The idea that haunted houses are an October-only proposition has been quietly dying for years — and in 2026, it is officially obsolete. A growing number of permanent, year-round haunted attractions are operating across the United States, ranging from converted industrial buildings with nightly programming to hotel-based immersive experiences open every day of the year. Whether you are planning a summer road trip, a birthday event in February, or a spontaneous Tuesday night fright, here are the best haunted houses open year-round in 2026.

Why Year-Round Haunted Houses Are Growing

The shift toward permanent, year-round operations reflects a fundamental change in how the haunted attraction industry thinks about its audience. October walk-through haunts are still the backbone of the industry, but operators have discovered that a dedicated core audience — not just the once-a-year visitor — exists and spends consistently throughout the year. Year-round attractions often incorporate escape room elements, immersive theatrical experiences, paranormal investigation nights, and themed seasonal events to maintain fresh programming. The result is a category of attraction that feels more like a theme park dark ride than a seasonal haunt — and that model now has proven economics behind it.

The Best Year-Round Haunted Attractions in the US (2026)

The Scream Experiment — San Antonio, TX (NEW for 2026)

The most exciting new entry in the year-round haunted attraction space is The Scream Experiment, which opened in spring 2026 at 123 Alamo Plaza, downtown San Antonio. From Phillips Entertainment — the team behind the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum — The Scream Experiment places visitors inside the Restful Sleep Hotel, a cursed fictional property with 13 unique guest rooms, each with its own haunted history. The attraction runs on theme-park-level storytelling — no virtual reality, no cheap jump scares in the dark, but deliberate pacing through elaborately designed environments. Open every day of the year, with tickets running approximately $25–$35 per person depending on season. This is the closest thing to a “Disney World of haunted houses” at the permanent walk-through format level.

Netherworld Haunted House — Stone Mountain, GA

Netherworld is not a year-round operation in the strict sense — their main season runs September through November — but their facility operates a monster museum, escape rooms, and year-round events that make it a destination attraction outside of October. In 2026, Netherworld enters its 30th season with two brand-new haunted houses: Wake the Dead and Mr. Grendel’s Birthday Party of Horrors, both opening September 18, 2026. USA Today, Dread Central, Hauntworld Magazine, and Fangoria have all named Netherworld the top haunt in the country at various points. Year-round visitors can access the escape rooms and monster displays at 1313 Netherworld Way, Stone Mountain, GA.

Factory of Terror — Canton, OH

Factory of Terror holds three Guinness World Records for the world’s largest indoor haunted house. The facility is a former industrial building spanning hundreds of thousands of square feet, and it hosts haunt programming beyond the standard October season, including special Friday the 13th events, Valentine’s scares, and other calendar-driven programming. Located in Canton, Ohio, Factory of Terror is the standard reference for scale in the year-round haunt conversation.

Pure Terror Scream Park — Monroe, NY

Named USA Today’s Best Haunted Attraction and certified by Guinness World Records as the longest and scariest haunted house in the world, Pure Terror in the Hudson Valley runs an extended season that stretches well beyond October. The park features multiple haunted houses across its property in Orange County, New York, and frequently announces special event nights throughout the year. For East Coast residents within driving distance of the Hudson Valley, Pure Terror is the benchmark for year-round proximity.

Pennhurst Asylum — Spring City, PA

Pennhurst is a year-round destination in the truest sense — its paranormal investigation tours run throughout the year for groups and individuals who want access to the historic former state school campus. The attraction runs its primary haunted house season in October, but paranormal investigation bookings are available year-round through pennhurstasylum.com. For anyone interested in the intersection of real history and haunted attraction, Pennhurst is the most legitimate destination in the Northeast.

The Darkness — St. Louis, MO

The Darkness in St. Louis operates an extended-season model and frequently runs special event nights beyond the standard fall calendar. Produced by Hauntworld founder Larry Kirchner, The Darkness has been a reference-level haunt for two decades and its operation schedule reflects a brand that has always thought beyond October.

What to Look for in a Year-Round Attraction

Planning Your Off-Season Haunt Visit

Visiting a haunted house outside of October comes with real advantages: shorter queues, more attentive actors, lower ticket prices in some cases, and a different kind of social experience than the peak-season crowd. Many year-round attractions see their most dedicated visitors in the off-season — the people for whom Halloween is not a holiday but a lifestyle. If that describes you, the Haunt Harvester near-me finder will show you what is operating in your area right now, not just in October.

Ready to find a haunted house that does not make you wait until October? Search Haunt Harvester’s directory to discover year-round and off-season haunted attractions near you — and browse our full haunted house guide for everything you need to know before your visit.