This year, Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is back to its old haunts during the annual Fright Fest Extreme. It’s bigger and better than ever, now that Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has merged with Cedar Fair to operate 42 parks in the US, Canada and Mexico. Six Flags is promising the “largest, scariest and most extreme Fright Fest ever with 9 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and 4 exciting “monstertainment” shows.”
Orange mums, pumpkins, scarecrows, cornstalks, hay bales and cobwebs galore will adorn all the parks during the fall season. Expect a surge in frights at the major parks like Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. But at many of the other 25 Six Flags parks, guests will hide from ghosts, ghouls, goblins and more than 200 zombies.
Big Kids and Brave Ones Love Fright Fest Extreme Nighttime Thrills
Fright Fest Extreme begins nightly at 6pm although tickets at most parks get you daytime entry. It is not recommended for children under 12 and those who scare easily. After dark, an array of crazy clowns and angry zombies mingle among mortals throughout the park’s Scare Zones. This fall, the park introduces a new lineup of frights from the major horror franchises:
- The SAW Franchise – Celebrate the 20th anniversary of SAW. Guests will endure torturous trials and come face to face with some of John Kramer’s most diabolical contraptions before time runs out.
- The Conjuring Universe – Strap in for a tour of the Warrens’ most hair-raising and gruesome cases including those that inspired The Conjuring, Annabelle and The Nun.
- Stranger Things – The students of Hawkins High decide to team up to create a little innocent Halloween fun for their community – but things quickly turn upside down and morph into something far darker.
- Army of the Dead – The City of Las Vegas is under lockdown following a recent viral outbreak and survivors must look for an escape while battling the undead.
- Trick ‘r Treat – Enter a dark and twisted candy trail nightmare on a jack-o-lantern-lit path of supernatural encounters which tap into your deepest fears.
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)– Guests are “cast” as visitors to Harlow on the heels of the influencers set on revitalizing the town – but their arrival leads to a stunning and deadly secret being revealed.
Teens Have Even More Thrills on Six Flags’ Terrifying Nights
Love Haunted Mazes? If you dare, enter Asylum. In addition to some of the world’s best thrill rides, the theme park’s 140-acre “scream park” will feature two dozen additional Halloween-themed shows and attractions. You can also go on the thrill rides and coasters — day or night — you might enjoy the rest of the season. At Great Adventure, ride thrilling coasters like Predator, Ride of Steel, and Rolling Thunder.
Nighttime shows, known as “monstertainment,” include the return of the iconic Dead Man’s Party, the raucous Blade Drummers and more. Choose your ticket package carefully. Terror trails require an additional fee, while all scare zones and monstertainment are included with park admission.
The eight-week scareathon runs most Thursday to Sundays from early September to the first weekend in November. Some weekdays will also feature many of the Halloween Six Flags Fright Fest activities so check their calendar. Keep in mind that all visitors age 15 and under require a chaperone age 21+. And at least one chaperone for every 10 teens!
Six Flags Kids Boo Fest Returns for the Young & Faint of Heart
The popular “G-rated” Kids Boo Fest commemorates the fall holidays with even more gentle fun. That’s why young kids and grandparents should come to Six Flags Fright Fest before sundown! In fact, during the daylight hours, most Six Flags parks have gone soft to thrill your tiniest travelers.
It’s all part of the family-friendly annual Kids Boo Fest, running from the first week of September to the first week of November in 2024. Back by popular demand, guests can dress up and look forward to the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Kids can get their makeup done while showing off costumes. Note that costumes are not allowed for park-goers above age 12. Expect guaranteed fun for the entire family — unless any of them scare too easily.
Kids will love fall activities like corn mazes and the fun, gooey, yukky foods sold at concessions for the holiday.
Six Flags Scary Halloween Festivals for All Ages
Some other spooky and fun events that you can experience during this time period include the famous line-up of thrills for all ages. Take advantage of fall entry tickets to try the Safari Off Road Adventure, SkyScreamer, Skull Mountain and more. Each of the Six Flags parks has its own signature rides that open during the terrifying evenings.
The annual weekend Oktoberfest throughout September and October celebrates beer, of course. Still, Six Flags caters to families with live entertainment like German folk singers and dancers. Restaurants will turn out German favorites like potato pancakes, pretzels and bratwurst.
Remember, that some of these events need advance registration.
Looking for more fun haunted houses for kids, spooky thrills, and frights? See what’s going on this Halloween across the country.
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