Here at Orlando Informer, we work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. On this guide page, you can find all the information you need to navigate Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
If you are looking for haunted happenings in Orlando rather than Tampa, you can check out the details for Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando here. Although the event name is the same at both parks, there will be distinct differences between the two experiences. Some of these differences are event-specific, and others are differences from the parks themselves and the atmospheres they create.
Skip to: Overview | When to visit Howl-O-Scream | Cost of Howl-O-Scream | Tickets
What is Howl-O-Scream?
Howl-O-Scream is an after-hours Halloween event, complete with haunted houses, scare zones, and festive experiences throughout the park. It has already had a successful two-decade run in the Halloween business, and there’s no end in sight. This annual, seasonal event started at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1999. That same year, Busch Gardens Tampa hosted “Spooky Safari,” a milder scare experience for families with older children. They abandoned the idea the next year and joined Williamsburg in hosting Howl-O-Scream in 2000. The success of this event developed a reputation over the next ten years, and in 2013, SeaWorld San Antonio joined the Howl-O-Scream crew. The newest installation of this successful scare event at SeaWorld Orlando joined the lineup in 2021. The specifics of Howl-O-Scream vary from park to park and year to year, but Howl-O-Scream typically features 5-10 haunted houses and 3-5 scare zones.
It should be noted that costumes are not permitted at any of the events.
Howl-O-Scream 2025 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Haunted Houses:
M.A.R.S. – *NEW* Enter the wreckage of Elysium 13, a crashed space vessel overrun by alien horrors. The crew is gone, the infection is spreading, and you’re the last line of defense. Navigate dark corridors, evade mutated creatures, and destroy the ship—before it consumes you too.
D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear – *RETURNING* Step right up to D.H. Baggum’s twisted carnival, where freakish creatures lurk and the midway hunts you back. Watch your step—Baggum’s always looking for his next victim.
Shadows of Wonderland – *RETURNING* Step back into Wonderland, although… it may not be as you remember it. These once playful characters have become bitter shadows, their anger fueled by Alice’s abandonment. Will you conquer the darkness… or succumb to the madness?
Stranglewood Estate – *RETURNING* Step into the residence of Madame Stranglewood, the socialite who lived a double life. She enticed townspeople with lavish parties while luring unsuspecting servants to her basement, where their fates were gruesomely sealed.
Raven’s Mill: Lambs To The Slaughter – *RETURNING* Raven’s Mill was once a thriving farming community—until the crops failed and the workers disappeared. Now, scarecrows stuffed with the remains of the missing rise from the cold soil, multiplying on their own. The land no longer grows food… it grows something far more sinister.
Howl-O-Scream 2025 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Scare Zones:
Breadcrumbs to Nowhere – *NEW* Deep in Havenwood Forest, hidden beneath twisted branches and choking mist, lies the crumbling lair of the Rotten Crone. Once a candy-covered cottage, it’s now a rotting trap—infested with insects, soaked in decay, and reeking of death. The legend is true… and no one who finds it ever leaves.
The Murders At Buckshot Ridge – *NEW* The camp was built too deep in the forest—and now the forest has claimed it. Paths twist, trees shift, and strangers vanish into the darkness, where laughter, saw blades, and worse still echo in the night. The loggers will make sure the forest keeps what it takes.
The Pestilence – *NEW* The world recovered. The sickness passed. But in this town, the plague never ended—black-coated Mob Doctors still stalk the streets, deciding who lives and who vanishes.
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.
Sawgrass Slaughter: Legend of the Skunk Ape – *RETURNING* Venture deep into the Everglades, where the air is thick with decay and the stench of something foul (and maybe something watching) clings to every breath.
Howl-O-Scream 2025 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Shows and Attractions:
The Reckoning – Join mortal Lark as she faces her ultimate judgment day in the fiery depths of Hell.
Cirque X-Scream – You’ll be holding your breath on the edge of your seat watching these incredible acts that include trampoline tricks and aerial performances.
