Scarowinds is the Southeast’s most celebrated Halloween theme park event — and 2026 marks a milestone 25th anniversary season. Whether you’re a Charlotte local, a Carolinas road-tripper, or a Southeast haunt fan looking to tick off a bucket-list attraction, this comprehensive Scarowinds 2026 guide gives you everything you need: dates, new attractions, ticket prices, and expert visitor tips to maximize your night of fear.

Scarowinds 2026 Dates and Hours

Scarowinds 2026 runs on select evenings from September 11 through November 1, 2026. Events typically take place on Friday and Saturday nights in September, expanding to include Thursdays and select Sundays as October progresses. The final stretch leading into Halloween features near-nightly operations. Carowinds is located at 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273 (straddling the North Carolina/South Carolina border).

Event hours typically begin at 6 PM (or 7 PM on select nights), with last entry 90 minutes before park close. Check carowinds.com/events/scarowinds for the official 2026 date calendar as it’s released in summer 2026.

What’s New at Scarowinds 2026: 25th Anniversary Additions

The 2026 season is a milestone year for Scarowinds, and the team at Carowinds is celebrating with the largest upgrade in recent memory. Here’s what’s new this season:

Four New Haunted Attractions

Scarowinds 2026 introduces four brand-new haunted maze experiences. Details on each are being revealed throughout summer 2026, but early announcements confirm the new attractions will span a range of horror themes — from supernatural to psychological to viscerally gruesome. The additions bring the total maze count to a multi-house lineup that puts Scarowinds in direct competition with the largest standalone haunted houses in the region.

Glitch: A New Scare Zone

The most buzzed-about new addition is Glitch, a new themed scare zone built around chaotic energy and technologically-distorted horror. Described as unpredictable and relentless, Glitch features roving characters who follow no predictable pattern — the scare zone is designed to feel broken, erratic, and impossible to anticipate. It’s a departure from the atmospheric fog-and-fog-machine scare zones of previous years, leaning into a more kinetic, startling style of live entertainment.

New Live Stage Show

Scarowinds 2026 also debuts a new theatrical live show included with event admission. The show is expected to run on a rotating schedule throughout the evening, offering guests a chance to catch their breath between mazes while still being entertained with professional horror-themed performance. Live stage shows at Scarowinds have historically been a fan favorite for groups who want a break from the intensity of the walkthrough mazes.

The Full Scarowinds 2026 Experience

Beyond the new additions, Scarowinds 2026 returns with all the classic event elements that have built its 25-year reputation:

• Multiple Haunted Mazes: The full maze lineup — returning favorites plus four new additions — offers hours of walkthrough horror content. Each maze features professional set design, live actors, and theatrical lighting and sound.
• Scare Zones: Themed scare zones activate throughout the park’s midways, with hundreds of monsters, creatures, and characters ensuring no corner of Carowinds feels safe after dark.
• Themed Food and Drinks: Seasonal food offerings including Halloween-inspired treats, specialty cocktails, and limited-edition menu items are available throughout the event.
• Rides and Coasters: Most of Carowinds’ major coasters and rides remain operational during Scarowinds, giving guests a unique combination of thrill rides and horror entertainment.
• Street Entertainment: Live performers, roving characters, and impromptu scares keep the energy high between attractions.

Scarowinds 2026 Tickets and Pricing

Scarowinds 2026 introduces a significant ticketing change that all visitors need to know about before buying:

General Admission (Park Entry)

Standard park admission for a Scarowinds evening event is $39 online. This covers entry to the park, scare zones, live shows, street entertainment, and most rides. It does not include access to the haunted mazes.

Haunted Maze Access — Now a Separate Add-On

For the first time in Scarowinds history, access to the haunted walkthrough mazes requires a separate, additional purchase on top of park admission. After buying your park ticket, guests can choose from several maze access options — individual maze tickets, bundle packages, or unlimited maze access passes. This is a notable change from prior years when mazes were included with admission, and visitors planning a full haunted house experience should factor this into their budget.

The upside: guests who primarily want to enjoy rides, scare zones, and live entertainment can now do so at a lower price point. The bundled maze access options typically offer savings compared to buying individual maze entries.

Gold Pass

The Gold Pass at $89 provides the best value for guests who want the full Scarowinds experience, including unlimited visits across all event dates and comprehensive access benefits. Gold Pass holders typically receive expedited entry and may have maze access included depending on the specific pass tier — confirm details at carowinds.com when purchasing.

VIP Skip-the-Line Options

As with prior years, Scarowinds offers premium add-ons that allow guests to skip the standby queue at individual haunted house entrances. On peak Saturday nights in October, standard maze wait times can reach 45–75 minutes per attraction. If you’re visiting during the busiest weeks, a VIP or Speed Pass upgrade is a worthwhile investment.

Is Scarowinds Appropriate for Kids?

Scarowinds features a range of intensity levels. The haunted mazes — particularly the newer extreme additions — are designed for teens and adults and may be too intense for young children. That said, Carowinds maintains family-appropriate programming throughout the scare zones and live entertainment, and the general park environment remains welcoming for families with older kids (10+).

Parents should review individual maze content warnings before purchasing maze access for minors. Carowinds recommends that children under 13 attend with a parent or guardian.

Getting to Scarowinds: Location and Parking

Carowinds straddles the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina at 14523 Carowinds Blvd, just south of Charlotte off I-77. The park is accessible from both Charlotte and Fort Mill, making it a reasonable drive for visitors across the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. On-site parking is available, with preferred parking options available for purchase online. Rideshare services are also a popular option for guests attending evening events who want to avoid the post-event parking lot exit rush.

Visitor Tips for Scarowinds 2026

• Budget for maze add-ons. Don’t be caught off-guard by the new ticketing structure. Budget your visit assuming park admission + maze access as separate line items.
• Buy tickets in advance. September dates offer shorter lines and typically lower prices. Late October Saturday nights are peak — buy weeks ahead.
• Catch the new Glitch scare zone early. New scare zones draw crowds when the park first opens. If Glitch is on your list, head there in the first hour.
• Check the show schedule at entry. The new live stage show runs on a set schedule — grab a copy when you arrive so you can plan your maze and show timing.
• Dress for the weather. September nights in Charlotte can be warm; October nights can be breezy. Layers work best. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory — no flip-flops inside haunted mazes.

Looking for more Southeast haunted house options? Search the HauntHarvester Directory to find top-rated haunted attractions across North Carolina, South Carolina, and the entire region.