Alton Towers Scarefest 2026 runs on selected dates between 26 September and 1 November, transforming Britain's Greatest Escape into a spine-tingling Halloween adventure for every age. This year's headline is Final Exhibit, a brand-new scare maze set in a sinister hidden archive, joined by the resort's first immersive Halloween dining experience, Dine with the Dead.
On Scarefest dates, the theme park stays open until 9pm, so you can ride legendary coasters like The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man in the dark. Little monsters are well looked after too, with Halloween walkthroughs, spooky dance parties and the CBeebies Land Monster Ball.
We've rounded up everything you need to know about Scarefest 2026, including the dates, what's included with your Alton Towers ticket, the four scare mazes, age guidance and our top tips for a thrilling day out.
Quick summary:
- Dates: 26 and 27 September, 2 to 4 October, 9 to 11 October, then every day from 16 October to 1 November 2026.
- Opening hours: The theme park opens at 10am and stays open until 9pm on every Scarefest date, including the opening weekend.
- Included with park entry: Rdes in the dark, two outdoor scare zones (Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds), Halloween theming, live entertainment and the CBeebies Land Monster Ball.
- Optional extras: The four scare mazes, two family walkthroughs, Dine with the Dead, the Alton Towers Ghost Tour and Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes are booked separately with Alton Towers, online before your visit or at the park on the day, subject to availability.
- New for 2026: The Final Exhibit scare maze, Dine with the Dead and Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes.
- Scare mazes: Final Exhibit, Edge of the Forest, COMPOUND and Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge, all recommended for ages 12+.
- Family attractions: Amigos in the Afterlife and Trick O' Treat Town are recommended for ages 6+, and children under 90cm enter the theme park free.
- Age: There's no minimum age to visit during Scarefest, and children under 16 visit with an adult. The scare mazes are recommended for ages 12+ and Dine with the Dead for ages 14+.
- Best for: Thrill-seekers, teens and groups of friends who love a scare, plus mixed-age families who want Halloween fun for little ones and big coasters after dark.
Scarefest 2026 quick facts
Scarefest 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
Where | Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire |
When | Selected dates, 26 September to 1 November 2026 |
Final day | Sunday 1 November 2026 |
Park hours | 10am to 9pm on Scarefest dates |
Scare mazes | 4 (Final Exhibit, Edge of the Forest, COMPOUND, Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge) |
Scare zones | 2 (Dark Hollow, Burial Grounds) |
Family walkthroughs | 2 (Amigos in the Afterlife, Trick O' Treat Town) |
Headline new additions | Final Exhibit, Dine with the Dead, Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes |
Scare maze age guidance | 12+ |
Family walkthrough age guidance | 6+ |
Some rides and areas may close a little before 9pm, so the Alton Towers app is the best place to check live times on the day.
When is Alton Towers Scarefest 2026? Dates and opening times
Alton Towers Scarefest 2026 runs across 25 dates between Saturday 26 September and Sunday 1 November. The event starts with weekends in late September and early October, then runs every day from Friday 16 October until its final day, Sunday 1 November.
Month | Scarefest 2026 dates |
|---|---|
September | Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 |
October | Friday 2 to Sunday 4 |
October | Friday 9 to Sunday 11 |
October to November | Every day from Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November |
The theme park opens at 10am and stays open until 9pm on Scarefest dates, giving you up to 11 hours of Halloween fun. The resort's car park and monorail open before the park gates, so you can arrive early and be ready to go.
Scarefest and October half-term 2026
Scarefest's daily run from 16 October to 1 November lines up with October half-term for most families across the UK. Here's how the 2026 school breaks compare.
| School calendar | October break 2026 |
|---|---|
| England | Most schools: Monday 26 to Friday 30 October |
| Wales | Monday 26 to Friday 30 October |
| Northern Ireland | Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October |
| Republic of Ireland | Monday 26 to Friday 30 October |
| Scotland | Set by each local authority, often earlier in October |
Dates can vary by council, academy trust and individual school, so we'd recommend checking your school's calendar before you book. Families on an earlier Scottish break can enjoy the October weekend dates or the start of the daily run from 16 October. The weekdays during half-term are a lovely choice for a relaxed visit!
What's included with your Alton Towers ticket during Scarefest?
