Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House
Haunted attraction · California
Sarah Winchester's 160 room mansion, famous for stairs that lead nowhere and doors that open onto walls, becomes a haunted attraction on select nights each fall. Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group built the mazes for 2026, using the house's real hallways and gardens instead of a warehouse set.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Open select nights; tickets sold online only, presale via zentix.com
Dates from the official announcement — always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: November 7–November 11
Color builds from October 25 · mostly bare by December 2
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House’s own coordinates and elevation (43 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House on the map
More things to do in California
June Lake Loop
Scenic drivePeak September 26
A 16-mile loop off US 395 threads four alpine lakes below Carson Peak, and by early October its aspen groves turn the roadside gold. Pull off anywhere along the pavement; Reversed Creek and the June Lake overlook give the classic Eastern Sierra shot.
Don’t miss: Reversed Creek aspen groves · Views of Carson Peak · Four lakes along one loop road
Bishop Creek Canyon
Scenic drivePeak September 28
South Lake Road climbs from Bishop into a narrow Eastern Sierra canyon where quaking aspens along Bishop Creek turn brilliant gold, usually peaking mid-to-late October. North Lake and South Lake bookend one of California's densest fall color drives.
Don’t miss: South Lake and North Lake · Aspen groves along the creek · Parchers Camp turnout
Yosemite Valley
National parkPeak September 29
Yosemite Valley's black oaks and bigleaf maples color the meadows below El Capitan and Half Dome in late October, thinning the summer crowds without thinning the granite. Cook's Meadow and the Valley Loop Trail frame the display.
Don’t miss: Cook's Meadow black oaks · Valley Loop Trail · Views of El Capitan and Half Dome
Lundy Canyon
TrailPeak September 22
A trail up Lundy Canyon climbs past beaver ponds and waterfalls through some of the Eastern Sierra's thickest aspen groves, glowing gold by mid-October. The out-and-back from Lundy Lake is Mono County's signature fall color hike.
Don’t miss: Beaver ponds and waterfalls · Dense aspen groves · Lundy Lake trailhead
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Sep 18 – Nov 1. Open select nights; tickets sold online only, presale via zentix.com. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 7–November 11 (best estimate November 9). Color starts around October 25 and is mostly bare by December 2.
- What is Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House best for?
- South Bay haunt fans who want a real mansion setting.
- How do I get to Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House?
- The closest city is San Francisco, about 40 mi away. It's part of California's fall lineup.
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