News Summary
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is set to host its Howl-O-Scream event with exciting new attractions. Guests can experience a haunting lineup of five haunted houses, new scare zones, and a variety of themed food and drinks. With tickets going on sale at promotional prices, visitors can enjoy a unique Halloween experience filled with thrills and chills. This 25th-anniversary edition promises to enhance the scare factor and deliver unforgettable moments throughout the event.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Howl-O-Scream Returns with Terrifying New Attractions for 2025 Bewitching Season
Tampa, Florida – Howl-O-Scream, the much-anticipated Halloween event at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, will run on select nights from Friday, September 5, through Sunday, November 2, 2025. This yearly scare-fest promises to resurrect nightmares and unleash screams throughout the amusement park, with a lineup of new attractions set to enhance the spooky experience.
This year, guests can explore five hauntingly thrilling haunted houses, featuring the newly introduced M.A.R.S. house and an upgraded version of Ravens Mill – Lambs to the Slaughter. Additionally, there will be three brand-new scare zones designed to frighten and surprise attendees, alongside two new hordes that will add to the horror atmosphere.
Operated as a separately ticketed event after 7 p.m., Howl-O-Scream tickets are available for a limited-time promotional price of $34.99 during the Monster Sale. For those looking for an enhanced experience, Busch Gardens offers VIP options through its Front Line Fear passes, which allow for quicker access to attractions, and the Front Line Fear Extreme passes, providing even greater benefits. The Front Line Fear pass is priced at $79, while the Front Line Fear Extreme pass costs $99, which includes line-skipping for both haunted houses and major thrill rides, along with reserved seating for shows.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Howl-O-Scream, and the event has garnered acclaim as the No. 1 theme park Halloween event in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. To celebrate this milestone, Busch Gardens is enhancing its scares and experiences, promising even more thrilling entertainment offerings designed to genuinely jump out at guests.
The event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight on specific dates throughout September, including Fridays and Saturdays, and extends throughout October, with special hours for Halloween night. Food options will be available, featuring unique treats like spicy Cheeto-topped cheese fries and giant skull-shaped pretzels. Guests can also enjoy themed bars with an array of creative cocktails, located in such venues as Tormented, CarnEvil Curiosities, Space Gate 3, Scorchline, and The Butcher’s Block Tavern.
Several existing attractions, including the Pipeline surf coaster, will remain open during the event, allowing visitors to experience both thrill rides and Halloween-themed entertainment. However, weather conditions in Central Florida might affect operations and could potentially delay entry into sections of the park.
Background Information
Howl-O-Scream provides a unique Halloween experience, catering to both thrill-seekers and those who appreciate more psychological scares. Over the years, it has evolved into a renowned Halloween highlight, drawing attendees from various regions. The combination of haunted houses, scare zones, and themed entertainment adds depth to the visitor experience, ensuring guests face frightful encounters at every turn.
With its successful history, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Howl-O-Scream exemplifies the growing trend of immersive Halloween events across theme parks nationwide, merging entertainment with the thrill of the unknown. As guests prepare for the 2025 season, this year’s attractions promise a frightfully good time, filled with screams, surprise encounters, and, ultimately, unforgettable memories.
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Additional Resources
- Osprey Observer
- Google Search: Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream
- Fox 35 Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theme Parks
- Orlando Date Night Guide
- Google News: Howl-O-Scream
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
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