Haunted Attraction Network

It's Halfway to Halloween week, and haunters nationwide are celebrating. The Spooky Swap Meet is taking over Heritage Square Museum in LA, the East Coast Haunters Convention kicks off this week in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and it's also the opening weekend of Universal Fan Fest Nights, where Universal Monsters are headlining. In this issue: -East Coast Haunters Convention Guide -Spooky Swap Meet This Weekend -Fan Fest Nights Food and Merchandise Lineup -Six Flags Reinstates Park Presidents at 10 Parks -Field of Screams Halfway to Halloween Music Fest -Creep It Real OC Announces September Return -Universal Horror Unleashed Panel at Monsterpalooza Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/how-haunters-are-celebrating-halfway-to-halloween

Haunts nationwide are experimenting with immersive Valentine’s formats, while new retail data suggests a resilient outlook for the 2026 Halloween season. This week: - Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Launches "Dark Masquerade" - Cinema of Horrors' "Hearts of Horror" - Brass Ring Excellence Award Finalists - Universal's Fan Fest Nights Doubles Down on Core Fans - Halloween Retailers Expect a Slight Increase in Business in 2026 - Haunted Attraction Association to Add New Paid Administrator Role - Creep I.E. Con Returns This Weekend https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/dark-harbor-expands-valentines-haunts-retail-trends

100+ Haunts nationwide are preparing to open for Valentine's Day next month, and we'll explore one haunt, Fright Nights WV, and its strategy in depth. Plus: VFX Creates Launches 2026 Product Line; Is Six Flags Preparing to Sell More Parks?; Scooby-Doo Meets Universal Monsters at USH; The Halloween & Costume Association Spooky Awards Winners; University of Florida Study Suggests A Good Scare Can Bring People Together; Hershey Aims to Break Out of the Seasonal Game; Camp Nowhere Returns This Summer; Russ McKamey Wins Partial Summary Judgement on E-mail Hack Lawsuit. Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/what-makes-a-valentine-haunt-successful

Merry Hauntings from the Haunted Attraction Network! While most haunts have concluded their holiday run, 8 haunts are still operating this coming weekend. Also this week: Six Flags Magic Mountain Delays New Coaster; Zombie Fun Run at Field of Screams PA Raises $8,000 for PA Breast Cancer Coalition; HauntPay Releases 2025 Season Data in Updated Report; TransWorld Announces "Heaven & Hell" Costume Ball; Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/hauntedattractionnetwork.com/merry-hauntings-from-the-haunted-attraction-network

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: https://youtu.be/_valH5lhses

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: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/nightmares-on-the-rogue-oregons-1-haunted-house-started-as-a-youth-fundraiser/

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 Nights. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2UV5zP9mls

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: https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=5e7f24babe8c8ee6cfc465904&id=7610ce6576