Six Flags Great America Celebrates 35 Years of Fright Fest With Five Haunted Mazes and the Return of Necropolis
The Gurnee park marks its 35th anniversary of Halloween scares with two new haunted mazes, seven scare zones and the first appearance of fan-favorite Necropolis since 2014.
Six Flags Great America announced the return of Fright Fest for its 35th year, with the Halloween event running select nights from September 19 through November 1. The Gurnee park will feature five haunted mazes, seven scare zones, live shows and nighttime rides on coasters like Wrath of Rakshasa, Goliath and Raging Bull.
The lineup includes two new haunted mazes and the return of Necropolis, a fan-favorite scare zone not seen since 2014. The announcement comes as part of the park's 50th anniversary season, bringing back one of the most requested attractions from Fright Fest history.
This year's event marks a major milestone for one of the longest-running Halloween celebrations at any Six Flags park. The mix of returning favorites and new additions gives the park a significant seasonal draw as it enters fall.
Two New Haunted Mazes Join the Lineup
Blair Witch: No Signal sends guests into the Black Hills Forest for a terrifying journey through one of horror's most iconic settings. The maze brings the Blair Witch franchise to life as visitors navigate the woods where the legend began.
Nightmares centers on twisted dreamscapes filled with clowns, spiders, illusions and doctors. The original concept explores the fears that emerge when sleep becomes a nightmare, creating an experience built around multiple phobias and surreal imagery.
The new mazes join three returning haunted attractions. The Conjuring Universe brings scares from characters like Annabelle and The Nun, while SAW: Legacy of Terror recreates Jigsaw's twisted trials of survival. The Estate at Wretched Meadows rounds out the haunted maze lineup.
Necropolis Returns After 12 Years
Necropolis makes its first appearance at Six Flags Great America since 2014, marking a 12-year gap between runs. The scare zone was a fan favorite during its original tenure, and its return has been one of the most requested additions from longtime Fright Fest visitors.
The park confirmed Necropolis will be part of the 50th anniversary celebration, tying the return to the broader milestone season. It joins six other scare zones that keep the scares going across the park throughout the night.
The scare zones are included with park admission, while the five haunted mazes require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass. This gives guests the option to experience outdoor scares throughout the park or dive deeper into the ticketed maze experiences.
Tricks and Treats Offers Family-Friendly Fall Fun
When the sun is up, the park shifts to lighter fall activities with Tricks and Treats, a daytime event on Saturdays and Sundays from September 19 through November 1. The family offering features seasonal décor, treats, entertainment and activities designed for younger guests.
The park has not yet revealed the full lineup of Tricks and Treats activities for 2026, but the event provides a way for families to celebrate Halloween together before the nighttime scares begin. This dual programming approach gives Six Flags Great America a way to serve both audiences during the same visit.
Oktoberfest Returns on Select Days
Six Flags Great America will also host Oktoberfest on select days during the same September 19 through November 1 window. The celebration brings seasonal food, beer and German-inspired dishes to the park, adding another layer to the fall experience.
The park has not specified which days Oktoberfest will run or what menu items will be available, but the event gives guests a way to enjoy fall flavors alongside the Halloween programming. The combination of Fright Fest, Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest creates multiple reasons to visit during the fall season.
Best Value Through 2027 Gold Pass
The park says the best value for Fright Fest, Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest is the 2027 Gold Pass, which starts at $85. The pass includes unlimited visits for the rest of 2026 and all of 2027, plus access to regional parks such as Cedar Point and Kings Island.
The Gold Pass represents a significant discount for anyone planning multiple visits during the fall season or into next year. The regional park access expands the value beyond just Six Flags Great America, giving passholders the ability to visit other major parks in the Six Flags and Cedar Fair network.
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