Haunted Attraction Network

156 haunted houses nationwide are extending the scare season into December! Nearly half of all events (48%) are concentrated in Southern states, with Texas leading the nation at 14 holiday haunts and Pennsylvania close behind at 13. Also this week: Six Flags Appoints John Reilly as New CEO; Hollow Acres Banned from Christmas Parade; HAA Seeks Board Member Nominations; In Memorial: Remembering Jan Knuth. Read the news here. Our 2025 Holiday Haunt Guide is here. 

IAAPA Expo 2025 underscored a clear trend: seasonal events continue to grow, even as IAAPA's Haunting Grounds remains a modest pavilion compared to dedicated Halloween shows like TransWorld. This year's exhibitors highlighted how operators are expanding fall and holiday offerings with modular scenic design, interactive environments, AR overlays, and family-friendly installations. In this episode, you'll hear the full interviews with IAAPA's Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Michael Shelton, and Sally Dark Rides, offering deeper insight into IAAPA's strategic shift toward curated show-floor zones, the rising importance of food and beverage, and new dark-ride innovations coming to Kings Island and Doha Quest. You'll also hear from all the exhibitors featured in the Haunting Grounds pavilion, including:Plague Productions, Nethercraft, IWG, Dogwood Entertainment, and Verse Immersive, each showcasing products designed to enhance seasonal and Halloween experiences. This episode is adapted from our on-site coverage at IAAPA Expo 2025. The full video tour of the Haunting Grounds is here.

IAAPA Expo 2025 returned to the Orange County Convention Center with record-breaking attendance and a show floor packed with innovations across the attractions industry. Among its newest and fastest-growing areas is the Haunting Grounds, a dedicated pavilion in the North Concourse focused on Halloween and seasonal events.Also this week:- 32nd Annual Thea Awards Recipients Announced- Sally Dark Rides Brings Mini™ Dark Ride to Qatar- Creep It Real Festive Kicked Off the Holiday Season with Cosplay, Entertainment, Spooky Vendors, and More. Read more here. 

What began as a youth center fundraiser in 2019 has grown into one of the most acclaimed haunted attractions in Oregon. Nightmares on the Rogue, located in Medford, is now a 30,000-square-foot Halloween destination featuring three immersive haunted houses and a bustling midway. At the heart of it all is owner Devin Price, who envisioned a haunt that could bring storytelling, spectacle, and community together. Read more here.

In Westminster, Maryland, Hera's Nightmare is planning an ambitious year-round expansion. After winning the 2025 OSCARES Award for First Year Haunt, owner Carlos Rivas doubled the attraction's size to 25,000 square feet and introduced The Horror Vault — a selfie walkthrough designed for guests to capture their own horror moments.“People want to take pictures when they go through the haunt, but that's hard when you're getting scared,” Rivas said. “So I wanted to make an interactive version of a haunted house where you can take videos, take pictures, and really see the scenic details we put in.”For Rivas, The Horror Vault isn't just a gimmick; it's a glimpse of how haunted attractions can stay relevant beyond the Halloween window. By offering a photo-ready environment open throughout October and beyond, Hera's Nightmare is tapping into the social-sharing culture that drives modern audience engagement.The takeaway? As haunts search for year-round revenue, the next big innovation may not be a bigger scare — but a better way to keep guests involved between them. Read more here.

Dark Nights celebrated its fourth year as part of Hersheypark Halloween (Hershey, PA) with the new Kill 'n Fill maze and Path of Shadows Coven's Curse scare zone. The Haunted Attraction Network went behind-the-scenes with some of the creative team to learn about the continued evolution of their haunt experience and what sets Hersheypark apart as a must-visit seasonal event. Learn More about Dark NightsARTICLE: Dark Nights 2025 Expands Hersheypark Halloween with New Haunted House and Scare ZoneBTS VIDEO: New Haunts at Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights 2025VIDEO: DARK NIGHTS 2025 | ALL 5 Haunted Houses FULL Event at HersheyPark

