Six Flags America in Bowie has officially confirmed that it will not host its iconic Fright Fest event this Halloween season, signaling the end of a beloved tradition as the park prepares to close its doors for the final time in November. Kristin Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for the amusement park, explained that the focus for this farewell season will be on family-friendly activities.
“Our goal is to provide a family-friendly and memorable final fall season of operation,” Fitzgerald stated in an email. With this decision, the park will forgo its usual haunted houses, scare zones, and nighttime rides, much to the disappointment of long-time visitors. Passholders were informed of the news via email, which also offered them a ticket to experience Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, approximately a 2½-hour drive from Baltimore.
For fans of Halloween festivities, alternative amusement parks within a reasonable distance include Kings Dominion in Virginia and Dorney Park in Pennsylvania, both of which will host Halloween-themed events. Additionally, Fitzgerald mentioned that 2026 season passholders for these parks or Six Flags Great Adventure will receive unlimited access to their respective Fright Fest events and other Halloween Haunt attractions.
Despite the absence of Fright Fest, the park will continue to offer its Kids BOO Fest, running every Saturday and Sunday from September 13 to its closing date. This kid-centric event will feature activities such as a trick-or-treat trail, the BOO-Yeah! Parade, Not-So-Scary Storytime, and a hay maze, ensuring that younger visitors still have a chance to enjoy the Halloween spirit.
The decision to close Six Flags America and its waterpark, Hurricane Harbor, was made in May, as Richard A. Zimmerman, president and CEO of Six Flags, stated that the Bowie location no longer aligned with the company’s long-term growth strategy. The park employed around 70 full-time associates, and those eligible will be provided benefits and severance.
While this marks a bittersweet transition for the community, the focus on family-friendly activities and the continuation of kid-friendly Halloween events provide a positive way to celebrate the park’s legacy before its closure.