Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrBad news for horror fans: one Six Flags theme park has announced that it will not host the iconic Fright Fest event for the 2026 Halloween season. In its official statement to the press, the park confirmed that it would host other seasonal events this fall, including Kids Boo Fest and Oktoberfest.
Six Flags Cancels Fright Fest
When September rolls around, Six Flags theme parks across the United States start preparing for the chain’s annual Halloween event, Fright Fest. The after-dark event brings scare actors, haunted houses, terrifying decorations, exclusive merchandise, and themed food & beverage items to the park on select nights through early November.
Unfortunately, Six Flags Darien Lake has announced that it will not host Fright Fest this year. A spokesperson for the Darien Center, New York, theme park confirmed the cancellation to WROC8 News, but said that the park would still host the Kids Boo Fest event every weekend from September 19 to October 11, 2026. The family-friendly Halloween event features a costume contest, trick-or-treating, and, sometimes, costumed character encounters.
Six Flags Darien Lake is also hosting Oktoberfest, which began on August 8 and continues through September 20, 2026. The German-inspired event features specialty food & beverage offerings and live entertainment.
The news comes just weeks after a patron of Six Flags Darien Lake filed a lawsuit accusing the park and its employees of negligence that resulted in serious foot burns.
Where to Find Fright Fest Around the U.S.
Six Flags Darien Lake may not be hosting Fright Fest, but other Six Flags theme parks around the United States are still hosting the horror-filled Halloween event this year. Several parks will offer scare zones, mazes, and haunted houses, with new additions inspired by Friday the 13th (1980), The Blair Witch Project (1999), and Final Destination (2000). Returning favorites include terrifying experiences inspired by The Conjuring (2013) Universe, SAW (2004), The Strangers (2008), Trick ‘r Treat (2007), and Army of the Dead (2021).
Fright Fest is included with daytime admission (or a valid season pass) to Six Flags. Here is the complete list of theme parks participating in the event this year:
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, Texas): Select nights, September 11 – November 1
- Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington, Texas): Select nights, September 12 – November 1
- Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson Township, New Jersey): Select nights, September 18 – November 1
- Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, Illinois): Select nights, September 19 – November 1
- Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, California): Select nights, September 18 – November 1
- Six Flags New England (Agawam, Massachusetts): Select nights, September 26 – November 1
- Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell, Georgia): Select nights, September 12 – November 1
- Six Flags Frontier City (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma): Select nights, September 26 – October 31
Haunt, maze, and scare zone offerings vary by location. Check your local Six Flags’ website for the most comprehensive list of experiences available for Fright Fest 2026.
Are you planning to attend Fright Fest at your local Six Flags theme park this year? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!
