Halloween: the countdown to the night of the ghosts has begun

Zombies and ghosts, skeletons and vampires, witches, monsters and pumpkins fill the theme parks in October, the month of Halloween. The All Hallows’ Eve tradition has become firmly established and represents a substantial source of revenue for the entertainment industry, second only to July in terms of importance throughout the year. On the night of 31 October, all the parks will be staging exclusive shows and performances featuring horror-themed acts and DJ sets – perfect for those who want to get into the Halloween spirit by wearing make-up and becoming part of the action.

There are certainly those who have got a head start: take Gardaland, for example, where the settings and displays were unveiled in mid-September with Gardaland Halloween Mania, featuring a welcome show and ‘Preda’, a new immersive maze set in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi scenario, which visitors navigate amidst suspense and tension. In “Preda”, visitors must escape ferocious alien creatures that have turned the Earth into a vast hunting ground. Fast, ruthless and drawn to every sound, they chase humans as if they were prey to be devoured. Danger lurks everywhere; to escape and survive, visitors must make their way through the maze whilst remaining completely silent. “Halloween is a theme that the public wants to experience for longer and longer, and we have chosen to bring forward the themed decorations and shows from 12 September for 51 days, compared to 31 last year,” explains Daniela Bricola, vice-president of Gardaland Resort.

Since yesterday, 26 September, the horror house ‘Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin’ has been open at Mirabilandia, inspired by the Paramount Pictures film of the same name. This brings an internationally successful horror format to Italy for the first time and marks a new milestone for the major theme park in Romagna. The attraction covers an area of 350 square metres, featuring 16 rooms, over 15 characters and a journey lasting more than 10 minutes: in other words, it is the longest immersive horror experience ever created at Mirabilandia. Visitors will be plunged into the story of Margot, a young woman searching for the truth behind her mother’s disappearance in a remote and eerie Amish village. A multi-sensory journey that draws guests into the heart of paranormal phenomena, featuring realistic settings, special effects and close encounters with dark presences, all accompanied by the film’s original soundtrack. Alongside the new horror house, Suburbia returns – the ghostly town that has, over the years, become one of the symbols of Halloween at Mirabilandia. Spanning over 30,000 square metres, it is the largest horror zone ever created in an Italian theme park. Among the new attractions, the following stand out: Twisted Box, the welcome show dedicated to the mysterious legend of Master Yorai; ‘Black Crow: The Musical’, a theatrical production inspired by the legend of the Black Crow; ‘Rest in Peace’, an interactive show for the whole family; ‘Salem’, a journey through history and enchantment; ‘Spooky Cowboys’, which brings the Halloween atmosphere to the Wild West; and ‘The Mysteries of Wondy’, dedicated to young aspiring wizards. “Halloween is now one of the highlights of Mirabilandia’s season and a major draw for the local area,” emphasises Sabrina Mangia, managing director of Mirabilandia. “This year we have invested in original content and new immersive experiences, starting with *Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, a project that further strengthens our partnership with Paramount, to Scary Night, a special late-night opening that will allow our guests to enjoy the Park until late at night and take part, for one evening only, in exclusive and brand-new experiences. Among the shows is ‘Ossarium’, a setting that expands the world of Suburbia with brand-new scenery, eerie creatures and dark corners to explore. As the sun sets, the park’s streets fill with terrifying beings, bringing to life a horror universe that culminates in the Suburbia Parade, the evening procession that leads the creatures of the darkness through the avenues of Mirabilandia. Don’t miss the tunnels of *The Walking Dead – The Horror House*, inspired by the post-apocalyptic world of the zombie-filled TV series, and *Mr. Blackmoon’s Hypnotic Circus*, where eerie clowns and a terrifying ringmaster await guests for a spine-chilling performance. Rounding off the experience are Apartment #162, with its scenes of gruesome murders, and Llorona, a mysterious journey accompanied by desperate wailing that echoes in the darkness. And for the little ones, there’s The Mini Zombie Academy, a very special school where they can learn all the skills needed to become professional zombies, and The Chamber of Wonders, where magic, animations and mysterious secrets await young explorers.

Magic and fear, mystery and adrenaline blend with the scenery and attractions of Leolandia, a family theme park in the province of Bergamo, right in the midst of the HalLEOween season. Every Saturday evening, the magic of the Crazy HalLEOween nights unfolds: as the sun sets, the great dragons will glow in the dark and the park will take on a completely new look, kicking off a party that will encourage even the less courageous to brave the darkness amidst fairground rides, DJ sets and street food. Since April, the park has had a new rollercoaster, Reversum, which throws passengers’ sense of direction into disarray due to the free rotation of the carriages during the ride. For those who love thrills, there are also the free-fall drops on the Cannonball.

Next Saturday at Cinecittà World, the huge theme park on the outskirts of Rome, the Halloween atmosphere will make its debut. There will be a gigantic, spine-chilling set, populated by hundreds of ghostly creatures roaming amongst imposing backdrops, nightmarish atmospheres and displays inspired by classic cult horror films, amidst pumpkins and haystacks on the evocative Halloween Street. A journey through attractions, themed shows and special events featuring seven new additions to suit every taste in horror: from adults to children, teenagers to families, everyone can choose the right level of adrenaline to suit their needs. Among the new additions is The Haunted Theatre, an old Broadway theatre where, since 1930, damned souls have been wandering, suspended between life and death. A horror trail where you face the unknown. The terror is doubled in the new rooms of the Horror House, a themed cinematic immersion featuring nightmarish settings and close encounters with real-life actors. For those who prefer dark rollercoaster rides, there’s ‘Inferno’, the indoor rollercoaster that takes you straight into Dante’s circles of hell. ‘Halloween Horror Stories’ and ‘Funeral Party’ transform the park into a spine-chilling photo set, with themed backdrops designed to provide the backdrop for the most spectacular Halloween photo. The line-up of shows ranges from the Welcome to the Goodbye Show, to the irreverent *Ciak, si muore dal ridere!* and *The Last Night Horror Show*, a musical loosely based on the iconic *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*.