Halloween may be behind us, but the industry is already shifting into its next phase.In this week's newsletter, we look at a few insightful stories from this last season, then look ahead to the growing wave of post-Halloween events—from Krampus offerings to holiday-themed haunts—and what this expansion means as the industry heads into IAAPA Expo.This week: Insights from Dark Nights at Hersheypark; Hera's Nightmare eyes year-round expansions; Celebrating Halloween in Burbank; Coaster Nation's Top Haunts; Creep It Real Festive Returns November 21st - 23rd; Krampus Comes to Universal Horror Unleashed; Field of Screams Unleashes Extreme Blackout Night; Six Flags Plans More Park Closures - Here's Why It Makes Sense. Read more here.

From Hollywood to Florida and New York to Oregon, this year's Halloween season proved that the industry is evolving—just not abandoning its roots. Sliders continue to grow as choreographed street theater, chainsaws remain the undeniable American haunt anthem, and creative teams nationwide are finding new ways to give guests something active to do between scares. From selfie moments and staged photo ops to queue-line performers and mini-interactions, the focus is shifting from watching horror to participating in it. Philip and Scott break down what these trends say about guest expectations, why smaller haunts are thriving by leaning into intimacy and story, and how even major parks are rethinking Halloween as a festival of constant engagement rather than a night of passive walkthroughs. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

As haunts across the country enter their busiest weekends, new stories and surprises are emerging from every corner of the industry. From Frightworld's AI-inspired Mainframe Massacre to The Thirteenth Hour's expanded finale, creativity remains at the forefront—even as major parks like Six Flags adjust their Halloween strategies mid-season. This week's roundup captures the pulse of peak haunt season, with innovation, controversy, and celebration all colliding. This week: FrightWorld America's Screampark Debuts New Haunt - "Mainframe Massacre"; Thirteenth Hour Haunted Attraction Debuts New Finale; The 13th Gate Releases Statement on Séance Experience; Six Flags Removes Haunted Attractions Pass from 4 Parks; Six Flags Leadership Shake-Up: What's Really Going On?; The Halloween & Costume Association's "Fang Favorite" Category Finalists Announced. Read more here

After a grassfire in July destroyed a small structure near the train tracks, Fear Factory SLC (Salt Lake City, UT) rebuilt the damaged area and turned the loss into inspiration. Also this week: Disney Raises Prices—Is the “Happiest Place on Earth” Now for the Wealthiest? ; Uniquely Chinese Halloween Fun with Universal Beijing Resort's Scares @ Universal; Disneyland Visitor Dies After Riding Haunted Mansion; Halloween Night at the Disney Mansion; Nextdoor Treat Map. Read more here.

Last weekend was the first full opening weekend for most Haunted Attractions Nationwide. While most haunts are reporting steady numbers, several have reported 'sold-out' nights. If this trend continues, it could mean an excellent year for the industry. Also this week: Spooky Awards Finalists & Fan Vote; New Howl-O-Scream College Ticket Offer; Stardust Racers Reopens at Epic Universe After Tragedy; "Urban Death Vegas" Premieres at Vegas Theatre Company; "Evil Dead in Concert" Comes to L.A.; Six Flags Debuts Original Horror Short, "Come Out and Play"; M&M's Rescue Squad Returns for 2025; HalloweenCostumes.com Releases Top-Selling and Most Searched Costumes So Far This Year. Read more here

The Haunted Attraction Association (HAA) has certified 67 haunted attractions nationwide as 2025 Top Haunts - a record year. Since its inception, the Top Haunts program has been the benchmark for professionalism and safety in the haunted attraction industry.Also this week: Halloween & Costume Association Highlights How Adults Embrace the Spooky Season; IAAPA Brass Ring Awards Deadline is October 10th; Scooby-Doo x Universal Monsters Mash-Up; "Krampus & Kin" Comes to Universal Horror Unleashed; "People in the Dark: An Immersive Ghost Story"; "Winne-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey" Haunted House Comes to UK; Canada's Wonderland Adds New Chaperone, Costume, and Bag Policies; Midnight Syndicate Releases "Darkened Corners" Rare Tracks EP; "LVCRFT Kids" Releases on October 1st; Customers Frustrated Over Lack of Accountability for The Scarefactory; Read more here.

