Howl-O-Scream® is back for 2025 select nights September 2 to November 5, 2025
🎃 Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® is BACK this fall – and it’s taking over the whole park! Get ready for 5 haunted houses, 6 terror-tories™, 4 sinister shows, and plenty of creepy surprises lurking around every corner. 😱 For the latest discounts on tickets visit our Busch Gardens Ticket Discount post HERE.
🌙 Feeling brave? Tackle 10 world-class coasters under the cover of night for a totally different thrill!⚠️ Heads-up: after 6:00 PM, things get extra spooky (read: not-so-kid-friendly). Parental discretion is strongly advised! If you are an adult that doesn't like being scared they have necklaces that you can purchase and wear that let staff know you don't like jump scares! But they don't grab you or touch you so a most it is a jump scare. They are good at those though!
👶 Friendly reminder: Sesame Street Forest of Fun, Land of the Dragons, and other kid areas close at 5:00 PM each night so the park can transform into its haunted self. Counts Spooktacular runs on Saturday's and Sundays and is made for kids. More info on that below.
Haunted Houses in Howl-O-Scream 2025
First let's start with the 5 Haunted Houses
🐺 Werewolves: The Wolf’s Revenge – ALL-NEW!The legend lives! After years of silence, something more than human, more than animal has returned to the forest. Hunters thought they had captured the beast, locking it away in a secure facility… but now the hunters are the hunted. The chains are broken, the moon is high, and the werewolf is on the loose. Good luck making it out alive. 🌕
🩸 Bloodshot – ALL-NEW!Deep in the ruins of Pompeii lies a secret bar that never closes… and never serves cocktails. 🍷 The vampires here are thirsty, the taps are dry, and they’re looking for their next “drink special.” Get out before last call… or you might end up becoming the main pour.
🤡 Clown Town – Returning Favorite!The clowns of Festa Italia are back – and they’re madder than ever. Cast out for being “too terrifying,” they’ve created their own twisted circus where THEY make the rules. Escape if you can… before you become the punchline. 🎪
🍔 KILLarney DInEr: Condemned – REVAMPED!This diner hasn’t served a milkshake in decades – but something is still moving inside. The ‘50s may be dead, but the horrors inside are alive and hungry. Step in if you dare… just don’t expect to step back out.
🪶 Death Water Bayou: Morte – REVAMPED!The swamp is calling… and this time, the call is deadly. 🌑 The Voodoo Queen is closer than ever to her final sacrifice, and the line between this world and the next is fading fast. Dare to follow the flames before they get you!
For Busch Gardens ticket discounts visit here.
Terror-tories at Howl-O-Scream for 2025
Howl-O-Scream has six Terror-tories and a roaming horde of monsters with chainsaws. The Terror-tories are sections of the park that you walk though...but beware...there are scary characters all about waiting to terrorize you!
🏘️ Bavarian Bloodshed – ALL-NEW!When the blood moon rises, this cheery Bavarian village becomes a nightmare. Laughter has turned to screams, villagers are cursed, and the Big Bad Wolf is no bedtime story anymore. 🐺
🪩 Disgrotesque – ALL-NEW!Welcome to a disco inferno where the beats are sinister and the dance floor is a nightmare. 💃🪩 Towering skulls, glowing lights, and the Master of Mayhem turn France village into a macabre dance party you won’t forget.
🎄 Wicked Wunderland – ALL-NEW! (very fun and creepy)Holiday cheer has taken a dark turn in this haunted alpine village. ❄️ Garlands rot, snowmen snarl, and Krampus is on the prowl. It’s a twisted winter wonderland where the only gift is fear.
🌾 Stalker Street – RETURNING FAVORITE!When night falls, New France becomes a hunting ground. 🌑 Sinister scarecrows prowl the streets, and the townsfolk have locked themselves inside, leaving YOU as the bait. Every rustle, every whisper could be your last – so keep moving… if you want to make it out.
🔪 Ripper Row – RETURNING FAVORITE! ( Fan favorite - and these actors really know how to sneak up on you!)Whitechapel after dark? Bad idea. 🩸 Murder and mayhem lurk around every corner, and no one is who they seem. Step into the foggy alleys where shadows watch your every move – but beware, you might not walk back out.
🎭 Fest-Evil – RETURNING FAVORITE!Mardi Gras has gone mad! 🎷🎭 The spirits of the swamp are spilling into the streets, drawn by the party vibes – but something darker has taken hold. What was once a celebration is now a curse, and you’re dancing right into danger.
Shows for 2025 Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens
Don't miss this year's four spirited productions that are said to be "worth dying for." Guests can enjoy showtimes throughout the day in indoor theatres and in Ireland village. Keep reading to see more about each one.
