Ireland.
The premise here is that Dr. Freakenstein has starred in a movie and, naturally, has become a worldwide celebrity.
So, what does he plan to do with this fame? Because an influencer? Invest in the stock market? Do works of charity?
No, Dr. Freakenstein has other plans. He plans to create an intergalactic teleportation tube so he can become the most legendary individual across all space and time. I guess you can never blame him for thinking too small!
Undead Diva
Undead Diva is a brand new, high-energy show.
The premise behind this show is that Vita Von Vault has returned from the dead and she’s trying to figure out which member of her undead band poisoned her. It features hit songs like Seven Nation Army and Black Velvet, and the show is sure to kill it with audiences.
Skeletones In Your Closet
Have you ever woken up singing a song and didn’t know why? Well, you won’t need ChatGPT to explain this to you, because I can: apparently it’s because the Skeletones have danced in your room all night. But don’t worry, they don’t want to scare you. They just want to rock all night. And now you can watch them live over at Das Festhaus in Germany while you are awake!
Monster Stomp on Ripper Row
This is a modern rock and rhythm show over at the Globe Theater in the England section featuring, who else, Jack the Ripper! The returning favorite show contains great dance, percussion, and singing.
Please note that this show does not open until October 1, 2026.
The Starfright Orchestra
Before Monster Stomp on Ripper Row takes over the Globe Theater, you can catch the Starfright Orchestra. They’ll be performing spooky songs and familiar TV tunes on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th, with shows at 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.
Rides & Coasters
What is Busch Gardens Williamsburg without roller coasters, am I right? You can take a ride on one of the ten roller coasters at BGW, including Pantheon.
BOOze Bar Menus
Running from vampires, witches, Jack the Ripper, and more is sure to make you thirsty – and in need of relaxation. Luckily, Bush Gardens Williamsburg can help you with that in the form of themed cocktails. You can find these drinks (along with snacks) at six themed BOOze bars across the park. Here are the menus of these pop-up bars.
Fanta Fright House
Killer Cocktails
- Phantom Gin Fizz: Fanta® Orange, Bombay Gin, Natural Zero Vanilla Syrup, Sprite®, whipped cream, and black edible glitter
- Coco-Lemonade Shivers: Mint, Vanilla Syrup, Coconut Milk, Tito’s® Vodka, Malibu® Coconut Rum, and Minute Maid® Lemonade
Refreshers
- Eerie Eyeball: Black Edible Glitter, Minute Maid® Lemonade, and Fanta® Orange
- Orange Pumpkin Fizz: Red Sugar Rim, Natural Pumpkin Syrup, Sprite®, and Fanta® Orange
Bottled Coca Cola Products
Dasani Water
Legs & Kegs – New France
Bites
- Turkey Legs
- Grilled Street Corn
- Deluxe Hot Dogs
Killer Cocktails
- Poison Apple: Granny Smith Apple, Bacardi® Rum, and Margarita
- Gin Makes Me Sin: Hibiscus, Bombay® Gin, and Pink Lemonade
- Strawberry Margarita Blood Bag
- Boozy Syringe
- Draft & Bottled Beer
Restless Spirits – Italy Gardens
Killer Cocktails
- Spiked Lemonade: Jim Beam® Bourbon with Spiked Blackberry Pink Lemonade
- Grave Digger: Watermelon Margarita
- Haunted Hurricane: Coconut Hurricane
- Witch’s Brew: White Peach & Lavender Spiked Punch
- Strawberry Margarita Blood Bag
- Boozy Syringe
Draft Beer (Rotating)
Witches Brew – Oktoberfest
Killer Cocktails
- Bahummy Mummy: Bahama Mama
- Haunted Henny: Hennessy® with Strawberry Lemonade
- Screech Bellini: Peach Bellini
- Blood Daiquiri: Strawberry Daiquiri
- Strawberry Margarita Blood Bag
- Boozy Syringe
Draft Beer (Rotating)
BarKastle Spirits – Oktoberfest
Killer Cocktails
- Deadly Lemonade: Blackberry Whiskey Spiked Lemonade
- Mystic Margarita: Green Apple Margarita
- Mystery Paloma: Mango Paloma
- Dark & Stormy: Ginger & Whiskey
- Strawberry Margarita Blood Bag
- Boozy Syringe
Draft Beer (Rotating)
Bottled Beer (Rotating)
Wine (Rotating)
Bürgermeister’s Hideaway – Germany
Killer Cocktails
- Caramel Apple Sour: Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Lemon, and Caramel Apple Butter
- Blood Drop: Tito’s® Vodka with Blood Orange Lemonade
- Witches Blue: Malibu® Coconut Rum, Blue Raspberry, Bacardi® Rum, Orange, and Pineapple
- Gravedigger: Chocolate, Coconut, Kahlúa, Tito’s® Vodka, and Sweet Espresso
Refreshers
- Zombie Juice: Blue Raspberry Punch and Pineapple
- Fun Drop: Lemonade with your choice of flavor shot
- Shirley Temple: Grenadine & Sprite®
Beer
Wine
Howl-O-Wine Bar – France
Wine
- Simonet Sparkling Rose
- Prodigo Sauvignon Blanc
- Novellum Chardonnay
- Pisciotto Fico Rosso
- Francois Coppola Pinot Noir
- Noble House Dornfelder
- Schmitt Shone Riesling Auslese
- Avive Peach
- Big Bad Wolf’s Revenge (Red Wine)
- 50th Anniversary (Red Blend)
- BGW Old Country (Riesling)
Discounted Tickets
So I know you want to know how to get cheaper tickets, right?
Howl-O-Scream is included in general admission to Busch Gardens. You can find out how to save up to 61% on tickets here.
