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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 8, 2023, through October 31, 2023 beginning at 6:00 PM.
It is only open on select dates:
- September 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
- October 1, 5-9, 12-15, 18-22, 25-29, 31
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. Two are returning favorites, and three are brand new! So get ready to make your way around dark passageways and round dimly lit corners.
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 once for two different popular thrill rides: InvadR & Pantheon.
You can click here to purchase either of these upgrades.
Lost Mines: The Descent
In this brand new haunted house, you’ll encounter once-human inhabitants of an underground gem mine. They have a huge appetite for wealth – and human flesh.
Death Water Bayou
Death Water Bayou is back Howl-O-Scream this year – but revamped. In this haunted house, you are pulled deeper into the bayou by an unseen force. Cursed hands rise out of the swamp. They are desperate for their next devotee – can you save yourself from being the next victim?
Nevermore: Chapter 3
A new chapter of Nevermore is coming this year at Howl-O-Scream. In this haunted house, you’ll see literature come to life when Edgar Allen Poe’s prose takes on an even darker reality.
Witch of the Woods: Scorched
There’s an old legend of a Witch of the Woods who has descended upon an ancient village and wreaked havoc. There is no one left alive who has seen her. But if you go to the woods at night, it’s believed you can hear her chanting and crying. The legend says you’ll become her disciple if you meet her, whether you want to or not. Now it’s your turn to see if this is just a legend – or actually true.
KILLarney Diner
Can you make it through a meal at the KILLarney Diner before you become the flavor of tomorrow’s special menu item?
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). You can buy it right now at a discounted price here.
But onto the terror-tories!
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).
Meat Market
Make sure you don’t become a human hors d’oeuvres for the monsters at this terror-tory. It’s located in New France.
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.
Gorgon Gardens
Gorgon Gardens is located in Italy Gardens. Here, you need to avoid staring into the eye of the serpent sisters – otherwise, the consequences can last an eternity. No pressure or anything!
Fest-Evil
Fest-Evil is an all-new terror-tory where a Mardi Party was corrupted by an evil energy.
Roaming Scares
There’s a Roaming Hack Pack throughout the theme park. When you least expect it, you may run into these monsters!
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.
Jack is Back
This disco dance celebration over in Ireland is also one of my favorite parts of Howl-O-Scream. It’s a lot of fun and it stars Howl-O-Scream’s legendary character, Jack.
Phantoms of the Festhaus
A new lineup of your favorite ghouls take the stage for a not-so-typical singing competition. The winner is determined by how spirited the audience is during a performance!
Skeletones
Skeletones is a brass quartet that performs on the San Marco stage in Festa Italia.
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 show contains great dance, percussion, and singing.
Please note that this show does not open until September 29, 2022.
BOOze Bars
Given how scary the park is, I think you’re going to need a drink, am I right? Well, luckily, Busch Gardens has you covered. Provided you are 21 years old or older, you can stop by one of these BOOze Bars throughout the park.
- Jack’s Nightcap – Ireland
- OktoberTaps – Oktoberfest
- Frost Bar – Oktoberfest
- BarKastle Spirits – Oktoberfest
- Pete’s Provisions – New France
- Stone-Cold Spirits – Italy Gardens
Rides & Coasters
What is Busch Gardens Williamsburg without roller coasters, am I right? You can take a ride on one of the eight roller coasters at BGW, including Pantheon.
Tours
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 tour is a great way to learn about all the secrets behind Howl-O-Scream. This tour is taken during the day. You’ll get to see one of their iconic haunted houses in a completely new way. You also get a one-time use quick queue to one of the haunted houses you can use at night during Howl-O-Scream. Even though the tour is during the day, given the graphic nature of Howl-O-Scream, the tour is only recommended for those ages twelve years old and up. Please note the tour starts right away, so arrive fifteen minutes ealry and report to the Education & Tours building located in England with a photo identification & confirmation.
Then you can do the all-access tour. This is a 6-hour tour during Howl-O-Scream that gets you amazing things like:
- Priority access to all the haunted houses
- Reserved seating at Howl-O-Scream shows
- Dinner at one of the show venues
This tour is also recommended for those ages 12 years old and older. Check-in is at the Education & Tours building located in England. Make sure you come 15 minutes prior to the tour, and bring your photo ID & confirmation.
You can buy tickets for the tours here. Please note you can get a discounted price for the tours by being a member. We talk all about membership in our Busch Gardens Williamsburg Guide.
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?
Well, the best way to get cheap tickets is to get a membership with Busch Gardens. Then, your ticket is free! Plus, you get all kinds of other perks, like free parking (that’s my favorite). My family and I have been members for years, and we love it. It also gets you admission to Busch Gardens throughout the year including other seasonal events like Christmas Town. We talk about it more in our Busch Gardens Williamsburg Guide.
Busch Gardens has another great deal going that would get you into Howl-O-Scream for free, too. If you buy a 2023 Fun Card, you’ll not only get free admission to Busch Gardens for January 9, 2023, through September 4, 2023, but you’ll also get free admission to Howl-O-Scream in 2022! Click here to buy a BGW Fun Card.
Admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg is also included in the cost of admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. You can buy discounted tickets to Busch Gardens here.
