San Jose, CA – This fall, the iconic Winchester Mystery House will undergo a chilling transformation as it debuts Festival Fright Nights, a brand-new Halloween experience produced in partnership with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.
A First for the Bay Area
Best known for The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, and Delusion, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group is expanding into Northern California for the first time. With this debut, they aim to turn the Winchester estate into San Jose’s premier Halloween destination, blending theatrical storytelling with high-impact scares.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to produce an event on such historic grounds,” said Brett Bertolino, Director of Special Projects at Thirteenth Floor. “The lore of this property has given us so much to work with, and we look forward not only to creating a memorable experience for attendees this fall, but also to creating San Jose’s newest Halloween tradition.”
Story-Driven Haunts Set in the 1920s
The event plunges guests into a storyline set on Halloween night, 1924, two years after Sarah Winchester’s death. The plot centers around a theatrical masquerade ball hosted by a mysterious newcomer who claims to have opened a spiritual portal within the mansion. As the evening unfolds, visitors will discover whether this daring ritual has revealed hidden truths or awakened something far darker.
What to Expect at Festival Fright Nights
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Three all-new haunted houses
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Theatrical performances woven throughout the estate
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Newly accessible spaces within the mansion
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Themed food, beverage, and retail offerings
The experience will utilize never-before-seen areas of the Winchester Mystery House, making this the most expansive Halloween activation in the site’s history.
Festival Fright Nights Dates and Tickets
Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House will run on select nights from September 26 through November 1, 2025. Tickets, early access notifications, and more details are available at www.festivalfrightnights.com.
📍 Location: Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