This past weekend, Knott's Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA) opened for its 52nd season, running 26 select nights through November 1st. This year's lineup includes ten mazes, five scare zones, three shows, and more, with over 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog. Also this week:Halloween Trends 2025: What Guests Really Want; DoorDash Releases "Trick, Treat and Trends"; Six Flags Reports Attendance Gains Amid Seasonal Event Cancellations; Sesame Place Ends Annual Halloween & Holiday Events in Abrupt Seasonal Operations Change; Pacific Park Debuts New Funhouse with EPIC Entertainment Group; Mall of America Announces Seasonal Thrills and Halloween Fun; Legendary Haunt Tour Itinerary Announced; Michael Myers Returns to the Big Screen This October; "Trick 'r Treat" Gets First Nationwide Theatrical Release. Read more here.

Dark Nights at Hersheypark (Hershey, PA) opened this past weekend, running eight weekends through November 2nd. The event features five haunted houses, four scare zones, access to over 50 rides, seasonal foods & beverages, live entertainment, and more. Guests can enjoy family-friendly fun by day and frights at night - all included with a Hersheypark Halloween ticket. A new haunted house ( Kill 'N Fill Garage) and Scare Zone debuted this year.Also this week: Field of Screams PA Opens Gates for 33rd Season with New Hayride Scene; Take a Sneak Peek at Hera's Nightmare; The Haunt in Atascadero Unveils “Frankenstein's Monsters Re-stitched”; Go Behind the Screams at Kings Dominion to Benefit A Kid Again; LEGOLAND California Unveils 17-Foot Halloween LEGO Tree; Scooby-Doo Halloween Toys Come to Burger King; HalloweenCostumes.com Releases 2025 Halloween in America Survey Results. Read more here.

Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood Opened Last Weekend to a sold-out crowd, featuring 8 Houses, a New Dining Pass, "Chainsaw Man", and More. Meanwhile, Halloween Horror Nights Orlando Criticized for Premium Scream Night Disappointments, Oversold Passes, and Controversies Around Roaming Characters. Also this week: Six Flags Great America's Fright Fest Begins September 13th; Adventureland Debuts New House for Phantom Fall Fest; Fresno Fright Nights Comes to the Central Valley October 3rd; Maan Farms Announces First Halloween Fright Festival; M&D's Scotland's Theme Park Offers Family Fun and Thrilling Scares; Home Haunter Awards Show 2024 Winners Announced. Read more here.

And as HHN leans on accessible IP like WWE, Fallout, and FNAF, builds in food-forward offerings, and pilots no-scare options, the question arises: is Universal future-proofing the brand—or diluting its horror core? Also this week: Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest Debuts New Haunted House; Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare Comes to Kings Island in 2026; Netflix House to Open in Philadelphia & Dallas; The Haunted Carwash Returns to SoCal with Three Locations; Coffin Creek Moves; Mr. Floats & The CarnEvil of Souls Tours U.S. to Promote Kickstarter Campaign; Walibi Holland Revises Ad Campaign Following Public Outcry; Spirit Christmas Stores will Return for 2025. Read the stories here.

This week: Adventuredome's Fear Zone Organizer Accused of Sexual Battery; Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar at Disney Springs Gets Halloween Makeover; Two New Mazes Coming to Knott's Scary Farm; Howl-O-Scream Tampa Unveils M.A.R.S. Haunted House; Queen Mary's Dark Harbor Announces New & Updated Mazes; Field of Screams Maryland Will Not Open for the 2025 Season; Twin Cities Fear Fest Brings Elvira to Mall of America; Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall Celebrates 35th Anniversary; Hieizan Obakeyashiki Returns for a Limited-Time; Texas Chainsaw Massacre & Winnie-the-Pooh Blood and Honey Come to Hertfordshire with Halloween Haunt Fest; Halloween Horror Nights Singapore Highlights Asian Horror IPs. Read more here.

