Haunted Houses, Halloween Attractions & Ghost Tours in Philly for 2026

September 25 – October 30, 2026 (select dates)

Get ready for a three-part chilling adventure, as Bucks County’s Winding Brook Farm features three classic Haunted Attractions (ticketed separately) in one terrifying location. 

The Night Chills Haunted Hay Ride winds through the forested Gates of Hell — populated, of course, by eerie nighttime creatures. Hear blood-curdling screams at every dark turn during the Corn Walk of Horror. And try not to get trapped in the Haunted Hay Maze, where spooky characters chase you into a seemingly never-ending series of dead ends.

Know before you go: All tickets must be purchased on-site.

September 25 – October 31, 2026 (select dates)

A chilling chairlift ride at Scream Mountain at Spring Mountain Adventures takes you to the top of the Montgomery County ski mountain’s dark side, just to leave you to guide yourself back down an eerie, dimly lit trail to the base. 

At the bottom, hop aboard a haunted hayride to visit the remains of the vengeful quarrymen who haunt the resort. Visitors can also ride the hayride as a standalone attraction, and there’s a daytime “starter” version with fewer scares. 

Know before you go: No reservations are necessary unless you are part of a group of 20 or more. 

September 25 – November 1, 2026 (select dates)

Hollywood-level special effects ramp up the trilogy of terror at The Bates Motel, consistently named one of the top haunted houses in the nation, with the Delaware County attraction promising giant new sets for 2026. 

Prepare to shriek your way through the Bates Motel’s special effects, the haunted hayride’s eerie trek through the forest and the monster-filled Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Corn Trail. 

Know before you go: Double Edge Axe offers blood-free (hopefully!) axe throwing for an additional charge.

September 25 – November 1, 2026 (select dates)

Located at the Phoenix Sport Club in Feasterville, The Valley of Fear has offered Halloween frights for 36 years, with all-new sets and designs for 2026.

Start off on the twisting, disorienting Original Haunted Hayride, then feel your heart pounding as you hunt for One Eye’d Willie’s lost treasure. Will you escape Shipwreck Cove before Willie can steal your soul? If you do, watch out for the ghost of Miles Manor, who has risen from the ashes. 

Know before you go: Military, veterans and first responders can get discounted access on select nights. 

September 25 – November 7, 2026 (select dates)

For a terrifying near-real-life attraction, don’t miss Pennhurst Asylum in Chester County. Described as “scariest place I’ve ever seen, period” by HauntWorld, the experience operates in the same facility that housed a psychiatric hospital for 80 years.

The programming at the 120-acre property offers three menacing stops: the Legendary Asylum haunted house, the disturbing Morgue and the panic-inducing Tunnels (all respectfully presented while reappropriating the site’s problematic history through feedback from the disability and mental health communities). 

Know before you go: For an extra fee, add on the Catacombs experience … if you dare.

September 26 – October 31, 2026 (select dates)

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Acres hosts three ghoulish attractions at the 230-acre Gunser Farm, a working family farm in Newtown, Bucks County. The mile-long Sleepy Hollow Hayride — one of the longest in the region — winds through dark woods and pumpkin fields. 

Afterward, make your way through the abandoned Field of Fright village to old Malfate Manor — known as The House in the Hollow — for a terrifying haunted house experience. End your night by the bonfire pit with live music.

Know before you go: Reserve a bonfire ahead of your visit, and check out the list of bands slated to perform on the official website. 

September 26 – November 7, 2026 (select dates)

The story of Lincoln Mill Haunted House tells a spine-chilling tale of bodies “discovered” in a secret basement chamber after flooding from Hurricane Ida in 2021, uncovering the mill’s dark and gruesome past. 

Explore the 160-year-old abandoned Manayunk mill as you avoid the lingering spirits of workers who were subject to torment and experimentation by disturbed owner Viktor Kane a century ago. 

Expect scare actors, high-quality sets, special effects and animatronics.

Know before you go: Tickets are required, with discounts for groups of 20 or more.

October 2 – November 7, 2026 (select dates)

I scream, you scream, we all scream … because we’re inside an abandoned prison at night. Eastern State Penitentiary opens its cell blocks after dark each fall for Halloween Nights, one of Philly’s most beloved Halloween attractions and America’s largest haunted house. 

The legendary prison offers numerous frightful attractions across its 11 acres, including: the lair of some thirsty vampires at The Crypt, expanded for 2026; an eerily abandoned fishing village; a creep-filled carnival; and much more. Get express entry with the new Quick Pass admission, and add on premium experiences for even more scares. 

