Howl-O-Scream is back with a vengeance and celebrating a quarter century of screams! In 2024, this haunting Halloween event will once again take over Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, promising its usual shrieks all night long — and tickets are now on sale! With horrifying haunted houses and sinister scare zones, you'll be constantly looking over your shoulder. And don't miss all of the electrifying entertainment and the chance to hop on your favorite thrill rides in the dark.
Overview of Howl-O-Scream Tampa
Every year, Busch Gardens knocks it out of the park (or should I say graveyard?). Nowhere is safe in the haunted houses, as scares can come from all directions. The scare zones are also devilishly entertaining as the scare actors always use lots of creative improvisation for their interactions with guests. As always, the entertainment is also top-notch and the event even provides frogs with the opportunity to conquer their favorite coasters and thrill rides in the dark.
This year, The Architect has emerged from the shadows after 25 years of honing his craft and carefully studying his targets. He's finally ready to breathe life into his creations once more — unleashing a wave of terror that sweeps across the land like wildfire. As his nightmares stalk the night and the world trembles in his grasp, the streets will run wild with mayhem ... forging a legacy of horror that will endure long after the echoes of your screams have faded away. If you're up for the frights, keep reading to learn all about Howl-O-Scream!
Howl-O-Scream Tampa 2024 Dates & Ticket Information
Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event that runs on select nights from Sept. 6 to Nov. 2, 2024. The park typically closes to daytime guests at 6 p.m. before it turns into a place of terror from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 7 p.m. to midnight on Thursdays and Sundays. However, you may enter the park as early as 5 p.m. You'll receive a wristband, so team members will be able to know you're there for the event (and they may ask you to show it before entering certain sections of the park before it is cleared of daytime guests). Howl-O-Scream Tampa is taking place on the following dates:
- Sept. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-20
- Oct. 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-31
- Nov. 1-2
Best Dates to Attend
In general, crowds are historically lighter on Thursdays and Sundays and gradually increase as it gets closer to Halloween. The best time to attend Howl-O-Scream is during the first few opening weeks of the event — luckily, tickets are valid on any event day! Advance pricing will not be available after 6 p.m. on the event night at the front gate. If you can't get enough of the scares, spring for the Unlimited Admission ticket which provides admission every night of the event!
Special Experiences
Maximize your fear by splurging on any of the three evil upgrades to have the most epic Halloween ever — all now available on the Busch Gardens website! Get single-use front-of-the-line access to five haunted houses of your choice with the Front Line Fear pass. Add on single-use front-of-the-line access to Falcon's Fury, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Montu, Kumba, Cobra's Curse, Tigris, Iron Gwazi and the all-new Serengeti Flyer with the Front Line Fear Extreme Pass.
Curate your own eerie experience with the Ultimate VIP Tour, a customizable private tour that includes admission to Howl-O-Scream, unlimited front-of-the-line access to haunted houses and thrill rides, a complimentary dinner at Dragonfire Grill, a private lounge, as well as select bars offering complimentary beverages, such as beer, water and soda, reserved seating for shows and complimentary preferred parking (subject to availability). Be sure to fill out the survey in your confirmation email to customize your VIP Tour to ensure a tailored experience that meets the needs of your party! This private tour begins at 6 p.m. and requires a minimum of two guests. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Event admission is included and required to participate in the tour.
Do you love basking in the glow of both jack-o'-lanterns and Christmas trees? Are you fueled by both hot apple cider and frozen hot chocolate? Well, have we got a treat for you! On July 25, 2024 from 12 to 4 p.m., fearful and festive frogs can take a tour of Stranglewood Estate, a haunted house that echoes with the whispers of its dark past, and meet Santa on a joyful visit to the third floor of Serengeti Outlook. The best part: Scary to Merry is included with park admission.
Howl-O-Scream Tampa Park Plan
Unless you splurged for a Front Line Fear pass, arrive at Busch Gardens at least 45 minutes before the event opens. There's a possibility the gates will open early — allowing you to knock out a house or two within the first hour alone!