Last week was MASSIVE for Halloween Fans, beginning with the opening of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, followed by Midsummer Scream in Long Beach. Haunted Attractions took advantage of the 50,000+ attendees at Midsummer Scream to announce their Halloween plans - and we've gathered EVERYTHING for you! Highlights: Universal Reveals Terrifier Haunted House Details; Five Nights at Freddy's Pizza Place Previews; Elvira moves in to LA Haunted Hayride; Delusion & Magic of the Jack-o'-Lanterns get new homes; Six Flags Fright Fest Announces 1 new maze for 2025; Knott's Scary Farm retires 2 mazes; Legacy Cedar Fair Parks will now Charge for Haunted Houses; Hersheypark Halloween Partners with Shaquille O'Neal; SeaWorld San Diego's Howl-O-Scream Returns; Scooby-Doo and the Gang to Appear at Universal Volcano Bay Nights; Industry Veterans Acquire Evansville's House of Lecter & The Old Catacombs. Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/horror-unleashed-opens-park-announcements-galore

50,000 Halloween Fans will gather in Long Beach this weekend (Aug 15-17) for Midsummer Scream! Guests will experience 12+ mini-haunts, shop at 350+ vendors, and hear from local haunted attractions about this season. Also this week: Poltergeist Comes to Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood; Six Flags Reveals The Conjuring Premium Experience; Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest Expands; Universal Horror Unleashed Opens August 14th; Spirit Halloween Releases new Branded Merchandise. Read more here.

This week's headlines: SLASH to Create All-New Experiences for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood; Want us to visit your haunt? Tell us by July 31st!; Lagoon Show and Nightmare Fuel Return to Halloween Horror Nights Orlando; New Villains for Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland- Disneyland's Halloween Foodie Guide 2025; Tivoli Gardens Celebrates 20 Years of Halloween Festivities; Fire at Fear Factory SLC; Queen Mary's Dark Harbor Unveils Haunting Lineup of 2025's Special Events; Mars Releases Summerween Consumer Trend Data; Five Nights at Freddy's 2 Official Trailer Debuts; Read more here.

Halloween Horror Nights Orlando announced two "all-new street experiences - "Mel's Die-In Zombies," featuring zombie carhops, and "Club Horror," featuring undead DJs. While we've seen 'street' shows in prior years, they're not typically announced and this could mean a stronger entertainment for this year's event. Also: The Texas Haunters Convention is this weekend; Summerween Spurs Creativity and Spooky Vibes Before Fall Celebrations; Applications Now Open for the Haunted Attraction Association's Award Winning Haunts Program; "Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition" to Feature Halloween Horror Nights & Dark Universe; Official Teaser Released for Stranger Things: Season 5. Read more here.

A Stranger Things Haunted House will debut at Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights, joining the returning house, Singapore's Most Haunted: Build to Horror, two yet-to-be-announced houses, two scare zones, and three live shows. Also this week: "Terrifier" Comes to US Halloween Horror Nights; Howl-O-Scream San Diego Returns; "Fresno Fright Nights" Comes to San Joaquin Valley; Freakling Bros. Pauses 2025 Event; Woods of Terror Hosts Behind the Scenes Tour; IKEA's Halloween Collection Returns; "Scary Farm: Nightmares Revealed" scheduled for August 19th. Read more here. 

With the last major holiday celebration of summer out of the way (no one really decorates for Labor Day), retailers are now fully embracing the "Summerween" season, stocking Halloween-themed products earlier than ever before. As reported in last month's newsletters, stores like Michaels, Target, and Lowe's took advantage of Friday, June 13th, to begin to release their spooky items. Now, even more stores are pushing the Halloween season forward into summer. Read more here. 

