What's new at Fright Fest this year? Here are the scary Six Flags Over Texas details

FORT WORTH, Texas — All things creepy and crawly awoke on a mid-September night at Six Flags Over Texas.

The Arlington theme park held a preview night for its annual Halloween event, Fright Fest. The spooky celebration lasts until Nov. 3 at 2201 Road to Six Flags.

Around 1,000 people, mostly employees, were at the park on Thursday, said Melanie Stolze, Six Flags Over Texas marketing and communications supervisor.

“This is our preview night for our employees who are normally going to be working during Fright Fest,” Stolze said. “This is our kind of thank you for them for their work, and to let them enjoy it in full.”

Stolze said the big highlights of this year’s Fright Fest are the five haunted mazes based on popular horror films and television.

There are mazes based on “Stranger Things,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Saw,” “The Conjuring,” and “Trick ‘r Treat.” The park also has three original mazes of its own in “Unearthed,” “Terror at the Polynesian Palm” and “Reject Row: Raincheck.”

Another highlight this year are the musical shows happening around the park, Stolze said. “Dr. H.H. Holmes’ Freak Show” is a musical circus act, while the “Dead Man’s Cross” show is about undead gunfighters.

For young kids who aren’t quite ready to be scared yet, there’s a scare-free area during the daytime at Bugs Bunny Boomtown, where they can get candy from Looney Tunes characters.

“Everything’s really cool this year, biggest Fright Fest in a while,” Stolze said. “If you enjoy horror, you have several nights of stuff to come see here.”

Here’s what to know about Fright Fest:

Haunted mazes

The eight haunted mazes are located around the park:

•“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”- Next to the Titan roller coaster.

•“Unearthed”- Near the Texas Gifts store.

•“Terror at the Polynesian Palm”- In the Texas area of the park.

•“Saw”- At the Texas Arena.

•“Trick r’ Treat”- At the Texas Arena.

•“Reject Row: Raincheck”- At the Majestic Theater

•“Stranger Things”- Next to the Joker roller coaster.

•“The Conjuring Universe”- Next to the Joker roller coaster.

Scare zones

There are four scare zones around the park, where employees dressed in spooky garb try to scare guests.

•“Chainsaw Alley”- In the Texas section and on the path to the Titan.

•“Freak Town”- In the France section.

•“Trick ‘r Treat”- By Caddo Lake near the Texas Arena.

•“Goblin Attack Squad”- In the Gotham City section.

How to get Fright Fest tickets

Fright Fest tickets can be purchase online or at the park. All eight haunted mazes require a pass for entry.

Six Flags is selling a one day ticket plus haunted maze pass bundle for $80 online and $140 at the park. This covers admission into the park and allows entry into the eight haunted mazes.

There are also express tickets on sale that allow guests to skip lines at the mazes. Find the full ticketing information, here.

New Six Flags chaperone policy

Six Flags Over Texas is implementing a new chaperone policy for Fright Fest.

All guests aged 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone aged 21 or older to enter and stay in the park after 4 p.m. and until closing time. The policy went into effect on Sept. 7 and will be valid throughout Fright Fest.

The chaperone, who can solely accompany up to 10 younger guests, must present a valid government-issued I.D. upon entry. Additionally, the chaperone must accompany its party during entry, remain inside the park during the visit and be available by phone.

Guests 15 years old or younger who are found without their chaperone will be ejected from the park, Six Flags said. The requirement applies to all Six Flags Over Texas and season pass holders.

As for why Six Flags implemented the new policy, the company shared the following statement:

“A safe, family-friendly atmosphere of Six Flags Over Texas is the type of experience our guests expect and deserve. Over the past few years, there have been increasing incidents of unruly and inappropriate behavior at amusement parks and other major entertainment venues. This policy is being put in place to ensure that all guests have the best time ever and leave happy and eager to visit again.”

Six Flags Over Texas’ Fright Fest is open now until Nov. 3.

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