Howl-O-Scream 2023 at Busch Gardens in Tampa is a fright fest that runs select nights  from September 8th to October 31st 2023.

• Wander down darkened pathways hiding bloodthirsty creatures, deranged clowns and drooling zombies all waiting to pounce in scare zones.
• Navigate your way through haunted houses knowing something horrifying awaits your every turn.
• Try Florida’s fastest and most thrilling rides in the dark.

Busch Gardens transforms into some of the creepiest scare zones and haunted houses around. There’s also hordes of malevolent beings whose sole aim is to scare the heebie-jeebies out of you.

300 acres of fearful frightening haunts to torment you. But if you don’t want too much of a fright, you can purchase a No Boo Necklace that will let the monsters in the scare zones know you don’t want to be scared. They won’t work in haunted houses.

Howl-O-Scream 2023 Dates:

• September 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
• October 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28. 29. 30, 31

Event starts at 7pm, with early access from 5pm.

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Howl-O-Scream 2023 Haunted Houses

There are multiple haunted houses for you to navigate during Howl-O-Scream 2023.

If you haven’t visited before, each house (often referred to as a maze) is heavily themed and filled with creepy corridors, rooms and scareactors.

D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear – New for 2023

Check out spine tingling horrors during the most terrifying show you’ll see.

Stranglewood Estate

The Strangelwood Estate used to be filled with laughter and the home of lavish parties. Now it’s filled with evil spirits and darkness.

The Residence – Home For The Holidays

The Clark Family may look like your normal, everyday suburban family. But unseen horrors will soon have you fleeing to escape their sinister devotion to sacrifice. You won’t find any merriment here.

Witch of The Woods – Returning Favorite

Enter the dark forest where demonic disciples hunt you down.

The Forgotten – Revamped for 2023

Dark secrets lurk in the shadows of this quarry, where starving vampires plot imminent revenge.

Howl-O-Scream 2023 Scare Zones

Roaming ghoulish hordes are prowling Howl-O-Scream 2023 looking for fresh flesh. From their screeching welcome at the front gates to the eerie traps in the depths of the park, these scare squads are merciless.

New Scare Zones:

• Sin City Zombies – Zombies run rampant at a hotel on the Vegas strip
• Big Ed’s Demolition Derby – Howl-O-Scream’s baddest of baddies are here to compete

Returning Scare Zones

• Ravens Mill – Enter the cornfield for scarecrow horrors
• Beyond the Veil – Watch out for fairies and orcs along the pathways of this organic forest
• The Junkyard – There’s much more than junk lying around in the shadows of this horror junkyard.
• The Sortcut – You’ll need to escape the clutches of the dead arising from graves.

Howl-O-Scream Live Shows

New Shows for 2023

Rock The Grave

A high energy stage show margin the world of music with Howl-O-Scream. Enjoy haunting melodies and spooky special effect.

Scare-E-Oke

Karaoke with a spooky twist located at Gwazi Plaza.

Returning Favorites

The Rolling Bones

This skeleton cover band will be rocking out tunes in Dragon Fire Grill.

Cirque X-Scream

Aerial performances and exciting acts take to the stage in this stunt filled show.

How Much Are 2023 Howl-O-Scream Tickets?

There are several options for tickets to Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2023:

• Any Date Ticket: Visting one time on any date for $64.99. Visit any date excluding Saturdays for $54.99 – Access from 5pm
• Single Night Ticket: from $47.99  to $64.99 with access to Busch Gardens from 5pm.
• Unlimited Tickets: Visit as many times as you like from September 8th to October 31st 2023, blockout dates are 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28. Visit any day costs $104.99. Visit Thursday, Friday or Sunday for $94.99.
• Night & Day Ticket: Spend the whole day at Busch Gardens and stay for Howl-O-Scream. From $107.99 to $132.98.
• Two Park Combo Ticket: One visit each to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando $79.99
• Two Park Unlimited Combo Ticket: Visit Howl-O-Scream at both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa  as many times as you like from September 8th to October 31st 2023 for $178.99

Discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Fun Card Holders. See full details on Busch Gardens website.

Howl-O-Scream Upgrades

Want to speed up your terrors and screams or take a guided tour? Busch Gardens offer plenty of ways to make Howl-O-Scream a whole lot easier to manage.

None of the Howl-O-Scream upgrades include event entry, these are all upgrades to event tickets.

• Front Line Fear: Ranges from $69 to $149 per person. Includes a one time front-of-line access to each haunted houses.
• Front Line Fear Extreme: Ranges $79 to $179 per person for one time access to 5 haunted houses and 9 major thrill rides. Rides include Serengeti Flyer, Iron Gwazi, Tigris, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Kumba, Montu, Falcon’s Fury and Cobra’s Curse.

Howl-O-Scream Tours

Ultimate VIP Tour

You get it all in the Ultimate VIP Tour:

• Admission to Howl-O-Scream
• A personalized tour with a private guide from 6pm to park close
• Unlimited front of line access to all haunted houses
• Unlimited front of line access to all thrill rides
• Complimentary dinner at Dragon Fire Grill
• Private complimentary beverage locations
• Complimentary photo
• Complimentary preferred parking

Cost ranges from $249.99 to $399.99 per person, depending on date. Discount for pass members.
Minimum 2 people.

Behind The Scenes Daytime Tour

If you want to see what goes on behind the scenes, check out this tour. With the lights on, you’ll get to see one of the haunted houses in full glory. Plus, you’ll get a unique photo opportunity.

This tour also includes a one time priority access to one house during the Howl-O-Scream event.

Howl-O-Scream 2023 Behind The Scenes Tours are priced at $29.99 per person. Theme park admission required.

All upgrades can be purchased on line on the Busch Gardens website.

Howl-O-Scream Questions & Answers

Is Howl-O-Scream suitable for children?
Not really. There’s nothing to stop children attending, but the adult content, violence, gore and blood is not intended for children.

Does a regular ticket cover entry for Howl-O-Scream?
No, Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event, so to stay in the park after 7pm, you need an event ticket.

What are event times?
The actual event starts at 7.00pm but your ticket gives you access to Busch Gardens from 5pm.

Is parking included?
No, unless you have an annual pass, parking is not included. General parking is $35, Preferred parking is $45 with discounts for Fun Card holders. Free parking for Silver, Gold and Platinum Annual Pass Members.

Are Costumes allowed?
No, costumes are not permitted. Only cast members are in costume.

Will the whole park be open?
Yes, and the most popular attractions will also be open, including Tigris, Cobra’s Curse, Falcon’s Fury, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Montu and Kumba.

We hope you have a frightfully fearful night at Howl-O-Scream!

Nighttime Rides & Attractions

Busch Gardens is famous for its’ thrill rides. How much more thrilling would they be if tackled in the dark?

These rides and attractions will all be open for thrills in the dark:

• Iron Gwazi
• Crash Test Clowns
• Tigri’s
• Cobra’s Curse
• Falcon’s Fury
• Cheetah Hunt
• Montu
• Kumba
• SheiKra
• Scorpian
• Sand Serpent

If you are visiting Howl-O-Scream or Orlando Halloween events, we’d love to welcome you to one of our Orlando vacation homes just an hour from Tampa.