Gian Steinbusch
BELANTIS has completely revamped its Halloween concept for the 2026 season. For the first time, the theme park near Leipzig is dividing its Halloween program by time of day and target audience. While the “Spooky Days” until 4:00 p.m. are primarily aimed at families with younger children, the significantly more intense “Horror Nights” begin at 4:30 p.m. At the same time, BELANTIS is expanding its lineup with three new Halloween mazes. For the first time, all mazes are included in regular park admission at no additional charge.
The 2026 Halloween season takes place across ten event days from October 21 through November 1. BELANTIS will only remain closed on October 26 and 27. On all Halloween event days, the theme park is open from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., later than in previous years.
With the new division into “Spooky Days” and “Horror Nights,” BELANTIS aims to tailor its Halloween program more closely to different age groups. However, the specified times do not represent a mandatory separation between the two programs. Families can remain in the park after 4:00 p.m., while visitors planning to attend the Horror Nights can arrive earlier in the day. Mandatory age restrictions do, however, apply to the individual Halloween mazes.
Spooky Days are aimed at families with younger children
Until 4:00 p.m., the “Spooky Days” focus primarily on family-friendly Halloween experiences. BELANTIS generally recommends the daytime program for children aged four and older. A total of three Halloween mazes are available during the day.
One of this year’s new additions is “Das Geheimnis der Königsgruft,” which is open to visitors aged six and older. The maze takes guests into a newly discovered section of the pyramid and explores the myths of ancient Egypt. Along the way, visitors encounter Egyptian gods, pharaohs and mummies while also learning more about ancient beliefs surrounding the afterlife.
Set designer and decorator Thomas Reuter is responsible for the design of some of the new mazes. Work on the sets began in spring and included sculptures created using several hundred square meters of polystyrene. One of the more elaborate elements is a depiction of the Egyptian crocodile god Sobek standing more than three meters tall. In addition to light and shadow effects, selected scents are also used inside the mazes to create a more immersive experience.
The family-friendly lineup also includes “Fantastische Wesen.” The maze is an exception to the general age recommendations, as children under the age of four may enter when accompanied by their parents. “Im Bann des Schwarzen Sheriffs” is also part of the daytime lineup. The maze is open to visitors aged six and older during the day before switching to a significantly darker version for guests aged twelve and older in the evening.
Beyond the mazes, BELANTIS offers several additional activities during the Spooky Days. The pumpkin rally challenges visitors to find five pumpkins hidden throughout the park, with a prize draw taking place at 4:15 p.m. at Alter Markt. At 1:30 p.m., younger visitors can also take part in the “Böse-Buben-Casting,” where they can show off their best spooky villain impression.
Horror Nights begin at 4:30 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m., BELANTIS transitions into the new “Horror Nights.” The theme park recommends the evening program for visitors aged twelve and older, with a greater focus on intense scares, horror mazes and additional scare actors.
A total of five mazes are available during the Horror Nights. New for 2026 are “Sporen des Bösen” and “Zorn des Anubis,” both of which are open to visitors aged twelve and older.
For “Sporen des Bösen,” BELANTIS is working with French company FX3 for the first time. The specialist develops and creates horror attractions for other theme parks operated by Compagnie des Alpes, which BELANTIS has been part of since 2025. In the maze, visitors take on the role of an emergency response team entering a laboratory after contact with scientists researching a mysterious plant suddenly went silent. Their mission is to find out what happened.
“Zorn des Anubis” is another new horror maze located inside the pyramid. Its story centers around a rediscovered section of the structure where ancient Egyptian secrets lie hidden. After the resting place of a pharaoh is disturbed, visitors must face his wrath.
Several established horror experiences also return for the 2026 season. In “Fluch des Imhotep,” visitors aged 16 and older face an ancient Egyptian curse. “Irrgarten des Schreckens,” also restricted to guests aged 16 and older, takes visitors into a world where a mysterious plague has transformed humans into terrifying creatures. From 5:30 p.m., “Im Bann des Schwarzen Sheriffs” switches from its more family-friendly daytime version to a horror experience for visitors aged twelve and older.
New horror area at Alter Markt
The atmosphere changes outside the mazes as well. From 4:30 p.m., Alter Markt transforms into the new “Schattenzone” for the first time. Scare actors roam the area, creating additional encounters beyond the dedicated horror mazes.
At 7:30 p.m., Alter Markt also hosts the “Monsterparty.” witches, vampires and the undead alongside a selection of well-known Halloween classics.
Another part of the evening program is “Magische Flammen” at Piratenbucht. Combining dance, acrobatics, juggling and fire effects, the performance takes place at either 7:00 or 8:00 p.m., depending on the event day.
Light show and fireworks bring each Halloween day to a close
Each Halloween event day concludes with the illuminated BELANTIS castle. From 8:30 p.m., the castle façade is transformed with a display of light and color, followed by a fireworks finale at 9:00 p.m.
The park’s regular rides also remain open later during the Halloween season. According to BELANTIS, attractions operate until 8:30 p.m., allowing visitors to experience rides including the park’s roller coasters after dark.
For the first time in 2026, all Halloween mazes are included in regular park admission at no additional charge. A separate Halloween ticket is not required. Holders of a valid AbenteuerPass can also visit the park as usual during the Halloween event days. Undated tickets remain valid as well, since the Halloween program is not treated as a separate special event.
Day tickets are available online from €29. Costumes are explicitly permitted during the Halloween season, although full-face masks are not allowed. Visitors’ faces must remain recognizable at all times.
FAQs
The Halloween program runs from October 21 through November 1, 2026. The park is closed on October 26 and 27. On all ten event days, BELANTIS is open from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Three new mazes are joining the lineup: “Das Geheimnis der Königsgruft” for visitors aged six and older, as well as the two horror mazes “Sporen des Bösen” and “Zorn des Anubis” for guests aged twelve and older.
No. For the first time in 2026, all Halloween mazes are included in regular park admission at no additional charge. A separate Halloween ticket is not required.
Images: BELANTIS (Copyright: EVENT PARK GmbH)
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