Industry News
Haunt Industry Trends
Take a deep dive into the top haunt industry trends of 2021 with this month's Haunters Toolbox Masterclass. Special guests Alex Linebrink from Hauntpay.com and our own Philip Hernandez of the Haunted Attraction Network discuss attendance trends, how to structure your ticketing, what is happening with the haunt industry, and how to plan for the 2022 haunt season.
Krampusnacht
December 5th people around the world will celebrate Krampusnacht, also known as Krampus Night. Krampus is a half-man, half-goat creature from Austrian folklore that punishes naughty children ahead of St. Nicholas' arrival. History.com published a brief history of Krampus folklore and its representation in early media. From 1890's holiday greeting cards to modern-day ugly Krampus sweaters, Krampus brings scary fun to the holiday season.
U.S. Haunts & Holiday Events
Humans both naughty and nice can meet with the true arbiter of holiday justice at "Hoof-Prints on History: A Krampus Tale" hosted by The Bezark Company in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, California this holiday season. The 20-minute show is described as " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas times 100" and "The gravitas, humor, and poetics of Shakespeare’s entire oeuvre all at once!”. Tickets are on sale now for $60 per group of up to six believers. The event runs Thursdays - Sundays December 4th - January 2nd. Hoof-Prints on History: A Krampus Tale is conceived by Stephanie Hyden, written by David Ruzicka and Stephanie Hyden, and directed by David Ruzicka.
December 10th & 11th Factory of Terror will present "A Creepy Christmas: Krampus' Revenge". From 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. the attraction will host 3 Christmas-themed haunts. Guests can sip on specialty drinks and shots courtesy of "That Christmas Bar", take a photo at a spooky photo op, and even participate in a snowball fight. Come on down and party with Krampus, Bad Santa, the Grinch, Bumble, Jock Frost, Ebeneezer Scrooge, and more. Tickets are $28 for General Admission or $39.95 for Fast Pass.
Nightmare Dungeon in Greenville, South Carolina is transforming into a 2-story Christmas Cabin of horrors for the holiday season. Watch out for evil elves lurking around every corner ready to grab those brave enough to opt in for the full-contact experience. Nightmare Christmas will take place December 3rd-4th, 10th-11th, and 17th-18th, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. - midnight. Tickets start at $30 with a $2 upgrade for the optional touch experience.
Music
Already tired of Christmas music playing 24-7 in every store and public place since 12:01 a.m. November 1st? Take a break by listening to Time Out's list of the 30 Best Halloween songs of all time. Topping the list is Michael Jackson's Thriller, followed by This is Halloween by Danny Elfman, Season of the Witch by Donovan, I Put a Spell On You (Remix) by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and Surfin’ Dead by The Cramps. Where is Monster Mash by Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers on the list? In a surprising upset, it is ranked all the way down at number 26. Did your favorite Halloween song make the cut?
Retail
Spirit Halloween has released another 4 new animatronics in mid-November. The 6-foot tall Hooded Phantom Animatronic ($279.99) is a black veiled figure with glowing green light that slowly turns its torso and reaches its arms out to beckon wayward souls. The 6-foot tall Lunging Reaper Animatronic ($279.99) lunges at passers-by with his plastic scythe while reciting 4 different sayings. The 7-foot tall Cellar Dweller Animatronic ($349.99) is a light-up skeleton that spouts four spooky phrases while raising and lowering his arms. Lastly, the 7-foot tall Prowling Jack Animatronic is a ghastly skeleton holding a glowing, talking pumpkin - this animatronic is already sold out.
Looking for those perfect holiday gifts for your haunt friends? All Hallows Geek has compiled a 2021 Holiday Gift Guide featuring a variety of ghoulish gifts at different price points. From Funko Pop! figures to magazine subscriptions, this guide is sure to inspire your holiday shopping.
