Elitch Gardens is once again splitting Halloween into two very different experiences this fall, with daytime trick-or-treating for families giving way to haunted houses and scare zones after the sun goes down. The amusement park's Fright Fest runs across six weekends, and guests 21 and older also get a separate nighttime event.
According to the Denver Gazette, Fright Fest is split into two distinct halves: Fun by Day and Fright by Night. The daytime portion offers harvest-themed attractions for children, including trick-or-treating and fall-themed adventures, with activities for all ages before dark, while the nighttime side brings haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and rides in the dark, per Elitch Gardens. The park itself states the event runs for six weekends of hair-raising fun from Sept. 26 through Nov. 1, 2026.
Booville Closes Before the Real Scares Begin
Booville and other children's attractions close nightly at 6 p.m., marking the shift from family-friendly fun to the park's more intense nighttime programming, the park notes. Elitch Gardens advises parental discretion after dark, since some Fright by Night scares are not recommended for children. A listing from Macaroni KID Thornton-Westminster-Brighton-Northglenn similarly describes Fright by Night as recommended for guests ages 12 and older, while daytime programming — including a trick-or-treat trail, creepy coloring, a scream contest and a costume contest — runs from noon to 5 p.m.
Three haunted houses anchor the after-dark lineup: Port of the Damned, Redcliff Ridge and CARN-EVIL, according to Elitch Gardens. Guests looking to hit all three in one night can buy a Haunt Pass for $40, which provides unlimited admission to the trio, though park admission is not included and must be purchased separately. Standard park admission runs $57.99 and includes access to Terrortories, live shows and theme park rides, per the Denver Gazette.
Upgraded Passes and Ticket Options
For guests wanting to skip lines, an Express Pass plus Haunt Pass combo costs $60 and includes a special entrance along with unlimited entry to the haunted attractions. A step up from there, a Rapid Ride, Express Pass and Haunt Pass bundle costs $110 and adds rapid-ride access for select theme park rides. Separately, Elitch Gardens' own site notes that guests who already own a Haunt Pass can add the Express Pass on for $20.
FRIGHTOPIA Brings an Adults-Only Twist
Beyond the standard Fright Fest run, Elitch Gardens is also hosting FRIGHTOPIA, a separate adults-only Halloween event scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 11 p.m. The event includes unlimited entry to the same three haunted houses — Port of the Damned, Redcliff Ridge and CARN-EVIL — alongside live DJs, thrill rides in the dark and spooky drink specials, the park's site states.
Every FRIGHTOPIA guest must be at least 21 years old and present valid identification at entry, according to Elitch Gardens. The event is ticketed separately and is not included with a Season Pass, though passholders do receive a discounted ticket. It's a notable departure from the rest of Fright Fest, which caters largely to families and preteens during the day before easing into scarier territory at night.
Rules Worth Knowing Before You Go
Elitch Gardens' official event rules bar park entry after 9 p.m. and prohibit re-entry after 6 p.m., so guests planning a full night out should plan their arrival accordingly. The park also prohibits masks or costumes that cover the entire face for guests over age 10, a rule aimed at keeping the scares — and security checks — manageable during the haunted house crowds.
With six weekends of programming split between family fun and full-blown frights, plus a one-night adults-only event in the mix, Elitch Gardens is leaning into its reputation as one of Denver's go-to Halloween destinations this fall.
