Alton Towers turns into one of the UK’s biggest Halloween destinations each autumn, and Scarefest 2026 leads with a brand-new scare maze, Final Exhibit. The award-winning event runs on selected dates from September 26 through November 1, 2026 at the Staffordshire resort, and it splits into two sides: Frightful Nights for scare-seekers and Spooky Days for families, with the park’s headline coasters running into the dark on event nights.
What Is New for 2026: Final Exhibit
The headline addition is Final Exhibit, a new scare maze Alton Towers revealed on August 13, 2026. The teaser centers on a figure called The Curator and a collection where every exhibit has a story, hinting that some of the archives are still searching for their newest additions. Alton Towers has shared only that cryptic first look so far, so the maze’s full walkthrough and age guidance are expected closer to the event. Final Exhibit joins a scare-maze roster that grew in 2025 with the Edge of the Forest scare maze and the Dark Hollow scare zone.
New for 2026: Dine with the Dead
Alongside the new Final Exhibit maze, Scarefest 2026 adds Dine with the Dead, an immersive Halloween dining experience that seats guests inside the story as the Vile family hosts a twisted dinner party. It runs on selected dates from September 26 through November 1, with a cocktail party, a three-course meal, and an after-party. Matinee tickets start at £69 per person and evening tickets start at £99, with three seating tiers up to £149. See our full guide to Alton Towers’ Dine with the Dead.
Scarefest 2026 Dates and Hours
Scarefest runs on selected dates, with the resort open until 9 p.m. on event nights:
- September 26 to 27
- October 2 to 4
- October 9 to 11
- October 16 through November 1
The October 16 through November 1 stretch lines up with UK half-term, the busiest window of the event.
Frightful Nights: The Scares
The evening side, Frightful Nights, is where the scare mazes and scare zones come out, staffed by costumed scare actors and aimed at older, braver guests. Final Exhibit headlines the 2026 line-up alongside the event’s returning mazes. After dark, several of Alton Towers’ biggest coasters also run in the night, including The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn, and Wicker Man, part of a Halloween slate the park says spans more than 40 rides and attractions.
Spooky Days: The Family Side
The daytime side, Spooky Days, is built for all ages. It features trick-or-treat walkthroughs, rides at dusk, and a multi-colored Halloween playground in the Courtyard arena, plus spooktacular shows, character meet-and-greets, and photo opportunities. Younger visitors also get the CBeebies Land Monster Ball, a live Big Fun Showtime party where CBeebies characters dance, play games, and celebrate Halloween.
Tickets and Prices
Alton Towers has published its 2026 Scarefest ticket options, with the lowest prices online in advance:
- 1 Day Ticket from £37 online (£68 walk-up)
- 1 Day Pass & Thrills Combi from £80 online
- 1 Day Pass & Family Duo from £53 online
- Short Breaks from £100 per person, pairing an overnight stay with park entry
Prices are the advance-online starting rates and can change by date, so check current options on the official page linked below.
Getting There
Alton Towers Resort sits in Alton, Staffordshire, in the English Midlands, and is operated by Merlin Entertainments. As the UK’s largest theme park, it makes Scarefest one of the country’s marquee Halloween-season events.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Alton Towers Scarefest 2026? It runs on selected dates from September 26 to November 1, 2026, with the resort open until 9 p.m. on event nights.
What is new at Scarefest 2026? A new scare maze called Final Exhibit, themed around a mysterious Curator and a collection with a dark secret.
Is Scarefest scary or family-friendly? Both. Frightful Nights brings the scare mazes and scare zones for older guests, while Spooky Days offers all-ages trick-or-treat walkthroughs, shows, and the CBeebies Land Monster Ball.
Can you ride the coasters at night? Yes. Headline rides including The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn, and Wicker Man run in the dark during the event.
How much are tickets? One-day tickets start at £37 online, with combo passes that add the scares or family attractions from £53 to £80, and short breaks from £100 per person.
Elsewhere in the UK this fall, Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights marks its 25th anniversary with a new fully pitch-black scare maze, Tenement.
Last updated: September 2, 2026. This guide is updated as Alton Towers announces additional Scarefest 2026 details.
