(Image: Newsquest)
October is here and Halloween is not far away, which for many, including myself, is among their favourite times of the year.
After going to Alton Towers Scarefest for the first time last year, I was excited to go back again in 2026, but I did a few different things to enjoy my experience even more.
Scarefest is back for another year, with some new and exciting additions, as well as some returning classics.
Here is how I got the most out of my day there, and how you can too.
@uktoday_ Alton Towers Scarefest is back for 2026, and it is as brilliant as ever. Have you ever been to Scarefest? #altontowers #scarefest ♬ Fall October Halloween horror classic(177261) - rareNote
What is Alton Towers Scarefest?
Alton Towers Scarefest is an award-winning annual Halloween event held at the popular Staffordshire theme park.
One of the biggest highlights for many is rides in the dark, with major attractions such as Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man and The Smiler remaining open until 9pm.
As well as this, there is an array of live-action horror mazes, as well as free scare zones.
For the younger visitors, there are family-friendly attractions like the CBeebies Land Monster Ball, Trick O' Treat Town, and live shows by the Alton Ancestors.
Another new feature for 2026 is the immersive experience Dine with the Dead, combining dining with an immersive, spine-tingling experience.
The experience comprises three sections of the evening: the cocktail party, the three-course meal and the afterparty.
What horror mazes are there for Scarefest 2026?
There are four different horror mazes to experience this year, with three returning ones and one exciting new experience.
Returning for 2026 are:
- Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny’s Revenge
- Compound
- Edge of the Forest
New for 2026 is the scare maze The Final Exhibit, of which I was fortunate enough to be among the first to try.
Final Exhibit sees visitors enter what appears to be a spectacular exhibition of newly discovered Alton Towers artefacts, before being lured into the hidden archive of The Curator, a terrifying figure obsessed with preserving the past.
The Final Exhibit was a welcome addition to the park, not only featuring some great theming and history of Alton Towers, but also some brilliant scares.
Alton Towers' new scare maze for 2026, The Final Exhibit, is a fantastic addition to Scarefest (Image: Alton Towers)
I really enjoyed not only seemingly learning more about Alton Towers’ history but the scares that came along with it.
All three of the returning mazes, which I had done last year, were once again brilliant, with some small story updates in Compound, which is by far the most intense, and Altonville Mine Tours.
If you are looking to come to Scarefest and are unsure about the mazes, I can reassure visitors that some are scarier than others, and they are mostly themed around making you jump.
If you don’t like being touched or properly scared, the free scare zones, Dark Hollow, themed around Th13teen, and Burial Grounds, are worth trying, and can be done in the day.
The latter has some new characters, which made it feel fresh compared to last year.
If you are heading to the mazes, a top tip I learned and put into practice this year, is to do them during the day, as they are all inside anyway, and it is best to save time to ride as many rollercoasters as you can during the dark.
Riding the rollercoasters after dark is one of the highlights of Scarefest (Image: Newsquest)
We prioritised Oblivion and The Smiler, which sadly had a fault towards the end of the day so we missed it, as well as Th13teen and Rita as our night rides.
If you are wondering which ones to pick, as it is unlikely you get to ride them all, prioritise your favourites, as the experience is only elevated in the dark.
Th13teen is brilliant at night, as is Oblivion, and having ridden it last year, Wicker Man at night is excellent, too.
Riding my favourite Alton Towers rollercoasters in the dark under a full moon has become a core memory for me, and this year I felt like I enjoyed everything more compared to 2025.
If you can afford fast tracks passes, they are well worth it, allowing for more rides, especially once the sun sets.
On top of everything, the light show on the Towers Castle after dark is worth watching.
Alton Towers Scarefest prices
A Thrills Combo, which includes access to all four mazes, is £43 (£34.40 for passholders) before 5pm, and £48 for after 5pm.
A family duo, giving single-use access to the two family attractions, is £16 (£12.80 for passholders).
A Thrills & Family Combo, for single-use access to four mazes and the two family attractions, is £60, or £48 for passholders.
Thrill scare mazes are for ages 12 and older, with family scare mazes for ages six and up.
There are also short break options, which include a one-night stay and entry to the park, from £100 per person.
I enjoyed Scarefest even more this year than last year (Image: Newsquest)
Alton Towers Scarefest dates and times for 2026
Scarefest 2026 kicked off on September 26 and will run until November 1.
Scarefest dates for the remainder of 2026 are October 2 to 4, 9 to 11, and October 16 to November 1.
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Is Alton Towers Scarefest worth a visit?
If you have never been to Scarefest, it is well worth visiting, not only for the rollercoasters in the dark but the impressive theming throughout the park and the extended hours, giving more time to enjoy everything.
If you have been before, going again might depend on when you last went and what new things are on offer.
The tweaks to some of the mazes alongside the new one made for a refreshing experience just one year on from my last visit, so there is no doubt there will be new things for you to enjoy during yours.
Alton Towers continues to impress me, and I really hope to return to the park soon, whether it be for Scarefest or a day trip.
Have you been to Alton Towers Scarefest before? Let us know in the comments.