Philadelphia is getting ready for another spooky season as Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary returns for its 35th season with bigger scares, new experiences and plenty of ways to customize your night.
Halloween Nights runs select nights from October 2 through November 7, 2026, throughout Eastern State Penitentiary’s historic 11-acre site. This year’s festival features five immersive haunted houses, historic tours and museum experiences, themed bars and lounges, live performances, food, drinks and more.
One of the biggest changes for Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary 2026 is an expanded version of The Crypt, which has doubled in size. A new Scare Cam also puts visitors in on the action. The other four haunted houses are Nightmares, Machine Shop, Dark Tides and Big Top Terror.
Want to make things even more interactive? Visitors can pick up a glow necklace when they enter. Those who opt in could be grabbed by performers, sent through hidden passageways or temporarily separated from their group.
New Ways to Experience Halloween Nights
New for 2026 is the After Dark VIP Tour, beginning with a 40-minute, guide-led VIP Flashlight Tour focused on Eastern State’s history. The premium option also includes front-of-the-line festival access, Quick Pass entry to every haunted attraction and admission to The Speakeasy at Al Capone’s Cell, with a complimentary beer, wine, cider or soft drink.
Also new this year is Quick Pass Admission, available online only. It includes everything offered with General Admission, plus Express Entry into the festival and priority queue access at the haunted attractions.
Visitors can also add a 20-minute Hospital Flashlight Tour of Cellblock 3 for $13. The experience is available at the door only, subject to availability, and includes a souvenir flashlight.
More Than Haunted Houses
Between scares, guests can visit Pumpkin Plaza and The Fair Chance Beer Garden for seasonal food and drinks, craft beer, cocktails and live entertainment. The Finale Courtyard also offers specialty funnel cakes.
The season wraps up November 6 and 7 with Halloween Nights REMIXED: Holiday Havoc, when Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day and other holidays take over the festival with terrifying twists.
General Admission and Quick Pass tickets are sold in half-hour entry windows, and advance online purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets, dates, pricing and additional information are available at HalloweenNights.org.