(Last Updated: September 13, 2026)
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"Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize y'alls neighborhood."
Six Flags Great America's Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® has returned for its 35th year of screams, scares and Halloween thrills. Crypts, ghouls, zombies and everything else Halloween takes over the Gurnee amusement park on select days from September 19 through November 1.
As the Six Flag Great America's premier fall event, Fright Fest transforms the park after dark with pulse-pounding rides, immersive haunted attractions, roaming monsters and electrifying live entertainment.
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The night time is the fright time. From park opening until 6 p.m., Six Flags Great America is all smiles and pumpkins for Kids Boo Fest. Once the sun sets, there are no more friendly ghosts. Zombies, clowns and other ghouls roam the park just waiting for the right moment to terrify you and your friends. Ride all of the Six Flags coasters and be prepared to be joined by a ghoul. This seven-week event features 16 thrilling coasters, five spooktacular shows, five haunted mazes and so much more.
Think you're brave enough to handle what's inside the haunted mazes? Test your courage inside the five unique attractions, where terrifying creatures, dark corridors and chilling surprises lurk around every corner. This year's lineup introduces two all-new creepy designs, joining returning fan favorites to create Fright Fest's most intense collection of mazes yet.
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NEW! Blair Witch: No Signal: Experience the legend of The Blair Witch Project in person and venture deep into the mysteries of the Black Hills Forest. In near-total darkness, navigate environments inspired by the franchise, including winding trails, abandoned camps, eerie ritual sites and the infamous Rustin Parr House.
NEW! Nightmares: Journey through a series of terrifying dreamscapes filled with twisted clowns, crawling spiders, disorienting illusions, deranged doctors and scenes of brutal carnage that will bring your darkest nightmares to life.
The Conjuring Universe: Based on New Line Cinema's iconic horror franchise, enter the Warrens' occult museum where cursed artifacts awaken ancient evil. Face Annabelle’s malevolent stare, flee the Nun’s unholy presence and survive the Perron farmhouse's demonic forces.
SAW: Legacy of Terror: Welcome to the ultimate trial of survival in "SAW: Legacy of Terror." Plunge into the depths of Jigsaw’s twisted mind as you traverse iconic scenes inspired by the SAW films. Think you can escape some of John Kramer’s most diabolical contraptions before time runs out?
The Estate at Wretched Meadows presented by Skittles: Visit the Estate at Wretched Meadows, the longtime fan-favorite maze with immersive storytelling, eerie environments and terrifying encounters. After a ceiling collapse killed the contractor and his apprentice, many ghosts have been known to haunt the grounds.
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Six Flags Great America offers many different live performances during Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS®. These shows will leave you howling for more.
Love at First Fright: Join Jack and Katie as a simple dare leads them into a night of music, monsters and mayhem in a haunted cemetery. Packed with high-energy performances, laugh-out-loud moments and unexpected twists, Love at First Fright has become a Fright Fest tradition beloved by generations of guests.
NEW! Masquer-RAVE: Witchie's story isn't over yet. After her story unfolds in “Love at First Fright,” she returns to haunt the space between the living and the dead in “Masquer-RAVE.”
NEW! The Velvet Quarter: Guests can step through the hidden doors of “The Velvet Quarter” and discover a sophisticated acoustic escape tucked away from the madness of Fright Fest. This experience transforms modern pop, rock and hip-hop hits into sultry jazz, smoky blues and timeless swing. It’s a hauntingly stylish nightcap unlike anything else in the park.
The Ringmaster's Cabaret: The creatures that bring this show to life expect uproarious applause. They will entice you with their song and dance. Their freakish figures and contortions will create illusions that mystify and unsettle you. Welcome to the cabaret. This show is family-friendly for the tiny goblins to watch.
The Uprising Parade: Nightly Call of the Dead: An evil army stirs and grows restless. They answer to only one call - to come out and terrify you. ALL. NIGHT. LONG. Beware, for the frights are about to begin.
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After 6 p.m., there is no such thing as a leisurely stroll as the terror isn't confined to the haunted attractions. There are no walls to protect you in our scare zones, no neatly roped-off lines and absolutely nowhere to hide. You are entering a living, breathing horror movie. Ghouls are spread all over the Gurnee amusement park to "greet" you. Here is a list of the scare zones and their locations. Watch your six!
RETURNING! Necropolis: Back for the park's 50th anniversary, Necropolis rises again! Wander an eerie city of undead spirits in this fan-favorite scare zone.
Oddities: Circus of Madness: A vaudevillian nightmare following a twisted traveling circus folks are on the hunt.
Forbidden Forest: The lumberjacks linger. It's forbidden and abandoned for a reason.
Head Bangerz: Anarchy and chaos is the name of the game. Watch out for their razor sharp fangs.
Underworld: Hell has come out to play.
Wretched Meadows: The creates in the crops don't want you here. Be wary.
Lost Souls: The zombies are hungry. Hopefully, you don't get bit.
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During Fright Fest, these usually tamed rides come out and show their true colors. Here's a list of the rides that have been transformed for the Gurnee fest.
Water attractions will not operate during Fright Fest. The children's area located in Kidopolis, Camp Cartoon and Hometown Park close at 6 p.m.
Learn more about these chilling coasters and rambunctious rides.
The family-friendly Kids Boo Fest is a daytime Halloween event promising festive entertainment for all ages!
During the day, Six Flags Great America is kid friendly and has everything that the fall season offers, with a few special thrills and twists of their own.
Kids can be scare-free while taking a ride on their favorite rollercoaster, exploring Pumpkin Hollow's Corn Maize watching the Tricks and Treats parade and so much more! Shows and activities that the whole family can experience together at Kids Boo Fest include:
Fright Fest is open Sept. 19-Nov. 1. See the dates and hours below, and visit Six Flag Great America's website to learn about dining options, parking and more!
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20 - 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 25 - 5-11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 - 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 27- 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2 - 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 - 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday, Oct. 4 - 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 9 - 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10 - 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday, Oct. 11 - 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 12 - 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16 - 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 - 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday, Oct. 18 - 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22 - 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23 - 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24 - 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday, Oct. 25 - 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29 - 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30 - 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 - 11 a.m.-midnight
Sunday, Nov. 1 - 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Haunted Attractions Pass: Enjoy spine-chilling scares with access to haunted mazes on the night you choose. Starting at $35.
Fright Fest Bundles: Pair park admission with access to haunted mazes on the same night. Starting at $75. Express pass also available.
Purchases passes and learn more about admission options»
Oktoberfest at Six Flags Great America (Sept. 19-Nov. 1): Capture the spirit of Bavaria during Six Flags Great America Oktoberfest and enjoy premium-quality beers and authentic German food like sizzling bratwurst or creamy, cheesy spätzle, along with live entertainment and family-friendly activities for all ages. INFO»
Little Monster Monday (Oct. 12): Six Flags Great America will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for a day designed for families and younger guests. Enjoy all the excitement of Thrills by Day, with no haunted mazes, monsters in the midways or Fright Fest scare zones and shows. It's the perfect opportunity for little monsters to experience the park in a fun and friendly atmosphere. INFO»
Coaster Challenge with Special Olympics Illinois (Sept. 26): Take the run out of racing and ride your the way to the finish line on a roller coaster to support the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois. Interested individuals can register for $25, fundraise and ride the distance of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon on Six Flags Great America’s world-class rides. INFO»
Find more Halloween and fall events happening in Lake County. Visit our blog for more seasonal guides.
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