🎸 Skeletones In Your Closet – ALL-NEW! (on stage in the Festhaus - it was fantastic!)Ever wake up with a tune stuck in your head? 🎶 It’s because The Skeletones have been throwing a midnight jam session in your room! These bony rockers aren’t here to scare you – just to play all night long. Don’t worry, they’ll be gone by sunrise… but the song might still be stuck in your head because they are all famous. This is in the Festhaus so grab something to eat and enjoy the show!
🔮 Spirit Spellabration – ALL-NEW! (loved this and the singers were fabulous - fun and family friendly)Step right up for Don Ossario’s most spirited performance yet! 🕯️ With the help of his loyal assistant Mortista – and a few brave audience members – he’ll summon his long-dead ancestors and channel their powers for the show of a lifetime. Will he dazzle the world… or accidentally unleash a little too much magic? This one is located in Italy in the outdoor San Marco Theatre - grab something to eat and enjoy the show!
🧪 Fiends – RETURNING FAVORITE! (this one has been revamped so if you have seen it in prior years you will want to catch it again!)Dr. Freakenstein is back, and fame has only made him wilder! 🌌 His next big plan? To use his brand-new intergalactic teleportation tube to make himself a legend across space AND time. Buckle up – this one’s part mad science, part party, and 100% fiendishly fun. Not really for kids but definitely for adults!
🥁 Monster Stomp® on Ripper Row – RETURNING FAVORITE! (This opens September 26th so we didn't get to see it on Media Night - but we have seen it many times over the years. This is a solid show and one we always enjoy!) Jack the Ripper has never been this… musical. 🎭 This high-energy rock and rhythm spectacular brings a killer twist to the streets of Whitechapel. Back by popular demand, opening September 26!
🎃 Jack is Back!They’re back… and ready to party! 🕺 Join Jack O’ Lantern and the spirits of Howl-O-Scream past in France Plaza for a daytime monster bash. Ghouls and goblins of all ages are welcome to show off their best monster moves and dance the day away! 👻💃
BOOze Bars at Howl-O-Scream
BOOZE BARS - Stop by one of the 5 themed BOOze bars located throughout the park for liquid courage to tackle your greatest fears. Become the mastermind behind the scares at the interactive Control Bar, where guests can initiate scares in different villages and houses with the push of a button.
Stop by one of the five themed BOOze bars located throughout the park for liquid courage and a sinister snack to tackle your greatest fears.
NEW! Last Drop - ItalyThe Crow’s Nest - New FranceStone-Cold Spirits -Italy GardensFrost Bar - OktoberfestBarKastle Spirits - OktoberfestHowl-O-Wine Bar - France
Don't forget to stop by some of the shops for Halloween swag including shirts, decorations, jewelry, and much more.
There are absolutely no costumes allowed in the park for the general public. But if you want to join in the Halloween fun, we would recommend getting your face airbrushed. I had my whole face done in under 5 minutes. It is easy, silly and you look crazy in selfies which is great fun.
Busch Gardens becomes a seriously scary place at 6 p.m. when the Howl-O-Scream haunts come out. Guests should consider the park’s elevated scare factor when deciding whether Howl-O-Scream is appropriate for young children after 6 pm. If your little ones do not like scary creatures coming at them with chainsaws, or creatures jumping out from the woods, then you might plan to end your visit at 5:45 pm. They will have a great time during the day and for older kids, teen and adults - Howl-O-Scream is a great time anytime!
The Count's Spooktacular at Busch Gardens 2025
During the daytime Howl-O-Scream has lots of fun kid-friendly activities. These include trick or treating, a hay maze, character fun, and more. Learn about Howl-O-Scream for younger kids here. Join The Count's Spooktacular on Saturdays and Sundays from Sept 20 - Nov 2, 2025.
For more information visit Busch Gardens. For the latest discounts on tickets visit our Busch Gardens Ticket Discount post HERE.
We hope this review helped you decide to enjoy Howl-O-Scream with your family this season. It is a scream-fest-of-a-good-time - it's official..we love it!
Want to read more about Busch Gardens? Check out our other Unofficial Guides:
Busch Garden: Unofficial Guide (great tips from locals)
Busch Garden’s Food & Wine Festival Unofficial Guide
https://www.williamsburgfamilies.com/busch-gardens-new-chapperone-policy-for-guests-15-years-and-younger/
https://www.williamsburgfamilies.com/counts-spooktacular-halloween-for-kids-at-busch-gardens/
https://www.williamsburgfamilies.com/halloween-fun-for-younger-kids-at-busch-gardens/
https://www.williamsburgfamilies.com/check-latest-busch-gardens-discounts/
WilliamsburgFamilies.com is a member of the Thrill Chasers™ Blogger Ambassador team and is invited to attend new ride and show openings as well as review food and events at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
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