Merry Hauntings from the Haunted Attraction Network! While most haunts have concluded their holiday run, 8 haunts are still operating this coming weekend. Also this week: Six Flags Magic Mountain Delays New Coaster; Zombie Fun Run at Field of Screams PA Raises $8,000 for PA Breast Cancer Coalition; HauntPay Releases 2025 Season Data in Updated Report; TransWorld Announces "Heaven & Hell" Costume Ball; Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/merry-hauntings-from-the-haunted-attraction-network

156 haunted houses nationwide are extending the scare season into December! Nearly half of all events (48%) are concentrated in Southern states, with Texas leading the nation at 14 holiday haunts and Pennsylvania close behind at 13. Also this week: Six Flags Appoints John Reilly as New CEO; Hollow Acres Banned from Christmas Parade; HAA Seeks Board Member Nominations; In Memorial: Remembering Jan Knuth. Read the news here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/holiday-haunts-surge-nationwide-this-december

IAAPA Expo 2025 underscored a clear trend: seasonal events continue to grow, even as IAAPA’s Haunting Grounds remains a modest pavilion compared to dedicated Halloween shows like TransWorld. This year’s exhibitors highlighted how operators are expanding fall and holiday offerings with modular scenic design, interactive environments, AR overlays, and family-friendly installations. In this episode, you’ll hear the full interviews with IAAPA’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Michael Shelton, and Sally Dark Rides, offering deeper insight into IAAPA’s strategic shift toward curated show-floor zones, the rising importance of food and beverage, and new dark-ride innovations coming to Kings Island and Doha Quest. You’ll also hear from all the exhibitors featured in the Haunting Grounds pavilion, including: Plague Productions, Nethercraft, IWG, Dogwood Entertainment, and Verse Immersive, each showcasing products designed to enhance seasonal and Halloween experiences. This episode is adapted from our on-site coverage at IAAPA Expo 2025. The full video tour of the Haunting Grounds is here: https://youtu.be/_valH5lhses

IAAPA Expo 2025 returned to the Orange County Convention Center with record-breaking attendance and a show floor packed with innovations across the attractions industry. Among its newest and fastest-growing areas is the Haunting Grounds, a dedicated pavilion in the North Concourse focused on Halloween and seasonal events. Also this week:- 32nd Annual Thea Awards Recipients Announced- Sally Dark Rides Brings Mini™ Dark Ride to Qatar- Creep It Real Festive Kicked Off the Holiday Season with Cosplay, Entertainment, Spooky Vendors, and More. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/seasonal-growth-takes-center-stage-at-iaapa

What began as a youth center fundraiser in 2019 has grown into one of the most acclaimed haunted attractions in Oregon. Nightmares on the Rogue, located in Medford, is now a 30,000-square-foot Halloween destination featuring three immersive haunted houses and a bustling midway. At the heart of it all is owner Devin Price, who envisioned a haunt that could bring storytelling, spectacle, and community together. Read more: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/nightmares-on-the-rogue-oregons-1-haunted-house-started-as-a-youth-fundraiser/

In Westminster, Maryland, Hera’s Nightmare is planning an ambitious year-round expansion. After winning the 2025 OSCARES Award for First Year Haunt, owner Carlos Rivas doubled the attraction’s size to 25,000 square feet and introduced The Horror Vault — a selfie walkthrough designed for guests to capture their own horror moments.“People want to take pictures when they go through the haunt, but that’s hard when you’re getting scared,” Rivas said. “So I wanted to make an interactive version of a haunted house where you can take videos, take pictures, and really see the scenic details we put in.”For Rivas, The Horror Vault isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a glimpse of how haunted attractions can stay relevant beyond the Halloween window. By offering a photo-ready environment open throughout October and beyond, Hera’s Nightmare is tapping into the social-sharing culture that drives modern audience engagement.The takeaway? As haunts search for year-round revenue, the next big innovation may not be a bigger scare — but a better way to keep guests involved between them. Read more here: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/heras-nightmare-introduces-the-horror-vault-selfie-walkthrough/

Dark Nights celebrated its fourth year as part of Hersheypark Halloween (Hershey, PA) with the new Kill 'n Fill maze and Path of Shadows Coven's Curse scare zone. The Haunted Attraction Network went behind-the-scenes with some of the creative team to learn about the continued evolution of their haunt experience and what sets Hersheypark apart as a must-visit seasonal event. Learn More about Dark Nights. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2UV5zP9mls

Halloween may be behind us, but the industry is already shifting into its next phase. In this week’s newsletter, we look at a few insightful stories from this last season, then look ahead to the growing wave of post-Halloween events—from Krampus offerings to holiday-themed haunts—and what this expansion means as the industry heads into IAAPA Expo. This week: Insights from Dark Nights at Hersheypark; Hera's Nightmare eyes year-round expansions; Celebrating Halloween in Burbank; Coaster Nation's Top Haunts; Creep It Real Festive Returns November 21st - 23rd; Krampus Comes to Universal Horror Unleashed; Field of Screams Unleashes Extreme Blackout Night; Six Flags Plans More Park Closures - Here's Why It Makes Sense. Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/from-halloween-to-holidays-whats-next-for-haunts

As haunts across the country enter their busiest weekends, new stories and surprises are emerging from every corner of the industry. From Frightworld’s AI-inspired Mainframe Massacre to The Thirteenth Hour’s expanded finale, creativity remains at the forefront—even as major parks like Six Flags adjust their Halloween strategies mid-season. This week’s roundup captures the pulse of peak haunt season, with innovation, controversy, and celebration all colliding. This week: FrightWorld America's Screampark Debuts New Haunt - "Mainframe Massacre"; Thirteenth Hour Haunted Attraction Debuts New Finale; The 13th Gate Releases Statement on Séance Experience; Six Flags Removes Haunted Attractions Pass from 4 Parks; Six Flags Leadership Shake-Up: What’s Really Going On?; The Halloween & Costume Association's "Fang Favorite" Category Finalists Announced. Read more here: https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=5e7f24babe8c8ee6cfc465904&id=7610ce6576

After a grassfire in July destroyed a small structure near the train tracks, Fear Factory SLC (Salt Lake City, UT) rebuilt the damaged area and turned the loss into inspiration. Also this week: Disney Raises Prices—Is the “Happiest Place on Earth” Now for the Wealthiest? ; Uniquely Chinese Halloween Fun with Universal Beijing Resort's Scares @ Universal; Disneyland Visitor Dies After Riding Haunted Mansion; Halloween Night at the Disney Mansion; Nextdoor Treat Map. Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/fear-factory-transforms-fire-damage-into-tribute

Last weekend was the first full opening weekend for most Haunted Attractions Nationwide. While most haunts are reporting steady numbers, several have reported 'sold-out' nights. If this trend continues, it could mean an excellent year for the industry. Also this week: Spooky Awards Finalists & Fan Vote; New Howl-O-Scream College Ticket Offer; Stardust Racers Reopens at Epic Universe After Tragedy; "Urban Death Vegas" Premieres at Vegas Theatre Company; "Evil Dead in Concert" Comes to L.A.; Six Flags Debuts Original Horror Short, "Come Out and Play"; M&M's Rescue Squad Returns for 2025; HalloweenCostumes.com Releases Top-Selling and Most Searched Costumes So Far This Year. Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/haunts-open-to-record-crowds-spooky-awards