Eastern State Penitentiary is entering its spooky season once again, and this go-around, the historic prison is turning up the fright.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Over the next few weeks, the venue will be completely transformed into an immersive haunted experience to prepare for the opening of Halloween Nights.<\/p>\n
Now in its 35th year, the annual festival will begin operations Friday, Oct. 2, and run select nights through Nov. 7. This year’s iteration in total will feature five haunted houses, historic tours, museum experiences, themed bars, live performances, refreshments and more, all within the walls of Eastern State\u2019s\u00a0 11-acre site<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEach season of Halloween Nights is an opportunity to build on what visitors love while finding new ways to make the festival more immersive and engaging,\u201d says Erin Davis, Director of Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we celebrate our 35th season, we\u2019re taking The Crypt to a new level, introducing a new event flow, and offering more ways than ever for visitors to customize their experience. Whether you come for the haunted attractions, entertainment, history, or all of it, there is so much to experience throughout the night, and we\u2019re confident that 2026 will be the best year yet.\u201d<\/p>\n As Davis mentioned, this year\u2019s transformation centers on The Crypt<\/a>, which has doubled in size, and added a new “Scare Cam” feature where visitors can see their own reactions. Halloween Nights itself is also getting a redesigned event flow that will guide visitors through portions of the venue in a \u201cmore streamlined, linear fashion, while still leaving plenty of room to wander.\u201d Guests can pause for live performances, explore museum exhibits, grab a drink at a themed lounge or settle in for food and entertainment before venturing back into the scares.<\/p>\n This year will also feature a new After Dark VIP premium experience that features a 40-minute, guide-led flashlight tour exploring the venue\u2019s history. After the tour, VIP guests will receive front-of-the-line access to the festival, Quick Pass entry to all five haunted houses, and access to The Speakeasy at Al Capone\u2019s Cell, where admission includes a complimentary beer, wine, cider or soft drink. The Prohibition-themed lounge is also available this year as an at-the-door add-on.<\/p>\n Philadelphians can also scoop Quick Pass Admission this year (available online<\/a> only), which gives guests Express Entry into the festival and priority access to the haunted attractions. And for anyone who wants to become part of the action, a glow necklace opt-in can unlock an even more interactive version of Halloween Nights. Guests wearing one may be grabbed by performers, sent through hidden passageways, or temporarily separated from their group.<\/p>\n Festival-goers can also fuel up with gourmet s\u2019mores, Bao & Bun Studio\u2019s Asian fusion street food, seasonal drinks and craft beer from Triple Bottom Brewing, specialty funnel cakes and more.<\/p>\n The Fair Chance Beer Garden<\/a> is also back to do some good as they invite those who oblige to participate in hands-on activities that invite conversation and reflection on Eastern State\u2019s history and legacy of criminal justice reform<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, at the Pumpkin Plaza<\/a>, the space will be chock full of live dance performances and Halloween props to take selfies.<\/p>\n The final weekend of Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary offers its own draw: On Nov. 6 and 7, Halloween Nights REMIXED: Holiday Havoc will return for its third year, unleashing \u201ca timeline where Christmas, New Year\u2019s Eve, Valentine\u2019s Day, and other holidays collide with the creatures of Halloween Nights.\u201d<\/p>\n Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Ave.) acts as a fundraiser for the historical grounds. General Admission and Quick Pass tickets are sold in half-hour entry windows, and advance online purchase is strongly recommended. For tickets (starting around $54) and more information, visit HalloweenNights.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n