Bath & Body Works, Michaels, and Halloween Horror Nights all landed on the same theme.
Welcome to the circus.
July 5 marks the official countdown to Halloween in the US, and the theme for 2026 is shaping up to be carnival. Whether you love them or hate them, clowns are taking over.
Bath & Body Works launched its Halloween collection this week, built around a classic haunted carnival, complete with a $275 glow-in-the-dark circus luminary and fragrances like Spooky Popcorn and Cotton Candy Cobwebs. It is the second national retailer to land on the theme, after Michaels built its Bound by Magic collection around vintage carnival mysticism. And it is not just retail. Halloween Horror Nights themed its entire 35th-anniversary event around the “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares,” with Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow as co-icons. Not to mention Jack the Clown’s new show debuting this fall at Universal Horror Unleashed.
When two national chains and the world’s largest Halloween event converge on the same aesthetic, consumers will feel it.
The other pattern this week is licensed IP experiences going multi-site. The Conjuring: Beyond Fear returns this fall to four Six Flags parks. Hellraiser is coming to both coasts of Halloween Horror Nights. Stranger Things: The Immersive Experience opens at Netflix House Philadelphia on July 10. If you’re going to spend the money to license an IP and build an experience around it, you want to amortize that investment across as many locations as you can. But it also reinforces the growing divergence between corporate and private haunts. Corporate haunts have the infrastructure, permanent locations, and scale that play by a different set of rules than everyone else.
Which leads to FrightWorks. The East Tennessee haunt, which has operated since 1999, announced that its building was sold and that it must vacate by July 31. It is running two final shows on July 10 and 11, and while the team hasn’t ruled out finding a new home by October, they were honest about the odds. As I discussed back in March, this is the underlying crisis of the independent industry right now. Buildings and insurance are the two existential threats for independent haunts, and the most critical for you to secure. If you know of a facility in East Tennessee that could host a haunted attraction, they’re asking for leads.
On the brighter side of the independent ledger, Niles Scream Park is expanding its midway by over 15,000 square feet, anchored by a new cemetery-themed Six Feet Under Bar. Owning your land changes everything. And, of course, this harkens back to the theme we discussed previously about creating spaces for guests to linger (and upsell opportunities).
Also this week: Wicked Lit returns after eight years with La Llorona and The Headless Horseman at a new Anaheim venue, Midsummer Scream announced its Haunt Spotlight panel, Spirit Halloween’s flagship grand opening returns August 1, and Thirteenth Floor is hiring an Operations Manager for Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor.
Here’s what you need to know this week.
Theme Park News
The Conjuring: Beyond Fear Returns to Four Six Flags Parks This Fall
Six Flags announced that The Conjuring: Beyond Fear, the interactive SCREAMium walkthrough experience, will return this fall to Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH), Carowinds (Charlotte, NC), Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan, ON), and Kings Island (Mason, OH). “Something sinister returns to Six Flags,” the company teased on Instagram. “Experience supernatural horror like never before with the SCREAMium experience, Conjuring Beyond Fear!”
The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is a 20-minute interactive walkthrough created by Plague Productions, the haunted attraction design studio founded by Jon Cooke, in partnership with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences. Groups of eight to ten guests move through more than a dozen rooms built around scenes from the Warner Bros. horror franchise, interacting with live actors, securing cursed artifacts, and working to “lock Annabelle back in her box before supernatural chaos is unleashed.”
Hellraiser Comes to Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights (Orlando, FL and Universal City, CA) tempts guests to step beyond the threshold of pain and pleasure with all-new haunted houses inspired by the first three Hellraiser films. This terrifying new experience will transport fans into the twisted world first brought to life by Clive Barker, where desire, suffering, and the unknown collide. Guests enter via the Lament Configuration, the franchise’s iconic puzzle box that opens a gateway to a dimension inhabited by the Cenobites and their leader, Pinhead. From there, the walk-through moves through three confirmed settings: the shadowy attic of Frank Cotton’s family home where he is first cast to Hell, the disturbing Channard Institute where the box lures guests with the promise of forbidden pleasures, and The Labyrinth, where Pinhead and the Cenobites lie in wait.
