If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
Howl-O-Scream is back at SeaWorld San Diego. Learn about the haunted houses, scare zones, themed bars & more in our SeaWorld San Diego Howl-O-Scream 2026 Guide.
Howl-O-Scream will be running this year from September 11, 2026, through October 31, 2026, on select nights. We’re going to tell you about all the attractions this year – what’s returning and what is new (including one haunted house in particular I am excited about). We’ll tell you how to make your experience better with some upgrades. And we’ll tell you about how to save money on tickets.
Haunted Houses
I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch
This is the haunted house I am most excited for, as it based on the I Know What You Did Last Summer movie franchise! I grew up watching these movies, and I am excited they will be represented at Howl-O-Scream!
My favorite of the franchise is the first movie, so I am excited to see the plotline of that movie in the haunted. The haunted house gives you a chance to relive that fateful 4th of July night, when the dead man returned after the four teens dumped his body into the sea.
Nightmare Experiment Sweet DreamzZz
This brand new haunted house takes place at Sunny Meadows, a once vibrant wellness center. Now it’s a testing ground for a sleep aid. Except this isn’t like any sleep aid you may have tried. And anyone entering immediately becomes a test subject. That means vivid hallucinations, explosive rage….and that is just the beginning…
Area 64: MOTHERSHIP
If you enjoyed Area 64: Alien Outbreak in past Howl-O-Screams, then I think you will love the new haunted house, Area 64: MOTHERSHIP. It takes 30 years before the events of Area 64: Alien Outbreak. You’ll get to uncover the origins of the alien outbreak. And this is pretty exciting.
But perhaps even more exciting is that Area 64: MOTHERSHIP is the largest haunted house show scene ever created for Howl-O-Scream San Diego. It even includes a huge 80-foot-long alien mothership façade!
Simon’s Slaughterhouse
Ever play Simon’s Says? Well, when you played, did Simon ever say “DIE!”?
This haunted house is really exciting this year because it will be enhanced by brand new sensory effects. So there will be spooks in every corner as you try to get through the meat processing plant without becoming a victim of the butcher yourself.
3D Maze: Circus of the Damned
The premise of this haunted house is that an evil ringmaster wants to restore his cursed Circus of the Damned to its former glory. So now he is looking for new performers – and you don’t want one of those new performers to be you!
Death Water Bayou
Death Water Bayou is back. This year centers around a Mardi Gras gone terribly wrong. Ancient rituals have awoken a demon. There’s dark magic in this bayou and curses from bayou watches. Do you have what it takes to get through this haunted house?
Scare Zones
We do not know all the scare zones yet, but here is what we do know.
All Hallow’s Harvest
In this returning scare zone, you’ll find scarecrows in a farmland. But this time, their purpose isn’t to scare away birds or animals. No, these scarecrows want to harvest your body and soul. So you might want to look out for that!
Red Moon Revelry
Here’s another returning scare zone. The premise behind this one is that a once peaceful woods has become home to a group of vampires who are there to celebrate the arrival of a blood moon. And perhaps they are here to turn you into a vampire, too!
Carnival of Chaos
Angry carnies and sideshow clowns will be roaming this returning favorite scare zone. You will definitely want to avoid them.
Deadly Toys
Not all toys are fun and playful like Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Some toys are downright frightening. And that is exactly what you’ll find at this scare zone.
Graveyard
Don’t you just hate it when someone who is evil refuses to stay buried? Well, if you do, you might want to stay away from some evil beings who are no longer buried – and would love to meet you!
Vignettes
There are also five vignettes. Here are the ones we know so far.
Summon the Spirits
A paranormal researcher has arrived in Ripper Row wanting to contact one of Jack the Ripper’s victims in the afterlife in order to learn his true identity. But this researcher has a questionable educational background, and they may not truly understand how summoning the dead can have very bad consequences…
Misfortune
Speaking of consequences, sometimes, you may not want to have your fortune told. Not when you are told stories of anguish and woe. So step into this fortune teller’s tent only if you are brave enough.
Dark Magic
The magician at the Carnival of Chaos has a not-so-traditional magic show where the magic is more of a dark magic variety.
Shows/Entertainment
There are multiple shows, but here is the one we know about so far:
Monster Stomp
Monster Stomp is a returning show at Howl-O-Scream San Diego. It takes place at Nautilus Amphitheater. It celebrates the mystery of Jack the Ripper with modern rock, live singing, great percussions, and exciting choreography.
Rides in the Dark
You love the SeaWorld thrill rides during the day. But how about trying them at night? Trying them at night gives the rides a whole new feel. And at Howl-O-Scream, you can ride Electric Eel, Emperor, and Arctic Rescue in the dark!
Cocktail Bars
Avoiding all those evil clowns, aliens, vampires, toys, and other evil creatures can make you quite thirsty. And unless you’ve been turned into a vampire and are thirsty for blood, I’m sure you’ll be thirsty for a good cocktail. Luckily, there are seven pop-up cocktail bars throughout the park during the event. Here’s the ones we know so far:
- Coffin 1380
- Inferno Bar
- Big Top Drinks
- Toybox
- Fanta Fright House
- LaBARatory
Upgrades
There are a lot of upgrades you can get at Howl-O-Scream that can make your experience even better.
- Front Line Fear (one-time skip-the-line access to five haunted houses)
- Front Line Fear Extreme (one-time skip-the-line access to five haunted houses & thrill rides, reserved seating to shows)
- Front Line Fear Ultimate (unlimited front-of-the-line access to five haunted houses & thrill rides, reserved seating & one time priority access to I Know What You Did Last Summer: The Final Catch.)
- Sip & Scream (one-time skip-the-line-access to one haunted house & a 20 oz. cocktail or mocktail in a limited-edition light-up souvenir cup
You can purchase these upgrades here.
Howl-O-Scream Tickets: How to Save Money
Now other festivals at SeaWorld San Diego (like their Halloween Spooktacular) take place during the day. When that happens, admission to the event is included in the price of admission.
But this festival takes place after the park closes for the day. So it requires a separate ticket. So even if you have an annual pass, you need to purchase a ticket for Howl-O-Scream.
But here is some more good news. We tell you about a great Howl-O-Scream coupon here. In fact, you can save up to 63%.
