The winding staircases, unsettling hallways, and eerie history of California’s infamous Winchester Mystery House are getting an extra dose of supernatural thrills called Festival Fright Nights.
The event features carnival games, holiday-inspired food and drinks, and seven haunted attractions all inspired by the mystery behind the house. One of this year’s new mazes is the House of Spirits, where guests meet the ghost of former owner Sarah Winchester’s butler as he’s losing his grip on reality and evil spreads throughout the estate.
“It’s kind of confusing and mysterious inside the mansion,” says Bret Bertolino, vice president of event producers 13th Floor Entertainment. “And I feel like you never know what’s gonna be around the other corner.”
The company also produces Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor in Long Beach and the L.A. Haunted Hay Ride in Griffith Park. San Jose’s allegedly haunted house hosts this year’s Festival Fright Nights select nights from Sept. 18 to Nov. 1.
Built by Sarah Winchester in the late 19th century following the deaths of her husband and only child, the sprawling estate became the stuff of legend after Sarah built non-stop for decades to appease the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles, whom she believed were responsible for her misfortunes.
Fright Nights uses the entire estate, including one maze that takes visitors through the attic, face to face with ghostly children and their mothers who perished when parts of the house collapsed during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The children want you to stay and play with them – forever.
“We were inspired by that mystery of what was happening on the estate, and so this year’s storyline is set in 1926, several years after Sarah’s death, and the entire estate is kind of pulsing with this new energy,” Bertolino says. “So as guests go through the different attractions, they’ll start piecing together the different parts of the story to learn where that evil is coming from.”
Festivalgoers who want more of the action can upgrade to VIP, which unlocks access to the attic’s Hide and Seek: The Lost Children attraction, as well as a basement haunted house The Under House, a theatrical seance experience, and the Seance Society’s Speakeasy, a watering hole for guests 21+. VIP also includes fast passes for the attractions.
“This year was even bigger and better and definitely more spooky than last year, and that’s exactly what we were hoping for,” said Keeley Reynolds, an attendee from San Mateo County.
Guests can go at their own pace, roasting s’mores at the fire pit, taking a swing at axe throwing, or posing for photos at photo-op spots. All haunted attractions are optional, and VIP upgrades can be purchased a la carte for those who want to enhance their experience.
The Gory Details:
The Winchester Mystery House
Festival Fright Nights
525 S. Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128
Sept. 18- Nov. 1, 2026
Tickets: $59.99- $82.99 for GA and $112.89 for VIP
festivalfrightnights.com
