If you are within two hours of Cincinnati, Kings Island HalloWeekends is one of those fall events that belongs on your October calendar. One of the largest Halloween events in the Midwest, it takes over the entire park on select nights from late September through Halloween, and it is genuinely impressive in scale — from the live shows and scare zones to the full lineup of haunted mazes and night rides on some of the best coasters in the region.
Here is everything you need to know to plan your visit, whether you are bringing the whole family or heading out for a scary night with older kids and teens.
What Is Kings Island HalloWeekends?
HalloWeekends is Kings Island’s annual Halloween event, running select nights from September 25 through October 31, 2026. After dark, the park transforms with scare zones, haunted mazes, live entertainment, and themed food and drinks — all while the coasters keep running well into the evening.
The event is presented by SNICKERS and draws massive crowds, especially on October Saturday nights. Plan accordingly.
Two Events in One: Tricks and Treats vs. Halloween Haunt
One thing that makes Kings Island stand out for families is that it actually runs two separate Halloween events depending on the time of day.
Tricks and Treats (Family Friendly, Daytime)
Tricks and Treats runs select days from September 27 through November 1, 2026, during park hours before the sun goes down. This is the version for younger kids and families who want the Halloween atmosphere without the scares.
What is included:
- Trick-or-Treat Trail with costumed characters handing out candy
- Mask Makers Mash craft station
- Costume Contest at the Bandstand
- Live entertainment including The Fangtasticks band, Skelebration Dance Party, and PEANUTS-themed shows
- Ride access on select family attractions
- Planet Snoopy (closes at 6 PM on Haunt nights)
This is zero scares, all fun, and a great option if you have little ones in tow or want to do a mix — start with Tricks and Treats in the afternoon and let the older kids stay for Haunt once it gets dark.
Halloween Haunt (Teens and Adults, After Dark)
Once the sun goes down, Kings Island flips into a completely different experience. Halloween Haunt is not recommended for children under 13, and the scare zones and mazes take that seriously.
What Is Included with General Admission
Your park ticket covers more than you might expect:
Four Scare Zones (no extra charge):
- Pumpkin Eater
- Coney Maul — abandoned carnival setting
- Abandoned — creepy lumber company grounds
- Hooked — a pirate-themed port town
Three Live Shows (no extra charge):
- Nytewalkers — zombie acrobatic stunts
- Ghouls Gone Wild — classic monster revival show
- Dr. Nightmare’s Game Show — interactive trivia with a Halloween twist
Night Rides on the big coasters — Beast, Orion, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers, and Banshee all run after dark, which is honestly reason enough to go on its own.
The Haunted Mazes (Priced Separately)
Here is the big change for 2026: haunted mazes are no longer included with general admission. You will need to add a Haunted Attractions Pass to access them.
Six Mazes Total:
- JASON: Blood Reign (NEW) — Friday the 13th themed walkthrough
- Metal Massacre (NEW) — heavy metal horror nightmare world
- Order of the Dragon — vampire catacombs
- Alien Abyss (presented by SNICKERS)
- Killmart (presented by M&Ms)
- Slaughter House (presented by SKITTLES)
Haunted Attractions Pass pricing:
- Per night: starting at $15
- All-season pass: starting at $49
Bundle option: Park admission plus maze access starts at $64, which is the better deal if you know you want the full experience.
Ticket Prices
- Daily park tickets start at $45 (marked down from $119, so buy online)
- Season passes from $99 for renewals, $125 for a 2027 Gold Pass
- Halloween Haunt bundles (admission plus mazes) start at $64
- The Conjuring: Beyond Fear premium experience is an additional $20 and up
Always buy tickets online in advance. Walk-up prices are significantly higher and October Saturday nights can sell out.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
Go on a Friday or early Sunday. October Saturdays are the most crowded nights of the season. A Friday evening or early Sunday gives you a noticeably better experience and shorter waits, especially for the mazes.
Do Tricks and Treats first if you have younger kids. Arrive in the afternoon, hit Planet Snoopy and the family rides, do the trick-or-treat trail, and let the little ones head home with a grandparent or head to the car when Haunt kicks off. The older kids stay and get the full Halloween experience.
Ride the coasters early. Lines for Beast and Orion get long as the night goes on. Hit them right when Haunt opens, then work your way through the scare zones and shows.
Dress for the weather. Evening temperatures in October in Ohio can drop fast. Layers are your best friend, especially if you are there past 9 PM. A few things worth grabbing before you go:
- Halloween hand warmers — great for cold October nights
- Kids Halloween costumes that layer over clothes
- Crossbody bag — hands free for the whole night
- Glow sticks and LED accessories for the kids
Eat before you go or budget for it. Park food at a special event is park food — fine but pricey. Kings Island does themed food and drinks for HalloWeekends that are actually fun if you want the full experience, but if you are watching the budget, eat beforehand.
Check the calendar for Haunt versus family nights. The park runs dedicated family-friendly days and dedicated Haunt nights. Make sure you are booking the right one for your group.
Is It Worth It for Families with Teens?
Absolutely yes. The combination of top-tier coasters running after dark, legitimate scare zones, and a strong haunted maze lineup makes this one of the best Halloween events in Ohio for the 13-and-up crowd. Your teenager will love it.
For mixed-age families, the Tricks and Treats daytime format gives younger kids a real Halloween event experience without the nightmare fuel, and the transition to Haunt after dark means you can genuinely make a full-day trip out of it with something for everyone.
Getting There from Dayton
Kings Island is about 45 minutes south of Dayton on I-71, making it one of the easiest day trips in the region. From the Centerville area you are looking at a smooth 40-minute drive with no major traffic concerns on weeknight evenings.
Address: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH 45034
Parking is an additional cost — purchase it in advance through the Kings Island website to save a few dollars and skip the parking toll line.
Plan Your Kings Island Visit
Kings Island HalloWeekends tickets and details
Tricks and Treats family event details
For more Ohio Halloween events close to home, check out our Best Halloween Events near Dayton Ohio guide and our Best Halloween Events near Cleveland Ohio for even more October plans.
For more Ohio day trips and hidden gems, follow along at @bucketlisttravelfam on Instagram, Facebook, and join our BucketListTravelFam Facebook group where 13,000 families share their favorite local finds. Visit bucketlisttravelfam.com for more seasonal guides like this one.
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