When to go
September brings quieter school-year weekdays at some parks and Halloween events opening from September 11 onward. Check each park's operating calendar before choosing a visit date.
September can offer quieter ride days, while Halloween events start on different dates and often bring larger evening 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) | 84°F | 63°F | 1 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| Orlando (and Winter Haven) | 90°F | 73°F | 12 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| Texas (DFW and San Antonio) | 90°F | 68°F | 5 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| New Jersey (Jackson) | 78°F | 57°F | 7 | Climate normals, not a forecast. |
| Chicago (Gurnee) | 76°F | 55°F | 9 | 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
Separate ticket
Knott's Scary Farm is the oldest big haunt in the country — running since 1973 — and still among the best: dozens of mazes, scare zones through the real Ghost Town, and a separately-ticketed night event that transforms the whole park.
Confirmed
Separate ticket
Howl-O-Scream is SeaWorld San Diego's separately-ticketed Halloween night: produced haunted houses, scare zones and coasters running after dark across the marine park. The San Diego edition is the smallest of the three SeaWorld haunts and the most atmosphere-per-acre — the bay-side park turns genuinely eerie.
Confirmed
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
Separate ticket
Howl-O-Scream is SeaWorld Orlando's separately-ticketed Halloween night: produced haunted houses, scare zones and coasters running after dark across the marine park. The Orlando edition is the biggest of the three and a genuine third pole in the city's Halloween season alongside the Disney and Universal events.
Confirmed
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 September weekday is this site's single best product: summer operation, school-year crowds, and weather that has stopped trying to kill you at the Texas parks.
Halloween events begin on different dates from September 11 onward. A daytime family program and a nighttime haunt can have different admission and activity rules on the same park date.
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.