Don’t miss: Not-so-scary sips at Triple Bottom Brewing’s Fair Chance Beer Garden 

October 2 – November 7, 2026 (select dates)

Like a nightmare right out of a Stephen King novel, the dark and cavernous basement of a 120-year-old abandoned factory becomes one of the most unnerving places on the planet.

Named one of America’s scariest Halloween attractions by Travel Channel, the high-scare, high-startle Fright Factory in South Philly offers three themed areas across the 25,000-square-foot space: the dystopian and derelict Industrial Nightmare; the abandoned South Side Sanatorium; and Fright Factory Unholy, a consecrated cathedral home to possessed priests and demonic entities.

Know before you go: Fright Factory describes itself as a “physical, high-intensity haunt,” not for the faint of heart. 

October 3-31, 2026 | 5:30 & 6:45 p.m. (Saturdays only)

Nothing can be scarier than learning about the gruesome medical practices of the past, so prepare for goosebumps at the Bloodletting & Burials tour, kicking off at the Betsy Ross House. 

Meet Betsy herself as she stitches a coffin liner, then head out on a walking tour that visits Betsy’s grave, the Christ Church Burial Ground and more as your ghostly guides share stories of bloodletting, disease and death. Wrap-up the night sipping on cocktails and mocktails at The Garden at City Tavern.

Know before you go: Tickets are required and include one specialty drink.

Ongoing

One of Greater Philadelphia’s newest (and creepiest) museums — opened in 2023 — lurks inside the Doylestown home of the owner of an eclectic next-door antique store.

VAMPA, or Visual Arts Museum of Paranormal Antiquities, houses a slew of vampire-themed antiques, art, artifacts and paranormal objects, including a centuries-old hand-carved stake, crucifix and holy water bottle kit, and personal items belonging to actors who played Dracula in film, like circa-1870 vampire hunter gear owned by Carlos Villarias from the Spanish-language Dracula. 

Know before you go: Purchase tickets online or on-site during open hours.

Ongoing

Channel your inner Eleven as you and your crew battle Vecna and try to escape from the slimy tentacles of the Upside Down at the Stranger Things immersive experience at Netflix House Philadelphia, located at King of Prussia, a Simon Property Mall. 

The all-ages experience (kids 14 and under need a grown-up along) brings the popular show to life. Can you save Hawkins from Vecna’s evil grasp? Find out this spooky season. 

Know before you go: While Netflix House Philadelphia is free to visit, the Stranger Things experience requires tickets.

Ongoing

Maybe you prefer your scares to leap off the page rather than literally in your face. Philly’s got you covered.

The horror-filled shelves of Thrillerdelphia Bookstore in Manayunk can satiate your hunger for bloodthirsty tales — both fictional and real — with its expansive collection of reads sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

The bookstore also regularly hosts author readings and signings, plus hands-on workshops. 

Vibe: Read if you dare. 

October 3 – 24, 2026 (dates vary by program)

Widely known as one of the most haunted places in the country, Fort Mifflin offers extra spooky programming each October. 

• Open Investigation: Creep around freely to see if apparitions appear during the evening Open Investigation. Advanced tickets are required, with VIP upgrades available (Saturday, October 3, 2026).
• Candlelight Ghost Tours: Explore one of the nation’s oldest active military facilities after dark with Candlelight Ghost Tours, a pure Halloween season experience free of decorations and costumed characters. It’s just you, your tour guide, a few candles and whatever apparitions might awaken (select nights from October 9 to 23, 2026).
• Sleep with the Ghosts: Feeling extra brave? Why not spend the night hanging out with the ghosts of Fort Mifflin? Sleep is optional for this event, designed with experienced paranormal investigators in mind. Dorm-style sleeping or BYO tent (Saturday, October 24, 2026).

Ongoing

Historians and professors lead the highly researched, adults-only Grim Philly Tours, including two excursions tailor-made for spooky season. The R-rated Dark Philly Adult Night Tour features risqué tales of ghosts, sex, vampires, blackmail, espionage and murder from the days of the Founding Fathers.

The daytime True Crime Philadelphia: Cemetery & History Tour mixes real-life crime stories and history lessons with tales of serial slayings and psychopathic killers, with stops at Revolutionary-era sites including Elfreth’s Alley and Benjamin Franklin’s grave.

