Haunted Houses in Tampa (2026 Guide): Where to Go This Halloween
The biggest haunted attractions around Tampa Bay for 2026 are Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream, a separately ticketed after-dark event with multiple haunted houses and scare zones, and Scream-A-Geddon in nearby Dade City, a dedicated horror park with several haunts on one site. Closer to the water, Fearville in Largo and Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail in Plant City round out the scene. Dates and tickets change every season, so confirm the current calendar on each official site before you go.
Tampa Bay has one of the strongest haunt scenes in Florida, split between a major theme-park event and a cluster of standalone horror attractions across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. This guide covers the haunted houses worth knowing about around Tampa for 2026, what kind of experience each one is, and how to plan your night. Opening weekends, hours, and prices shift year to year, so always confirm the details on each attraction’s official site before you buy. For the wider picture, see our guide to haunted houses across Florida.
The best haunted houses around Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream — Tampa
Off McKinley Drive in Tampa, Howl-O-Scream is the region’s marquee scare event: a full-park after-dark transformation with several walk-through haunted houses, multiple scare zones roaming the midways, live shows, and the park’s coasters running in the dark. It is a separately ticketed night event built for a mature audience, with intense content, so it is not aimed at young children. The event typically runs select nights from mid-September into early November. Confirm this season’s dates and tickets at buschgardens.com.
Scream-A-Geddon — Dade City
About 45 minutes northeast of downtown Tampa in Dade City, Scream-A-Geddon is a purpose-built horror park that packs several separately themed haunts onto one site, plus a monster midway and a beer garden. Because everything sits in one location, it works well if you want multiple scares and a full evening out rather than a single house. It generally opens in late summer and runs select nights through early November. Confirm dates and tickets at screamageddon.com.
Fearville — Largo
At DK Farms and Gardens in Largo, Fearville is a farm-based attraction that leans into outdoor scares, typically featuring a haunted hay ride and walk-through trails rather than a single indoor maze. It is a good pick for the Pinellas side of the bay and for visitors who prefer an open-air haunt. Confirm the current season and tickets at dkfarmsandgardens.com.
More haunts around greater Tampa
- Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail in Plant City is a long-running outdoor trail haunt east of Tampa that has earned national attention; confirm its current season at sirhenryshauntedtrail.com.
- Ghost tours and lighter attractions such as St. Petersburg’s history-based ghost walks offer a milder alternative for visitors who want atmosphere over jump scares.
- Drive time matters. Some “Tampa” haunts, including Scream-A-Geddon, are well outside the city — confirm the address and travel time before you buy.
What to expect at Tampa haunts
A theme-park event like Howl-O-Scream is a very different night from a standalone horror park like Scream-A-Geddon or an outdoor farm haunt like Fearville: the first bundles haunts, scare zones, shows, and rides into one ticket, while the others focus on the walk-through scares themselves. Most seasonal haunts around Tampa run from September through early November, with the busiest nights on the weekends closest to Halloween. If you are weighing whether the ticket is worth it, our guide on whether haunted houses are worth it breaks down what you are paying for.
Know before you go
- Buy tickets online in advance. The weekends before Halloween can sell out, and fast-pass or front-of-line upgrades often save the longest waits.
- Check the calendar. Major events like Howl-O-Scream run only on select nights, not daily — confirm the date you want is running.
- Dress for Florida weather. Outdoor parks and trails involve walking on uneven ground; wear closed-toe shoes and expect warm, humid evenings.
- Confirm prices and age guidance on each official site — these change season to season and vary by attraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do haunted houses around Tampa open?
Most seasonal haunts run from September through early November, with peak nights around Halloween. Exact opening weekends vary by attraction, so check each one’s official calendar before you plan.
What is the scariest haunted house in Tampa?
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream is the largest and best-known scare event in the area, while Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City bills itself as one of Florida’s scariest dedicated horror parks. Intensity is subjective, so compare the two for the night you want.
How much do tickets cost?
Prices vary widely by attraction, night, and add-ons. Separately ticketed park events like Howl-O-Scream have started as low as the mid-$30s on select nights in past seasons, but confirm current pricing on each official site, as rates change each year.
Are there family-friendly haunted attractions near Tampa?
Some farm and fall-festival attractions offer lighter daytime fun, but the major haunts are built for teens and adults. Always check each attraction’s age guidance before bringing younger kids.
Looking beyond Tampa? Explore haunted houses across Florida or find haunted houses near you.