Six Flags Magic Mountain is once again unleashing Fright Fest and at Midsummer Scream 2025 creators of the event were on hand to tease some of the details for this year. The event promises more story-driven experiences going forward with the debut of an original clown named Carnage plus returning favorites, new scare zones, a reimagined Nightmares: Reign of Blood, and the launch of Margo Rita’s Monster Ball.
Here’s a shriek peek at everything we learned about 2025 Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest during Midsummer Scream.
What We Learned
Here’s some of the gory details of what we learned for this year’s event. The presentation was led by Creative Senior Supervisor Mark Wing and Manager of Entertainment Mike Ostrom. The pair was joined by Margo Rita and her frenemy Tequila from the new Margo Rita’s Monster Ball show that was announced for this year.
What to Expect
- Two new scare zones, new shows, revamped returning shows, and a brand-new maze telling an original story.
- Interactive lantern activations will work across multiple Six Flags parks, including Knott’s Berry Farm.
Returning IP-Based Mazes
- The Conjuring, Saw, and Trick ’r Treat are all returning with enhancements and updated scenic elements.
- Notably, Saw is getting a new façade and further design upgrades.
Returning original haunted mazes
- Legacy houses including Willoughby’s, Truth or Dare, Condemned: Forever Damned, Vault 666, and Sewer of Souls are back with enhancements.
- Creators noted this may be the final year for some long-standing fan favorites before replacements arrive but no details yet
Returning Scare Zones
- Popular zones returning include Plaza de la Muerte, Grim Ridge, Carnival of Hell, Exile Hill, City Under Siege, and Devil’s Triangle.
- Several of these are being refreshed with new characters and scenic improvements.
Underworlds of Oz
- Returning scare zone after being the most popular in 2024, now expanded with new characters including Dorothy, the Lion, and the Tin Man, along with returning Wheelers.
- An instant fan-favorite for its large-scale scenic design and impressive makeup. This took seven yeers to develop and approve and was buoyed somewhat by anticipation for the Wicked films although it takes its inspiration from the original Oz stories.
Carnage
- Brand-new maze in the DC Universe area, tied to the City Under Siege scare zone, serving as both an origin story and an interactive experience.
- Set in the city of Green Willow during its centennial celebration where Carnage and his cult of clowns overthrow the town.
- Guests enter an abandoned carnival warehouse where Carnage recruits and grotesquely transforms his followers. Designed to be story-driven: guests can be “branded” with Carnage’s insignia, which affects how performers interact with them inside the maze and later in the scare zone.
- Features stunt rigging, projection effects, and elaborate scenic elements, making it one of the park’s most ambitious original mazes.
- Custom merchandise includes a hoodie featuring Carnage.
Margo Rita’s Monster Ball: Category is MONSTERS
- This drag-inspired explosion of fabulousness invites guests to become part of the act and vote for the evening’s queen
- Features Margo’s daughters Sapphire Martini, Bloody Mary, and April Spritz in live singing and dance performances, with nightly audience voting to crown the “queen of the night.”
- Will takeover Invasion at the Full Throttle Zone
Thunderbolt Alley
- This new scare zone is a 1950s rockabilly bowler’s dream come true with The Red Ladies, Greasers, and a lot of retro inspired fun
- Populated by greasers, Red Ladies, demons, zombies, werewolves, bats, and even an angry abominable snowman with a melted ice cream stand.
- Includes interactive elements activated with lanterns, bringing snow, lighting, and audio effects, while encouraging guest interaction with the story.
- New scare zone will be set in the Underground
Nightmares: Reign of Blood
- A complete overhaul of the long-running Nightmares scare zone, now reimagined as a twisted Wonderland where the Evil Queen has taken over.
- Characters include the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit on jumping stilts, Cheshire Werecat, and oversized scenic elements like 8-foot chess pieces.
- Story-driven design where guests encounter rebels trying to resist the Queen and are drawn into the narrative themselves.
Returning Scare Zones
- Plaza de la Muerte, Grim Ridge, Carnival of Hell, Exile Hill, City Under Siege, and Devil’s Triangle returning to their same locations.
Tricks and Treats
- Expanded family-friendly daytime event in Bugs Bunny World featuring scenic upgrades, trick-or-treat trails, and live music.
- Introduces new original characters: Karino the zombie puppy and Mr. Igor Pumpkins a villainous pumpkin, alongside returning favorite Willoughby the bat.
Oktoberfest
- Expanded celebration in the Gold Rusher back-of-park area with added live music and entertainment.
- Focuse on atmosphere, food, drink, and festive offerings running alongside other seasonal events.
Sliders of the Night
- Stunt-based street show in the DC Universe continues with new choreography and story progression.
- Expanded from earlier Fright Fest and Scream Break performances; designed as a high-energy, story-driven spectacle.
Interactive Lanterns & Merchandise
- Introduction of interactive lanterns (first used at Knott’s Scary Farm) now chain-wide at Six Flags; trigger effects across scare zones like snow, lights, and sound AND they will work at Knott’s Scary Farm, too.
- Expanded custom merchandise program, including apparel themed to Carnage and other park icons.
When To Go
Opening night for Fright Fest is September 19, 2025.
MORE INFO: DETAILS: Fright Fest 2025 adding new terrors to Magic Mountain
See it for Yourself
Midsummer Scream takes place in Long Beach from August 15-17, 2025.
But Wait, There’s More!
Don’t miss out on any of our coverage across the MouseInfo TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads accounts for the latest from the event!
