Things To Do

House of Horror returns for its 17th run. Here’s what you need to know.

If Linda Blair’s head doing a full revolution during “The Exorcist,” Jason walking around with a machete around the neighborhood in “Halloween” and pizza face Freddy Kruger invading your dreams in “Nightmare on Elm Street” excite you, then you’ll definitely be a fan of House of Horror. It’s been a Miami Halloween tradition for 17 years and keeps finding new ways to scare those who dare attend, plus provide them some entertainment and nourishment, too. Read on to find out what to expect this year at Miami International Mall from Oct. 5 through Nov. 4.

1. Haunted Experiences

Freaked out couple hold on to each other while walking through creepy hallways. (Handout)
Freaked out couple hold on to each other while walking through creepy hallways. (Handout)

Get your phobias in check and prepare to be surrounded by crazies when you enter 1455 Asylum and Gates of Phobia. You won’t be able to avert your eyes (and why would you if you came here) from the insanity that is the Asylum, where meandering through the halls greets you with crazed looks from patients lurking in every corner. And if you’re brave enough, experience this attraction in complete darkness Mondays through Thursdays from 9:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. during their “power outage.” At Gates of Phobia you’ll enter a 3D experience with creepy spiders (arachnophobia), clowns (coulrophobia), insects (insectophobia) and reptiles (herpetophobia), to name a few.

1455 Asylum

Monday – Thursday: 9:45 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.

Gates of Phobia

Monday – Thursday: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. – midnight

Sunday: 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

2. Freak Emporium and Hellzapoppin

Scene from last year's Hellzapoppin Show. (Handout)
Scene from last year's Hellzapoppin Show. (Handout)

These two attractions harken back to the days of the “Freak Show” Carnival where the side show attractions were as big a hit as the rides and games. At the Emporium, you’ll see a two-headed Siamese baby skull, a vintage guillotine, remains of a chupacabra (remember that Urban Legend?) and a pinhead skull. And alongside the Emporium there will be actual performances by sword swallowers, knife jugglers and other freak-like antics at Hellzapoppin.

Freak Emporium

Monday – Thursday: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. – midnight

Sunday: 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Hellzapoppin

Tuesday – Thursday: 8:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Sunday: 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

3. *Phantasma Music Festival* (Canceled)

Luis Fonsi's hit "Despacito" is the first Spanish language chart topper since "La Macarena."
Luis Fonsi's hit "Despacito" is the first Spanish language chart topper since "La Macarena." Omar Cruz

Closing out the month-long House of Horror is the two-day music festival, which has since been canceled. Headlining this new event is none other than “Despacito” hit maker himself Luis Fonsi who kicks off the first day along with DJs Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus and the trio Cheat Codes. DJs will also battle behind the decks during the DJ competition.

READ: Luis Fonsi was going to perform at the new House of Horror music festival. Now it’s canceled.





Phantasma Music Festival: Nov. 3 – Nov. 4, 2017

More details at https://www.houseofhorrorcarnival.com/phantasma-music-festival/

4. Carnival rides and food trucks

Because it’s fall and House of Horror is in a huge outdoor space, why not have carnival rides? If the freaks and asylum weren’t enough to scare the life out of you, by all means, ride until your adrenaline can’t rush anymore. Once you’re done with the nausea-inducing ups and downs and sideways of the rides, grab a bite at one of several food trucks.

Park Hours

Monday – Thursday: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. – midnight

Sunday: 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

https://www.houseofhorrorcarnival.com/#houseofhorror-section

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 8:10 AM.

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