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights August 28 through November 1 at Universal Orlando Resort (Orlando, FL) and select nights September 3 through November 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City, CA).
Attractions News
FrightWorks Announces Indefinite Closure — Final Shows July 10-11
FrightWorks, the East Tennessee haunted attraction that has been operating since 1999, announced on Facebook that it will vacate its longtime location by July 31 after the building was sold. The attraction is running two final events at the current location on July 10 and 11, and its future beyond that date is uncertain. “After many years of scares, screams, laughter, and unforgettable memories, FrightWorks is preparing for a major move,” the attraction wrote in the announcement. “While this is not the timing we would have chosen, especially so close to October, we have reached an agreement to move out by July 31.”
The final weekend at the current location includes two ticketed shows. Friday, July 10, is FrightWorks Unmasked: A Final Walkthrough, a no-actor lights-on tour of the haunt, allowing guests to “get up close and personal with our scenes and special effects.” Tickets are $18.31. An add-on guide is available for groups of up to six guests for an additional $59.99. Saturday, July 11, is One Last Scare: The Final Full Show, a Halloween-season-style production with actors and full show programming. Tickets are $25.63.
FrightWorks is actively looking for a new location and has not ruled out opening this October, but the announcement was direct about the odds. “Opening this October would be amazing, but things would need to fall into place very quickly,” the operator wrote. “It would be amazing to find a new home and reopen this October, but for that to happen, the right location, funding, approvals, and timing would all need to fall into place very quickly.”
The FAQ describes what a suitable space would need: “enough space for a haunted attraction, parking, guest flow, storage, and the necessary approvals to operate safely.” The attraction is asking the community for leads on facilities that could host a haunted house or similarly themed attraction.
Stranger Things Comes to Netflix House Philadelphia July 10
The Upside Down is officially moving into Netflix House Philadelphia (King of Prussia, PA) on July 10 with Stranger Things: The Immersive Experience. Get ready to discover your powers and become the hero of your own Stranger Things adventure. Visitors will join forces with Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Will, Max, and the rest of The Party to fight Vecna in an experience created by the show’s team. Explore iconic locations like the Rainbow Room and the Upside Down, interact with live actors, and experience immersive sets and cinematic special effects. The experience lasts approximately one hour. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $39 for Standard Entry.
Stranger Things: The Immersive Experience joins Wednesday: Eve of the Outcasts as a premiere, separately-ticketed featured event at the venue. Other paid attractions as part of the 100,000-square-foot space include Netflix V/RTUALS VR games and mini golf. Netflix House is free to enter, offering many photo ops and opportunities to shop, dine, and be entertained without paying admission at the door. Learn more on the venue’s official website.
Niles Scream Park Adds Six Feet Under Bar
After nearly two years of research, development, planning, and a few buried secrets, Niles Scream Park (Niles, MI) is raising the dead and a glass with the addition of the Six Feet Under Bar. The haunt’s midway is expanding by over 15,000 square feet, adding new experiences, entertainment, and a cemetery-themed bar for guests 21 and older. More details will be announced via the haunt’s social media over the coming months.
Wicked Lit Returns for 2026 with La Llorona and The Headless Horseman
After eight long years, Wicked Lit is returning for 10 spooky performances, October 29 through November 2. At their all-new venue, the Chance Theater in Anaheim, California, Wicked Lit will feature adaptations of two plays: La Llorona and The Headless Horseman. In addition to the performances, attendees will experience a Halloween-themed artisan fair, an interactive Wicked Lit museum, a photo suite, and more. Tickets will go on sale August 1.
