When the crisp autumn air sweeps through the charming town of Williamsburg, Virginia, it’s not just the leaves that start to rustle. For thrill-seekers and horror aficionados alike, the arrival of fall signifies one thing: the eagerly awaited Howl-O-Scream event at Busch Gardens. This spine-tingling fall event has been haunting the hearts of park guests for years, and with each passing season, it gets more daring and more frightful.

I had an opportunity to experience Howl-O-Scream earlier this month at the VIP Media event representing Coaster Nation. Let’s delve into some of the reasons why I absolutely loved Howl-O-Scream! 

A Ghoulish Transformation

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is already renowned for its world-class roller coasters, captivating shows, and immersive themed areas. However, when the sun sets and the moon casts an eerie glow, the park undergoes a sinister transformation. The cheerful ambiance turns ominous, and the usual suspects – witches, zombies, and creepy clowns – emerge from the shadows to roam the park.

Horrifying Haunted Houses

One of the main draws of Howl-O-Scream is the collection of meticulously designed haunted houses. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill Halloween attractions; they are immersive, horrifying experiences that blur the line between reality and nightmare. Each year, the creative team at Busch Gardens conjures up new themes and stories, ensuring that returning guests are in for fresh scares. New this year is Lost Mines: The Descent. Revamped, returning mazes include Death Water Bayou: Full Moon (my favorite), Witch of the Woods: Scorched, Nevermore: Chapter 3 and Killarney DIEner: Infested. I thought these story-driven haunted houses were all well done, very detailed. The experience in each house aligned with the backstory. 

Bone-Chilling Scare Zones

As you navigate the park, you’ll encounter scare zones, referred to at Busch Gardens as Terror-Tories, strategically placed to keep your heart racing. These areas are populated by scare actors who are experts at eliciting shrieks and nervous laughter. It’s a thrilling game of cat and mouse, with guests never quite sure when or where the next scare will come from. The featured Terror-Tories are Fest-Evil, Gargon Gardens, Scary Tale Road, Meat Market and Ripper Row. Have your camera ready! The scare actors make for great photo opportunities. 

Live Entertainment with a Sinister Twist

Howl-O-Scream isn’t just about scaring your wits out – it also offers a variety of live entertainment “worth dying for.” Guests can enjoy showtimes throughout the day and night in indoor threatres and in Ireland Village. These performances add an extra layer of fun and creepiness to the event. The entertainment lineup includes the Skeletones, Phantoms of the Festhaus, Jack is Back and Monster Stomp on Ripper Row, Plan to arrive early. Seating is limited. 

BOOze Bars & Bites

There are six BOOze bars offering sinister cocktails and snacks to tackle your greatest fears. These locations include the new OktoberTaps in Oktoberfest, Stone-Cold Spirits in Italy Gardens, Pete’s Provisions in New France, Jack’s Nightcap in Ireland, Frost Bar in Oktoberfest and BarKastle Spirits in Oktoberfest. 

Roller Coasters at Night

Busch Gardens Williamsburg features some of the best rides in the world, including nine record-breaking roller coasters. Howl-O-Scream guests can experience the park’s iconic roller coaster loops and drops in a whole new light after dark, including the new DarKoaster, North America’s first all-indoor straddle coaster. My visit for Howl-O-Scream offered the opportunity to take my first night ride on Apollo’s Chariot. Just incredible! A totally different experience than during the day and reaffirmed its spot as one of my favorite steel roller coasters. 

Perfect Blend of Fun, Thrills and Scares 

I really enjoyed Howl-O-Scream. I found it to be the perfect blend for a day of fun, thrills and scares. It’s a must-experience event for scare-seekers. I cannot wait to go back to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for this annual fall event. 

Howl-O-Scream runs select dates through Oct. 31. Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s website or download the park’s mobile app for iPhone and Android for operating days and hours. 

GUEST ADVISORY: Parental discretion is advised after 6 p.m., as this year’s event contains amplified scares that are not recommended for children.