Alton Towers Events 2026: Scarefest, Fireworks and Special Event Prices
Alton Towers runs seasonal events throughout the year, from the colourful Mardi Gras to the terrifying Scarefest. Here is what each event costs and what is included with your standard ticket.
2026 Events Calendar
March
Season Opens
Park opens for the 2026 season
Spring/Summer
Mardi Gras
Selected dates, included with entry
September
Oktoberfest
German-themed food and drink festival
Sep-Nov
Scarefest
26 Sep - 1 Nov. Extra maze tickets.
Event-by-Event Guide
Mardi Gras
Dates
Selected dates, spring and summer 2026
Included with park ticket?
Yes, included with standard park ticket
A colourful festival celebration with live music, street performers, themed food stalls, and parade floats. The event area is included with your standard park entry. Think of it as an enhanced atmosphere layer on top of a normal park day.
Extra cost: None for the event itself. Food and drink in the Mardi Gras area purchased separately.
Tip: The evening parade is the highlight. Time your ride schedule so you are in the Mardi Gras area by 5pm.
Oktoberfest
Dates
Selected dates in September 2026
Included with park ticket?
Yes, included with standard park ticket
German-themed food and drink festival area within the park. Live music, Bavarian food stalls, and a dedicated bar area. No extra entry charge to access the Oktoberfest zone.
Extra cost: Food and drink in the Oktoberfest area. Expect £8-12 for a stein of beer, £6-10 for German food.
Tip: Great atmosphere in the evening. If you enjoy the food and drink festival side, allow budget for it. Otherwise, it is a fun free add-on to a normal park day.
Scarefest
Dates
26 September to 1 November 2026
Included with park ticket?
Partially. Standard park ticket covers daytime rides and some scare attractions.
Alton Towers' flagship seasonal event. During the day, the park operates as normal with added Halloween theming. After dark, scare mazes open across the park. Some are included with entry (walkthrough scare zones), while premium mazes require a separate ticket.
Extra cost: Premium scare mazes cost £5-8 per maze, per person. Some mazes are free with park entry. Scarefest-specific FastTrack available at premium pricing.
Tip: Book scare maze tickets in advance online as popular mazes sell out. The daytime experience is family-friendly. After dark, it is genuinely scary and not suitable for young children. If visiting with young kids, plan to leave before dark or stick to CBeebies Land.
Fireworks Spectacular
Dates
6-8 November 2026
Included with park ticket?
Theme park access included in ticket, plus fireworks display
A special three-night fireworks event to close the season. The park opens during the day as normal, and the evening features a choreographed fireworks display set to music. It is one of the largest fireworks displays in the UK.
Extra cost: Standard ticket pricing but availability is limited. Book early. Premium viewing areas may be available.
Tip: Tickets sell out fast. Book as soon as dates are announced. The fireworks start after dark (usually 7-8pm). Dress warm. The park is cold in November.
Scarefest Pricing in Detail
Scarefest is the most popular and most expensive event. Here is how the pricing works:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Park entry | Standard ticket pricing |
| Free scare zones | Included |
| Premium scare mazes | £5-8 each |
| Scarefest FastTrack | Premium pricing |
| Evening-only tickets | May be available |
A family of 4 doing 2-3 premium mazes at Scarefest should budget an extra £40-96 on top of standard entry. Book maze tickets online to guarantee entry as popular mazes sell out.
Event Days vs Normal Days
Should you visit during an event or save money with a standard day?