While some certain zones are off to the side such as "Terror Through Time" in Morocco, you do need to walk right through all of the others to get from Point A to Point B, so be sure to keep your guard up. Terror has been unleashed and no corner is safe.
Here's the map for How-O-Scream Tampa 2024:
Howl-O-Scream Tampa 2024 Haunted Houses
Are you brave enough to enter the haunted houses? You never know what specters and spooks could be lurking around every corner. here's a look at this year's otherworldly abodes.
NEW! Shadows of Wonderland
Oh, dear! It seems things have gone a little ... mad. You've fallen down once again the Rabbit Hole once again. However, you quickly come to realize that where there was once land of wonder, there is now a warped dreamscape caused by the Queen of Hearts' unforgiving reign of terror. Years of torment have transformed once playful characters into bitter shadows, angry over Alice's abandonment. Prepare to confront this distorted reality and face a vengeful queen who's only after one thing: your head.
REIMAGINED! Witch of the Woods: Rise of the Coven
The lengthiest house in Howl-O-Scream history is returning once again ... but this time with a new twist in the tale. You've heard tell of the dark magic that looms in this ominous forest where bone-chilling cackles make way to spine-tingling screams. Enter Seraphina's demonic domain, if you dare, where the infamous Witch of the Woods has finally summoned her coven. Meet Brand, the Fire Bringer, and Karl, the Storm Caller. Together, they'll twist the once-serene forest into a grotesque reflection of their terrible power, leaving behind a trail of poisoned air, stagnant water and withered life.
D.H. Baggum's Circus of Fear
Step right up! Renowned ringleader D.H. Baggums has come to town with his truly terrifying troupe of freaks. Don't get distracted by the merriment and magic, though. The midway's a lot more menacing than it appears. Each place this sinister sideshow stops, unsuspecting patrons go missing. Does D.H. have some pernicious plan? Only one way to find out. Grab a ticket for the most grotesque show on earth.
As the only new house last year, D.H. Baggums replaced the long-reigning Voodoo Queen and bloodthirsty bayou werewolves from the Death Water Bayou house (which we saw a nod to in The Junkyard scare zone!). Flora let out the loudest scream of the night in this house, thanks to a carefully placed carny and a loud honk of his horn.
Stranglewood Estate
Are you ready to return to the haunted halls of this sinister estate? Madame Gwendolyn is back to claim more unsuspecting souls who dare to enter this once lively home. Don't let the opulence and grandiosity fool you. Darkness and the spirit of evil now permeate through this menacing manor. Step into Ms. Stranglewood's secret basement room where her servants faced their untimely demise. If you're not careful, you may join them in the afterlife.
The house will return for its third year and, last year, it was no less scary. Flora and I went through while it was still light outside, which made it much harder for our eyes to adjust — and so much more frightening.
The Forgotten: Uprising
Beyond the rubble and rocks of an unsuspecting quarry and behind a hidden gutter entrance, the Forgotten army has lurked in the shadows. Dark secrets and urban legends make way for visceral fear when you come face-to-fangs with a swarm of starving vampires who have spent years plotting their vengeance against the humans. Lately, more and more travelers have gone missing. The ferocious battle has finally begun. Do you have what it takes to survive the night?
Howl-O-Scream 2024 Scare Zones
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a large park that covers a lot of ground, which means plenty of space for the creatures of the night to scare you while you walk around. Brave frogs will need to venture through eight eerie scare zones if you want to make your way around the park.
NEW! Howl-O-Scream 25: Terror Through Time
Ghost, goblins and demons have haunted Howl-O-Scream for 25 terrifying years. Prepare to come face-to-face with some familiar, fearful faces when you enter The Architect's twisted gallery of horror and relive a quarter century's worth of nightmares come to life.
NEW! Tree Lot Massacre
Enter Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm where whispers tell of a bloody Christmas Eve massacre. Disgruntled farmhand Silas Evergreen lost it one silent night and sought his revenge. You're going to need to run as fast as the Gingerbread Man to escape this Yuletide slaughter. Scary Christmas to all ... and to all, a good fright!
