SCarowinds, the Carolinas’ premier Halloween event, is NOW RUNNING on select evenings through October 29! Featuring five terrifying haunted houses, plenty of live entertainment, a sinister parade, and six outdoor thrill zones; there’s so much to see and enjoy at this unique spooky season celebration.
We were SO THRILLED to be invited to attend a special media preview of this incredible event. I can’t wait to tell you all about the creatures and nightmares that will stalk you through SCarowinds this year. Thank you, Carowinds, for inviting us out!
Now, let’s take an in-depth look at all we experienced at this year’s SCarowinds Halloween event:
*All italicized attraction descriptions are from the SCarowinds website.*
Haunted Houses
SCarowinds features five terrifying haunted houses. Each haunt includes incredibly detailed set pieces, live actors, special effects, original storylines, and spooky soundscapes.
Paranormal, Inc.
Unveil the eerie secrets of Hayden Hill, a forsaken hospital marred by a chilling history. Within these ominous walls, deranged doctors and nurses subjected patients to decades of torment.
Ghostly echoes of their agony haunt the corridors, mingling with malevolent apparitions. Sinister medical staff still roam, seeking new victims for their cruel experiments. Venture into this paranormal journey to unravel the enigma of Hayden Hill.
Ahh, the famous (or perhaps infamous) Paranormal, Inc. Relocated from its previous home at Knott’s Scary Farm, this haunted house includes many of the original set pieces, props, and memorable effects from its California run. Due to space constraints in its new location, the current version is slightly smaller than its predecessor. But it still includes the most important elements such as the iconic pre-show and fan-favorite digital effects.
Unfortunately, there was a technical issue, and I was not able to experience the pre-show during my visit to SCarowinds. However, I was lucky enough to see the full version of Paranormal, Inc. during its time in Southern California (2021), and I ADORE this house! I love the story, pre-show, special effects, and overall atmosphere so much that I would visit SCarowinds even if this were the only haunted house available at the event (thankfully, there are four more amazing houses)! I am so thrilled to see this legendary haunt live on at another theme park. Do NOT miss the opportunity to experience Paranormal, Inc.
@freaks_of_hhn Did you know that the legendary Paranormal, Inc. has a new home at SCarowinds? Due to a technical issue, we weren’t able to see the iconic preshow, but we did get to participate in another ghost hunt at this creepy hospital. Join us on an unforgettable adventure with Paranormal, Inc.! #scarowinds #carowinds #paranormalinc #paranormalactivity @Carowinds ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
Depths of Darkness
Venture into the darkness if you dare. In this eerie haunted maze, darkness cloaks all. Seek refuge in the enclosed space, but an unsettling feeling takes hold. Amid pitch-black obscurity, you’re without sight or control. Senses heighten, and thick air envelopes you. Your instincts stir, sensing a presence. Is it friend or foe? Walls seem to constrict, escape elusive. Find your way out if you can.
Depths of Darkness is a uniquely disturbing and disorienting haunted house, full of sometime seemingly innocuous but actually very gruesome imagery. Many of the settings and scenes first appear to be fairly normal family affairs inside domestic surroundings, but once you look just a little bit deeper you find the haunting evil within. It’s a very detailed house, and I only wish that I had had more time to explore all the more hidden stories and themes.
Silver Scream Studios: Condemned
@freaks_of_hhn Featuring a wide variety of “abandoned movie sets” and spooky settings, Silver Scream Studios: Condemned has something for every fog-loving, haunted house fan. #scarowinds #carowinds #silverscreamstudioscondemned @Carowinds ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
Embark on a chilling expedition with friends to an old building tinged with darkness. Legend holds that Von Hellsburg, a failed horror director, turned his set into an absolute nightmare, claiming lives for authenticity. Decades have passed since those haunting screams echoed through these walls. Now abandoned, the studio stands in decay, but the cries still resonate. Beware, the studio’s structures are unstable, and danger lurks at every step.
