With the arrival of the Fall Equinox, fans of Kings Dominion know that horror season has officially begun: Halloween Haunt Presented by SNICKERS® is back. On Saturday, September 19, we were invited to an exclusive media preview, to experience the highlights of this year's event.

Review by Nathan Hart, our State Ambassador for Virginia

What's New for 2026?

Haunted Attractions

Fans of the iconic video game franchise can now step into Diablo: The Infernal Path. Located inside the former Action Theater building, this attraction forces brave guests to face their inner demons while encountering the brutal wrath of the game's infamous villains.

Although we toured the walkthrough before every final detail was fully complete, we can confirm that the scenes are delightfully gory and the scares are among the most intense in the history of the event.

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Live Entertainment

A clear focal point for this season is live entertainment, boasting three brand-new shows for 2026.

"We've really stepped it up this year," noted Park Manager Jennifer Schofield when discussing the entertainment lineup.

To kick off the evening, we caught Overlord's Resurrection, which takes place nightly at 7:00 PM on the Eiffel Tower stage. A horde of monsters, witches, and zombies gather to launch their takeover of the park. It is an electrifying performance that sets the stage for an evening of terror, marking the official opening of the haunted houses and scare zones.

Over at the Kings Dominion Theater, the featured presentation is Wake the Dead, a murder mystery musical. When Franklin Earl Anderson Rochester meets an untimely end, the audience must decide who amongst his inner circle committed the crime. Frank's four closest relatives present their arguments through energetic musical numbers featuring tracks from Chicago, Marilyn Manson, The Rolling Stones, Meat Loaf, and more. It is a witty, delightfully risqué twist on the classic whodunit format.

Meanwhile in Candy Apple Grove, we took in Skeleton Crew, a high-flying spectacle packed with impressive acrobatics and aerial stunts.

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Returning Favorites

Fan-favorite walkthrough Cornstalkers returns this year. What begins as a seemingly pleasant trip to a farm stand quickly turns into a terrifying trek through a corn maze that refuses to let you leave. Make sure you find the exit quickly, or you might end up on the menu. The attraction boasts fantastic set design and delivers several moments of genuine panic.

Another popular attraction, Blood on the Bayou, delivers top-tier scares by surrounding guests with the eerie, macabre aesthetic of 19th-century Louisiana lore.

Over in Old Virginia, we explored Grimm Woods, an atmospheric walkthrough inspired by the tales of the Brothers Grimm. The attraction features beautifully eerie scenes from classic stories such as Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood.

Located in Candy Apple Grove, Trick or Treat offers the quintessential haunted house walkthrough. Set inside the dilapidated Hemlock House, it features creaking floorboards, cobwebs, and unexpected frights around every corner for anyone foolish enough to trespass.

In addition to the haunted houses and stage shows, several treacherous scare zones pepper the park pathways:

Along the main thoroughfare, guests can venture through Les Catacombs de Paris, an eerie exploration of the underground French catacombs.

In Candy Apple Grove, the Cleaver Brothers Carnival features sinister clowns intent on making you scream. A quick word of advice: keep a close eye on your feet.

Entering Jungle Xpedition requires passing through Site X, where dangerous creatures lurk within the dense rainforest. If you hear the foreboding drone of the didgeridoo, you are already out of time.

For thrill-seekers, the classic The Grizzly wooden roller coaster is open during the event, offering some of the finest night rides in the country. Having this legendary coaster running during Haunt is a fantastic bonus for night-ride enthusiasts.

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Event Essentials

Halloween Haunt Presented by SNICKERS® runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night until November 1, operating from 7:00 PM until park close.

All haunted attractions are not included with general park admission and require an additional ticket purchase, with pricing varying by date.

The event is not recommended for children under 13 years old, nor for anyone sensitive to strobe lights, sudden loud noises, fog effects, or tight enclosed spaces.

Guests under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old.

For full schedule details and ticket options, visit the park's official website or download the mobile app.

Our sincere thanks to Kyle, Cyle, and Jennifer at Kings Dominion for hosting us for this fantastic preview experience!

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