Pennhurst Asylum is the most-searched haunt on our Top Haunts list, and no haunt in America has a setting like it. The HAA-certified Iconic Top Haunt operates inside the actual buildings of the former Pennhurst State School and Hospital in Spring City, Pennsylvania, about 45 minutes northwest of Philadelphia. This page carries the confirmed 2026 dates, prices, and lineup.
2026 Dates and Hours
Pennhurst Asylum opens Friday, September 25, 2026 and runs Fridays and Saturdays through November 7, adding Sundays in October. There are no Thursday nights. The confirmed calendar: September 25 and 26, every Friday through Sunday in October including Halloween night, and a final Blackout weekend November 6 and 7.
Box office hours are 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. The haunt keeps running after the box office closes, so arrive before ticket hours end.
Tickets and Prices
Pennhurst uses timed ticketing, purchased online. All sales are final. Prices below were posted at the start of the season, several as limited-time rates that may move, and all carry tax plus a service fee.
| Ticket | What it covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Attraction Combo | Asylum, The Morgue, and the Tunnels | $55 |
| 4-Attraction Combo | Adds the Catacombs | $49 limited time (regularly $65) |
| VIP 4-Attraction Fast Pass | Express line for all four, most nights, no advance time slot | $65 limited time (regularly $125), not valid Oct 10, 17, or 24 |
| Supernatural R.I.P. | All four attractions twice, private guide, VIP lounge, ghost-hunting locations and museum access, drinks, snacks, and a shirt across a five-hour night | $200 limited time (regularly $299) |
The discounted VIP pass excludes October 10, 17, and 24, which is the clearest signal of which nights Pennhurst expects to be busiest. Plan around those Saturdays if you want shorter lines.
The Four Attractions
All four return for 2026:
- Pennhurst Asylum — the flagship hospital-themed walkthrough in the Administration building, staged with original artifacts, animatronics, and live actors
- The Morgue — the mortuary-themed attraction
- The Tunnels — roughly 1,000 feet of subterranean walkthrough beneath the campus
- The Catacombs — the underground cave system, newest of the four
Randy Bates, who designed the haunt in partnership with the property and runs the nearby Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, describes it best: “I like to describe Pennhurst Asylum as high-startle and semi-gory, with a combination of great acting and custom-designed props and sets.”
The Real Place Behind the Haunt
The setting does work no set designer can. Pennhurst State School and Hospital opened in 1908 and closed on December 9, 1987, and the haunt has operated inside its buildings every fall since 2010. The approach alone sets the tone: a dark wooded road up to a sprawling institutional campus, field parking, and a walk to the entrance. It is a full-contact haunt, meaning actors may lightly touch guests, and it runs high on startle. Children as young as 10 are allowed but not recommended. Phones and cameras stay pocketed inside the haunts.
Beyond the Halloween attraction, Pennhurst sells separate paranormal investigations in Mayflower Hall, running 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. for ages 18 and up, plus roughly three-hour daytime history tours of the lower campus guided in part by former employees. Ghost Adventures Paranormal Nights begin September 19, ahead of the haunt season.
Our Pennhurst Coverage
Pennhurst was a stop on the 2026 East Coast Haunters Convention tour, where operator representative Jim Werner told us the attraction would “have some very special one-of-a-kind experiences lined up” for the industry visit. See where Pennhurst sits among every certified haunt in America on our Top Haunts list, and find every announced opening date in our when do haunted houses open guide.
Pennhurst Asylum FAQ
When does Pennhurst Asylum open in 2026?
Friday, September 25, running Fridays and Saturdays through November 7 with Sundays added in October.
How much are tickets?
The four-attraction combo starts at $49 at the limited-time rate, with VIP fast passes from $65 and the Supernatural R.I.P. experience at $200. All tickets are timed, online, and final sale.
Is it too scary for kids?
Pennhurst runs high-startle, semi-gory, and full contact. Ages 10 and up are permitted, but the haunt itself recommends an older audience.
Where is Pennhurst Asylum?
601 N Church St, Spring City, Pennsylvania, roughly 45 minutes northwest of Philadelphia. Parking is on site in a field lot.
Is the asylum real?
The buildings are the real former Pennhurst State School and Hospital, opened in 1908 and closed in 1987. The haunted attraction has operated inside them since 2010.
Updated July 19, 2026. Prices reflect posted limited-time rates and may change. Dates for every major haunt live in our opening dates guide.
