It’s that season again when several of the area’s major amusement parks start presenting special themed Halloween happenings onsite. The lineup this year includes both family fun follies for all-ages and more intense thrills and chills, some of which aren’t altogether suitable for the very young or the faint of heart, for that matter. In this article I’m covering it all, highlighting the different dates, locations, and offerings regarding all the Halloween happenings at major Mid-Atlantic amusement parks in Maryland, Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania.
Adventure Park, U.S.A. (New Market, MD)
From September 30 on through the end of October, Adventure Park is presenting a fun fall festival onsite, featuring a host of extras not usually included as part of the visitor package deal. But on October 28, in particular they’re hosting the Not So Scary Halloween Party from noon to 8 p.m. Included with regular admission, visitors get to come out and enjoy all the aforementioned Fall Festiv-All Area activities along with superhero meet and greets, contests and prizes, inflatables, live music and entertainment, and even trick-or-treating. Owing to the popularity of this event and space limitations, it is advisable to purchase your passes early. Click here to learn more about the Not So Scary Halloween Party and all other general information about Adventure Park, U.S.A.
Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, VA)
As the premier Halloween event in Virginia, Howl-O-Scream is a thrilling annual tradition. Occurring on select dates between September 8 and October 31, this year presents even more terror-inducing chills to scream about, including five reimagined Haunted Houses, five Terror-Tories to explore, four Sinister Shows, and much more.
Because Howl-O-Scream isn’t suitable for younger visitors, there is another family-friendly daytime alternative to check out onsite also. It’s the Halloween Spooktacular in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun event. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays between September 24 and October 29, this is the happier Halloween haunt you’ve been waiting for, in the company of all your favorite friends from Sesame Street. From hay mazes to dance parties, costume parades, and even an all-new Trick-or-Treat Trail in the Wild Reserve, visitors of all ages are sure to have a fun, memorable time. Kids ages nine and under are of course encouraged to come in their favorite costumes.
You can learn more about Howl-O-Scream here and Halloween Spooktacular in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun weekends here.
Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, PA)
Every Halloween season at this premier family-friendly theme park in Lancaster, visitors get to enjoy a host of happy haunts. But this year things are even bigger and better with nine new onsite offerings. The lineup includes the first-ever nighttime dive show Treasure Trolls, Duke’s Halloween Bubble Bash dance party, a follow-up costume parade, the Trick or Squeak puppet show, Mayhem Mystery Maze, Spooky Story Time, “Trick-or-Treasure” with royals, scavenger hunts, and the brand-new Duke’s Ghoulish Eats dining experience with characters.
Happy Hauntings at Dutch Wonderland take place every weekend between September 30 and October 29. Visit the website to learn more.
Hersheypark (Hershey, PA)
What could be better than heading to the “sweetest place on Earth” to cover all your trick-or-treating needs? How about spending the entire day enjoying a broad range of other family-friendly frights in celebration of the season in addition? Just head to Hersheypark any weekend between September 15 and October 29 for ongoing Hershey Halloween events galore. While regarded as annual tradition, this year presents several terrifying twists you can’t miss. These include an all-new trick-or-treat experience with Treatville, Hershey Character Glow Dance Parties, in-park “Dark Nights,” visits to ZooAmerica for Creatures of the Night (starts October 13), and a frightfully filling feast of special eats to die for. Don’t forget, you’ll also get to take in all those beloved rides and attractions you know and love so well.
Visit the Hersheypark website to learn even more about the various event happenings, ticket prices, and other general information.
Kings Dominion (Doswell, Virginia)
Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt is the stuff that legends are made of, having earned a longstanding reputation as the state’s best Halloween event. Ongoing for select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between September 22 and October 29, headliner thrills presented at every offering include haunted mazes, scare zones, creepy live shows, entertainment acts, and so much more of the memorable macabre.
Parents do take heed in that Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt is too intense for young children. Fortunately, though, the park offers a more family-friendly ongoing Halloween happening earlier on in the day on Saturdays and Sundays between September 23 and October 29. It’s the Great Pumpkin Fest, featuring fun fall follies themed after Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang. These include pumpkin painting, scarecrow-making, hay mazes, entertainment, games, meet and greets, and trick-or-treating, of course.
Click here to learn more about Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt. You can learn more about the Great Pumpkin Fest here.
Knoebels (Elysburg, PA)
Knoebels is getting into the spirit of Halloween too with their Hallo-Fun happenings every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October. And parents, don’t worry. All the activities and events are family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. From special fall-inspired food menus to live entertainment, games, and more, it’s a frightfully fun time to visit this beloved park. There are even several special weekend morning activities to take note of for the kiddies, like cookie decorating, pumpkin painting, character visits, and more. Visit the Knoebels website for all other information on this event.
Six Flags America (Bowie, MD)
Six Flags amusement parks have a longstanding history of providing seasonal happenings at each of their locations. And Six Flags in Bowie is no exception. Here, guests get to enjoy annual Halloween Fright Fest events on select nights September 16 through October 29. The happenings here include various haunted attractions, scare zones, rides in the dark, and plenty to scream about.
Because Halloween Fright Fest isn’t recommended for guests under 13, Six Flags offers a family-friendly Kids Boo Fest alternative during the daytime hours. Activities presented include
Wolfie’s Howl-O-Ween Party, the Monster Mash Bash, Aaron Radatz Magical Entertainer shows, Ooky-Spooky Storytime, trick-or-treating, fall festival activities, and so much more.
Click here to learn more about the Halloween Fright Fest. For the Kids Boo Fest, click here.
Seasonal events along with ticket and admission prices are always subject to changes. So, as always, I recommend planning ahead and contacting any venue in advance to verify all details for any upcoming events.