Rides:
Phoenix Rising – Soar like a majestic phoenix on one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s newest attractions! This family-friendly suspended coaster takes you on a thrilling 1,831-foot journey, reaching speeds of up to 44 miles per hour.
Serengeti Flyer – Soar toward the sky on Serengeti Flyer! The attraction’s dueling arms achieve a maximum height of 135 feet and reach 68 miles per hour at its peak.
Iron Gwazi – The fears continue at Howl-O-Scream with the Iron Gwazi. This coaster offers speeds of 76mph, two inversions, and a 200-foot drop.
Cobras Curse – Rise 70 feet in the air and meet the eyes of the snake king before you plummet down a winding track.
Montu – Named after an Egyptian God with a hawk’s head, this coaster reaches heights of 150 feet and speeds of 60 mph. Hang on!
SheiKra – One of the biggest, baddest roller coasters in the game. With speeds of 70 miles an hour and a 90-degree drop, SheiKra will show you why the rides at Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens are just as thrilling as the haunted houses.
Cheetah Hunt – Mimic the challenges of a cheetah hunt. With three launches and the longest track on-site, Cheetah Hunt will make you appreciate the majestic animals it’s named after.
Tigris – This ride highlights the power and strength of Tigers. It will take you forward, backward, upside down, and back again!
Where can I get tickets for Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
You can get your discounted tickets for Howl-O-Scream online here.
Is Howl-O-Scream appropriate for children?
Although it is just a recommendation, Busch Gardens strongly suggests no one under the age of 13 attends Howl-O-Scream events. This is not an “enforceable” policy, but keep in mind that if you bring a younger guest and they decide the event isn’t to their liking, tickets are non-refundable. The scare factor isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when deciding whether or not this is for your family. The atmosphere of the event itself is adult-oriented, and adults act accordingly.
If you are interested in more kid-friendly Halloween options, check out Halloween Harvest. This event is included with park admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and provides children with a unique opportunity to dress up, meet some familiar (and some spooky) characters, and trick-or-treat in a friendly setting. Kandy’s Sweetacular Celebration takes place during regular park hours on Saturdays and Sundays from September 6 until October 26.
When should I visit Howl-O-Scream?
Howl-O-Scream 2025 dates in a nutshell:
September 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
November 1, 2
There’s a lot to consider when deciding when to go to an event like this. So for starters, when can you even go? In September, Howl-O-Scream will be available on Friday and Saturday nights beginning on the 5th. In October, Thursday nights also become available, along with regular Sunday nights. If you’re concerned about crowds, we suggest going in September before the Halloween season is in full gear. Of course, the earlier in the year you go, the hotter it is more likely to be. Predictably, Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest and most expensive nights of the events, but Thursdays and Sundays end an hour earlier. So what to do? We’ve outlined some pros and cons of each night for you here:
Thursday & Sunday night pros: Typically, these nights entertain lower crowd numbers, and there’s less of a “party” atmosphere for those wanting a milder experience. Ticket prices are also a few dollars cheaper.
Thursday & Sunday night cons: Thursdays and Sundays don’t become available until October, and the event lasts only until midnight.
Friday & Saturday night pros: These nights typically fit better with traditional work schedules, and the party goes ’til 1:00 am.
Friday & Saturday night cons: These nights are typically the busier nights, with crowds increasing up to Halloween. Ticket prices are also slightly higher.
How much does it cost to attend Howl-O-Scream?
One of the most appealing things about Howl-O-Scream is that it is truly affordable fun. Prices will vary throughout the season, but they start at just $49.99 and don’t exceed $69.99 for 2025. These prices mean that tickets provide a great option for a unique date (or a parent’s night out) for the same price of movie tickets and a bucket of popcorn. Plus, you can purchase discounted Howl-O-Scream tickets here.
How to save on Howl O Scream Busch Gardens tickets
Like what you see? We don’t blame you. We can help you save on your Howl-O-Scream (or other) tickets here!
Want the latest updates from SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop!