Fright Fest or Boo Fest? Your Guide to Halloween at Great Escape
Looking for Halloween events in Lake George or the Adirondacks? Great Escape offers two different Halloween experiences in one destination: Boo Fest for family-friendly daytime fun and Fright Fest for bigger scares after dark.
Even better, you don't have to choose. Spend the afternoon trick-or-treating at Boo Fest, then stay as the park transforms into Fright Fest after 5 p.m.
2026 Halloween Dates & Times
Theme Park Boo Fest & Fright Fest
Saturdays and Sundays, September 26–October 25, plus Columbus Day
- Boo Fest: Noon–5 p.m.
- Fright Fest: 5 p.m.–close
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, September 25–October 31
What Is Boo Fest at Great Escape?
Boo Fest is Great Escape's family-friendly daytime Halloween celebration, designed for families who want plenty of Halloween fun without the bigger scares.
From noon to 5 p.m., families can enjoy trick-or-treating, character experiences, family entertainment, rides and a costume-friendly Halloween atmosphere throughout the park.
Best of all, Boo Fest is included with theme park admission.
Boo Fest Is Best For:
- Families with younger children
- Kids who love Halloween but aren't ready for major scares
- Families looking for daytime fall activities
- Visitors who want to combine rides, trick-or-treating and Halloween entertainment
Quick Answer: If you're looking for a family Halloween event near Lake George, Boo Fest delivers an afternoon of rides, treats and Halloween fun.
What Is Fright Fest at Great Escape?
At 5 p.m., Great Escape transforms.
Fright Fest is Great Escape's nighttime Halloween experience, bringing bigger scares to the park with four haunted houses, three scare zones, live entertainment and rides after dark.
Fright Fest Is Best For:
- Older kids and teens
- Adults and groups of friends
- Haunted attraction fans
- Visitors looking for a scarier Halloween experience
- Guests who want to experience Great Escape rides after dark
Important: Theme park admission provides access to Fright Fest, while entry to the four haunted houses requires a separate Haunted House Pass.
Quick Answer: If you're looking for haunted houses, scare zones and nighttime thrills near Lake George, Fright Fest is for you.
Boo Fest vs. Fright Fest: What's the Difference?
The biggest difference is the level of scares and time of day.
Choose Boo Fest for trick-or-treating, characters, family entertainment and daytime Halloween fun.
Choose Fright Fest for haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and nighttime thrills.
Or experience both.
Start with Boo Fest from noon to 5 p.m., then stay as Great Escape transforms into Fright Fest after 5 p.m. It's an easy way for families and groups with different interests to turn one park visit into a full day of Halloween experiences.
Why Celebrate Halloween at Great Escape?
Great Escape brings together experiences that would normally require several separate trips.
In one destination, guests can enjoy daytime family Halloween activities, nighttime scares, theme park rides, haunted attractions and an overnight indoor-waterpark getaway.
That makes Great Escape more than a Halloween event—it's an entire fall weekend destination in the Lake George region.
Make It a Halloween Weekend at Great Escape Lodge
Turn your park day into a Halloween getaway with a stay at Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, directly across the street from Great Escape.
Families can add indoor waterpark time and the Lodge's own Boo Fest programming to their Halloween weekend.
With Stay N Play options, guests can combine the theme park, Lodge and indoor waterpark into one convenient getaway—giving families more to do before and after their day at Great Escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boo Fest scary?
Boo Fest is Great Escape's family-friendly daytime Halloween experience. It features trick-or-treating, characters and family entertainment without the intensity of Fright Fest.
Is Boo Fest included with admission?
Yes. Boo Fest is included with theme park admission.
What time does Fright Fest start?
Fright Fest begins at 5 p.m., when the park transitions from daytime Boo Fest activities to its nighttime Halloween experience.
Are the Fright Fest haunted houses included with admission?
Theme park admission provides access to Fright Fest, including the nighttime park atmosphere, scare zones and entertainment. Entry to the four haunted houses requires a separate Haunted House Pass.
Is Fright Fest good for young children?
Families with children who are sensitive to scares may prefer Boo Fest. Fright Fest features scare zones, haunted houses and a more intense nighttime Halloween atmosphere.
Can we do Boo Fest and Fright Fest on the same day?
Yes. Guests do not have to choose. Start with Boo Fest from noon to 5 p.m., then stay as the park transforms into Fright Fest after 5 p.m.
Can we ride attractions during Boo Fest and Fright Fest?
Yes. Many Great Escape rides operate during Boo Fest and Fright Fest, giving guests the chance to enjoy park favorites during the day and experience rides after dark.
Where is Great Escape?
Great Escape is located in the Lake George/Queensbury area of New York, making it a convenient fall destination for visitors traveling from Albany, Saratoga Springs and throughout Upstate New York.
Can we stay overnight?
Yes. Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark is directly across the street from the theme park and offers its own Boo Fest programming, indoor waterpark fun and Stay N Play options.
Plan Your Great Escape Halloween Visit
Daytime Halloween fun or nighttime scares? At Great Escape, you can experience both.
Start with trick-or-treating and family fun at Boo Fest, stay for haunted houses, scare zones and rides after dark during Fright Fest, then make a weekend of it at Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark.
Explore Boo Fest, Fright Fest, Haunted House Passes and Stay N Play options and start planning your Great Escape Halloween getaway.