Containing a series of several “studios” with diverse set pieces and themes, Silver Scream Studios: Condemned offers guests the opportunity to explore a wide array of abandoned filming locations and haunt styles. A fairly large and fog-filled maze, I appreciated the opportunity to experience such a variety of scenes in one maze.
Slaughter House: The Final Cut
Journey to the slaughterhouse for carnivorous delights that tantalize taste buds. Don’t mind the bloody walls, skilled butchers, sharp knives, and more. Navigate around carcasses and echoes of the process. Tune out grinding sounds and distant screams and traverse the haunted maze, but mind your manners – else you may become the added ingredient.
Certainly the most visually stunning house at this year’s event, Slaughterhouse: The Final Cut is made to look like you are walking through a real meat processing plant. Many of the incredibly gory scenes include huge, moving set pieces with conveyor belts, power saws, and meat hooks – further creating the illusion of a working factory. Slaughterhouse: The Final Cut is totally immersive and delightfully disturbing. I love it!
Tooth Fairy
Believe in the tooth fairy? You should, or you might join her collection of human teeth and body parts. Step into the eerie realm of her sinister clinic, where skeptics meet a gruesome fate. Amid blood-stained walls, whirring drills, and piercing screams, victims face gassers, extractors, and grinders. Can you escape her dental horrors or share doubters’ fate? Will you break free from her clutches?
This house is literally everything I could have wanted out of a tooth fairy-themed haunt. Instead of focusing solely on creepy versions of these classic creatures, SCarowinds leans into discomfort and fears surrounding the mouth. There’s gory imagery, bloody teeth, dentist chairs, drill sounds, and even a hallway made of diseased gums. It’s wonderfully executed, and I highly recommend checking it out!
@freaks_of_hhn Tooth Fairy at SCarowinds is literally EVERYTHING I’ve ever wanted out of this type of house. There’s gory, mouth-focused imagery, dentist drill sounds, and check out that hallway made out of teeth and diseased gums…. Amazing!! #scarowinds #carowinds #carowindspark @Carowinds ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
Thrill Zones
Between houses, you can explore six themed Thrill Zones: Bloodyard, Harvest FEAR, The Hollow, Ripper Alley, The Harlequin Club, and Blue Ridge Roadkillers. These zones represent a wide variety of characters, stories, and themes to create a special spooky vibe for the event. Here are some of my favorite highlights from these Halloween Thrill Zones:
Bloodyard
In a world veiled by the night, an ominous tale unfolds. Amid a forsaken junkyard, eerie eyes trace your steps, and silence reigns. Foreboding sets in as a sign in crimson letters that warns of a perilous fate.
Retreat beckons, but a shadow freezes you. A sinister group draws near. These are no ordinary foes; they’re bloodthirsty vampires. Escaping their clutches seems futile. Can you evade their grasp and find salvation?
Featuring industrial set pieces and an engaging cast, Bloodyard was a really fun zone to explore. I enjoyed several personalized interactions with the vampires lurking around this area.
Ripper Alley
Step into the eerie realm of Ripper Alley, where an old English tale claims ghosts manifest in places of great misery or joy. Amidst the forgotten prosperity of this London locale, tortured souls linger as evil spirits. Fear taints the air, and the twisted residents target ordinary humans. Keep your distance and avoid their gaze, for curiosity could lead to a fate as murky as the Thames River.
@freaks_of_hhn Here’s a very quick look at Ripper Alley at SCarowinds Halloween event. My favorite part is the gigantic Big Ben set piece! #scarowinds #scarowinds2023 #carowinds #halloween #thrillzone #ripperalley @Carowinds ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
Set in the world of Jack the Ripper, this zone is filled with impressively designed set pieces that represent different areas of London – including a giant replica of Big Ben!
The Harlequin Club
Step right into the realm of a dark and twisted traveling troupe featuring cringeworthy circus performers and sinister sideshow acts. The Harlequin Club has now set foot in the once-charming County Fair, introducing new spine-chilling methods to terrify and captivate.