Your Alton Towers One Day or Two Day ticket includes Scarefest when you visit on a Scarefest date, with the theme park, rides in the dark, both scare zones and the family entertainment programme all included. The scare mazes, family walkthroughs and premium experiences are optional extras booked separately with Alton Towers.
| Included with your Alton Towers ticket | Optional extras (booked separately) |
|---|---|
| Theme park entry until 9pm | Four Thrills scare mazes (12+) |
| Rides in the dark, including The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man | Two family walkthroughs: Amigos in the Afterlife and Trick O' Treat Town (6+) |
| Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds scare zones | Dine with the Dead (14+) |
| Alton Ancestors and Freaky Friends | Alton Towers Ghost Tour (12+) |
| CBeebies Land Monster Ball | Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes (12+) |
| Halloween theming across the park | Platinum Scarefest VIP |
How to book the Scarefest scare mazes
The scare mazes, family walkthroughs and premium experiences are Alton Towers' own add-ons, so you book them directly with Alton Towers. You can add them online before your visit or at the park on the day, subject to availability. Booking ahead is the best way to secure your favourite time slots, especially during October half-term.
What's new at Scarefest 2026?
Scarefest 2026 welcomes three brand-new experiences: the Final Exhibit scare maze, Dine with the Dead and Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes. Together they give horror fans, theme park enthusiasts and foodies more reasons than ever to make a day (or evening) of it.
- Final Exhibit - the headline new scare maze, set inside the forgotten archive of the mysterious Curator.
- Dine with the Dead - the resort's first immersive Halloween dining experience, with a three-course banquet and live performances.
- Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes - a lights-on guided tour revealing how the new maze was designed and built.
The four Scarefest scare mazes for 2026
Scarefest 2026 has four live-action "Thrills" scare mazes, each with its own story, setting and style of scare, and all recommended for guests aged 12+. Final Exhibit is the brand-new maze for 2026, joining returning favourites Edge of the Forest, COMPOUND and Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge.
| Scare maze | Style of horror | Setting | Age guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Exhibit (new) | Psychological, museum horror | The Curator's hidden archive | 12+ |
| Edge of the Forest | Supernatural, woodland folklore | A forgotten cottage in the Dark Forest | 12+ |
| COMPOUND | Sci-fi, experimental horror | A secret scientific facility | 12+ |
| Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge | Creature and survival horror | An abandoned mine | 12+ |
Final Exhibit (new for 2026)
Final Exhibit is Scarefest's brand-new scare maze for 2026, inspired by the rich history of the Towers themselves. You begin at what appears to be an exhibition of newly discovered Alton Towers artefacts, before being drawn into the secret archive of The Curator, a collector obsessed with preserving the past.
The Curator is served by The Archivists, a silent, hypnotised workforce always searching for new additions to the collection. The twist? His collection isn't made up of objects alone, and anyone who fails to escape could become a living exhibit, preserved in the archive forever.
Edge of the Forest
Returning for 2026, Edge of the Forest takes you beneath an eerie woodland canopy to a forgotten cottage on the edge of the Dark Forest. Lost souls warn of the Leshwall, a sinister spirit said to infiltrate the minds of anyone who crosses its path.
The forest seems to shift around you as you go, with twisting vines and withered woodland adding to the atmosphere. It's a brilliant pick if you love folklore, dark fables and the feeling that something is watching from the trees.
COMPOUND
COMPOUND places you inside a secretive scientific facility, where you become an unwilling subject in a sinister experiment. The story connects to the Phalanx storyline from Nemesis Reborn and Nemesis Sub-Terra, with scientists attempting to weaponise human DNA. Fans may remember the Phalanx from Project 42, a Phalanx-themed maze from previous Scarefests.
Expect laboratories, clinical corridors and disorientating rooms as you search for a way out. It's the perfect maze for fans of sci-fi horror.
Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge
Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge continues the story of the infamous Skin Snatchers deep in the abandoned Altonville Mines. Tiny has escaped justice and still haunts the dark depths of the mine, lurking for new visitors brave enough to venture below.
Tight tunnels and pitch-black passageways make this the most underground, creature-focused maze of the four. It's a thrilling choice for anyone who loves classic survival horror.
Scarefest scare zones - Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds
Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds are Scarefest's two outdoor scare zones, where live scare actors roam free-flowing themed areas after dark. Unlike the scare mazes, they aren't separately ticketed attractions, so they're part of your Scarefest day with park entry.
| Scare mazes | Scare zones | |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | Enclosed walkthroughs with a set route and story | Open-air themed areas you walk through freely |
| Examples | Final Exhibit, Edge of the Forest, COMPOUND, Tiny's Revenge | Dark Hollow, Burial Grounds |
| Booking | Booked separately, with timed entry on most tickets | Included with park entry |
| Best time to visit | Any time from your booked slot | After dark, for the full atmosphere |
Dark Hollow
Dark Hollow is a free-flowing woodland scare zone that extends the Dark Forest story. A threatening presence watches from among the ancient roots and shadows, drawing guests deeper into the darkness.