Good for: A deep dive into Philly’s darker side

Ongoing

Philly Ghosts offers three spooky walks, each with a different theme and vibe: 

• The Phantom Penance of Philadelphia: Starting in Washington Square, the Phantom Penance of Philadelphia tour explores the dark underside of Philly’s Old City neighborhood. Expert guides lead you on a journey through the city’s past across haunted buildings, ancient streets and ghostly monuments, telling stories of historical events, local legends and eyewitness accounts.
• Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: This adults-only pub crawl will have you toasting to your fears as you learn about the historic ghosts of Old City. If you dare attend, you’ll start at Independence Beer Garden before strolling over to City Tavern and Independence Hall.
• Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour: Want a longer, later ghost tour with more time for spooky tales? The Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour starts at 10 p.m. and lasts for two hours in the dead of night. Rumor has it that more spirits emerge after hours.

Ongoing

Wander the back streets and secret gardens of Independence National Historical Park, Old City and Society Hill by candlelight on the guided Ghost Tour of Philadelphia. Hear chilling ghost tales and see where the bodies were (literally) buried from the era of William Penn to the Founding Fathers to today. 

Costumed tour guides spin spooky tales of villains, tragedies and plagues as you explore haunting burial grounds and historic sites.

Good for: Historic haunts and true tales

Ongoing

The lantern-lit Ghost Tours of New Hope — led by best-selling author and long-time paranormal investigator Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey — are one-hour, one-mile ghostly ambles through the streets of the Bucks County river town, offering interesting and surprising stories of spine-tingling hauntings and spooky locales. 

Public tours are available every Saturday night from June through November. Tours meet in front of the Parry Mansion Museum on Ferry Street.

Know before you go: No reservations are required, but bring cash or be prepared to Venmo for tickets.  

Ongoing

Feeling short on time but still wanting some spooky stories? Check out this DIY audio tour you can download onto your phone and take anytime. Go at your own pace and linger or run screaming from historically haunted sites. 

The tour starts at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington Square, once the site of a Colonial-era burial ground. Then follow in the haunted footsteps of the nation’s Founding Fathers, including a stop at Ben Franklin’s grave.

Know before you go: Plan to spend a little more than an hour if you walk straight through. Or, you can pause the tour as you go, or break it into sections. 

Through Friday, October 2, 2026 (Friday & Saturday nights)

Affiliated with the Lincoln Mill Haunted House (see above), the new-for-2026 Manayunk Ghost Tours takes brave souls for a dark walk along the canal towpath with EMF readers in hand to detect any paranormal activity that might pop up. 

The 75-minute intimate group tour leans into the neighborhood’s haunted textile history as you creep toward the mill that harbors spirits of long ago. Choose from an early walk leaving at 7:45 p.m. or a late-night spooky stroll starting at 9:30 p.m.

Know before you go: Tickets must be purchased in advance. 

September 16 – November 19, 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday evenings only)

Stroll the streets of Bristol Borough with professional paranormal investigators as you hear terror-filled tales of spirits spotted along Mill Street’s historic buildings.

The family-friendly Spirits on Mill Ghost Walk takes a 90-minute walking tour across a half-mile, stopping at small businesses along the way. Those 21 and up can also sip on discounted, themed cocktails offered at select stops throughout the tour.  

Know before you go: Purchase tickets in advance. The tour happens rain or shine. 

October 1 – November 7, 2026 (select dates)

Take a trolley tour that’s a real scream — the Halloween version of the Philadelphia Sightseeing Tour. Terror Beyond the Walls takes you on a 90-minute tour of Philadelphia’s most terrifying tales in a trolley decked out in Halloween decor. 

Step off the trolley at two surprise stops along the way for a chance to walk around as you listen to harrowing tales of ghostly encounters. Swing by the historic home of titan of terror, Edgar Allen Poe, as well as some (surely) haunted burial grounds.

Know before you go: Expect terror-filled trivia and games in between stops. 

October 24-31, 2026 (select dates)

They say the veil between the realm of the living and the dead gets thinner this time of year. Find out as you hear haunting tales of restless spirits at these Laurel Hill East events: 

• Soul Crawl: Knowledgeable guides will spin yarns of cemetery residents as you creep through dark, winding paths lit only by flashlights. Swap ghost stories at the end while sipping beverages around the fire pit. The event is offered on two Saturdays: October 24 and October 31, 2026.
• Paranormal Investigation: Wander through the burial ground with professional paranormal investigators to see which spirits show up to say “hey” (Friday, October 30, 2026).
• Nevermore: Edgar Allan Poe Connections: Hear all about master of horror Edgar Allan Poe’s creepy connections to cemetery residents (Saturday, October 31, 2026).