Howl-O-Scream 2026 Install Update: Busch Gardens Tampa Scare Zones Take Shape

Howl-O-Scream 2026 is already creeping into Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. These photos were taken on August 22, so a lot more construction should be underway now as the park races toward opening night on September 11. Here’s a walk-through of what we spotted around the park — new scare zones, returning storylines, and the first hints of this year’s houses.

Scare Zones

Mr. Gleam’s Auto Spa is going in over the Annie Street employee entrance bridge. Official story: the car wash was the talk of the town until a recession hit. Desperate to stay open, Mr. Gleam took a deal from a shady salesman for an “alternative” chemical — and learned the price of keeping his doors open.

The Punchline: Riot is set up in the walkway in front of Sesame Street. The hottest comedy club in town just turned deadly. The drinks are cold, the jokes are terrible, and the clowns have completely lost it.

Rootbound takes over the Nairobi walkway next to Cheetah Hunt. Once a groundskeeper for Dark Side of the Gardens, The Grimherd is no longer human — dragging victims through the gardens and into the graves.

The Pestilence: Lazarus Strain appears to be returned at the former marikesh theater Families hoped the sickness wouldn’t creep into their homes, but desperation turned into something worse. Mob doctors decided who lived, who was taken, and who was never seen again. Even the doctors couldn’t escape — and soon the dead began to stir. A mutation of the infection doesn’t just kill the host. It uses them.

Breadcrumbs to Nowhere: Once Upon a Time has moved to Gwazi Plaza. The fairy-tale creatures of Havenwood lived in harmony until a sinister witch cast a spell of ancient malice across the land. Kingly eyes hardened. Gentle voices sharpened. Friends became enemies. The creatures of Havenwood were consumed by a rage they couldn’t fight.

Ragnar’s Wrath: Call of Odin remains in the Stanleyville bypass next to the Skyride. In a final act of desperation to save their people from extinction, they pled to the gods. When all hope seemed lost, the skies roared and a heavy rain covered the land. Their sacrifice was accepted by Odin himself — but now it is time for retribution. The people of Niflheim will learn that being saved comes with a cost.

Haunted Houses and Shows

Returning haunted houses are expected in their usual spots. Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape, the all-new Sony-licensed house, is believed to be going into the old Bird Gardens Pavilion (previously Witch of the Woods). No obvious construction was visible on August 22, so it may be the last house to fully surface.

Fiends returns this year at Dragon Fire Grill with Cirque X-Scream returning to Stanlyville. The ever popular Fright Feast is also back on select nights at TreeTop Kitchen.

Bites and BOOze Bars

Need liquid courage or a small bite between scare zones? Howl-O-Scream 2026 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is spreading more than 10 themed BOOze bars across the park, so a bite or drink is never far from the next scare. The standout immersive stop is Madame Mary’s Red Rum Social in Moroccan Palace Plaza — a Roaring Twenties speakeasy-and-photo-op where the legend of Madame Mary’s bloodlust still lingers. Other new or highlighted spots include The Forsaken near Serengeti Flyer, Nurse’s Nightcap at Dragon Fire Grill, and Dark Side of the Gardens at Canopy Plaza.

You’ll also find Luxor Lounge in Egypt, Hive Nectar in Stanleyville Plaza, Ragnarök by the Skyride, Ravens Mill Bar near Pass Member Landing, Shot of Courage at Xcursions, Happily Never After in Gwazi Plaza, Eat Me Drink Me in Pantopia, Fanta Fright House in the Gwazi Games area, and Mystical Mixes on the Festival Walkway. Grab a themed cocktail or a sinister snack, then get back in line — these bars are built to keep you moving through Howl-O-Scream 2026 without losing the atmosphere.

Howl-O-Scream 2026 runs select nights from September 11 through October 31 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (separately ticketed; event starts at 7 p.m., with ticketed park access from 5 p.m.). We’ll keep watching the build as the rest of the scare zones lock in. Follow Florida Thrills for the latest Howl-O-Scream 2026 construction updates, house news, and event coverage.