NEW! Sawgrass Slaughter: Legends of the Skunk Ape
Plug your nose and brave your way through the depths of the Everglades where the stench of decay and a pungent, musky odor fill the air.
NEW! Little Nightmares: Trick or Treat
Years ago, on All Hallow's Eve, a group of trick-or-treating children vanished into thin air. Every Halloween, they return, and they're after something far worse than candy.
NEW! Ragnar's Wrath
Outside of a charred Viking longhouse, the icy winds of Niflheim howl and stench of death reeks — a prelude to the Norse horrors within. May Odin have mercy on your soul.
Sin City Zombies
Take a gamble for your life. Zombies have overrun the small town that lies on the outskirts of the Vegas strip. Are you ready to risk it all? We loved this new scare zone! You can even pose with an Elvis-wannabe zombie next to a blood-splattered "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.
Raven's Mill: The Blood Harvest
Ever get the feeling someone's stalking you? At Raven's Mill, that may very well be the case. Within the confines of the cursed cornfield lies a horrific nightmare you can't wake up from. Birds aren't the only thing these sinister scarecrows aim to terrify. With tight corners and sudden roars of chainsaws, this is the scariest zone, hands down.
Beyond the Veil
The fantasy creatures from our childhood fantasies are much more sinister than you could ever imagine. Do you have what it takes to go beyond the veil and face the dark fairies and orcs who reside there? You'll definitely need to go through this one twice if you arrive when it's still light outside, as the luminescent colors outshine the complete darkness. But don't let that fool you — maybe steer clear of the bushes.
Howl-O-Scream Tampa 2024 Entertainment
We always have a blast cackling at all the eerie entertainment that haunts the Busch Gardens stages. This year, we're deviously delighted to see two returning entertainment offerings but also welcome a brand-new performance to Howl-O-Scream.
NEW! The Reckoning
Join mortal Lark as she faces her ultimate judgement day in the fiery depths of the underworld.
Cirque X-Scream
Head to the Stanleyville Theatre and watch in awe and amazement as talented acrobats and aerialists perform exhilarating acts and stunts that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Scare-E-Oke
Select a song, grab the mic and conquer your stage fright at this all-new karaoke experience at Gwazi Plaza. You even take home a commemorative photo to remember your petrifying performance!
Rides Open During Howl-O-Scream
Can’t get enough screams from the haunted houses and scare zones? Busch Gardens’ most popular thrill rides are open during the event, including the latest ride, Phoenix Rising! Here’s a full list of the rides that will be available during this year's event:
- Tigris
- Cobra’s Curse
- Cheetah Hunt
- SheiKra
- Montu
- Kumba
- Scorpion
- Iron Gwazi
- Serengeti Flyer
- Phoenix Rising
In 2023, to end our night, we went on Iron Gwazi, which had a 25-minute wait. Most of the rides had minimal waits (not exceeding 30 minutes) throughout the night.
Howl-O-Scream Tampa 2024 Dining and Merchandise
Howl-O-Scream has food and drink booths around the park, along with several themed bars. Some of the restaurants such as Zagora Cafe remain open as well. The event's infamous alcoholic shots in syringes return year after year, so you can use that liquid courage to fuel an adrenaline rush that's needed for the haunted houses and scare zones. (Beware, scare actors can still sneak up on you when you're enjoying your food and beverages.) Here are the menacing menus for Howl-O-Scream 2024:
The Sweaty Yeti (Moroccan Palace)
- Screamsicle — Vanilla Vodka, Orange Mandarin Syrup, Margarita Mix
- Twisted Citrus Punch — Vodka, Blue Curacao, Monin Blue Raspberry, Citrus
- Zombie Juice — Vodka, Ube Syrup, Grape Juice, Mule Mix
- Margarita — Tequila, Lime, Margarita Mix
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
Luxor Lounge (Egypt Area)
- Poison Apple — Rum, Monin Granny Smith Apple Sour Mix
- Screamsicle — Vanilla Vodka, Orange Mandarin Syrup, Margarita Mix
- Zombie Juice — Vodka, Ube Syrup, Grape Juice, Mule Mix
- Vampire Bites — Tequila, Monin Red Passion Fruit, Pomegranate Liquor, Lime Juice
