Kings Dominion will open two distinctly different Halloween programs this weekend, giving Virginia visitors a daytime family option and a more intense nighttime event. Halloween Haunt begins Friday, September 18, while Tricks and Treats begins Saturday, September 19. Both run on select dates through November 1.
The practical distinction matters when families choose an arrival time. Tricks and Treats is the park’s daytime, low-scare program, with a trick-or-treat trail, costume contest, dance party, pumpkin decorating and mask-making activities. Halloween Haunt takes over later with scare zones, haunted mazes and nighttime entertainment designed for guests comfortable with more intense content.
What requires a separate purchase
General park admission does not automatically include entry to the haunted mazes. Kings Dominion’s official Haunt page lists a date-specific Haunted Attractions Pass starting at $10 online, plus processing fees and taxes. Packages combining park admission and maze access start at $55 online, also before fees and taxes. Prices, availability and operating attractions can vary by date, so visitors should compare the final checkout total rather than treating the advertised starting price as the complete cost.
The 2026 maze lineup includes the new Diablo: The Infernal Path along with CornStalkers: Blood Harvest, F.E.A.R., GrimmWoods, Blood on the Bayou and Trick or Treat. New entertainment includes Wake the Dead, Heads Will Roll, Sink the Jerk and Skeleton Crew. Showtimes are subject to change, and the park directs visitors to its mobile app for the day’s schedule.
Age and chaperone rules
Halloween Haunt is not described as a children’s event, even though minors may enter. Kings Dominion’s posted policy requires every guest age 17 or younger to be accompanied by someone at least 21. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 minors, must present government-issued photo identification, remain in the park and be reachable by phone. Guests age 16 or older may also be asked for identification to verify age.
For younger children, daytime Tricks and Treats is the more suitable choice. Families planning to stay into the evening should understand that the atmosphere changes as Haunt begins and should decide in advance when to leave. Costumes and activities are offered during the family event, but guests should review the park’s current rules before arrival.
Plan before leaving home
Kings Dominion operates on a select-date fall calendar. Check the official park-hours page shortly before traveling, then use TAQ’s Virginia wait-time dashboard for available attraction status and wait information. Readers can also follow continuing coverage on the Virginia Theme Parks page.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA were also reviewed for this update. Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream is already underway, while Water Country USA is nearing the end of its seasonal operating calendar; the immediate planning change this weekend is Kings Dominion’s back-to-back Halloween openings.
