Horror in Headphones Opens October 9th!

Brought to you by Phoenix Tears, the same company that produced 2020’s Infected, Horror in Headphones is an innovative audio haunt utilizing 360° soundscapes, physical environments, sets, and live actors to immerse audience members in creepily creative stories. Unlike anything I’d ever experienced before, Infected was one of my absolute favorite haunts during the 2020 spooky season, and I was SO THRILLED to attend the media preview for this year’s Horror in Headphones! Thank you, Phoenix Tears, for inviting me out!

About Horror in Headphones

For this year’s event, Phoenix Tears has partnered with Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest (a super cute tree and animal farm in Eustis) to provide an entire evening full of holiday fun and spooky programming! With two dynamically different shows and an adorably unique venue, Horror in Headphones is sure to provide an unforgettable Halloween experience!

Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest

This year’s location, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest, is a truly unique gem in Central Florida – with whimsical theming, lots of animals, and even an outdoor bar. Let’s take a look at all you can enjoy before, after, or even between your show times!

Refreshments

If you’re feeling hungry before your show, check out Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest’s food and drink selection. Available for purchase each night of the event, the complex offers a well-stocked bar with a variety of mixed drinks, beers, and wines or a snack stand with a selection of burgers, hotdogs, and sausages. Don’t worry, plant-based (or mostly plant-based) eaters, Santa’s Forest also offers Beyond burgers and vegan hot dogs!

Other Entertainment

After grabbing some dinner or a drink at the bar, enjoy the other experiences waiting for you at Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest. You and your group can have a stimulating conversation in their Adirondack chairs or play some oversized lawn games!

If you feel like taking a stroll, explore the grounds to find a variety of animals (like goats, horses, and rabbits), Halloween decor, cute farm buildings, and even a pumpkin patch!

What a cute hidden treasure! Make sure you build extra time into your evening to enjoy Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest!

Horror in Headphones: The Experience

How It Works

In case you’re not familiar with this type of production, let me explain how it actually works. Audience members are given headphones containing specially designed soundscapes, including effects and talented voice actors. Live performers then guide participants through predetermined physical pathways (In this case, we’re traveling through the actual woods of Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest) while pantomiming the action and interacting with set pieces, the environment, other actors, or even the audience themselves – resulting in an exceptionally organic experience.

As I previously mentioned, Horror in Headphones includes two innovative shows with very different storylines and themes: Camp Alkeridge and Resurrection. Guests can purchase a ticket for either one ($20) or both ($40) productions – depending on their preferences and time constraints. Let’s take a look at both available performances for this year’s event!

Camp Alkeridge

From Showpass.com:

Everyone’s favorite cryptid-infested campground is finally giving tours! We’ll take an unnerving walk deep in the woods to visit the abandoned Camp Alkeridge. Perhaps, we will have a hairy encounter with the famed Creature of the Citrus State, Bigfoot of the East, Monster of Mouse-town known to inhabit these very grounds–THE ALKEMESH!

A great option for monster fans, this show starts off with an awesome surprise – an actual hayride into the woods! Everyone will pile into the tractor/trailer for the short drive into the Christmas Tree Forest! Using a flashlight to illuminate your path, the group will follow your guide through the Alkeridge Camp Grounds in search of the illusive Alkemesh!

While I can’t pick a real favorite from the two shows, I will say that I found Camp Alkeridge to be more interactive than Resurrection. I don’t want to spoil too much, but the hayride left me feeling like we were much deeper in the woods than we actually were – creating a convincing illusion of isolation (and certainly amping up the creep factor)!

Resurrection

From Showpass.com

There is nothing more intense than a final girl’s devotion to her recently murdered love. Gwen is desperate to bring her lover back to life while avoiding a vicious serial killer who stalks these woods. She has the resurrection spell; now all she needs is you.

For the blood and guts, slasher-loving movie-goers, this is certainly the gorier and more gruesome of the two shows. Instead of taking a hayride, you will follow Gwen deep into the woods – gathering the necessary items for her cursed ritual. When you finally make it to her sacred alter – be ready! This show is filled with impressive twists, turns, and some surprisingly violent images!

Freaky Thoughts: Horror in Headphones

I love Phoenix Tears’ audio haunts. This spirited, organic form of storytelling is unlike anything else that I’ve seen in Central Florida – and I am SO HERE FOR IT! While I ultimately slightly preferred the style of Resurrection to Camp Alkeridge, both shows featured unique experiences that really should not be missed. It all depends on your preferences and budget, of course, but if you can swing the $40 for two great shows and access to Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest – it’s well worth the price!

Another huge THANK YOU to Phoenix Tears for inviting me to their media preview! It was awesome!

Know Before You Go

• As with any outdoor activity, there may be insects! Wear bug spray to avoid bites.
• Since these shows take place outdoors, you will often travel on unpaved, rugged terrain. Wear closed toed, comfortable shoes for easier walking.
• If you decided to see both shows, make sure you book start times at least 45 minutes apart.
• Can’t hear in 360°? Neither can I! You’ll still appreciate the detailed soundscapes and storytelling effects. Don’t let a hearing disability stop you from attending!