howl-o-scream
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Get ready to SCREAM and SHOUT!  Howl-O-Scream is back at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and will be thrilling you all spooky SZN long from September 6 through November 2 with returning favorites and NEW horrors!

Last year, we attended on opening night and put together this spooky date night guide for you which includes all the latest info on this year’s lineup of Busch Gardens Halloween fun. Plus, tips you need to know, including upgrade options, merchandise, and creepy cocktails to order while you’re there!

Keep reading for all the horrifying details for this year’s event.

About Howl-O-Scream 2024

If you didn’t already know, Howl-O-Scream is a frightfully fun event put on by Busch Gardens every single year when Halloween rolls around. This year, Howl-O-Scream starts on September 6 and runs on select nights through November 2.

While you’re there be sure to visit all of the terrifying houses, spooky scare zones, and all of your favorite sweat-inducing rides, including the new Phoenix Rising (opening this summer).

About the Frights

Howl-O-Scream 2024 is sure to be full of delightful frights including haunted houses, scare zones, rides, and entertainment including a terrifyingly new haunted house, five new scare zones, a new show, and new guest interactive experience.

2024 Howl-O-Scream Haunted Houses 

  • Shadows of Wonderland (NEW)
  • Witch of The Woods: Rise of the Coven (Reimagined favorite)
  • D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear 
  • The Forgotten: Uprising
  • Stranglewood Estate

Shadows of Wonderland (NEW)

Step back into Wonderland, but not as you remember it. The warped dreamscape has come from years of torment under the Queen of Hearts’ reign of terror. Once playful characters have become bitter shadows, their anger fueled by Alice’s abandonment. Now, you must confront this distorted reality and face a vengeful Queen who wants Alice and you gone.

Witch of The Woods: rise of the coven (Reimagined Favorite)

A malevolent force has awakened in the woods. The Witch of the Woods, Seraphina, fueled by vengeance and dark magic, has finally summoned her coven – Brand, the Fire Bringer, and Kael, the Storm Caller. Together, they have twisted the once-serene forest into a grotesque reflection of their power, leaving behind a trail of poisoned air.

D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear (returning favorite)

Come one, come all, to the most terrifying show you’ve ever seen! D.H. Baggum is bringing all his monstrosities that are sure to make your spine tingle and your blood run cold.

Image Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

The Forgotten: Uprising (returning favorite)

Be Brave. Be Fearless. Survive the Night. Rise up against the vampires before they take back the city and kill every human in their way.

Stranglewood Estate (Returning Favorite)

Every town has its share of ghost stories—and this one is no different. Once a lively home filled with laughter and lavish parties is now filled with darkness and the spirit of evil.

Howl-O-Scream 2023 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Stranglewood Estate.
Howl-O-Scream 2023 Stranglewood Estate. Image Credit Dani Meyering

2024 Scare Zones

Scare zones are dotted throughout the park and feature dark alleyways, ghoulish characters, and all the frights.

  • Howl-O-Scream 25: Terror Through Time (NEW)
  • Tree Lot Massacre (NEW)
  • Sawgrass Slaughter: Legend of the Skunk Ape (NEW)
  • Little Nightmares: Trick or Treat (NEW)
  • Ragnar’s Wrath (NEW)
  • Sin City Zombies
  • Raven’s Mill: The Blood Harvest
  • Beyond the Veil

Howl-o-scream 25: terror through time (NEW)

Enter the Architect’s twisted gallery of horror, where the past 25 years of Howl-O-Scream nightmares come to life.

Tree Lot Massacre (NEW)

The once-festive Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm hides a dark secret. Whispers tell of a Christmas Eve massacre, where disgruntled farmhand, Silas Evergreen, sought revenge.

Sawgrass Slaughter: Legend of the Skunk Ape (NEW)

Venture into the depths of the Everglades, where the stench of decay and a pungent, musky odor fill the air.

Little Nightmares (NEW)

Years ago, on Halloween Night, a group of children vanished. Every Halloween, they return, reliving their final trick-or-treat.

Ragnar’s Wrath (NEW)

The icy winds of Niflheim howl as you approach a charred Viking longhouse, its stench of death a prelude to the horrors within.

Sin City Zombies (REturning FAvoRITE)

On the outskirts of the Vegas strip lies a small town that is home to some of the best entertainers to ever live and is overrun by zombies who run rampant.

Raven’s Mill (Returning favorite)

Within the walls of the corn field lies a horrific nightmare you cannot awaken. The scarecrows of Raven’s Mill are ready for you…

Howl O Scream Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Ravens Mill Scare Zone
Howl O Scream Ravens Mill Scare Zone. Image Credit: Dani Meyering

Beyond the Veil (returning favorite)

The dark fairies and orcs are dying for you to experience the depths of their magically sinister forest. Thing you have what it takes to go beyond the veil?