This week: Universal Destinations & Experiences Announces Horror Unleashed Chicago; Halloween Horror Nights Orlando Announced 5 Original Haunts; La Llorona, La Muelona, and La Siguanaba Come to Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood; Haunts Return to the Las Vegas Adventuredome with "Fear Dome"; Screams Halloween Theme Park Announces Closure;  "Graveyard Games" Now Casting Horror Superfans; Spirit Halloween is Hiring 50,000 Retail Associates; Re more here.

This week: Winchester Mystery House Unveils Festival Fright Nights; Hauntathon seeks Haunted Attractions for 2025 Season; Midwest Haunters Convention Draws Massive Crowds; Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on sale June 26th; Friday the 13th's Jason comes to Halloween Horror Nights; Universal Japan gets new maze and collab with KATE makeup; Top 5 theme park trends you need to know; Terror Vault presents Hexed. Read more here. 

This week: Industry Mourns Sudden Passing of Edward Terebus of Erebus Haunted Attraction; Fallout Comes to Halloween Horror Nighte; GUIDE to Halloween Horror Night Tickets; Ghost Boat Collaborates with Moment Factory; Haunt Shirts Announces Closure; Midwest Haunters Convention Returns June 5th - 7th, 2026. Read the stories here.

This week: How trends from InterPark Magazine and theme parks impact haunts; Monsterpalooza Comes to Pasadena This Weekend; Six Flags validates horror IP expansion & themed F&B; Spirit Halloween Cancels Flagship Store Grand Opening; Queen Mary's Dark Harbor To Open June 13th; Zombies Takeover Hello Kitty Land This Summer; Ghostly Manor Debuts at Paultons Park; ScareCON's 2025 SCAR Awards Winners Announced; The Mystic Museum's Total Grotesque Live (TGL). Read the stories here.

This week: The Complete Guide to the Midwest Haunters Convention; Decreased Production of Halloween Goods; Disney's Stock Jumps 7% After a Blockbuster Quarter 2; Jack Skellington Gets a Makeover for Disney Halloween 2025; Paint The Night returns to Disneyland; Danny Elfman, John Carpenter, and More to Perform at "Future Ruins" Festival. Read the stories here.

Recently, I joined Tyler Barnett on the Fearworm Wormhole show to discuss how major theme park innovations could transform haunted attractions, and this is the full recording. We unpack Universal's new Fan Fest Nights, Horror Unleashed, Dark Universe, and the rise of off-season activations like music festivals and “summer slasher” events. You'll hear how IP partnerships, luxury-tier VIP add-ons, and even tariff pressures on materials can reshape your pricing and value proposition this fall—plus tactics for leveraging local brands when Hollywood licenses feel out of reach. Fearworm streams Wormhole episodes live every other Friday on Facebook. I wrote an article based on this as well, available here.

Today we're playing the FULL audio from a marketing masterclass I recently hosted for Haunter's Toolbox, answering YOUR QUESTIONS on marketing strategies for haunted attractions.  This is the complete, unedited recording! If you're a haunt owner or operator looking to boost ticket sales and reach new audiences, you'll find tactics you can immediately implement. Examples from Hush, Woods of Terror, and Transworld included. Haunter's Toolbox hosts monthly sessions at haunterstoolbox.com, and you can watch this video version here.

Director Eli Craig (Tucker and Dale vs Evil) breaks down his new slasher film, "Clown in a Cornfield," in this exclusive interview. Discover how he balances horror and comedy, creates authentic Gen Z characters, and draws inspiration from classics like Jaws. This is essential listening for haunted attraction creators and horror fans alike, with insights on the modern horror renaissance and the enduring power of communal fear experiences.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Begins Aug 15, following Aug announcements for Horror Unleashed & HHN; Marketing Your Haunted Attraction; Six Flags America To Close- ScareCON comes to Birmingham May 20th - 21st; Midwest Haunters Convention's Exhibitor List; Eli Craig Talks Clown in a Cornfield and Modern Horror; FX's Alien: Earth Brings Immersive Sci-Fi Horror to AREA15. Read more here.https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/halloween-starts-in-august-now-disney-says-so

This week: Can Universal turn Spring into Second Halloween with Fan Fest Nights?; Theme Parks Turn to Diversification Amid Uncertainty Epidemic; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Howl-O-Scream Mayhem Sale; Midwest Haunters Convention Friday Haunt Tour to Feature Abandoned Haunted House Complex; Fright Nights WV "Fright Nights Final Cut: Summer Slaughter"; Mars releases Tricks, Treats, and Trends Report. Read more here. 

