Great Escape will start its two-part Halloween season on Saturday, September 26, giving families a daytime event before the park switches to a scarier nighttime program at 5 p.m. The Queensbury park says both Boo Fest and Fright Fest will run on weekends through October 25.
Plan around the 5 p.m. changeover
Opening weekend illustrates the split. Great Escape’s official operating calendar lists park hours of noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, September 26, with Boo Fest from noon to 5 p.m. and Fright Fest from 5 to 9 p.m. On Sunday, September 27, the park is scheduled for noon to 8 p.m.; Boo Fest again ends at 5 p.m., while Fright Fest runs from 5 to 8 p.m.
Boo Fest is the better fit for younger children. Its published lineup includes a trick-or-treat trail, character meetings, crafts, a hay maze, a scavenger hunt and a costume contest for children 12 and younger. Great Escape also says TimberTown and other children’s rides close at 5 p.m. Guests 12 and younger may wear full-face masks only until 4 p.m.; those masks must come off before Fright Fest begins, or the guest must leave the park.
Haunted houses need a separate add-on
Regular park admission covers Fright Fest’s scare zones, Halloween entertainment and rides after dark, but it does not cover the four listed haunted houses. Great Escape says entry to Nightmare, Skull Manor, CarnEVIL and Hell Block VI requires a separate haunted-attraction wristband or maze pass. The park advises buying admission and the haunted-attraction product online in advance.
Fright Fest is not presented as a young-child event. Great Escape warns that the program after 5 p.m. may be unsuitable for young children and that scare zones can include fog, loud noise, special effects and intense themes. Guests older than 12 may not wear full-face paint or full-face masks at any time.
Check pass eligibility and ride status
Admission language matters after the park’s management transition. Great Escape says Fright Fest and Boo Fest are included with Enchanted Parks Legend and Hero passes, and with Six Flags Gold and Prestige passes or memberships bought before April 6, 2026. Its guest FAQ says eligible 2026 Six Flags passes and active memberships purchased before that date retain their multi-park admission benefit through the 2026 season; later Six Flags purchases are not valid at Enchanted Parks.
Visitors should also verify the day’s attraction lineup. The park’s current visitor notice says Hurricane Harbor, Raging River and Desperado Plunge are closed for the season, Outlaw and Greezed Lightnin’ are temporarily closed for maintenance, and other ride availability may vary with seasonal staffing.
For broader trip planning, compare New York properties in TAQ’s U.S. theme-park app and browse the New York theme-parks archive.
