Halloween is arriving earlier and earlier. Already a cultural and consumer phenomenon in the United States, Summerween reflects an increasingly widespread trend in bringing forward the atmosphere and imagery of the year’s scariest festival by several weeks, if not months, rather than concentrating it into a single night.
Gardaland Resort is tapping into this international trend by bringing forward the Magic Halloween celebrations to 12 September: for 51 consecutive days, right up until 1 November, the park will gradually immerse guests in the spookiest season of the year.
This represents a significant increase on the 31 days of the 2025 edition and offers a new way of marking the transition from summer to autumn. From 12 September onwards, themed decorations and settings will welcome guests, starting with the ‘Gardaland Halloween Mania’ Welcome Show, and the park’s streets will be filled with creatures of the night and monstrously unmissable characters, before giving way, as the weeks go by, to the many experiences of Gardaland Magic Halloween.
The new attractions include a new immersive maze set in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting, where guests will be kept in tension and suspense right up to the very last turn. In ‘Prey’, visitors must escape the Ravages, ferocious alien creatures that have turned the Earth into a vast hunting ground. Swift, ruthless and drawn to every sound, they chase humans as prey to be devoured. Danger lurks around every corner. To survive and escape, you’ll need to navigate through the maze in complete silence.
“Halloween is changing: it is no longer just a celebration of the night of 31 October, but a fantasy that the public is keen to experience for longer and longer. Summerween is one of the most interesting signs of this evolution, and Gardaland, which has always had its finger on the pulse when it comes to new trends, has chosen to embrace it by bringing the atmosphere of Magic Halloween forward this year – to 12 September. Fifty-one days to gradually transform the park and accompany our guests from summer right into the heart of autumn, in the spirit of the scariest of traditions, with a terrifying maze where you’ll have to escape from the pursuit of alien creatures… in total silence,” explains Daniela Bricola, Vice-President of Gardaland Resort.
Alongside the new Halloween-themed attractions, one of September’s most popular events is also making a return. From 12 to 27 September, Gardaland will continue to pay tribute to Oktoberfest with a dedicated food and drink programme, featuring culinary specialities and traditional Bavarian beers. Jumanji Square will be the heart of the event, with two dedicated food trucks and a sweet treats kiosk, all accompanied by the music of the Kapuziner Bier Band, which has performed at every edition of Gardaland Oktoberfest. Fans will be able to enjoy the traditional Bavarian ‘Beer Trio’ on tap: Löwenbräu, Spaten and Franziskaner, accompanied by traditional sausage sandwiches and pretzels, as well as gourmet dishes such as Spätzle, pork knuckle, potato pancakes, cinnamon-based desserts and much more, including an entire dedicated menu at the Aladino Self-Service Restaurant.
Every weekend will feature the traditional Oktoberfest opening ceremony – a spectacular and energetic event featuring the manual tapping and opening of the first gravity cask to kick off the celebrations! This year, the event will form part of the park’s new autumn theme, coinciding with the first few weeks of Halloween in a unique overlap on Gardaland’s calendar.
To make the Oktoberfest experience even better, an exclusive Beer Masterclass will also be on offer at weekends. This journey into the world of beer will be led by a Master Brewer, featuring tastings, fascinating facts about different brewing traditions and the chance to try your hand at the perfect pour.
From there, Gardaland Magic Halloween 2026 will gradually come into full swing, with spooky atmospheres, eerie ambience and a sinister touch, accompanied by shows, entertainment and dedicated experiences, leading up to the highlight of the season on 31 October: the Halloween Party.
Guests can enjoy mystery, thrills and fun right through to 1 November, rounding off a 2026 season which will set a new record of 51 consecutive days.
