Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail returns for 13th Halloween season

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail will open its 13th season Sept. 25 in Plant City, Florida, with select dates through Nov. 1, plus a new family-friendly Fright Nite and an expanded book release. The attraction is also back in the running for a USA Today Readers’ Choice Award, while ticketing, safety rules and donation tie-ins remain central to the event.

Why it matters: - Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is one of Florida’s long-running seasonal attractions, and its return adds another fall draw for visitors between Tampa and Orlando. - The event’s ticketing model, limited capacity and advance sales make planning early important for fans who want to avoid sellouts. - The attraction also ties entertainment to philanthropy, with ticket and merchandise proceeds supporting Folds of Honor and the Orlando Ghostbusters’ fundraising for The Starlight Children’s Foundation.

What happened: - Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail opens its 13th Halloween season on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, and runs on select dates through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. - The 501(c)3 haunted attraction is located in Plant City, Florida, between Tampa and Orlando off Interstate 4 exit 22. - Tickets are sold online and in advance, and guests can also purchase while in line using their phones. - The attraction said advance purchase can prevent sellouts, time-slot closures and nights reaching full capacity.

The details: - Owner Zach Glaros said the team is leaning into new storytelling for the season and called the 13th year a milestone. - Keel and Curley will return this season to serve wines and hard ciders. - A special ticketed event, FAMILY FRIGHT NITE, is set for Oct. 29. - FAMILY FRIGHT NITE is designed for families with small children or guests with sensory concerns. - That night will feature no scares, trick-or-treating and a DJ playing music. - Tickets for FAMILY FRIGHT NITE must be purchased in advance, like all other operating nights. - Sir Henry’s is nominated for a 2026 USA Today Readers’ Choice Award for Best Haunted House/Attraction. - Voting began Aug. 24 and ends Sept. 21, with winners announced Sept. 30. - The nomination marks the third year in a row the haunt has been nominated. - Sir Henry’s landed on the USA Today 10 Best list for top haunted attractions in America in 2024 and again in 2025. - A new book, Sir Henry’s Haunted Tales - The Compendium, combines all three prior books, existing short stories, new short stories and a preview of the final book due next year. - Amanda Rosenblatt is the main author of the series, with co-author Brad Acevedo. - Patrick Brown returns as illustrator, and new contributor Quill S. Hull adds stories tied to the haunt’s Ghost Town-themed spring event. - Sir Henry’s says the book series has been expanding the backstories of its characters since 2021. - General admission includes free parking, three trails with one trip per trail, a main area with character encounters, photo opportunities and a centerpiece performance. - Guests can buy discounts for group sales, and limited accessibility is noted. - All Access and VIP upgrades add repeat experiences and access to the hayride attraction. - Extra paid offerings include light food, merchandise, escape games, the haunted hayride and ticket upgrades. - The event also offers port-o-potty restrooms and handwashing stations outside the front gate. - The haunt says it is family friendly, with parental guidance suggested for guests under 13. - The attraction is outdoors and uses wooded trails as part of the experience. - The storytelling is centered largely on the Great Depression era, while some trails go further back in time and reference Florida history.

Between the lines: - The attraction is positioning itself as more than a haunted trail, using books, character lore and themed nights to deepen fan engagement. - The family-friendly Fright Nite gives Sir Henry’s a way to broaden its audience without changing the core scare-heavy event on other nights. - The USA Today nomination and prior top-10 recognition give the haunt added visibility as it heads into peak Halloween season.

What's next: - Voting in the 2026 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards continues through Sept. 21, with results set for Sept. 30. - Guests planning to attend can review accessibility and safety information on the event’s FAQ page: safety and accessibility details. - More event and direction information is available on the attraction’s website: Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail. - Fans can also follow the attraction on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X and TikTok.

The bottom line: - Sir Henry’s is pairing a milestone season with new family programming, fresh lore and high-profile award attention, all while pushing advance ticket sales to manage demand.