Field of Screams Donates More than $23,000 to Mountville Community Organizations
Field of Screams (Mountville, PA) has donated more than $23,000 to three Mountville organizations, funding a new batting cage for the Mountville Youth Athletic Association, an outdoor classroom at Mountville Elementary School, and more than a decade of support for the Mountville Community Services Foundation. “Mountville is where Gene and I grew up, played ball, and went to school, and it is where Field of Screams was born,” said Jim Schopf, co-founder and co-owner of Field of Screams. “Supporting the MYAA, the elementary school, and the Community Services Foundation is our way of investing in the same places and programs that shaped us.”
Business News
Why This Comcast Move Could Reshape the Entire Industry
Comcast confirmed it will separate into two independent publicly traded companies, one focused on entertainment and one focused on connectivity, through a tax-free spin-off of NBCUniversal, expected to be completed within roughly 12 months.
The new NBCUniversal, with Mike Cavanagh as CEO, will be a focused media and entertainment company “anchored by its growing theme parks division,” with Universal film and television studios, NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Bravo, and Sky. Michael Angelakis, the former Comcast CFO and current Atairos chairman, returns as CEO of standalone Comcast.
The widely celebrated move places NBCUniversal in a better position to compete with Disney, and Wall Street was pleased.
Those of us in the theme park industry recognize this as a structural shift towards Disney: an entertainment company where IP moves from screen to theme park to hotel to merchandise, with in-person experiences as a major profit anchor.
Watch the full discussion on this week’s episode of Green Tagged.
Convention News
Midsummer Scream Announces SoCal Haunt Spotlight Panel
On Saturday, August 8, Midsummer Scream (Long Beach, CA) will host its annual Haunt Spotlight panel, celebrating the creative spirit and artistic brilliance of its SoCal haunt community. The panel conversation will include Hector Velasquez from H&L’s Realm of Horror, Dan Hoy from Pirates of Burbank, Julie Baas from The Haunt With No Name… Yet, Jon Lehman from Black Casket Productions, and Leif Swenson from Twisted Dreams Haunt.
Midsummer Scream returns to the Long Beach Convention Center on August 7 through 9. Tickets are on sale now starting at $42 to $60 for single-day admission, $80 for weekend passes, and $199 for Gold Bat passes. Download the official event app to build your schedule, view the show floor map, and more.
Retail News
Bath & Body Works Debuts Classic Haunted Carnival Themed Collection
Bath & Body Works’ 2026 Halloween collection leans into a classic haunted carnival theme featuring three new carnival-inspired fragrances and a $275 Glow-in-the-Dark Circus Luminary candle holder. New scents include Spooky Popcorn (cauldron popped corn, drizzled butter, and sea salt), Cotton Candy Cobwebs (spun sugared webs, fresh berries, and fluffy whipped vanilla), and Carnival Fog (spooky autumn air, woody incense, and midnight fog). Returning fragrances include Pumpkin Carving, Ghoul Friend (dark strawberries, ghostly peony, and spine-chilling citrus), and Vampire Blood (red berries, night-blooming jasmine and petrifying plum). The collection’s decor items feature carnival midway themes, including the Glow-in-the-Dark Circus Luminary ($275), Light-up Glow-in-the-Dark Funhouse Pedestal 3-wick candle holder ($79.95), Neon Spooky Ferris Wheel Color-changing Nightlight Wallflowers plug ($36.95), and more.
This is the second major retailer to launch a haunted carnival theme for this year, with Michaels having built its “Bound by Magic” Halloween collection around a vintage carnival mysticism theme. Two national chains independently landing on the haunted carnival is a data point for operators weighing theme direction for 2026 and 2027.
LEGO Debuts Two Halloween Sets for 2026
LEGO has added two new Halloween sets to their website for an August 1 release. Unleash the Halloween spirit and create a jack-o’-lantern that never goes rotten with the LEGO Halloween Pumpkin Lantern ($29.99). The festive model features a light brick that can be activated by pressing the pumpkin’s stem. Thrill friends, family, and fiends with the LEGO Halloween Skull Candle ($19.99). The model includes a collection of spooky details, including a gold tooth, glow-in-the-dark eyes, spiders with their web, and more.
