WILLIAMSBURG — Howl-O-Scream will be returning to Busch Gardens for its 25th anniversary starting Sept. 6.
The event is set to feature five haunted houses, six terror-tories, and four shows.
“We are looking forward to celebrating 25 years of fear next month when Howl-O-Scream returns to Busch Gardens. From two all-new haunted houses and terror-tories to revamped scares at returning houses; the horrors of Howl-O-Scream will appear throughout the entire park,” said Busch Gardens Williamsburg Park President Kevin Lembke.
For the haunted houses, this year’s edition of Howl-O-Scream sees the return of Lost Mines, Death Water Bayou, and KILLarney DIEner revamped as Lost Mines: Bloodstone, Death Water Bayou: Morte, and KILLarney DIEner: Condemned.
The two new haunted houses are Clown Town and Monster Manor. Busch Gardens describes Clown Town as being an eerie enclave ruled by the cast out clowns of the park’s Festa Italia village. Monster Manor will invite guests into the lab of a doctor who is performing experiments. Both houses will be located in the Oktoberfest pavilion by Festhaus.
Returning Terror-tories are Ripper Row, Fest-Evil, Gorgon Garden, and Scary Tale Road. New Terror-tories will be Stalker Street, featuring scarecrows in the New France area, and The Bash in France which will feature characters from years past in honor of the 25-year celebration.
Busch Gardens says guests will see the return of the shows Monster Stop on Ripper Row, Phantoms of the Festhaus, and Skeletones along with a new show.
“Fan-favorite Dr. Freakenstein returns in Fiends: The FREAKquel, a new show featuring iconic fiends that our fans know and love,” explained Lembke. The show follows the doctor as he and other classic horror monsters put together a hollywood-style blockbuster about his life.
In 2023, Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream events received a USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award, earning the No. 2 spot in the Best Theme Park Halloween Event category.
Howl-O-Scream will officially begin on select nights starting Sept. 6.
“Howl-O-Scream is included with park admission, providing the perfect opportunity for guests to visit again and again,” Lembke added.
Busch Gardens says parental discretion is advised after 6 p.m., as Howl-O-Scream contains amplified scares that are not recommended for children. For more information about Howl-O-Scream, visit the official Busch Gardens page.
