SCarowinds, the Carolinas’ premier Halloween event, returns for select nights from Friday, September 15 to Sunday, October 29. Before visiting SCarowinds, guests should review these helpful tips, and event policies, to ensure they make the most of a screaming good time.

DO: Verify SCarowinds Admission

SCarowinds, open from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., is a separately ticketed event. General Carowinds admission tickets offer daytime park access, including The Great Pumpkin Fest, and are not valid for the SCarowinds event. Guests must have a SCarowinds ticket, a Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+ Pass for entry into SCarowinds.

Once guests exit SCarowinds, re-entry into the event is not permitted.

DON’T: Arrive Without a Chaperone if Underage

All guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted to, or remain in, the park for SCarowinds. The chaperone must present a valid government-issued photo identification with date of birth at ticket entry. Guests ages 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.

Guests 16 years of age or older may be asked to present a valid government issued photo identification (Driver’s license, State Issued ID Card, Passport) with date of birth at entry to verify their age. If unable to verify proof of age, guests may be denied entry into the park.

Guests should review the entire chaperone policy, located on the SCarowinds Visitation Information webpage, prior to attending the event.

DO: Join SCarowinds: First in Fright if Attending Both Daytime and Nighttime Events

Introducing the SCarowinds: First in Fright Experience in 2023. Here for both daytime FUN and nighttime frights? Now, you can remain inside the park as Carowinds transforms into SCarowinds. Simply join the First in Fright queue near Bailey’s Barnyard in Crossroads by 4:45 p.m. on days when the park is open for both The Great Pumpkin Fest and SCarowinds. For this experience, a valid season pass (Gold, Platinum, Prestige, or Prestige+) or SCarowinds ticket is required. 

By 5:30 p.m., participants will be ushered into Aeronautica Landing. At 7:00 p.m., SCarowinds opens, unveiling a series of spooky attractions, including the brand-new Procession of Nightmares.  

Review frequently asked questions about SCarowinds: First in Fright, a new offering in 2023.

DON’T: Bring a Bag

To increase safety, and provide efficient entry into the park during SCarowinds, guests will be asked to adhere to the event’s bag policy. Guests may not bring bags of any kind, including purses, backpacks, or diaper bags, into the park after 7:00 p.m. during SCarowinds event nights. Guests who require health accommodations may bring a bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” containing only medically necessary items into the park. All bags will be searched prior to entry.

Guests should review the entire SCarowinds bag policy, located on the SCarowinds Visitation Information webpage, prior to attending the event.

DO: Purchase Fright and Fast Lane to Skip the Line

The Fright and Fast Lane bundle allows guests to ride, laugh, and scream all night long with priority access to each haunted maze and unlimited boarding on all Fast Lane attractions. Fright Lane can be used at each SCarowinds maze once to skip the line.

Fright and Fast Lane provides the ultimate SCarowinds experience and is available for purchase online. Separate SCarowinds park admission is required and not included. Season passholders with All Season Fast Lane may purchase Fright Lane individually at guest services on the day of their visit.

DON’T: Wear a Costume or Face Paint

During the SCarowinds event, guests are not permitted to wear costume masks, costume attire or face paint. Trench coats and flak jackets are also prohibited. Leave the scary stuff to our costume and makeup experts and enjoy the scares of the SCarowinds’ character talent already present in the park.

Please note, this policy does not apply to masks meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other germs.

DO: Purchase a No-Boo Necklace if You’re Timid

Guests who want to experience the atmosphere of SCarowinds but are not ready for a scare can purchase a No-Boo Necklace. SCarowinds monsters know that they cannot scare guests who are wearing the necklace. However, please note that this does not apply when entering a haunted maze. No-Boo Necklaces are available throughout the park at designated stands.

DON’T: Record Inside Haunted Attractions

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the haunted mazes at SCarowinds, and cameras will not be allowed inside the attractions. Violations of this rule may result in dismissal from the park.

Remember, cameras, phones, GoPros and other recording devices are also strictly prohibited on all rides to ensure the safety of our guests.

DO: Download the Carowinds Mobile App

Get more out of your visit to SCarowinds with the official Carowinds mobile app. The app includes an interactive map of rides, haunted attractions, and dining locations, as well as ride wait times and showtimes, and the also has the ability to digitally add your season pass for quick access.