Field of Screams opens 34th season with new Midnight Masquerade scene

Field of Screams reopens Sept. 11 in Mountville, Pennsylvania, with a new Midnight Masquerade scene added to the Den of Darkness barn attraction. The Lancaster County haunt is entering its 34th season, drawing about 75,000 visitors each fall and expanding its lineup of events through November.

Why it matters: - Field of Screams remains one of Pennsylvania's biggest seasonal Halloween attractions, with four haunted experiences on one farm and a fan base that returns year after year. - The new Midnight Masquerade scene adds fresh content to the Den of Darkness, which helps the Schopf brothers keep the 200-year-old barn attraction evolving more than three decades after launch. - The attraction's fall calendar, pricing and special events shape a major seasonal entertainment business in Lancaster County.

What happened: - Field of Screams opens its 34th season on Friday, Sept. 11, in Mountville, Pennsylvania. - The new Midnight Masquerade scene is inside the Den of Darkness. - Gene and Jim Schopf founded Field of Screams on their family farm in 1993. - The property now features four haunted attractions: the Haunted Hayride, the Den of Darkness, the Frightmare Asylum and the Nocturnal Wasteland. - Each attraction takes about 20 to 25 minutes to complete. - All four attractions are included in the Scream Pass.

The details: - The Midnight Masquerade joins the Den of Darkness, the converted barn attraction the Schopfs opened in 1995. - Travel Channel has featured the Den of Darkness as one of the scariest haunted houses in the world. - Field of Screams runs Fridays and Saturdays through September. - The schedule expands to Fridays through Sundays in October, with Thursday nights added beginning Oct. 15. - The regular season ends Nov. 1, 6 and 7. - Two special events follow the season: the Extreme Blackout on Friday, Nov. 13, and the Zombie Fun Run 5K on Saturday, Nov. 14. - A portion of Zombie Fun Run proceeds benefits the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. - The Scream Pass costs $40 on lighter nights and $60 on peak October Saturdays. - VIP front-of-line upgrades cost $15 to $35 depending on the date. - The on-site ticket booth accepts cash only, and two ATMs are available on the property. - Online tickets use timed entry and all sales are final. - Every attraction ticket includes access to the Entertainment Area. - The Entertainment Area features live bands or DJs every operating night, plus food vendors, games, the Scream Shop, axe-throwing lanes and the Chainsaw Bar beer garden for guests 21 and over. - The Entertainment Area is free to visitors without an attraction ticket. - The parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. on a typical night. - The ticket booth generally closes at 10 p.m., though hours can shift earlier or later depending on the time of season. - Every attraction stays open until the last guest in line goes through. - Field of Screams draws roughly 75,000 visitors each fall and has hosted more than 1 million guests since 1993. - The Haunted Attraction Association certifies Field of Screams as an Iconic Top Haunt. - The attraction is not recommended for children under 10. - Families with younger children can visit Corn Cob Acres, the Schopf brothers' daytime attraction on the same farm, which offers more than 50 non-frightening farm activities. - Field of Screams is at 191 College Avenue in Mountville, off the Mountville exit of Route 30, about 90 minutes from Philadelphia and Baltimore. - Tickets and the full 2026 calendar are available at tickets and the full 2026 calendar.

Between the lines: - The Schopf brothers are leaning on a proven formula: add new scares, keep the core attractions intact and extend the season with timed events. - The barn-based Den of Darkness remains the marquee piece of the property, and a new scene suggests continued investment in the attraction's most recognizable space. - The mix of haunted houses, live entertainment and family-friendly daytime activities helps the farm appeal to both thrill-seekers and broader crowds.

What's next: - Field of Screams will move from September weekend hours into a fuller October schedule, then into the final November dates and special post-season events. - The Haunted Attraction Association certification and the added Midnight Masquerade scene may help the attraction sustain demand through peak fall weekends. - Corn Cob Acres remains the nearby option for families who want the same farm without the scares.

The bottom line: - Field of Screams is using its 34th season to refresh a long-running local haunt without changing the formula that turned the Schopf family farm into a fall destination.