‘25 Years of Fear’: Miami’s favorite Halloween attraction has a new location
Cue the jump scares and soundtrack to “Halloween.” House of Horror is back in business.
The annual attraction that celebrates the scariest holiday has new digs — Tropical Park in West Miami-Dade. So whatever you do, please do not go to the abandoned Sears building at Miami International Mall in Doral, where House of Horror set up camp the last few years post-COVID.
Apparently, a lot of locals already got the memo. Thrill-seekers came out in droves Thursday night for the grand opening, and the event reached capacity, having to close its entrance early for the “safety” of all.
Organizers said in a statement on Instagram that guests who were turned away will have their tickets honored this weekend on Friday and Sunday, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday nights next week. (Saturday night is full.)
So, what can you expect this time around?
Tony Albelo, president of Loud and Live Events, said the “25 Years of Fear” edition, located on the grounds of the 55,000-square-foot Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center, is in a creepy league of its own.
“Celebrating 25 years of House of Horror is an incredible milestone, but this season is really about what comes next,” he said. “Moving to Tropical Park gives us the opportunity to take the experience to another level: bigger attractions, new concepts and more ways for guests to experience the event.
“We’ve spent 25 years building a Halloween tradition in South Florida, and this year we raise the bar once again.”
The 2026 version features the usual carnival-style rides and scare zones, plus five all-new haunted houses, basically labyrinthine pathways filled with unexpected freakiness at every step. (Bonus for kids: House of Little Horrors offers haystacks for climbing, sweet treats and pumpkins galore.)
About those haunted houses for adults. We went through three of them, and we’re still recovering.
In Camp Dead-End Trails, you can channel being a bit player in “Friday the 13th.” The gory trails, blood-stained bunk beds and sleeping bags filled with mutilated corpses are not for the weak. The Abduction is like Area 51 on crack, with caged aliens at every turn, and Isla de las Muñecas, inspired by Mexico City’s tourist destination Island of the Dolls, features Barbies from hell plastered everywhere.
Oh, you want to escape? Just look for the EXIT signs, which are thankfully plentiful. But once you leave the houses, beware of actors dressed as ghouls, zombies and warped clowns throughout the property and ready to pounce.
Speaking of warped clowns: The emcee of HOH is a sinister character named Howie who presides over his namesake “Blind Terror” rollercoaster. It zips riders around in near-total darkness because Howie turned off the power. Don’t ask us how that was, we didn’t attempt it.
After all that trauma — it’s fun, really! —– make your way to Food Row, for a mix of carnival comfort faves including Greek gyros, Mexican street corn, smash burgers and turkey legs. Then amble over to the 360 Dome for a cocktail at the coffin bar.
House of Horror founder Nelson Albareda, who first mounted the attraction at the old Planet Hollywood in Coconut Grove in 2001, told the Miami Herald he doesn’t think anyone will be disappointed by the move to Tropical Park this year.
“It’s more convenient now. Tropical Park is the intersection between South Dade and North Dade, and even for some Broward people, because we’re right off the highway,” he said. “The parking is free and easy and the venue is huge with a lot of covered spaces.”
Albareda also stressed that even though some of the attractions are terrifying, HOH doesn’t only include the kids’ zone but also more areas to sit and chill and soak in the ambience.
“There’s a unique feel,” he said, adding he expects about 200,000 visitors throughout the season. “It’s actually really homegrown and artsy, with local food and music and entertainment. It’s a place to come and celebrate fall and Halloween with your family.”
If you go
What: House of Horror Haunted Carnival runs through Sunday, Nov. 1 at Tropical Park, 7900 Bird Rd. (40th Street), Miami-Dade.
Hours: From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Sunday. From 6 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Tickets: General admission is $39.99. Children 6 and under, $19.99. Weeknight promotions run all season, including Maniac Monday at $29.99; 2-For-Tuesday at $54.99 for two; Wicked Wednesday at $99.99 for four; and Third-Wheel Thursday at $69.99 for three.
Bonus: New this year is the HOH Bye-Pass, a front-of-line pass good at every haunted attraction, including Blind Terror. It’s $20 on weekdays and $40 on weekends, sold in limited quantities each night and available online only.
This story was originally published September 25, 2026 at 2:05 PM with the headline "‘25 Years of Fear’: Miami’s favorite Halloween attraction has a new location."
