It’s a doubleheader of Halloween freights for Howl-O-Scream in Florida this year. 

Busch Gardens Tampa’s premiere haunt event, Howl-O-Scream, is back for its 22nd year, and new now SeaWorld Orlando gets into the act with their own version of this iconic Halloween event. 

Updated Howl-O-Scream information below…

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

Tampa Bay’s signature Halloween event returns in full glory this fall. Last year’s event was all open-air, and while loads of fun, it just wasn’t the same. This year will bring back the iconic haunted houses (after ). Guests will have nowhere to hide as zombies, deranged clowns, werewolves and other monsters haunt their prey in eight scare zones across the park… along with several roaming hordes lurking in the darkness.

Howl-O-Scream will run longer than ever this year, starting September 10, 2021, and running select dates through October 31, 2021. As always, Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event and intended for more mature audiences due to the nature of the event (blood, gore, etc.). No costumes are allowed.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

Three fan-favorite houses will be returning with new nightmarish twists, along with two brand new houses to keep the terror fresh. Busch Gardens has not yet announced the names of the returning houses, but the new houses have been listed! We’re waiting for the rest of the info, but as soon as we know, we’ll pass that ghoulish information along.

UPDATE 08/15/21: The second new house for HOS Tampa has been announced!

Witch of the Woods: Something wicked this way haunts…an ominous legend summons guests with her inescapable curse. Curiosity has brought many travelers into this dark forest, but only bone-chilling stories and dying screams make their way out. With each step deeper into the woods, the prospect of survival quickly fades as demonic disciples hunt wandering intruders through their abandoned village. Human sacrifices are chased to the witch’s altar, where dark fates are sealed with more than spells.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

Three new scare zones have also been announced!

Voodoo: Driven out of the bayou by ravenous werewolves, the witch doctors now practice their dark magic on you as they pursue their twisted revenge through ancient curses.

Skeleton Crew: Rising from their watery grave, shipwrecked pirates seek to plunder the world of the living, taking all lost souls as their bounty.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

In the Shadows: Eerie legends and horrifying myths passed down through centuries of ghost stories have gathered in the woods, turning wary skeptics into doomed believers.

The other new haunted house for 2021 is…

The Forgotten: Victims will be drawn into a hidden world beyond the rubble and rocks of an unsuspecting quarry, where dark secrets lurk in the shadows. Just beyond a hidden gutter entrance, the legend of the human uprising is revealed as a swarm of starving vampires plot their imminent revenge. Will those who enter return to the world of the living or are they destined to become the newest minion of the Forgotten army?

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld
Also returning to Howl-O-Scream is the popular “Fiends” show, which again will have performances at the Festival Field.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

Last year’s “best-kept secret” (even we didn’t know about this one), The Rolling Bones skeleton band, will be returning as well to rock the Dragon Fire Grill stage with covers of classic rock anthems.

Howl-O-Scream Tampa

 

Sinister Savings!

Busch Gardens is currently holding a sale offering up to 70% off on Howl-O-Scream admission (for a limited time)!

For horror and haunt fans, there is no better time to bite into incredible offers on Howl-O-Scream admission. Exclusive savings for Pass Members and Fun Card holders for Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream in Tampa are available now, plus admission products that also include access to unique and original haunted houses, scare zones and more debuting this fall at the all-new SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream Orlando!

Single Night Admission & Two-park Ticket

Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream single-night admission starting at just $29.99 – up to 70% savings!

NEW! Two-park ticket: includes one admission to Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream Tampa and one admission to the brand-new SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream Orlando starting at $79.99!

EXTRA Perks for Pass Members & Fun Card holders

Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream single-night admission starting at just $24.99.
Platinum Pass Members receive one night’s admission FREE for opening weekend at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream Tampa, September 10-12, by showing their Pass at the turnstiles.

Tickets for Howl-O-Scream are available now, with discounts available for Annual Pass and Fun Card Members at the Howl-O-Scream website.

Howl-O-Scream Headed to SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld will also be bringing Howl-O-Scream to Orlando this year. This means that Florida will have two Howl-O-Screams.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

Much like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Busch Gardens Tampa’s Howl-O-Scream, there will be scare zones, haunted houses, and unique Halloween-themed shows. The event will last for 27 nights and will run Thursday through Sunday from September 10 to October 31. The event hours are 7pm until midnight, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 2am. I don’t know about you, but two Howl-O-Screams sounds like double the fun to me…

Update 07/15/21: The first TWO houses for Orlando have been announced!

Dead Vines: Something is stirring among the trees. A shiver runs down your spine as you creep forward, one timid step at a time. Is this jungle alive…or undead? There’s an ominous force at work here, a merciless mistress of ivy and evil. She’s poisoned these woods with an all-consuming appetite for visitors like you. Keep moving and find a way out before it’s too late. You don’t want to end up dead on the vine.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

Witchcraft Bayou: The cult is growing, and the lure is powerful. It’s hazardous to pass through this backwater bayou, but there’s no way around. Voodoo and witchcraft aren’t real, right? Tell that to the zealous worshippers trying to shackle you with their spells. They won’t rest until your soul belongs to her too. Stay alert, or the dark magic will drag you down.

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

More info soon! 

As a related note, SeaWorld San Diego will have their first-ever Howl-O-Scream as well: 

Howl-O-Scream to Haunt SeaWorld San Diego this Halloween!


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Let’s Hear From You

As Busch Gardens and SeaWorld prepare for a season of scaring, there’s so much to look forward to. Are you ready for the return of Haunted Houses? 

, Howl-O-Scream Scaring Soon at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

 


Update 08/14/21 – The article has been updated to include information about the second new maze for the event.

Update 07/15/21 – This article originally ran on June 5 and was updated July 15 to include new information about new and announced haunted houses and scare actor auditions. 

 

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Amy VandenBoogert
Amy is lucky to live in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida and frequently visits the Busch Gardens theme park in that city. You can find Amy's updates on Busch Gardens and other Central Florida attractions in MiceChat's Orlando Parkhopper columns.