Six Flags Darien Lake will open Kids Boo Fest on Saturday, September 19, replacing the park’s usual nighttime Fright Fest with a family-focused daytime Halloween program. The park’s current event calendar lists Kids Boo Fest on Saturdays and Sundays through October 11, 2026.
The schedule is a meaningful change for visitors who associate Darien Lake’s fall season with haunted attractions and after-dark scares. A park spokesperson confirmed to WHAM on September 1 that Fright Fest would not operate in 2026 and said Darien Lake was shifting toward daytime programming. That initial report identified two September weekends, while the park’s live calendar now extends the event through three additional October weekends; guests should rely on the current operator calendar when choosing a date.
The official Kids Boo Fest guide describes a trick-or-treat trail, hay maze, fall photo locations and a 3:30 p.m. costume parade at the Boo Brothers Bay Stage for children 12 and younger. The same age group can join a Monster Mash dance party, while park characters are scheduled for meet-and-greet appearances. Activities and entertainment are included with park admission, although availability can change by date and operating conditions.
Families purchasing single-day admission should compare the event’s dated offers before checkout. The operator currently advertises a Kids Boo Fest Family Pack beginning at $25 per person with a minimum purchase of four tickets. Every member of that ticket group must enter before 2 p.m., tickets are valid only for the selected date, and taxes may apply. Those restrictions make the lowest advertised price less suitable for smaller parties or families planning a late arrival.
The opening weekend also overlaps with the final two days of Darien Lake’s Oktoberfest, scheduled through September 20. That event offers German-inspired food, live music, family activities and a 1:45 p.m. keg-tapping ceremony; alcohol purchases require valid identification and a minimum age of 21. The overlap gives September 19–20 visitors both seasonal programs during one park day, subject to the posted operating schedule.
Because Darien Lake operates seasonally and ride availability may change, visitors should confirm hours and attractions in the Six Flags app before traveling. Readers can also compare current New York attraction information through TAQ’s live park guide and follow continuing coverage on the New York theme-parks page.
