When to go
Several Halloween events finish on November 1, then holiday programming begins at some parks. Operating days and Thanksgiving crowds differ sharply by park.
Several Halloween events finish November 1; later in the month, some parks begin holiday programming and Thanksgiving brings heavier crowds.
Expected — not yet announced · Checked July 2026
Crowd and cost shapes describe multi-year patterns across the ten parks rather than a forecast for any single year. Weather figures are climate normals for each region and do not decay; the Texas figures blend the DFW and San Antonio areas, and the Southern California figures blend the coastal and inland valleys.
Moderate crowds
Climate normals for each resort. These are averages over a long reference period, not a forecast — the only figures on this site that do not decay.
| Resort | Avg high | Avg low | Rain days | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California (LA basin to San Diego) | 73°F | 52°F | 3 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| Orlando (and Winter Haven) | 78°F | 56°F | 6 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| Texas (DFW and San Antonio) | 68°F | 45°F | 5 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| New Jersey (Jackson) | 56°F | 37°F | 8 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| Chicago (Gurnee) | 49°F | 34°F | 10 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
Moderate cost
Each of these has its own page with pricing, strategy, and a verdict.
Seasonal overlay
Six Flags Magic Mountain runs Fright Fest on select nights through November 1, 2026, including the final weekend. Park admission or a valid pass covers the general event; haunted mazes require a Haunted Attractions Pass unless the selected bundle explicitly includes both. Maze Express and ordinary ride Fast Lane are separate products.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Six Flags Over Texas runs Fright Fest on select nights through November 1, 2026. Park admission covers most nighttime scare zones and shows; haunted mazes and Doc Varnum’s Hybrid Hell Pit scare zone require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass. The park also offers Tricks and Treats for families during the day.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Six Flags Great Adventure runs Fright Fest on select nights through November 1, 2026. Park admission covers the nighttime scare zones and shows; haunted mazes require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass. The park also offers Kids Boo Fest for families during the day.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Six Flags Great America runs Fright Fest on select nights through November 1, 2026. Park admission covers the nighttime scare zones and shows; haunted mazes require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass. The park also offers Kids Boo Fest for families during the day.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Howl-O-Scream is SeaWorld San Antonio's Halloween night, included with park admission on select dates: haunted houses, scare zones, shows and rides after dark. It begins at 7 p.m. and is intended for mature audiences.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Brick-or-Treat is LEGOLAND California's daytime, family-focused Halloween event on 12 select dates in 2026, with costumes, LEGO monsters, treat activities and shows. It is included with a dated park ticket; some annual-pass tiers need a paid event ticket.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Tricks and Treats at Six Flags Magic Mountain is the park’s daytime, family-focused Halloween event in 2026. It offers costumes, treats and shows before the more intense Fright Fest program after dark. Check the park calendar because the announced range includes only scheduled event days.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Tricks and Treats at Six Flags Over Texas is the park’s daytime, family-focused Halloween event in 2026. It offers costumes, treats and shows before the more intense Fright Fest program after dark. Check the park calendar because the announced range includes only scheduled event days.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure is the park’s daytime, family-focused Halloween event in 2026. It offers costumes, treats and shows before the more intense Fright Fest program after dark. Check the park calendar because the announced range includes only scheduled event days.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
Seasonal overlay
Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Great America is the park’s daytime, family-focused Halloween event in 2026. It offers costumes, treats and shows before the more intense Fright Fest program after dark. Check the park calendar because the announced range includes only scheduled event days.
ConfirmedWith eligible admission
The early-November window is a genuine shoulder season at the warm-climate parks — the year's quietest full-operation days outside September.
Holiday events open across the month at several parks and the Thanksgiving-to-December bridge crowds build steadily toward the holiday peak.
Height requirements, ride mechanics, accessibility detail, and permanent dining live on our evergreen guide, our year-round sister site. They do not change with the season, so we do not repeat them here.