- Hex — Vodka, Midori, Pineapple Syrup, Granny Smith Apple, Lemonade Mix
- Spooky Season — Tequila, Blackberry Syrup, Mule Mix
- Margarita — Tequila, Lime, Margarita Mix
- Gin That Makes Me Sin — Gin, Monin Hibiscus Syrup, Pink Lemonade
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
The Shrunken Sip (Congo Area)
- Hex — Vodka, Midori, Pineapple Syrup, Granny Smith Apple, Lemonade Mix
- Spooky Season — Tequila, Blackberry Syrup, Mule Mix
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
Halloween Harvest (Jungala)
- Poison Apple — Rum, Monin Granny Smith Apple, Sour Mix
- Zombie Juice — Vodka, Ube Syrup,Grape Juice, Mule Mix
- Vampire Bites — Tequila, Monin Red Passion Fruit, Pink Lemonade Mix
- Gin That Makes Me Sin — Gin, Monin Hibiscus Syrup, Pink Lemonade
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
Blood Bar (Flume Overlook)
- Hex — Vodka, Midori, Pineapple Syrup, Granny Smith Apple, Lemonade Mix
- Spooky Season — Tequila, Blackberry Syrup, Mule Mix
- Poison Apple — Rum, Monin Granny Smith Apple, Sour Mix
- Zombie Juice — Vodka, Ube Syrup,Grape Juice, Mule Mix
- Gin That Makes Me Sin — Gin, Monin Hibiscus Syrup, Pink Lemonade
- Margarita — Tequila, Lime, Margarita Mix
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
The Carver's Corner (Mobile Smokehouse)
- Poison Apple — Rum, Monin Granny Smith Apple, Sour Mix
- Zombie Juice — Vodka, Ube Syrup,Grape Juice, Mule Mix
- Hex — Vodka, Midori, Pineapple Syrup, Granny Smith Apple, Lemonade Mix
- Margarita — Tequila, Lime, Margarita Mix
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
- Raven's Roadkill — Smoked chicken slider, crimson red pepper sauce, spicy cabbage slaw
Eye Screamery (Next to Springs Taproom)
- Dirt & Worms Waffle Bowl — Vanilla soft serve ice cream, Oreo cookie crumbs, gummi worms, waffle cone bowl
- Chocolate Insect Waffle Bowl — Vanilla soft serve ice cream, chocolate covered insects, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, waffle cone bowl
- Bloody Sundae — Vanilla soft serve, strawberry topping, carbonated sugar, waffle cone bowl, whipped cream
- Skull Mug Float — Vanilla soft serve, choice of fountain soda, carbonated sugar, whipped cream
Bar Coffin (Coke Plaza)
- Beverly — Pilsner
- Fear of the Dark — Dunkelweizen
- Creeping Death — American Stout
- Into the Void – IPA
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
Cheetos Bar (Gwazi Plaza)
- Left for Dead — Pork carnitas, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, salsa, flaming Cheetos, flour tortilla
- Beyond the Living — Shredded beef brisket, cheese sauce, sour cream, habanero salsa, flaming Cheetos, nacho chips
- Dragon's Breath — Flaming Cheetos mac and cheese
- Coke Products
Igor's Courage Shots (Gwazi Plaza)
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Buzz Balls
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
The Nurse's Dispensary (Gwazi Plaza)
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
Gwazi Dog - Frankenstein's Bar (Gwazi Plaza)
- Poison Apple — Rum, Monin Granny Smith Apple, Sour Mix
- Zombie Juice — Vodka, Ube Syrup,Grape Juice, Mule Mix
- Vampire Bites — Tequila, Monin Red Passion Fruit, Pink Lemonade Mix
- Gin That Makes Me Sin — Gin, Monin Hibiscus Syrup, Pink Lemonade
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
- Zombie Dog — Nathans half pound dog, Martins potato hot dog roll, salsa verde cheese, bacon bits, pimento peppers
Raven's Mill Bar (Behind Coke Canopy)
- Screamsicle — Vanilla Vodka, Orange Mandarin Syrup, Margarita Mix
- Twisted Citrus Punch — Vodka, Blue Curacao, Monin Blue Raspberry, Citrus
- Slaughtered Pork — Pork belly, hemoglobin BBQ sauce, rice larva
- Ooey Gooey Mac & Cheese Fibula — Mac and cheese egg roll, bloody cheese sauce
- Severed Chicken Wings — Chicken wings, coagulated garlic chili sauce, fire roasted corn
- Blood Bags
- Syringes — Vodka, Sangria, Lime, Jell-O, Monin Strawberry
- Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Bud Lite, Modelo
- Hard Seltzer
- Smart Water
- Coke Products
Springs Taproom
- Espresso Martini
You can also find event merchandise at Marrakesh Market and the Emporium, both located near the park's entrance. This is where you can peruse all of the event souvenirs, including T-shirts, baseball caps, shot glasses and more.
