Embark on a Spine-Chilling Adventure with These Holiday Haunts

Jim Warfield, the owner of the Raven’s Grin Inn, was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  This Saturday, December 2nd, Haunted Illinois, Haunted House Chicago, and Lost Souls Haunted Bus Tours will be hosting a benefit for Jim in Mount Carroll, IL, with 100% of the proceeds going to Jim to help cover medical expenses and to help offset the decline in his business.  If you can’t be there personally, you can donate on the ticketing page.  

The Krampus NOLAuf Parade returns to the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, December 2nd. After two years of a stationary parade, the traditional parade is back. The Krewe of Krampus is pleased to offer the first accessible and inclusive parade in New Orleans with “Accessibility Row” on Independence Street between Royal and Burgundy Streets. Following the parade will be an After Party at Bratz Y’all & Bud Rips. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Instead of a traditional admission fee, guests are asked to donate whatever amount they can. 

Krampus Fest is returning to Market Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, December 5th, for its 8th annual event. Admission is free. Enjoy the restaurants, performers, and holiday shops with the whole family on this night of old-world festivities and magical surprises. Krampus will arrive at the main stage at 7:00 p.m. for meet & greets and pictures. Live music will be provided by the Krampus Band “Sleigher.” Penn Brewery will sponsor a Krampus Krawl Bar Crawl. 

From scary to merry, Factory of Terror (Canton, OH) is following a trend of using their venue to host a family-friendly Christmas event for the holiday season. Operating select dates now through December 23rd, “Ohio Christmas Factory” will feature light shows, music, Christmas characters, photo opportunities, decorations, a hot chocolate bar, a giant gingerbread house, and more. About 20% of the venue will be transformed – for example, the pirate-themed haunt is being converted to a Caribbean Christmas featuring palm trees and recorded holiday music with steel drums. A tunnel with light effects and a moving walkway becomes Tinsel Tunnel. The room of mirrors is now Merry Maze. Kim Shapiro, Bar Manager at Factory of Terror says that a Christmas event allows for broader appeal, “The demographics of people who like Christmas is much bigger than people who think this is just a haunted house… We’re starting to be a seasonal attraction, not just a haunted house.” Tickets are on sale now starting at $23.95 for adult general admission and $17.95 for child general admission. 

After a successful 2023 season, Terror Vault’s The Initiation (San Francisco, CA) will return for a 4-night revival from February 23rd – 24th and March 1st – 2nd. Guests are invited to attend a recruitment seminar for “INsight,” a spiritual cult whose sole purpose is to open your eyes to the consciousness within. As guests become indoctrinated, they can soon see horrors hiding in the darkness around them as cult members and their leaders’ nefarious plans for mutilation and murder become all too real. Few survive The Initiation. Tickets for this limited-run event are on sale now for $70.

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group and Force of Nature Productions combine forces to bring the classic A Christmas Carol to North Hollywood, California! Come out December 14th -17th to experience Charles Dickens’ magnificent holiday adventure of ghosts, redemption, and the Christmas spirit – also featuring the hauntingly melodic NoHo Ghoul Chorus. Tickets are on sale now for $22 presale, $27 at the door.

Celebrate a “Merry Axemas” at Pinhead’s Graveyard in Canton, North Carolina. This holiday walkthrough haunt will take place December 8th – 9th & 15th – 16th from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Located inside a truly haunted 100-plus year-old building, Pinhead’s Graveyard will delight thrill-seekers as they encounter iconic horror movie characters with a scary Christmas twist. Guests will also get to take pictures with Krampus and Santa Otis. Tickets will be available for cash at the door for $30 per adult, $20 per child. Upgrade your experience to a “touch” experience for $5 per ticket.