Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream
Haunted attraction · Williamsburg · Virginia
After dark each fall, Busch Gardens Williamsburg turns its European-village theme park into Howl-O-Scream, with five haunted houses, six outdoor scare zones, four sinister shows and roller coasters running in the dark. Amplified scares start at 6 p.m. on select nights.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Select nights; scares 6 p.m. to park close; five haunted houses and five scare zones
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: November 2–November 6
Color builds from October 26 · mostly bare by November 27
Sampled at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream’s own coordinates and elevation (24 m) rather than a regional average.
16 weather points cover Virginia, and the model shifts their answer 4 days earlier, which is what it takes to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. Against Virginia's own climatology, the 2026 weather puts the peak 6 days earlier. How the forecast works
When to go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream
The color window runs about 18 days, holding until around November 13. That is about 13 days later than Virginia as a whole.
It is roughly 45 mi out of Virginia Beach. Richmond is about 48 mi out.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Virginia, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When is Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Sep 11 – Nov 1. Select nights; scares 6 p.m. to park close; five haunted houses and five scare zones. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 2–November 6 (best estimate November 4). Color starts around October 26 and is mostly bare by November 27.
- How do I get to Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream?
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream is in Williamsburg. The closest city is Virginia Beach, about 45 mi away. It's part of Virginia's fall lineup.
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