 

Date night pro-tip: View the official Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2024 MAP before your date night.
Viewing the map before you arrive will save you time and you’ll avoid confusion. (2024 map coming soon)

 

Hidden Scare Zone & Roaming Hordes

Beware of the hidden zone and roaming hordes…just when you think you know what’s coming, untold horrors lurk in the darkness awaiting your arrival.

Entertainment at Howl-O-Scream 

Getting scared together is more than just houses and scare zones. Take a break – sort of – and enjoy a live show or two.

The reckoning (New)

Join mortal Lark as she faces her ultimate judgement day in the fiery depths of Hell. Taking place at the Dragon Fire Grill.

Cirque X-Scream (Returning favorite)

Be on the edge of your seat during this electrifying and mesmerizing show. Cirque X-Scream features exhilarating acts and stunts, including trampoline trick and aerial performances at the Stanleyville Theater.

scare-e-oke (NEW guest interactive experience)

Take your turn behind the mic at the Scare-E-Oke experience at Gwazi Plaza. Guests can select their song of choice and take a memorable photo of their experience.

Rides During Howl-O-Scream

All of the blood-pumping rides you know and love will be in operation.

  • Serengeti Safari
  • Iron Gwazi
  • Tigris
  • Cobra’s Curse
  • Falcon’s Fury
  • Cheetah Hunt
  • Montu
  • SheiKra
  • Kumba

But Wait…There’s More

Along with the frights, rides, and entertainment is also photo opportunities, games, and dining! Check out Full-Service Liquor Bars in Pantopia, at the Entrance, Serengeti Overlook Pub, Stanleyville, Meat Market Bar, and the Nairobi Walkway.  Get your spooky memories captured on film, shop for horrific memorabilia, and play terrifying games!

There were also several new drink and merchandise options for 2023, so we’re anticipating some spooky new items for 2024. Here’s what was new last year:

NEW Beverage Options

Need some liquid courage to take on the ghouls and ghosts throughout the park? Get ready to enjoy some seriously spooky, deathly delicous drinks this year. The specially curated menu of creepy cocktails include libations such as the Poison Apple, Vampire Bite, Screamsicle, Twisted Citrus Punch, and the Gin Makes Me Sin.

Cold Blooded Chiller Blood Bag Cocktail. Image Credit Brie Gorecki

For something a little gorier (but good), you can also take a blood-red Jell-O Shot through a giant syringe or try the Cold Blooded Chiller Blood Bag Cocktail that you drink straight from an IV bag.

Jell-O Shot Syringes. Image Credit – Brie Gorecki

 

NEW Howl-O-Scream Merchandise

Want to look frightfully good this Halloween season? This year’s merch even has a fun, throwback 90’s flair. You can get your hands on some new Howl-O-Scream merchandise such as all-new shirts, jackets, and light-up lanyards. There are even new bags like the neon skeleton Loungefly backpack and painted skeleton crossbody bag.

Merchandise can be purchased throughout the park.

Howl O Scream Merchandise for 2023. Image Credit – Brie Gorecki

Ticket Options

Single-Night Ticket (date specific): $39.99 each

Any Night Ticket: $49.99

Unlimited Admission Ticket: $99.99 for unlimited admission on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday nights or $114.99 for unlimited visits on all event dates. Valid after 5pm.

Two Park Ticket: Starting at $89.99. Includes one visit to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens and one visit to Howl-O-Scream at Sea World Orlando on select nights.

Two Park Unlimited Ticket: Starting at $174.99. Includes unlimited visits to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens and nighttime visits to Howl-O-Scream at Sea World Orlando between September 6-November 2.

Single-Night Ticket for Groups of 15+: $34.99 each.

howl-o-scream
Howl-O-Scream | Image credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Upgrade Your Experience with Awesome Tour and Front Line Options

Front Line Fear

Get front of the line access to five haunted houses of your choice. Includes single use access to five houses. Howl O Scream admission is not included but is required.

$69 per person

Front Line Fear Extreme

Get front of the line access to five haunted houses and nine major thrill rides of your choice, including Iron Gwazi! Howl O Scream admission is not included but is required.

$79 per person

Make it an all-night event with a 2024 Howl-O-Scream Hotel Package 

Howl-O-Scream Overnight Fright Package: Valid on all event dates. Includes admission to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens for one night, one day of free parking at Busch Gardens, your choice of hand-selected hotel partners, and discounts on food and merchandise.

Book your package here.

The ghouls and goblins will be awaiting your arrival. Good Luck…


Featured image credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay