Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Halloween 2026: Howl-O-Scream Dates, Tickets and Ways to Save

Originally Published: October 7, 2014
Last Updated: August 13, 2026

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Howl-O-Scream returns for select nights during the 2026 Halloween season.

Halloween in Tampa Bay gets much darker when Busch Gardens transforms into Howl-O-Scream.

The event combines haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and some of the park’s major thrill rides after dark.

If you are planning a Florida Halloween trip, understanding the dates, separate ticket requirements and total travel costs before you go can help you plan smarter.

Hotels Etc. members should also check their current membership benefits before booking hotels, transportation and attractions around Tampa Bay, because available travel and entertainment discounts can change throughout the year.

When Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026?

Howl-O-Scream 2026 takes place on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026.

Busch Gardens currently lists the event as beginning at 7 p.m. and continuing until park close.

Guests with qualifying Howl-O-Scream tickets may be permitted to enter the park before the official 7 p.m. event start depending on the ticket terms.

Event dates, operating hours and details can change, so travelers should always confirm the current schedule directly with Busch Gardens before making final plans.

Is Howl-O-Scream Included With Regular Busch Gardens Admission?

No.

Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed nighttime event.

A standard daytime Busch Gardens Tampa Bay admission ticket does not automatically include Howl-O-Scream admission.

Likewise, a Howl-O-Scream ticket does not necessarily include regular daytime park admission.

Travelers should carefully review the specific ticket they are purchasing so they understand what admission is included.

What Happens at Howl-O-Scream?

Howl-O-Scream is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s major Halloween nighttime event designed for guests looking for an intense haunted theme park experience.

The 2026 event includes experiences such as:

• Haunted houses
• Scare zones
• Roaming scare performers
• Live Halloween-themed entertainment
• Thrill rides operating after dark
• Special seasonal experiences throughout the park

Busch Gardens describes Howl-O-Scream as an event intended for a mature audience and warns that it can include intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood.

Are Costumes Allowed at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream?

No outside costumes are allowed at Howl-O-Scream.

Busch Gardens lists this restriction as part of the event’s guest policies.

Because park rules can change, guests should check current policies before arriving.

Howl-O-Scream combines haunted attractions with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay thrill rides after dark.

How Much Are Howl-O-Scream Tickets in 2026?

Howl-O-Scream ticket prices are dynamic and can change throughout the season.

As of August 13, 2026, Busch Gardens is advertising limited-time online promotional pricing on certain Howl-O-Scream tickets.

Because those promotions can expire quickly, we do not recommend relying on a specific ticket price you saw weeks or months earlier.

Instead, compare the current official ticket price when you are ready to purchase.

Some ticket options may include:

• Any-night admission
• Single-night dated tickets
• Multi-visit or unlimited-event options
• Special upgrades
• Pass-member promotional pricing

Parking, taxes, service fees and other add-ons may not be included in the advertised base ticket price.

Can Hotels Etc. Members Save on a Tampa Bay Halloween Trip?

Potentially, yes.

The cost of visiting Howl-O-Scream is not limited to the Halloween ticket.

A Tampa Bay trip may also include:

• Hotel accommodations
• Rental cars or transportation
• Dining
• Theme park or attraction tickets
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Additional Florida activities

Hotels Etc. members may have access to private travel and lifestyle discounts across several of these categories depending on the current membership platform and participating providers.

Current Hotels Etc. materials promote savings on hotels, car rentals, theme parks, attractions, dining, recreation and entertainment.

Learn more about the broader benefits here:

Hotels Etc. Membership Benefits: How Members Save on Travel, Dining, Entertainment and More

Why Should You Compare Hotel Rates Before a Busch Gardens Trip?

Hotel prices around popular attractions can change significantly based on weekends, holidays, local events and demand.

Halloween weekends can be especially busy.

Hotels Etc. gives members another pricing source to compare against publicly available booking sites.

Current Hotels Etc. materials promote participating hotel savings of up to 70%, although actual savings vary by hotel, dates, location and availability.

The best strategy is simple:

For more information on how private travel memberships can work, read:

Why Join a Travel Membership Club?

How Can You Save on Food During a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Trip?

Food is another expense travelers sometimes underestimate.

A multi-day Tampa Bay vacation can include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks for several people.

Depending on current membership benefits and participating providers, Hotels Etc. members may find restaurant or dining savings that can help reduce those costs.

Learn more about Hotels Etc. dining benefits here:

Hotels Etc. Restaurant Discounts: Save Money on Dining at Home and While Traveling

What Should You Budget for a Howl-O-Scream Trip?

A good Halloween travel budget should consider the complete cost of the trip rather than only the event ticket.

Potential expenses include:

• Howl-O-Scream admission
• Daytime Busch Gardens tickets if needed
• Hotel accommodations
• Parking
• Transportation
• Meals and drinks
• Ticket upgrades
• Souvenirs
• Other Tampa Bay attractions

Reducing several of these expenses may have a greater impact than focusing only on finding the cheapest event ticket.

How Can Hotels Etc. Help With a Florida Theme Park Vacation?

Hotels Etc. is designed to help travelers compare savings across several categories rather than only hotel rooms.

Depending on current membership benefits, members may find discounts involving:

• Hotels and resorts
• Rental cars
• Theme parks
• Attractions
• Entertainment
• Restaurants
• Shopping
• Recreation

That can be especially useful on Florida vacations where several major attractions may be part of the same trip.

For additional travel-saving strategies, read:

How to Travel on a Budget by Joining Membership Clubs Like Hotels Etc.

What Changed Since This Article Was Originally Published in 2014?

This article was first published on October 7, 2014 and originally promoted a specific Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Halloween discount available at that time.

More than a decade later, event dates, ticket products, pricing, promotions and participating discount providers have changed.

For that reason, this article has been fully updated for 2026.

Rather than presenting an outdated 2014 attraction discount as though it still exists today, we now focus on current Howl-O-Scream information and explain how Hotels Etc. members can check their current benefits for savings across the overall Tampa Bay trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026

When does Howl-O-Scream 2026 begin?

Howl-O-Scream 2026 begins on September 11 and runs on select nights through October 31, 2026.

What time does Howl-O-Scream start?

Busch Gardens currently lists the event as beginning at 7 p.m. on event nights. Operating hours are subject to change.

Do I need a separate ticket for Howl-O-Scream?

Yes. Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed nighttime event and is not automatically included with regular daytime Busch Gardens admission.

Does a Howl-O-Scream ticket include daytime Busch Gardens admission?

Not necessarily. Busch Gardens states that its standard Howl-O-Scream tickets do not include regular daytime admission. Always review the terms of the specific ticket you purchase.

Are costumes allowed at Howl-O-Scream?

No. Busch Gardens currently states that outside costumes are not permitted at Howl-O-Scream.

Is Howl-O-Scream suitable for children?

Busch Gardens describes Howl-O-Scream as an event intended for mature audiences and warns that the event includes intense content such as gore, blood and violence.

Can Hotels Etc. members get Busch Gardens discounts?

Available Hotels Etc. attraction discounts can change by provider and season. Members should check their current membership platform for Busch Gardens, theme park, attraction and Tampa Bay travel offers before purchasing.

Can Hotels Etc. help with hotel savings near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?

Hotels Etc. members may have access to participating hotel discounts and private travel rates. Actual availability and savings depend on the property, travel dates and membership provider.

What is the best way to save on a Howl-O-Scream trip?

Compare current event ticket pricing, hotel rates, transportation, dining and other attraction costs before booking. Hotels Etc. members should also check available member benefits across these categories.