Kings Dominion Fright Fest: 2025 In-Depth Guide

Every fall, Kings Dominion transforms from a family-friendly amusement park into a fear-filled playground of monsters, mazes, and midnight screams. Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion—also known as Kings Dominion Fright Fest—turns Doswell, Virginia, into the ultimate destination for adrenaline junkies and Halloween fanatics alike.

From fog-shrouded scare zones to thrill rides that plunge through the night sky, this event promises heart-racing memories you’ll be talking about until next October.

Thrills on the Hill: Where Terror Takes Over

From glowing graveyards to haunted coasters, this park pulls no punches when night falls.

The Halloween Haunt unfolds across Kings Dominion’s sprawling 400 acres in Doswell, just 25 miles north of Richmond. Neon graveyards line International Street, the Eiffel Tower glows blood red, and every coaster queue becomes a staging ground for lurking creatures.

Expect six elaborately themed mazes—including fan favorites like Blood on the Bayou and CornStalkers—plus four open-air scare zones where chainsaws rev without warning. Signature rides such as Dominator, Intimidator 305, and Twisted Timbers stay open late, letting you plummet through the darkness while demons snarl below.

New for 2025 is the chilling Site X, a sci-fi horror maze where guests must escape a government experiment gone wrong, adding a fresh layer of terror to the lineup. Live shows like Blood Reign deliver gothic rock and pyrotechnics in front of the Eiffel Tower, while pop-up bars serve specialty “blood bag” cocktails for guests 21 and older.

Night-running coasters are bathed in eerie hues, amplifying the haunting atmosphere and making Halloween Haunt one of Virginia’s top Halloween events.

Mark Your Calendar for Mayhem

Mark your nights for monsters—here’s when the screams begin.

Halloween Haunt 2025 runs from Friday, September 19 through Sunday, November 2, 2025, on select nights. Gates typically open at 7 PM, with monsters released shortly afterward. Closing times are around midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 PM on Sundays.

Pro tip: Arrive before 6 PM to enjoy daylight coasters and grab dinner before the scares start—Planet Snoopy closes at 6 PM nightly to prepare for the evening’s frights. Full operating calendars will be posted mid-summer, so always confirm exact Halloween Haunt dates and hours before your visit.

Who Should Brave the Night?

Perfect for horror junkies and thrill-seeking crews—leave the littles at home.

This event is tailor-made for teens, thrill-seeking couples, and adult friend groups hunting for hair-raising fun. The atmospheric storytelling, roaming scare actors, and pulse-pounding rides create an intensity most younger children can’t handle.

Families with little ones can instead visit the daytime Great Pumpkin Fest held in the same park. For horror-movie buffs and coaster enthusiasts, Kings Dominion Fright Fest fuses both passions into one unforgettable evening.

What Makes Halloween Haunt Legendary

Immersive sets, iconic mazes, and spine-chilling upgrades make 2025 the most terrifying yet.

Beyond sheer scale, Halloween Haunt stakes its reputation on immersive detail. Each maze features movie-quality sets, professional actors, and custom soundtracks. The event includes:

• Six themed mazes with unique storylines and scares
• Four scare zones with roaming monsters and intense encounters
• Nighttime operation of signature coasters enhanced with spooky lighting
• Live shows such as Blood Reign with gothic rock and pyrotechnics
• Themed bars and specialty cocktails for 21+ guests

The 2025 addition of the Site X maze introduces a thrilling sci-fi horror experience, expanding the event’s appeal to fans looking for new scares.

Park and Scream: Navigating Parking Like a Pro

Avoid the gridlock and midnight madness with these parking pointers.

General parking at Kings Dominion costs around $25 per vehicle and is located just outside the main gate, about a five- to ten-minute walk to security checkpoints. Preferred parking is available for around $40, placing you steps from the entrance—worth it if you plan to leave after midnight with tired feet.

Oversized vehicle spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For the smoothest entry, arrive an hour before dusk; after 7 PM, traffic from Interstate 95 often backs up along Theme Park Way.

Plan, Book, and Boo with Tripster

Why settle for ordinary fall fun when you can dive headfirst into thrills and chills? Tripster helps you plan your Kings Dominion getaway in just a few clicks. Bundle discounted tickets, nearby hotels, and Williamsburg attractions into one easy itinerary—no juggling, no surprises.

With exclusive discounts and flexible vacation packages, Tripster gives you more time for haunted houses and more room in the budget for those glow-in-the-dark hoodies and pumpkin funnel cakes.

Book your Halloween Haunt trip today—because the only thing scary should be the attractions, not the planning.