Press Release from Busch Gardens Tampa

TAMPA, FL (August 11, 2020) – Today, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announces that its annual, premier Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream, will return this fall for its 21st year. The creative production team has been consulting with medical experts and has modified this year’s event content with a focus on open-air scare zones and entertainment, as well as enhanced health and safety measures, while staying true to the core of this fan-favorite experience. With significantly limited capacity to create plenty of open space, guests will experience the heart-pounding fear of unexpected horrors including freakishly fun themed open-air scare zones throughout the 335-acre park, in addition to Busch Gardens’ thrilling coasters at night. Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event, available during 18 horrifying nights every Friday through Sunday from September 25-November 1, 2020.

In addition to enhancing the park’s already strict health and safety measures, including consulting with medical experts, face covering requirements and temperature screenings, park capacity will be significantly limited to create even more open space for guests to be scared, terrified, and thrilled throughout one of Florida’s largest theme parks. Guests are strongly encouraged to make reservations early as reservations are required and space is limited. Reservations are available now at www.HowlOScream.com.

NEW: A spacious, outdoor venue for Fiends

The fan-favorite Fiends show, starring Dr. Freakenstein and his frightful entourage, will take to its largest stage ever for outdoor performances on the Festival Field Stage. Bench seating will be arranged in a physically distant manner to ensure there is plenty of space for a limited number of guests to enjoy each performance.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa

Remotely Terrifying – Virtual Auditions for Scare Actors

As an extension of the park’s commitment to health and safety, the annual recruitment of scare actors has also transformed for 2020. New applicants interested in performing for Howl-O-Scream can virtually audition for a number of frightful roles by submitting their application at www.buschgardensjobs.com.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa

Additional Expanded Health and Safety Measures:

For general admission and special events including Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care. The park has worked diligently with state and local health experts, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is excited to continue to provide our guests with fun and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the park, including key operational changes, visit buschgardens.com/tampa/safety.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa

Learn More:

Visit HowlOScream.com to make a reservation now and learn more about this year’s Howl-O-Scream. Stay tuned for more dreadful details by following Howl-O-Scream on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. Howl-O-Scream 2020 is a separately-ticketed night event. Protective Face Coverings are required, but no costumes are allowed.