East Coast Haunters Convention delighted attendees with haunt tours, programming, vendors, and more; Comcast's Stock Dips Despite EPIC Universe Opening; Wicked New England comes to Salem this Saturday; Creep It Real OC Tickets; The VHS Society presents "Mother of Evil" on May 16th; Street Food Cinema's "Boo-ze, Bites & Frights: Half-O-Ween;" Read the stories here.

This week: Tariffs Threaten to Raise Prices on Halloween Costumes & Decor; Creepy Creator Group Brings Easter Screams in Horror Parody Anthology; Complete Guide to the East Coast Haunters Convention; John Carpenter Comes to Midsummer Scream; Tokyo Disney Resort Limits Halloween Costumes; Merlin Entertainments Partners with RWS Global; Fear Farm Attraction Seeks New Venue; Texas Chainsaw Massacre Comes to the U.K. at Halloween Haunt. Read more: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/tariff-terror-will-halloween-prices-double

Halloween convention season is underway with a myriad of events that are partnering with haunts for programming and attractions; TransWorld's East Coast Haunters Convention takes place next week with pre-con haunt tours on April 24th & 25th and convention days on April 26th-27th; The Spooky Swap Meet returns to Los Angeles on April 25th-27th; Universal plans for strategic geographic diversification with the newly announced Universal Studios UK; Meyer2Meyer Entertainment brings "Little Shop of Horrors" to The Nocturne Theatre; Reapers Realm to hold an online eminent domain liquidation auction; Field of Screams hosts Halfway to Halloween Haunt & Music Fest; Discover Spooky Spots with The Scare Factor's newest directory; Picklenose Halloween House creator Dale Parker passes. Read the full stories here.

This week: The full OSCARES 2025 Awards; Dark Harbor returns on Sept 19th; Halfway to Halloween at Winchester Mystery House & Reign of Terror; The Mystic Museum's Horror High Prom; Previews begin for Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe; Zagone Studios to close. Read the stories here. 

Watch our video on the 25 Best New Products from Transworld 2025 here; U.S. tourism decline threatens attractions; Epic Universe's Darmoor Monster Makeup Experience; UF Swamp Haunters host halfway-to-Halloween haunt; Haunters Toolbox to host a live Q&A with Philip Hernandez of the Haunted Attraction Network on April 8th. Read more here.

This week: Herschend to Acquire Palace Entertainment's U.S. Attractions; Limos: Immersive Tarot Experience Returns to LA; The John Wick Experience Opens in Las Vegas; The London Dungeon Seeks Haunted Items; Home Depot Teases "Ultra Skelly" Animatronic; "It's Alive" Panel Returns to WonderCon. Read the stories here.

This week: Horror Unleashed Analysis; 18 Haunts opened for St. Patrick's Day events; Wicked New England plans Halfway to Halloween in Salem; Scarehouse Windsor wins Innovator of the Year Award; John Carpenter announces NYC concert; Disney Halloween Festival returns to Disneyland Paris; East Coast Haunters Convention exhibitor list. Read the stories here 

Universal's Horror Unleashed is set to bring year-round horror to Las Vegas, launching August 14, 2024, at AREA15. But can Universal's seasonal HHN magic translate into a sustainable permanent attraction? During the TEA Stories from the Fringes series, a panel of Universal Creative team members—including Shelby Honea, Sean Chung, Abbye Finnan, and Corey Schurr—shared their vision for Horror Unleashed, from rotating IPs to a fully immersive, never-breaking experience. This episode features the edited panel recording, exploring the challenges and opportunities of bringing year-round horror to the Vegas Strip.