@freaks_of_hhn How to fix things- according to The Harlequin Club at SCarowinds… @Carowinds #scarowinds #scarowinds2023 #carowinds #halloween #harlequinclub ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
Full of fun and exciting characters, The Harlequin Club featured a lighthearted and funny (but still plenty spooky) vibe. Adding a whole new dimension to the SCarowinds event, these performers were interacting with both guests and each other to create unique and memorable moments.
@freaks_of_hhn Who is Timba? Find out at The Harlequin Club- only at SCarowinds! #scarowinds #scarowinds2023 #carowinds #halloween #harlequinclub #thrillzone @Carowinds ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
The Hollow
When pumpkins come to mind, they evoke memories of cheery, orange orbs on porches. But at SCarowinds, pumpkins take a sinister turn. These gory gourds are fed up with their kin being carved, gutted, and twisted into unrecognizable forms. In a wicked reversal, they’re set to carve, gut, and dismantle all in their path.
Definitely the most beautiful zone in the park, The Hollow includes gruesome pumpkins and gorgeous lighting effects!
Live Entertainment
In addition to haunted houses and outdoor Thrill Zones, SCarowinds includes a variety of live entertainment including stage shows, live music, and even a nighttime parade:
Conjure the Night
Your deepest, darkest fears take center stage with Conjure the Night, SCarowinds’ all-new, live Halloween spectacle. Immerse yourself in the electric pulse, rockin’ vocals and soul shattering rhythms of Halloween’s most terrifying elements in a battle of evil vs. evil.
Taking place at the front of the park, Conjure the Night is full of creepy characters and fun, popular songs. I really enjoyed the lively and fun atmosphere in this production!
Procession of Nightmares
@freaks_of_hhn The Procession of Nightmares Halloween Parade at SCarowinds! #carowinds #scarowinds #scarowindsevent #halloween #halloween2023 @Carowinds ♬ original sound – Freaks_of_HHN
Experience your worst nightmares while wide awake at SCarowinds’ Procession of Nightmares parade. A convoy of hideous, monstrous structures slithers through the park, joined by grotesque characters, mesmerizing effects and bone-chilling music.
Scenes from the underworld—perhaps from your dreaming brain—process through the midways. An evil jack-o-lantern. Witches stirring their next troubled brew. A crazy skeleton king. A creepy clown with fangs. Ghastly pirates followed by an angry sea monster. Zombies, mummies and skeletons emerging from a forgotten graveyard.
You want to look away, run away from these horrifying scenes, but no. You can’t escape your nightmares when they’ve all come true.
How often can you enjoy a haunted event with a full parade? Featuring gruesome floats (including a gorgeous kraken) and energetic dancers, the Procession of Nightmares is truly amazing.
Specialty Food Offerings
Like many seasonal theme park events, SCarowinds offers a specialty food menu for the spooky season. During our visit, we got to try the Aprokries Greek Fries, Buffalo Brain Bites, Oktoberfest Pizza, and Fear The Reaper Dip. While all the food was delicious, I particularly enjoyed the Fear the Reaper Dip – served with toasted pita chips.
Visiting SCarowinds – the Carolinas’ Premier Halloween Event
SCarowinds runs on select evenings now through October 29. Buy your nighttime admission, explore available upgrades, and plan your spooky evening at carowinds.com/events/scarowinds/tickets. And make sure to follow Carowinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
The Freaky Thought
This event is AWESOME! As my first visit to SCarowinds, I was so impressed with the level of detail and theming included in their haunted houses. In fact, I adored SCarowinds so much that I am seriously considering adding it to my annual “must-do” Halloween itinerary. The houses were so unforgettably gory and featured many amazing special effects. Plus, the variety of characters and storylines ensures that every horror fan will find an attraction that resonates with them. I DEFINITELY recommend SCarowinds for your spooky season!