In Other News
Residents of Airmont, New York are on the lookout for a deer whose head is stuck in a plastic Halloween pumpkin. The young deer has been spotted in the area for over a week, but police and firefighters have been unable to get close enough to free the animal. "We've been seeing her daily," said Robert Scaccio, the resident who first spotted the deer. "We had neighbors keeping their eye out looking for her, and we're trying to get some help to get that pumpkin off her head." Residents are urged not to chase the deer and to call the local police if they spot it. |
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Holiday Haunts
Whether you want to celebrate Krampusnacht or just some good old-fashioned holiday horrors, haunts around the country will open this coming weekend for holiday-themed events. Open attractions include:
All Saints Lunatic Asylum (Apple Valley, CA) - December 3 - 4
Bat City Scaregrounds (Austin, TX) - December 4
Bennet's Curse Haunted House (Baltimore, MD) - December 3 - 4
Brimstone Haunt (Wilmington, OH) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11
C & D Bunner Family Spooky Yard Haunt (Fairmont, WV) - December 3 & 11
Castle Halloween Festival (Muskogee, OK) - December 3-5, 10-12, 17-19
Containment Haunted House (Lithia Springs, GA) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11
Dead City Haunted House (Murray, UT) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11
Demon House (Monongahela, PA) - December 3-4
Doctor Nitemahr Haunted Asylum (Louisville, KY) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11
Doomsday Haunt (Athens, AL) - December 3 - 4
Fright Factory (Philadelphia, PA) - December 3 - 5
Fright Kingdom (Nashua, NH) - December 3 - 5
Frightmare (Chesapeake, VA) - December 4 & 11
Guthrie Haunts Scare Grounds (Gutherie, OK) - December 4 & 11
The Haunted Hotel KY (Louisville, KY) - December 3 - 4, 11
Hillside Horror (Roaring River, NC) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11
Hinterland Haunted Attraction (Ashley, MI) - December 4 - 5, 11 - 12, 18 - 19
Infernum in Terra Hell on Earth (Wheeling, WV) - December 3 - 4
Maineiac Manor (Bangor, ME) - December 4 - 5, 11 - 12
Maniac Mountain Haunted House (Buckhannon, WV) - December 3 - 4
Nightmare at 3008 (Fultondale, AL) - December 4
Nightmare Dungeon (Greenville, SC) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18
Old State Mine Haunted Trail (Bartonville, IL) - December 4 & 11
Rotten Manor (Holly, MI) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18
Scare USA (Two Rivers, WI) - December 4 - 5
Scream Hollow (Smithville, TX) - December 3 - 4, 10 -11, 17 - 18
The Slaughterhouse Housed Attraction (Des Moines, IA) - December 4
Spook Haven Haunted House (Mill Hall, PA) - December 3 - 4
Spooky Acres (Portsmouth, VA) - December 3 - 5, 10 - 12
Terror Field (Clyde, NY) - December 3 - 4
Twelvepole Manor (Wayne, WV) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11
Yuma Nightmares (Yuma, AZ) - December 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 18
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Follow our podcast on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio, using RSS, or by searching "Haunted Attraction Network" in any podcast player. We publish twice weekly year-round.
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New Podcast Episodes
Thanksgiving Special: A Celebration of Robbi Lepre
Watch on Youtube or Facebook. Listen on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, or your favorite player.
Post Mortem Report: Coffin Creek in Riverside CA
Besides the food, Thanksgiving week is also a time for reflection. What worked, what didn’t work, and what will you change for next season? This is the first of our Post-Mortem series with haunters discussing their 2021 seasons.
Watch on Youtube, Facebook, or Instagram. Listen on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, or your favorite player.
IAAPA Expo 2021 In Review
IAAPA Expos 2021 is over, and we’re recapping some of the largest takeaways. Plus, a little update on Thanksgiving Travel Trends.
Watch on Youtube or Facebook. Listen on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, or your favorite player.
Haunted Attraction Industry News for Nov 23rd
Read more here. Watch on Youtube or Facebook. Listen on Spotify, Soundcloud, iTunes, or your favorite player.
Subscribe to the Haunted Attraction Network on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, or Podcast RSS.
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Upcoming Events: November 2021 - January 2022
December 17 - 18: Season's Screamings (Pasadena, California)
January 11 - 13: Halloween & Party Expo (Las Vegas, Nevada)
January 21 - 23: Fear Expo (Owensboro, Kentucky)
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