Burial Grounds
Burial Grounds is a ritual-themed scare zone centred on The Unchosen, outcasts connected to the lore of the Wicker Man. Desecrated graves, flaming shrines and monstrous deities set the scene as cultists try to draw you into their world.
Our top tip: Take the scare zones slowly after sunset. The atmosphere builds as the light fades, and part of the fun is never knowing where the next scare is hiding.
Rides in the dark at Scarefest
Riding Alton Towers' biggest coasters in the dark is one of the highlights of Scarefest, and it's included with your park ticket. Selected rides operate into the evening on Scarefest dates, with The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man headlining the after-dark line-up.
| Ride | Minimum height | Why it's special after dark |
|---|---|---|
| Wicker Man | 1.2m | Its fiery effects glow against the night sky |
| The Smiler | 1.4m | 14 inversions feel even more disorientating in darkness |
| Nemesis Reborn | 1.4m | The rocky ravine disappears into the night |
| Oblivion | 1.4m | The vertical drop into the dark takes on a whole new meaning |
| Toxicator | 1.4m | A spinning whirlwind lit up in the heart of Forbidden Valley |
| Runaway Mine Train | 1.1m (under 1.3m with an adult) | A family-friendly way to enjoy a ride under the stars |
Ride availability is subject to operational conditions and can change on the day, so we'd recommend checking the official Alton Towers app for live ride information throughout your visit.
Our top tip: Ride your favourite coaster once in daylight and again after dark. It feels like two completely different rides!
For more big-ride inspiration, discover our top thrill rides at Alton Towers Resort.
Family Halloween fun at Scarefest
Scarefest has a whole programme of family-friendly Halloween fun, designed to be spooky, colourful and full of smiles. It's a magical way for younger visitors to join in the Halloween spirit while older siblings take on the big coasters.
Amigos in the Afterlife (6+)
Amigos in the Afterlife is a vibrant family walkthrough inspired by Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). After crossing into the afterlife, families complete tasks for friendly spirits to find their way back to the land of the living. It's a separately ticketed extra.
Trick O' Treat Town (6+)
Trick O' Treat Town with HARIBO & MAOAM is a family walkthrough where it's Halloween every day. Children stroll along Spooky Avenue and into the Witchy Woods, trick-or-treating with the town's eccentric residents along the way. It's a separately ticketed extra.
Alton Ancestors and Freaky Friends
The Alton Ancestors return with their spooky family entertainment, while the Freaky Friends host Halloween stage shows in the Courtyard Arena, with meet-and-greets and photo opportunities too. Both are included with your theme park ticket.
CBeebies Land Monster Ball
The CBeebies Land Monster Ball is a Halloween dance party made for younger children, with favourite CBeebies characters, games and plenty of dancing. It's a wonderful, gentle introduction to Halloween for toddlers and pre-schoolers, and it's included with your theme park ticket.
Children under 90cm enter the theme park free, collected at the attraction with the purchase of an individual online ticket. Height restrictions apply on many rides, so we'd recommend checking the Alton Towers rider guide before your visit!
How old do you have to be for Scarefest? Age guide and scare ratings
There's no minimum age to visit Alton Towers during Scarefest, so the whole family can come along. Children under 16 need to visit with an adult, and each Scarefest experience has its own recommended age, from 6+ for the family walkthroughs to 12+ for the scare mazes and 14+ for Dine with the Dead.
Scarefest can be as scary as you like, from giggly family walkthroughs to intense live-action scare mazes. Here's our guide to every experience, with our spooky rating to help you pick the right level of fright.
| Experience | Age guidance | Spooky rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBeebies Land Monster Ball | All ages | 🎃 | Toddlers |
| Alton Ancestors and Freaky Friends | All ages | 🎃 | The whole family |
| Amigos in the Afterlife | 6+ | 🎃🎃 | Primary-age children |
| Trick O' Treat Town | 6+ | 🎃🎃 | Primary-age children |
| Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds (scare zones) | Previously 12+ (see below) | 🎃🎃🎃 | Teens and adults |
| Alton Towers Ghost Tour | 12+ | 🎃🎃 | History and ghost-story fans |
| Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes | 12+ | 🎃 | Theme park enthusiasts |
| Edge of the Forest | 12+ | 🎃🎃🎃🎃 | Folklore and supernatural fans |
| Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge | 12+ | 🎃🎃🎃🎃 | Survival horror fans |
| COMPOUND | 12+ | 🎃🎃🎃🎃 | Sci-fi horror fans |
| Final Exhibit | 12+ | 🎃🎃🎃🎃 | Psychological horror fans |
| Dine with the Dead | 14+ (under-18s with an adult) | 🎃🎃🎃 | Adults and older teens |
Alton Towers hasn't published separate age guidance for Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds for 2026. Previous Scarefest maps listed both as 12+, so we'd treat them as part of the scarier side of the event.
