Howl-O-Scream Returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
It's going to be a haunting Halloween season in Tampa Bay with the return of Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! This is one of our favorite events to celebrate Halloween for teens and adults and when we say this event is haunting, we mean it…
Prepare for a night of screams, startles, and even some ghoulishly good treats! We attend this event each year to bring you all the details to help you map out your night.
The thrills kick off on Friday, September 5 and runs select nights through November 2, 2025.
We're answering the top questions about what we know about this year's event. And don't forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals in Tampa Bay for your best season ever!
Can kids go to Howl-O-Scream?
This event is designed for adults and older teens, but the night we attended, we saw several kids who looked to be about 10 years old or older. Busch Gardens will not turn kids away at the gate, so the decision is solely up to you as a parent on whether you think your child can handle the event.
What to expect at this year's Howl-O-Scream
Did you know the creative teams literally spend all year thinking and planning for this event? in fact, they're probably already dreaming up NEW ways to scare you next year right now!
There are some returning favorites plus NEW additions to this year's event including new Haunted Houses and FIVE Scare Zones!
Busch Gardens' 2025 Howl-O-Scream Haunted HousesÂ
- Stranglewood Estate (Returning)
- Shadows of Wonderland (Returning)
- D.H. Baggum's Cricle of Fear (Returning)
- Raven's Mill: Lambs to The Slaughter (Returning)
- M.A.R.S. — Mars Alien Research Station (NEW)
Stranglewood Estate (Returning)
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.  Madame Stranglewood ruled this town with an iron fist.
Shadows of Wonderland (Returning)
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.
D.H. Baggum's Circus of Fear (Returning)
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.
Raven's Mill: Lambs to the slaughter (Returning)
Raven's Mill was once the heartbeat of the region, where farmers worked the land, and the fields fed the town. But when the crops began to fail and the workers vanished, the soil turned cold and something else rose in their place…The ritual continues without rest. Each new body is a piece of the design. Each step forward brings you closer to becoming part of it. Raven's Mill doesn't need crops anymore… It grows something else.
M.A.R.S. — Mars Alien Research Station (NEW)
This space station holds dark secrets that guests will be on a mission to search and destroy or mission to uncover, with risk of being destroyed yourself…
2025 Scare Zones
Scare zones are dotted throughout the park and feature dark alleyways, ghoulish characters, and all the frights. This year will feature five scare zones with three brand new themes!
- Sawgrass Slaughter: Legend of the Skunk Ape (Returning)
- Ragnar's Wrath (Returning)
- The Pestilence (NEW)
- Breadcrumbs to Nowhere (NEW)
- Murders At Buckshot Ridge (NEW)
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.
Ragnar's Wrath (Returning)
The icy winds of Niflheim howl as you approach a charred Viking longhouse, its stench of death a prelude to the horrors within…
The Pestilence (NEW)
The world moved on. The sickness faded. But in this town, the plague never ended. The Mob Doctors in black coats and masks chose who lived and who disappeared.
Breadcrumbs to Nowhere (NEW)
Deep in the heart of Havenwood Forest, hidden beneath gnarled branches and suffocating mist, lies the ruins of a house long thought to be a myth. The lair of the Rotten Crone. Once, it was a candy-covered cottage, bright and inviting. Now, it is a festering trap.
The Murders At Buckshot Ridge (NEW)
They built the camp too deep. Thought they could tame the forest. Thought fire pits and cabins would hold it back. They were wrong. Now they are part of the forest. The paths twist. The trees shift. Strangers vanish before they reach the firelight. And if you make it close enough, you’ll hear them…
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
There are three live shows you can enjoy throughout the night including:
The reckoning (Returning)
Join mortal Lark as she faces her ultimate judgement day in the fiery depths of Hell. Taking place at the Dragon Fire Grill.
NOTE:Â This one is definitely geared more towards adults, in case you have teens or tweens in tow.
Cirque X-Scream (Returning)
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 Open During Howl-O-Scream
All of the blood-pumping rides you know and love will be in operation.
- Phoenix Rising
- Iron Gwazi
- Tigris
- Cobra’s Curse
- Cheetah Hunt
- Montu
- SheiKra
How much are tickets for Howl-O-Scream?
There are several different ticket options for Howl-O-Scream. As we mentioned, you will need a separate ticket to attend Howl-O-Scream, so don't plan on trying to go to Busch Gardens earlier in the day and trying to sneak your way in later.
If you do plan to visit the park during the day and have your Howl-O-Scream ticket for later, there will be designated holding areas where you can get your event wristband.
For a limited time, Busch Garden's is having a MONSTER TICKET SALE with up 70% tickets for Howl-O-Scream until August 17!
- Single-Night Ticket (date specific): $34.99 each
- Any Night Ticket: $49.99
- Any Night Ticket (flash sale): $37.99 but there is a minimum purchase of 4 tickets required
- Unlimited Admission Ticket: $99.99 for unlimited admission on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday nights or $109.99 for unlimited visits on all event dates. Valid after 5pm.
- Two Park Ticket: Starting at $94.99. 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 $159.99. Includes unlimited visits to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens and nighttime visits to Howl-O-Scream at Sea World Orlando between September 5 and November 2.
- Single-Night Ticket for Groups of 15+: $29.99 each.
Do Busch Gardens Pass Members get a discount on Howl-O-Scream tickets?
Yes! It's one of the many perks of being a pass holder. All you have to do is log into your pass member account and you can purchase tickets. Ticket prices for pass members start at $29.99. This discount applies to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Florida Platinum pass holders.
You can absolutely purchase an annual pass and THEN buy your Howl-O-Scream tickets. Annual passes include entry to other special events at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay including Bier Fest Brews & BBQ, Christmas Town, and more, so it might be worth it for you to buy now and then enjoy the perks for an entire year!
Fear not, there are some ghoulishly good ways to upgrade your night at Howl-O-Scream!
Who doesn't love a ghoulishly good upgrade?? Along with the Unlimited Passes, you can purchase to attend as many times as you want, there are also some other VIP upgrades you might want to take advantage of!!
Ultimate VIP Tour – $299.99
This ultimate spooky package includes:
- Admission to Howl-O-Scream for your group of 2 or more
- Private VIP tour guide
- Front of the line access to haunted houses and major thrill rides
- Private VIP only lounge with complimentary snacks, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Priority access to themed bars throughout the park.
- Dinner at Dragonfire Grill with reserved seating at their NEW show The Reckoning.
- Reserved seating at all Howl-O-Scream shows
- Preferred parking (while available)
Front Line Fear – $69 per person
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.
Front Line Fear Extreme – $79 per person
Get front-of-the-line access to five haunted houses and 10 major thrill rides of your choice, including Serengeti Flyer! Howl O Scream admission is not included but is required.
Make it an all-night event with a Howl-O-Scream Hotel PackageÂ
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.
Can I wear a costume to Howl-O-Scream?
Unfortunately for those of you who love to get dressed up, the answer is no.
Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. Howl-O-Scream 2025 is a separately-ticketed nighttime event. No costumes are allowed.