Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America — Chicago (Gurnee, IL) 2026
🎃 Gurnee, IL · Select nights, Sept 19 – Nov 1, 2026 · 30 min from Chicago
Theme Park HauntTeens / 18+Park Admission + Maze Pass
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Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America is Chicagoland’s biggest Halloween theme park event in Gurnee, IL — the annual transformation of the park into scare zones, live shows, night coasters and haunted mazes. 2026 marks the park’s 50th anniversary and debuts a new Blair Witch: No Signal maze. Family-friendly Boo Fest daytime activities run during the day, and the park flips to full Fright Fest mode at dusk with fog, roaming monsters and pay-to-panic haunted mazes.
📋 Event Details
📍 Venue: Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy, Gurnee, IL 60031
📅 Dates: Select nights, September 19 – November 1, 2026
🕐 Hours: Daytime Boo Fest, then Fright Fest after dark (typically 6 PM – midnight)
🎫 Price: Park admission required; haunted mazes need a separate Haunted Attractions Pass
👶 Ages: Not recommended for children under 13 after dark. Chaperone policy after 4 PM for guests 15 and under
🚗 Parking: On-site paid parking; expect 20–30 min to enter on peak Saturdays
🚆 Public Transit: No direct transit — 30 min drive from downtown Chicago via I-94
⏱ Plan for: Full evening, 5–7 hours to hit all mazes
🏢 Organizer: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
🎃 Local Insight Ratings
Family-Friendliness: 🎃🎃🎃 3/5 — kid-friendly during day, adult after dark
Scare Level: 🎃🎃🎃🎃 4/5 — intense mazes, live actors, fog and jump scares
Photo-Worthiness: 🎃🎃🎃🎃 4/5 — scare zones and coasters at night
Budget: $$$ — park pass + Haunted Attractions Pass adds up
Best for: teens, adults, thrill seekers, horror movie fans
💡 Know Before You Go
🎃 Book the Haunted Attractions Pass in advance — the mazes require a separate ticket on top of park admission and peak nights sell out.
🎃 Season Pass holders save big — a single Season Pass covers all Fright Fest nights and Boo Fest days.
🎃 Arrive by 4 PM — daytime Boo Fest ends around then and mazes typically open at dusk. Ride coasters before the crowds thicken.
🎃 Weekday nights are less crowded — if you can go Thursday or Friday instead of Saturday, wait times drop by half.
🎃 Dress warm and comfortable — Gurnee nights get cold by mid-October and you’ll be walking miles across the park.
Always check the official Six Flags Great America website for current dates, ticket prices, chaperone policies and weather closures before attending. Find Halloween Near Me is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is Fright Fest 2026 at Six Flags Great America?
Select nights from September 19 through November 1, 2026 at the Gurnee, IL park. Check the official events calendar for the specific dates each week.
How much does Fright Fest cost?
Fright Fest is included with regular park admission or a Season Pass. The haunted mazes require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass — priced separately by Six Flags and typically added to the online cart during checkout.
Is Fright Fest scary for kids?
Daytime Boo Fest is designed for younger kids with trick-or-treating and character meet-and-greets. After dark, Fright Fest is not recommended for children under 13 — scare actors, fog effects, and intense mazes make it more of a teen and adult experience.
What new haunted mazes are at Six Flags Great America in 2026?
The 2026 season debuts Blair Witch: No Signal, a brand new maze based on the horror franchise. Returning mazes include The Conjuring universe walk-through, Saw: Legacy of Terror, and a Texas Chainsaw Massacre themed maze.
How far is Six Flags Great America from downtown Chicago?
About 45 miles north, roughly a 30–45 minute drive via I-94 depending on traffic. There’s no direct public transit, so plan to drive or rideshare.