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Here’s some good news. Howl-O-Scream is back at SeaWorld San Diego. It will be running from September 12, 2025, through November 1, 2025, on select nights.
Now here’s some even better news. This year, it is bigger and better than ever!
There are even more haunted houses, where you try to work your way out of mazes while avoiding scary creatures. You also have to fend off scary creatures at certain parts of the parks, otherwise known as scare zones and scAREAs. There are also vignettes. Then there are also pop-up bars and rides that are even more thrilling at night.
We’re going to tell you about all the attractions. 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
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: Alien Outbreak
Area 64: Alien Outbreak is back, and will once again be full of mad scientists, lethal security, and, of course, aliens. If you want to believe, this is the haunted house for you!
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. 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.
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!
And starting last year, there was a new twist to this popular haunted house – there were 3D elements! So grab those special 3D glasses to do this haunted house!
Death Water Bayou
Death Water Bayou is back, though this year it has been reimagined. 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
Overgrowth
This scare zone proves not all botanists are good people looking to advance science. One in particular is apparently quite disturbed and is very fascinated by genetic mutations. Now, monstrous plants have been unleashed. Can you make it through the woods unscathed?
Ripper Row
Here is a scare zone I’m really excited about returning to SeaWorld San Diego. It stars the infamous murderer Jack The Ripper.
Terrors of the Deep
Terrors of the Deep is a returning scare zone. You’ll be at the water’s edge where deadly sea beasts and other horrors emerge from the depths of the ocean to terrorize fishermen. Except this time, they’ll be terrorizing you!
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!
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!
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 four vignettes.
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.
Dolly Delightful
Dolly Delightful has (allegedly) never been out of her box. But beware approaching her box. She is known for her temper…and for dismembering limbs that get too close to her “Try Me” button. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Shows/Entertainment
Opening SCAREmony
This a reimagined stage show starring terrifying creatures. They prepare guests for the terrifying night that will follow.
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 the all-new 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 pop-up cocktail bars throughout the park during the event:
- Coffin 1380
- Bloodthirsty
- The Cracked Cauldron
- Big Top Drinks
- Toybox
- LaBARatory
Upgrades
There are a lot of upgrades you can get at Howl-O-Scream that can make your experience even better.
- Howl-O-Scream VIP Terror Tour
- Front Line Fear (skip-the-line access to five haunted houses)
- Front Line Fear Extreme (skip-the-line access to five haunted houses & three rides)
- Front Line Fear Unlimited (unlimited front-of-the-line access to five haunted houses & three thrill rides)
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. You can save a lot of money on your ticket to Howl-O-Scream by buying your ticket online here. In fact, you can save up to 63%.