This week: Transworld RECAP; Midsummer Scream tickets now on sale; East Coast Haunters Convention and pre-show tours; Registration opens for Texas Haunters Convention; Six Flags prepares for a massive 2025 season; United Parks' earnings show trouble ahead; Field of Screams Montana Honored with Legacy Haunt Award. Read more here. 

Description: For 26 years, Field of Screams MT has been a staple of Montana's Halloween scene, growing from a simple corn maze into a multi-attraction haunted destination. This year, they received the Legacy Haunt Award from the Haunted Attraction Association, honoring their decades of innovation and impact. In this episode, we sit down with the Kirkland family for an unedited, free-flowing conversation about their journey, the evolution of their haunt, and what keeps them scaring year after year. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you're missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here.

The 2025 OSCARES Awards celebrated the top vendors, haunts, and industry leaders during TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis. As producers of this year's ceremony, we had a front-row seat to the energy and excitement, from the debut of the Spirit of Leadership Award to the Lifetime Achievement honor for Timothy Gavinski. This episode features the FULL, UNEDITED recording of the ceremony, so you can experience every acceptance speech, surprise moment, and industry recognition. Read more about the OSCARES here. Support for this episode comes from Gantom Lighting and Controls. See what you're missing with a free demo. Subscribe to everything from the Haunted Attraction Network here. 

Held annually at TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show, the State of the Industry Seminar brings together HAA board members, haunt owners, operators, and vendors for a candid look at the past season and the challenges ahead. Moderated by newly seated President Jim Werner (PennHurst Asylum) and outgoing President Spencer Terry (Fear Factory), this year's discussion focused heavily on the insurance crisis, the future of CHAOS safety training, and expanding resources (including AI) to help members. Read our full recap here.

This week: Universal's Horror Unleashed Opens Aug 14; The Haunt Industry will gather in St Louis this week for the world's largest Halloween Trade Show; Highlights from IAAPA's Middle East Trade Summit; "Alien: Earth" invades SXSW with an immersive pop-up experience; Spirit Halloween reaches $1 Million milestone in donations; Read the stories here.

This week: Universal Fan Fest Nights tests if guests will pay for hard-tickets outside of Halloween; Tokyo Disney's Halloween investment; Disney's pricing power is strong, but how high can prices go before guests push back?; HAA Annual Meeting & OSCARES; TransWorld's free seminars; Netflix Bites in Vegas serves horror-inspired dishes. Read the news here.

This week: 88 Haunts Open Nationwide This Weekend for Valentines; Disney Struggles to Impress Wall Street; Tokyo Disneyland Leans into Halloween; Spooky Swap Meet Tickets;TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show Updates; Haunted Attraction Association's C.H.A.O.S. recertification program. Read all the stories here.

This week: 95 Valentine Haunts Opening this Month; Ed Roberts (West Coast Halloween Con; Nightmare Factory) passes; Insidious: The Further You Fear cancels tour; John Carpenter announces 4-night residency in Los Angeles; Tickets on sale for Universal Fan Fest Nights; 2025 expected to see growth in the Halloween retail industry; Transworld Updates. Read the news here.

This Week's News: Halloween Horror Nights Orlando Returns Aug 29; Six Flags Live Entertainment Open Casting; NEW Details: "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After"; "Insidious: The Further You Fear" theatrical experience begins; CreepIE Con is this weekend; SCARECON returns May 20th - 21st; TransWorld's Halloween & Attractions Show adds an evening networking lounge at the Marriott hotel; Haunted Attraction Association board member nominations; "The Fright Stuff" documentary from Zombie Army Productions and Yokai Films to premiere at TransWorld. Read the full stories here.

This week: Disneyland's new ghost bride; A woman goes to court over her year-round skeleton display; Fear Fest Haunted Attractions given a rating of "F" by the Better Business Bureau; Derry Halloween's "Awaken the Walls" will remain free; Dark Universe Construction Updates from Attractions Magazine; Halloween & Costume Association announces inaugural Spooky Awards winners. Read the articles here.