Age guidance is separate from ride height restrictions, so we'd recommend checking both before your visit.
Scarefest scare maze tickets and add-ons explained
Scarefest's scare mazes and family walkthroughs are sold as add-ons, and the options differ in which attractions they include and whether you book a time slot. Choosing the right one helps you plan the perfect day.
| Add-on | What's included | Time slots |
|---|---|---|
| Individual maze tickets | One visit to a single maze or family walkthrough | 15-minute entry slots |
| Thrills Combi | One visit to each of the four scare mazes | Early and late time slots |
| Spooks Duo | One visit each to Amigos in the Afterlife and Trick O' Treat Town | No time slots |
| All Maze Ticket | One visit to all six mazes and walkthroughs | No time slots |
| Ultimate Thrills Combi | Unlimited visits to the four scare mazes, with Fastrack entry | Unlimited |
| Platinum Scarefest VIP | Front-of-line ride access, unlimited Thrills and Family maze access, a VIP host, merchandise, photos and a meal voucher | Hosted |
All add-ons need a valid theme park ticket for the same date, so you'll need your Alton Towers ticket as well. You can book add-ons on the Alton Towers website or at the park on the day, subject to availability.
Our top tip: If you're visiting with a mixed-age group and want the most flexibility, the All Maze Ticket covers every maze and walkthrough with no time slots to plan around.
Dine with the Dead - Alton Towers' new Halloween dining experience
Dine with the Dead is Alton Towers' first immersive Halloween dining experience, new for Scarefest 2026 and recommended for ages 14+. Hosted by Lord Vincent and Lady Lucinda Vile, who are celebrating 300 years of toxic matrimony, it combines a cocktail reception, a three-course banquet and live performances unfolding around your table.
| Dine with the Dead | Matinee | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Doors open | 11:45am | 6:45pm |
| Experience begins | 12:30pm | 7:30pm |
| Performance dates | 24, 25 and 31 October and 1 November | Every evening from 23 October to 1 November |
| After-party | Not included | Included |
| Age guidance | 14+ | 14+ |
Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Three seating tiers are available:
- The Vile Family Table, at the heart of the action
- The Preferred Cut, around the central performance area
- The Locally Sourced, on the outer edge with a view into the main action
Every tier includes The Wake cocktail reception, the three-course banquet and live entertainment.
Our top tip: If you're booking the evening performance, plan your rides and mazes for earlier in the day so you can relax and enjoy the after-party.
The Alton Towers Ghost Tour and Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes
Scarefest's two limited-date experiences, the Alton Towers Ghost Tour and Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes, are perfect for guests who love history, storytelling and the craft of theme park design.
Alton Towers Ghost Tour (12+)
Returning for 2026, the Alton Towers Ghost Tour is a 60-minute storytelling journey through the historic Towers ruins, including areas rarely open to the public. Guests explore with ghost-hunting tools such as EMF meters and dowsing rods, and receive an exclusive Ghost Tour VIP pin.
Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes (12+)
Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes is a lights-on guided tour of the new maze, revealing the set design, special effects and storytelling behind it. The experience includes a Final Exhibit maze ticket, so you can see the maze in full darkness too, plus an exclusive VIP pin.
Which Alton Towers ticket is best for Scarefest?
Both of our Alton Towers tickets include Scarefest when you visit on a Scarefest date, so the best choice depends on how much time you'd like at the park.
| One Day Ticket | Two Day Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | One day on your chosen date | Two consecutive days from your chosen date |
| Scarefest included | Yes, on Scarefest dates | Yes, when both days fall on Scarefest dates |
| Best for | A single action-packed day | Rides on day one, mazes and scare zones on day two |
| Delivery | Instant, mobile-friendly tickets | Instant, mobile-friendly tickets |
The Two Day Ticket is a brilliant way to experience everything Scarefest has to offer at a relaxed pace. It works especially well during October half-term, when Scarefest runs every day.