Spirit’s Flagship Grand Opening Celebration Returns August 1
Get ready to celebrate the start of Spirit Halloween’s shopping season on Saturday, August 1 for the opening of the chain’s flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Featuring games, freebies, food and treats, and more, the experience is free and open to all. Registration opens Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 p.m. EDT via a digital registration system on the Eventbrite app. Fans may reserve up to five tickets per registration. Registration will close once 2,000 tickets have been claimed. All registered attendees will be assigned an entry group time based on the time registered. 250 swag bags will be randomly awarded to registered attendees onsite at the check-in tent.
Attendees not registered for the event can line up for General Admission starting no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on August 1. Overnight parking or camping are not permitted. GA lanyards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. and the store will remain open until 8:00 p.m.
HAA News
HAA Board Openings
The Haunted Attraction Association is currently accepting candidates for an opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors. Board members play an important role in supporting the association’s mission to promote, protect, and educate the haunt industry while helping guide the direction of the organization. To be considered, owners and operators of haunted attractions must have been at an attraction or have an established industry business for 5 or more years; be willing to volunteer for 45 or more hours annually; be a current or new HAA member; and fundraise over $2,000 for operating expenses. Non-owner/operators must be a member of the Association in good standing, demonstrate a minimum of seven years of documented history of industry experience, and meet all other Director eligibility standards applicable to Board service, including vetting and approval by the Member Qualifications Committee.
The membership will select the candidates during the election process in July.
Live Stream News
Haunters Toolbox Presents: Building Big Scares with a Tiny Budget
Haunters Toolbox is hosting a live Q&A session with Matt Scott of Von Grimm Productions on Tuesday, July 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PDT. This session focuses on maximizing creativity while minimizing costs. The talk will cover practical techniques including using lighting to elevate simple scenery, finding affordable and reclaimed building materials, creating reusable scenic elements that last for years, leveraging actors, sound, and scent to sell the illusion, using forced perspective, and more. Attendees must be members of the Haunter’s Toolbox Facebook Group to join.
Job Postings
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group Seeks Operations Manager for Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group is hiring an Operations Manager for Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Long Beach, CA). The Operations Manager duties include acting as the direct supervisor for all operational departments, partnering with the General Manager to ensure the event operates at peak efficiency, and conducting quality control walkthroughs to uphold standards for cleanliness, safety, and guest experience. The ideal candidate will have 3 to 5 years of experience in live event, theme park, or venue operations, demonstrated success managing multiple departments in fast-paced, high-volume environments, and working knowledge of staff scheduling platforms, timecard systems, and basic safety protocols. Interested parties should apply online.
Scareactor Auditions
- House of Horror Haunted Carnival (Miami, FL) — July 16
- The Mortuary Haunted House (New Orleans, LA) — Ongoing
- Nightmare Wharf (Buffalo, NY) — August 15-16
- Niles Scream Park (Niles, MI) — July 11
- The Sawmill Haunted House (Covington, LA) — Ongoing
Upcoming Events: July – September 2026
- July 18-19: Texas Haunters Convention (Irving, TX)
- August 1-2: Haunters Against Hate: The Event (Louisville, KY)
- August 7-9: Midsummer Scream (Long Beach, CA)
- September 11-13: Creep It Real OC Expo (Santa Ana, CA)
New This Week
- VIDEO: Why This Comcast Move Could Reshape the Entire Industry
- ARTICLE: FrightWorks Announces Indefinite Closure After Building Sale, With Final Shows July 10-11
- ARTICLE: LEGOLAND Florida Expands Brick-or-Treat to 18 Dates for 2026
- ARTICLE: The Conjuring: Beyond Fear Returns to Four Six Flags Parks This Fall
- ARTICLE: Bath & Body Works Goes Full Carnival for Halloween 2026, Topped by a $275 Circus Luminary
- PODCAST: NEWS: Comcast Splits as Universal Bets Big on Halloween
This article is adapted from the July 6 edition of the Haunted Attraction Network newsletter. Subscribe to receive the weekly newsletter in your inbox.
