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We’re getting to the end of summer, and you know what that means? It’s almost time for Howl-O-Scream, Virginia’s Premier Halloween Event!
Howl-O-Scream takes place at Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia. It runs from September 5, 2025, through November 2, 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM.
It is only open on select dates:
September
- September 5, 6, 7
- September 12, 13, 14
- September 19, 20, 21
- September 26, 27, 28
October
- October 2, 3, 4, 5
- October 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
- October 16, 17, 18, 19
- October 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
- October 29, 30, 31
November
- November 1, 2
Howl-O-Scream is a scary, intense event that is not recommended to children. But it really is an amazing event for anyone who loves getting scared at Halloween. They’ve got haunted houses, terror-tories, party zones, rides, bars, and more!
I’ll tell you everything about this Halloween event. And then I’ll tell you how you can save money at this event!
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.
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. Then you’ll get to skip the line once per house during your night at Howl-O-Scream. So you won’t have to worry you’ll miss any of the haunted houses.
You can also get a Quick Queue Unlimited Plus pass. It allows you to skip the line an unlimited amount of times! So this is great if you have one haunted house in particular you love and want to do over and over. It also allows you to skip the line all night for the following rides:
- Loch Ness Monster
- Tempesto
- Alpengeist
- Griffon
- Apollo’s Chariot
- Pantheon
- Finnegan’s Flyer
- Verbolten
You also get to one-time skip-the-line priviliges for:
- Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge
- InvadR
- DarKoaster
You can purchase either of these upgrades here to purchase either of these upgrades. But enough about the upgrades, let me get back to telling you about the haunted houses.
Here are two haunted houses that are brand new this year I am excited to tell you about!
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?
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?
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 not make a mistake – but for the most part, I’ve found this necklace works).
But onto the terror-tories! There are six terror-tories, with four 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).
Stalker Street
Here is another returning favorite terror-tory. It takes place in New France, where scarecrows are haunted the streets. But they won’t just be scaring birds. Not when they are looking for their next victim.
Fest-Evil
Fest-Evil is another returning terror-tory where a Mardi Party was corrupted by an evil energy.
Scary Tale Road
Childhood icons from fairy tales you heard as a child are now haunting you in this terror-tory located in Rhinefield. This is a returning favorite terror-tory this year at Howl-O-Scream.
Bavarian Bloodshed
Bavarian Bloodshed is a brand new terror-tory. The premise here is that a once quaint, peaceful Bavarian bloodshed has turned into something else under the Blood Moon. Half-human and cursed villagers are now seen staggering through the fog. If you thought the Big Bad Wolf was scary, wait until you visit this terror-tory!
Disgrotesque
Disgrotesque is a new 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 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!
Spirit Spellabration
Spirit Spellabration is a brand new show that takes place on the San Marco stage in Festa Italia.
The premise behind this show is that showman Don Ossario and his trusted assistant Mortista want to awaken the spirits of dead ancestors and channel the gifts so Don Ossario can get the spotlight he craves (apparently, that is big this year). But this is a big task so he’ll need three special guests to help him.
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 September 26, 2025.
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.
Upgrades
If you love Howl-O-Scream (and I know you do!), then I strongly suspect you’d like one of the Howl-O-Scream tours.
The behind-the-scenes tours are a great way to learn about all the secrets behind Howl-O-Scream.
Here are tours available this year:
- Fiends Insider Tour
- Monster Stomp Insider Tour
You can also get reserved seating for the following shows:
- Monster Stomp
- Spirit Spellabration
You can get these upgrades here.
Additional Information
Please be aware of the new No Bag Policy at Howl-O-Scream. No bags will be permitted when you arrive after 4:00 PM. Only wristlets and fanny packs measuring less than 8”x5” are permitted and subject to security inspection. There are exceptions for medical reasons, but you’ll need to carry them in a bag that doesn’t exceed the size of 12” x 6” x 12”. If you arrive with a bag that exceeds these standards, you’ll be asked to return to your vehicle.
Even though this is a Halloween event, you are not allowed to wear a costume to this event.
Unlike a regular day at Busch Gardens, since this is a shorter event, you can’t leave and come back after 8:00 PM. Once you leave the event for the night, you cannot come back unless you get there before 8:00 PM.
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.