Howl-O-Scream Tampa 2024 Tips
Buy Tickets in Advance
Since Howl-O-Scream requires a separate ticket from regular park admission, purchase your tickets early online. Not only will this save you from waiting in line at the entrance, but you can also keep extra cash in your wallet (metaphorically speaking — Busch Gardens is now completely cashless). Additionally, you don’t want to wait in case the event sells out for the night.
Purchase Front Line Fear Passes to Skip the Lines
This year, Opening Night drew in few crowds, so we enjoyed shorter wait times for both houses and rides. For most of the night, our pass got us in within 5 minutes. However, as the season continues, Howl-O-Scream gets busier, particularly on weekends in October.
Luckily, you have the option to buy Front Line Fear passes (single-use, front-of-the-line access to five houses of your choice) or Front Line Fear Extreme passes (single-use, front-of-the-line access to five haunted houses and eight major thrill rides of your choice). We think it's well worth the investment, as the Front Line Fear lines are usually walk-ins or have significantly lower wait times. In the past, the longest express line we personally encountered was 30 minutes on a much busier Saturday night.
Avoid the Houses in Front of the Park First
Hop to the back of the park first. Last year, Stranglewood Estate house had a very long line early on in the night. And later on during the night, the houses in the back — The Residence and The Forgotten — had long lines. At the end of the night, we circled back to Stranglewood Estate once the line went down.
Splurge on Upgrades
If you really want a special night to remember, spring for the Ultimate VIP Tour. You get to create your own up to seven-hour experience with a private tour guide, exclusive experiences and unlimited access to the haunted houses and thrill rides. The cost (which starts at $299 per person; a minimum of two guests) includes admission and the private tour itself, unlimited front-of-the-line access to houses and rides, private complimentary beverage locations, complimentary dinner at Dragon Fire Grill and free preferred parking.
Leave the Tadpoles Behind
Based on the violence and gore, the event is targeted at adults. We always leave Lily and Tad behind with the grandfrogs! While there is no age restriction, we do not recommend it for tadpoles younger than 13.
Dress Appropriately
Despite the sun going down, the hot and humid Florida weather keeps September and October nights warm. Dress in clothes that allow you to stay cool, and opt for comfortable shoes. Check the weather, as you may need to bring a poncho along. Avoid wearing costumes or full-face masks. For the safety of the scare actors and other guests, costumes are not allowed.
Pay Attention in Scare Zones
I may be stating the obvious, but be aware of your surroundings as you walk through the scare zones. The scare actors like to get super close to you. But they will not touch you, and you should not touch them. Also, listen closely to what they have to say because they like to improvise. This year, multiple scare actors in different scare zones liked to creep up super close while we took photos, and asked if we got a good shot.
Be courteous of fellow guests too. You may have the gut instinct to run away at the sight of a clown, but you have to be careful not to bump into anyone else.
Pose for a Frightfully Fun Picture
The scare actors at Howl-O-Scream are delightfully interactive and are hoppy to pose for a photo with you! Just be wary of their dark magic.
Are you building up enough courage to go to Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? If so, let us know what you're most excited about!
Related: The Frog Family's Wild Guide to Busch Gardens Tampa
Keep hopping!
