Alton Towers — Scarefest
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Alton Towers Resort
Tickets from
£29.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
Scarefest transforms the UK’s largest theme park into a Halloween wonderland — scare mazes, family-friendly zones, and rides after dark. All ages, 10am–9pm daily, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A rotating line-up of walk-through scare mazes for older guests, dedicated family zones for younger children, the included Alton Towers Dungeon, and headline coasters running into the evening.
- Scare mazes are generally recommended for ages 12+/15+ by intensity. Family zones (Trick O’ Treat Town, Amigos in the Afterlife, CBeebies Land Monster Ball) suit younger or more sensitive children.
- No-contact policy: performers will not touch guests, and guests must not touch performers or sets.
- Getting around: the park is largely flat and accessible; scare mazes are generally not wheelchair accessible.
Alton Towers is the UK’s largest theme park — over 40 rides across 11 themed areas, plus a waterpark — and every October it becomes “the home of Halloween” for Scarefest. Unlike events that only kick in after dark, Scarefest runs across the park’s entire opening hours, so there’s something for every age and every nerve level from the moment the gates open. Thrill-seekers can tackle scare mazes and ride Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, and The Smiler in the dark, while families have gentler zones like Trick O’ Treat Town and a CBeebies Land Monster Ball.
Why you should book this
As the UK’s largest theme park, Alton Towers offers a different scale of day out — over 40 rides and 11 themed areas mean a full day’s worth to do even before Scarefest’s seasonal additions. The event is explicitly designed for mixed-age groups, with clearly separated family-friendly and scarier zones, making it one of the easiest “something for everyone” choices.
What you’ll experience
- Scare mazes — a rotating line-up of walk-through horror experiences, generally recommended for ages 12+ or 15+ depending on intensity
- Trick O’ Treat Town & Amigos in the Afterlife — dedicated family-friendly Halloween zones for younger or more sensitive children
- CBeebies Land Monster Ball — a gentle, young-child-focused Halloween celebration
- Rides in the dark — Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, The Smiler and other headline coasters run into the evening
- The Alton Towers Dungeon — an included 45-minute multi-show dark-history experience plus a boat ride beneath the park
- Halloween walkabouts and live shows across the front lawns arena
Scares, zones & shows
| Experience | Details |
|---|---|
| Scare mazes | A rotating line-up of walk-through horror experiences — generally 12+/15+ by intensity |
| Family zones | Trick O’ Treat Town, Amigos in the Afterlife and CBeebies Land Monster Ball for younger children |
| Alton Towers Dungeon | Included 45-minute dark-history experience (The Haunting, The Highwayman and more) plus a boat ride beneath the park |
Rides after dark
| Ride | Details |
|---|---|
| Nemesis Reborn | The reborn inverted coaster |
| Wicker Man | Wood-and-fire launch coaster |
| The Smiler | 14-inversion world-record coaster |
| Full line-up | Headline coasters continue running into the evening |
Daily schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| 10:00am | Park opens — full ride line-up and Scarefest theming live across all zones |
| Throughout the day | Family-friendly zones (Trick O’ Treat Town, CBeebies Land Monster Ball) operate continuously |
| Throughout the day | Live shows and walkabouts on a rotating schedule at the front lawns arena |
| Evening | (from dusk) Headline coasters and scare mazes take on their after-dark atmosphere |
| 9:00pm | Park closes |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: extensive on-site parking (a parking fee typically applies — check current rates). Allow 10–15 minutes to walk from the car park given the size of the resort. By train: no station at the resort; most visitors drive, or connect via Uttoxeter or Stoke-on-Trent with a bus or taxi for the final leg.
🕐 Entry & times
10:00am–9:00pm daily, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you for the day. Scare mazes are queue-based on the day; a paid Fast Track may be available — check the official park site.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: Scare mazes are generally recommended for ages 12+ or 15+ and involve jump scares, strobe lighting, and close-proximity actors. Family zones are designed to be gentle and suitable for young children. Standard ride height/health restrictions apply. Good for: Families wanting one event that works for all ages · Thrill-seekers · Groups wanting a full day out · First-time theme park Halloween visitors
Getting there
Where
Venue
Alton Towers Resort
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£29.00
Early Bird — 20% off