The Darkness
Haunted attraction · St Louis · Missouri
In its 33rd year of fear next to historic Soulard Market, this two-floor St. Louis landmark pairs detailed monster sets with a Slaughterhouse attraction and escape rooms. The 2026 season opens with a one-night Slasher Weekend on Sep 19 and closes Nov 13.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Fri-Sat 7-10:30 p.m.; Oct 16-31 6:30-11:30 p.m.; Sun 6:45-9 p.m.; select Thu-Mon late Oct
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: October 23–October 27
Color builds from October 17 · mostly bare by November 16
Sampled at The Darkness’s own coordinates and elevation (142 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 31 weather points across Missouri, checked against 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. Against Missouri's own climatology, the 2026 weather puts the peak 7 days earlier. How the forecast works
When to go to The Darkness
The color window runs about 17 days, holding until around November 3. That runs roughly 1 day later than the rest of Missouri.
It sits inside St. Louis, so you can fit it into an afternoon.
The Darkness on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Missouri, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When is The Darkness open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Sep 19 – Nov 13. Fri-Sat 7-10:30 p.m.; Oct 16-31 6:30-11:30 p.m.; Sun 6:45-9 p.m.; select Thu-Mon late Oct. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does The Darkness peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 23–October 27 (best estimate October 25). Color starts around October 17 and is mostly bare by November 16.
- How do I get to The Darkness?
- The Darkness is in St Louis. The closest city is St. Louis, about 1 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Missouri's fall lineup.
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