Know Before You Go: 2026 SCarowinds Event Guide

It’s fall in the Carolinas, which means it’s time for SCarowinds. On select nights from Sept. 11 through Nov. 1, our theme park will transform into the ultimate scream park with the largest Halloween event in the Carolinas – complete with 17 haunted attractions and all of your favorite Carowinds thrill rides.

All you fear is here, but showing up uninformed is too scary. Luckily, we’ve compiled a 2026 SCarowinds Event Guide to help you navigate the foggy midways like a pro. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

What’s New in 2026 at SCarowinds

With the debut of eight new experiences, including our newest haunted maze, Jason: Blood Reign, the 2026 SCarowinds season will be one of our most ambitious spooky seasons yet. There’s never been more fresh fear to experience, including:

• Jason: Blood Reign (Haunted Maze)
• Carnevil (Scare Zone)
• Lost Souls (Scare Zone)
• Restricted (Scare Zone)
• The Resurgence (Opening Show)
• Blade Drummers (Show)
• Sinister Slide Squad (Show)
• Incantations with the Enchantress (Show)

Headlining this season’s new attractions, SCarowinds will debut Jason: Blood Reign, featuring one of horror’s most iconic villains, Jason Voorhees. This is the second SCarowinds attraction to feature a blockbuster horror movie franchise, following last season’s addition of The Conjuring: Beyond Fear, which is returning by popular demand this season.

Chaperone Policy

Carowinds’ Chaperone Policy will be in effect this fall. To be admitted to and remain in the park during SCarowinds, all guests ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old. This policy will be in effect daily beginning at 2 p.m. local time. Carowinds reserves the right to begin enforcing the policy earlier on any given day.

Chaperones must present a valid government-issued photo ID showing their date of birth at entry. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 guests ages 15 and younger per day. In addition, the chaperone must accompany their group during entry, remain inside the park during the visit and be available by phone throughout their stay.

Guests ages 16 and older may be asked to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card or passport, to verify their age. Guests unable to verify their age may be denied entry.

Best Prices of SCarowinds Admission Tickets

For the best price on SCarowinds tickets, visit our website or download the free Six Flags mobile app. Your admission ticket includes an entire day of fall fun, including our kid-friendly daytime Halloween event, Tricks and Treats.

For the best SCarowinds value, you’ll want a 2027 Gold Season Pass, which includes unlimited visits all season, free parking, park discounts, exclusive perks, admission to other Six Flags parks in the east region, access to the record-breaking Rip Roarin’ Falls in 2027 and more. Best of all, a Gold Season Pass pays for itself in less than two visits, and if you’re buying early in the fall, it includes admission to SCarowinds this season and next. Carowinds Memberships are also available and include the same perks with monthly payment options. All treats, no tricks.

Navigating the Park

Fog-filled midways are a thing of beauty, but if you’re not a regular, it can be easy to get turned around. Get more out of your visit to SCarowinds with the official Six Flags mobile app. The app includes an interactive map of rides, haunted attractions and dining locations, as well as ride wait times and showtimes. Guests can also add their Season Passes to the mobile app’s digital wallet for quick access.

No Re-Entry Permitted During SCarowinds

Re-entry is not permitted during SCarowinds. Once guests leave the event, they cannot return. The no re-entry policy will be enforced during all SCarowinds event hours, including Fridays and starting at 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Haunted Attractions Pass Required for Haunted Mazes

All park guests must purchase a Haunted Attractions Pass to experience SCarowinds’ five macabre mazes, including Jason: Blood Reign. Your SCarowinds admission includes Tricks and Treats, your favorite thrill rides, five scare zones and six live shows. The Haunted Attractions Pass starts at $10.

SCREAMium Experience - Conjuring: Beyond Fear

Access to The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is not included with park admission or a Haunted Attractions Pass. To access this SCREAMium experience, you’ll need to purchase a single entry for the date of your visit. This experience does sell out, so it is recommended to purchase early.

You can also add an All-Season Haunted Attractions Express Pass to any valid 2026 or 2027 Season Pass (granting a single entry to this experience on the night of your visit, plus unlimited maze access all 2026. For repeat visitors, this packs a lot of value.

Leave the Masks and Makeup to the Pros

During the SCarowinds, guests are not permitted to wear costume masks, costume attire or face paint. Trench coats and flak jackets are also prohibited. Leave the scary stuff to our costume and makeup experts and the 300+ monsters on our midways.

If you really want to wear a mask or spooky makeup, SCarowinds is always looking for new souls to join our 300+ Army of Monsters. Visit carowinds.jobs to apply.

No Boo for the Scaredy Cats

Guests who want to experience the atmosphere of SCarowinds but are not ready for a scare can purchase a No-Boo Necklace. SCarowinds monsters know that they cannot scare guests who are wearing the necklace. However, please note that this does not apply when entering a haunted maze. No-Boo Necklaces are available throughout the park at designated stands.

No Filming Inside Haunted Attractions

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the haunted mazes at SCarowinds, and cameras will not be allowed inside the attractions. Violations of this rule may result in dismissal from the park. Remember, cameras, phones, GoPros and other recording devices are also strictly prohibited on all rides to ensure the safety of our guests.

Quick Tips for Visiting SCarowinds

• Arrive Early – Don’t wait until SCarowinds starts. Make a day out of it and experience Tricks and Treats during the day or arrive in the early evening to beat the crowds. Visit our calendar for park hours.
• Traffic – To avoid the worst bottlenecks on Carowinds Boulevard, park officials and local law enforcement recommend exiting the park toward Pleasant Road, taking it to Gold Hill Road, and then heading to I-77. Alternatively, turn right out of the park onto Carowinds Boulevard and take Westinghouse Boulevard to I-77.
• Go Cashless: The park is completely cashless. You must use a credit card, debit card or mobile payment like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Cash-to-card kiosks are available inside the park if needed.
• Tie Your Shoes: Keep your head on a swivel and keep those kicks tight. You never know what’s waiting for you.
• Buy a 2027 Season Pass – I may be getting paid to write this, but seriously, a Gold Season Pass is a scary good deal and gives you and your family endless access to fun all year, including Oktoberfest in November, WinterFest in December and the entire 2027 season with our new record-breaking log flume, Rip Roarin’ Falls.

Now you’ve been briefed, you’re ready to embark on a frightful night of fun at SCarowinds. Happy Haunting!