Urgent Fright Fest Update for Illinois Halloween Fans

If you've been seeing social media posts claiming Six Flags Fright Fest has been canceled for 2026, you may be wondering what's really going on with the popular Halloween event in Illinois. I'm here to set the record straight. Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor via Facebook Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor via Facebook Halloween Plans in Illinois Halloween has always been a big deal in my house, but we're more of the pumpkins, cider, and cute Halloween decorations kind of people. However, my 12-year-old daughter apparently decided she is officially a fan of scary things. READ MORE: Viral Video Show Delivery Robot Chaos in Illinois This is the same child who used to think the Halloween aisle at Target was too creepy, but is now talking nonstop about going to haunted houses and watching scary movies. As a mom who doesn't enjoy the "scary" side of Halloween, I'm not sure how we got here, but I'm willing to participate to make my daughter happy. Naturally, one of the places that came to mind was Six Flags Great America in Gurnee and its annual Fright Fest. Then I started seeing several friends on social media share posts claiming Fright Fest had been canceled for 2026 because of legal issues. Wait. WHAT? Before I started planning an entirely different Halloween adventure, I did some digging, and I sure am glad I did. Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois Let's get to the most important information first. Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is NOT canceled, and it kicks off on Saturday, September 19, 2026. In fact, 2026 marks the 35th year of Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, and this year's event will feature new haunted attractions, roaming monsters, and scary entertainment. Which Fright Fest Was Canceled for 2026? The confusion appears to be coming from Six Flags Darien Lake in western New York, near Buffalo, which did cancel Fright Fest for 2026. According to WROC8 News in Rochester, the event was canceled at Darien Lake, with other activities listed on the park's calendar. Instead of Fright Fest, the park is focusing on more family-friendly fall entertainment, including a Kids Boo Fest and additional Oktoberfest programming. Here's where things get a little murky. Some social media posts have connected Darien Lake's Fright Fest cancellation to a lawsuit involving the park. There is, in fact, a lawsuit involving a guest who says he suffered burns to his feet after losing his shoes while riding a roller coaster. However, Six Flags has not said that lawsuit caused the cancellation of Fright Fest. Here's one thing I know as the mom of a newly self-proclaimed scary-stuff enthusiast: Six Flags says Fright Fest is not recommended for children under 13 after 6 p.m. because this is the really scary version of Halloween. Maybe I can talk her into the daytime Six Flags Halloween fun instead? 20 Halloween Costumes That Scream Yup, I'm From Illinois