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 6–November 10
Color builds from October 26 · mostly bare by December 1
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 4 days earlier. How the forecast works
When to go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream
The color window runs about 22 days, holding until around November 17.
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 6–November 10 (best estimate November 8). Color starts around October 26 and is mostly bare by December 1.
- 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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