How to plan your perfect Scarefest day
A little planning helps you enjoy both the daytime thrills and the after-dark atmosphere. Here's a sample plan for a full Scarefest day with scare mazes.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 10am | Arrive as the gates open and head straight for your favourite big coasters |
| 10am to 1pm | Enjoy the major rides and family attractions in daylight |
| 1pm | Stop for lunch and refuel for the evening ahead |
| 2pm to 5pm | Visit your first scare mazes, following your booked time slots |
| Sunset | Explore Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds as darkness falls |
| Evening | Ride Wicker Man, Nemesis Reborn and The Smiler in the dark |
| Final hour | Finish with a last favourite maze (on unlimited tickets) or one last night ride |
Our step-by-step Scarefest planning checklist
- Book your Alton Towers ticket for a Scarefest date. Booking in advance gives you the best choice of dates, especially for October half-term.
- Choose your add-ons. Decide which scare mazes, walkthroughs or experiences suit your group, and check the age guidance for each one.
- Plan around your time slots. If your add-on has timed entry, build your ride plan around your booked slots.
- Check ride heights. Measure little ones before you go and check them against the Alton Towers rider guide.
- Download the Alton Towers app. It has a park map and live ride information, perfect for planning your evening.
- Pack for an autumn evening. Layers and a waterproof will keep everyone comfy as the temperature drops after sunset.
Accessibility and sensory support at Scarefest
Alton Towers has a dedicated accessibility programme to help every guest enjoy their visit, including during Scarefest. Here's what to know before you go.
- Ride Access Pass: Guests with a disability or medical condition can apply for Alton Towers' Ride Access Pass, which helps them enjoy the rides in a way that suits their needs.
- Carer concessions: Alton Towers offers concessions for carers, with proof of disability shown at the Ticket Office.
- Sensory space: CBeebies Land has a calm sensory space with soft seating, bubble tubes, tactile panels and soft lighting, with limited capacity.
- Ear defenders: Ear defenders are welcome on many rides and in walkthrough attractions and entertainment venues, unless staff advise otherwise. Due to their restraint systems, some rides, including Toxicator, Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler, Oblivion and Galactica, don't allow ear defenders.
- Strobe lighting: The Curse at Alton Manor, Nemesis Sub-Terra, Wicker Man, The Smiler, Hex - The Legend of the Towers and TH13TEEN use strobe lighting, and Final Exhibit: Behind the Scenes uses strobe lighting and low light levels. Other attractions use flash photography or lighting effects, so guests with photosensitive epilepsy can check the full list in the Alton Towers accessibility guide before visiting.
- Ghost Tour: The route includes stairs, gradients and uneven surfaces, with low lighting and strobe effects.
- Wheelchair access: Shops, restaurants and shows across the resort are generally wheelchair accessible. Some Scarefest attractions are in historic or woodland locations, so we'd recommend checking the access information for each experience you'd like to book.
Can you avoid the scare actors at Scarefest?
Yes! If you love the rides but would rather skip the scares, you can still enjoy a brilliant Scarefest. The scare actors are concentrated in the scare mazes and the two scare zones, Dark Hollow and Burial Grounds, so planning a route around these areas keeps the evening relaxed.
Alton Towers has previously offered No Scare Lanyards during Scarefest, which let scare actors know if you'd prefer not to be approached around the park. Arrangements for 2026 haven't been announced, so we'd recommend asking Guest Services on the day. The lanyards don't apply inside the scare mazes.
Our top tips for Scarefest 2026
- Arrive at opening time. A full day from 10am gives you time for rides in daylight and the whole after-dark experience.
- Book your maze slots thoughtfully. Earlier slots leave your evening free for night rides and scare zones.
- Eat before the evening. Refuel in the afternoon so you're ready for the spookiest part of the day.
- Wrap up warm. Autumn evenings in Staffordshire can be chilly, so bring layers, a hat and a waterproof.
- Use the app. Check live ride information and show times on the official Alton Towers app.
- Pick the right level of fright. Use our age guide above to match every member of your group to the perfect experiences.
- Make it two days. Our Two Day Ticket gives you time to enjoy rides, mazes and scare zones without rushing.
There's still time to experience Scarefest!
Scarefest 2026 is one of the most exciting times of year to visit Alton Towers, with a brand-new scare maze, a spine-chilling Halloween banquet, big coasters after dark and plenty of family-friendly fun. Pick your perfect date, choose your level of fright and get ready for an unforgettable Halloween adventure!
Book your Alton Towers tickets with AttractionTickets.com for instant, mobile-friendly tickets, free date changes if your plans change, and free cancellation up to 72 hours before your visit.
