Are you ready for a month of frights and terrors? Starting September 26th Buffalos #1 haunted attraction is back in action for its 23rd year!
By Jenna Higbie
Frightworld first debuted its haunted attraction in October 2002, the popular screampark is now celebrating their 23rd year anniversary of fears and tears.
In the late 1990s frightworld originally started out as a backyard halloween party and eventually turned into the major attraction it is today.
The first haunt was held at The Erie County Fair in the summer of 2002, but Frightworld officially debuted as an attraction with multiple themed haunted houses which then turned into an event that has continued to evolve and expand ever since.
Ron Doherty, one of the founders of the screampark started creating attractions as a child then co-founded Eerie Productions and Frightworld. Doherty’s high school and college friend Jay Anderson joined him to create Eerie Productions and Frightworld, contributing his design and carpentry skills to the partnership.
Planning for this massive attraction happens year round, all of the scary houses and sets are built by Frightworld crews with most of the props being made by the detail and makeup teams. Typically scare actors arrive about an hour before the doors open to get ready and prepare for the night, some get into costume, others get makeup done before heading to the blood and dirt corner for their finishing touches.
Frightworld changes and updates the attractions every season, adding new storylines, houses, etc. For this 2025 season a new attraction named ‘ Mainframe Massacre’’ was announced. The house features a rogue artificial intelligence that turns machines and robots into crazy predators. The other classic Frightworld houses still remain including carnival boneyard, grindhouse, state asylum, and nightstalkers reloaded.
Fun Fact: Many of Frightworld’s scare actors are born and bred here in Buffalo!
If you’re a parent looking for something to do with your kids, no problem! Frightworld offers many special event nights including ‘’ Little Frights with Lights’’ which is a daytime event featuring kid friendly haunted houses with lights, trick or treating, and other activities such as balloon animals. Frightworld also hosts the family friendly Frightworld Pumpkin Park every weekend in September and October offering pumpkins and hay bales!
One of the most popular events Frightworld hosts is called ‘’ Lights Out’’. November 1st and 2nd from 6:30-11pm the only lights you have is a flashlight that is controlled by frightworld. This popular event attracts a lot of people every year and is loved by so many.
Frightworld isn’t just a haunted house attraction, it’s an experience that sets spine chilling events and raw fear into unforgettable nights. Whether you love horror or or just want to go for fun frightworld offers thrills that go beyond haunted houses with theme nights and special events like Lights Out and a commitment to frights and scares. Frightworld continues to be a beloved tradition in Buffalo for every halloween season, and just remember once you enter there’s no turning back:)
Spring 2026 
Leave a comment