Fright Fest — The Halloween Event

Dates: Fright Fest runs on select nights from mid-September through early November. In 2025, the event ran September 19 through November 2 on select Thursday–Sunday nights. Expect similar dates in 2026 — typically September 19 through November 1 or 2.

Operating structure: The park operates in daytime mode (standard coasters and attractions) until approximately 7pm. Fright Fest programming activates at dusk. Daytime ticket holders get the regular park experience; if you want access to the haunted mazes and scare zones, you need to stay for the evening portion. Some ticket types include both; verify at purchase.

What Fright Fest Includes

Haunted Mazes (2025 lineup):

• Saw: Legacy of Terror — Based on the Saw film franchise. One of the marquee mazes.
• The Conjuring Universe — Themed around New Line Cinema's Conjuring horror franchise. You enter the Warrens' occult museum.
• Trick 'r Treat — Based on the cult anthology horror film.
• Willoughby's Resurrected
• Carnage — Evil clown-themed, new in 2025.
• Truth or Dare
• Vault 666
• Condemned: Forever Damned

Most mazes require a separate wristband from regular park admission. Maze wristbands can be purchased as a bundle with your ticket or as an add-on on the day. Individual mazes are not typically available for single-ride purchase — it's usually a wristband covering all mazes for the night.

Scare Zones (2025 — 9 zones):

• Thunderbolt Alley
• Nightmares: Reign of Blood
• Plaza de la Muerte
• Underworlds of Oz
• Grimmlore Ridge
• City Under Siege
• CarnivHELL
• Devil's Triangle
• Exile Hill

Scare zones are included with park admission during Fright Fest hours. Roaming scare actors populate these areas throughout the evening. Young children and guests sensitive to jump scares should know these zones are unavoidable at park entry points and main pathways.

Regular rides during Fright Fest: Most of the major roller coasters operate during Fright Fest hours. Wait times in the evening can be shorter than summer peak days for the coasters, especially early in the evening when guests are focused on the mazes.

Fright Fest Tips

• Friday and Saturday evenings are the most crowded. Thursday and Sunday Fright Fest nights have shorter maze waits.
• Arrive before 7pm to get a full day of regular park riding AND the evening event.
• The maze wristband system means timed entry. Each maze may have a posted wait when it's busy. Factor this into how many mazes you can realistically hit in one evening.
• The event runs late — typically midnight Thursdays and Sundays, 1am Fridays and Saturdays. Plan transportation accordingly.
• Kids and Fright Fest: Daytime hours are still kid-friendly. Once Fright Fest activates, the park atmosphere shifts significantly. Scare zones are unavoidable in main thoroughfares. This is not a recommendation for children under 8 in the evening.

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Holiday in the Park — The Christmas Event

Dates: Select dates from late November through early January. In 2025–2026, the event ran November 27, 2025 through January 4, 2026 on select operating days (not every day in that window — check the park calendar before purchasing tickets).

Admission: Holiday in the Park is included with regular park admission on operating days. There is no separate event ticket required, unlike Fright Fest's maze wristbands.

What Holiday in the Park Includes

Lights and Decorations:

The park decorates extensively with millions of lights. Highlights include Peppermint Forest — a section of trees wrapped in red and white spiral lights reaching 20 feet high. Plaza areas are lit from above, and individual ride structures are wrapped in holiday lighting.

Entertainment:

• Live holiday shows featuring dancers and singers
• Tree lighting ceremonies
• Carol performances and holiday music throughout the park
• Santa and Mrs. Claus appearances and photo opportunities

Holiday Food and Drink:

• Hot chocolate in souvenir mugs
• Seasonal food items at select restaurants
• S'mores fire pits
• Cookie decorating and craft activities in designated areas

Rides: Most regular park attractions operate during Holiday in the Park. Some water attractions close for the season. The park has extended evening hours during the holiday event season, making it an evening-centric experience.

Holiday in the Park Tips

• The best evening hours are after dark when the lights are at maximum impact. A park visit that starts at 4pm catches both the final afternoon ride sessions and the full lighting display.
• Weekend dates in December fill up. Buy tickets online in advance; gate availability can be limited on peak December weekends.
• Season pass holders get the best value here since there's no upcharge for the event. Check whether your pass tier includes holiday dates.
• Temperatures in Valencia in December drop significantly at night. Bring a real jacket. The park experience after sundown can run 45–50 degrees Fahrenheit, a sharp contrast from summer visits.
• Crowds are manageable compared to summer. Holiday in the Park is one of the better times to visit for shorter coaster waits, particularly on weeknight operating dates.

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Summer Events

Magic Mountain runs extended summer hours and promotional concerts and entertainment during June–August. Specific acts and concert series are announced seasonally — check the park's official events calendar after April for that year's summer lineup. The park also frequently hosts group events and corporate evenings during summer, which can temporarily shift general public capacity.

Summer is the park's busiest season for regular attendance. Seasonal events during summer exist to add entertainment value, not to reduce crowds. Plan accordingly — summer weekends at Magic Mountain are the park at maximum density.