new times 2023 halloween guide special section october 19 th-october 25 th 2023 30 bartenders, talking man-eating plants, swamp witches, animatronic pirates and fearsome-looking dragons mix in a wild, colorful scene. Sounds a little chaotic? Sure, but it’s entertaining nonetheless. Hours and prices: Nightly starting at dusk from Oct. 18 to 31 . Free. Hellbilly Holler Halloween Haunt 14601 N. 40th Way This homespun haunt in North Phoenix is like a moonshine-drenched fever dream mixing southern-fried horrific fun, cannibalism and hillbilly shtick with grisly bits of “Deliverance” and “Motel Hell” baked into its inbred DNA. Local artist Michaela Nastasia’s yard becomes a backwoods cabin where banjos are plucked and freakish mutants frolic. There are new characters this year, including bile-puking conjoined twins and the Elephant Man. Don’t linger too long or you might become dinner. Hours and prices: On display nightly, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Sundays to Thursdays; 7 to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 13 to 28 and nightly, 7 to 11 p.m. from Oct 28 to 31. Free. Face Your Fears on 55th 8420 N. 55th Ave., Glendale If close encounters with werewolves, witches, creepy clowns or even creepier dolls get your adrenaline pumping, you’ll want to steel yourself before strolling through this haunted house on Halloween night. (Think of it as shock therapy for dealing with your fears.) Prefer a less emotionally taxing experience? A colorful and expansive array of characters are in the front yard for most of October. Hours and prices: The yard display can be viewed nightly, 5 to 10 p.m., until Oct. 24. The haunted house runs 5 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 31. Free. Terror Nights 511 E. La Donna Drive, Tempe For 51 weeks each year, the Stoudt residence is an ordinary home in a sleepy Tempe neighborhood. In the evenings leading up to Halloween, it becomes a fortress of fright occupied by ghoulish beings, possessed dolls and freakish fiends. Inside, visitors will encounter sinister scenes throughout the house, like the “Morgue Room” and “Maniac’s Revenge,” as well as surprises around every corner. You might have to wait a bit to be scared, as there’s typically a line. Hours and prices: Runs 7 to 10 p.m., Oct. 27, 28 and 30. Free, but donations benefitting Tempe Community Action Agency are appreciated. Eddie Shriner’s Home Haunt 2427 W. Vista Ave. Eddie Shriner’s collection of life-sized creatures and frightening characters numbers into the hundreds — and it only keeps growing. He buys more each year and arranges them either in front of his house or along a winding path into the backyard, allowing visitors to endure a gauntlet of terror. There are horror film icons and fiendish witches. A “pumpkin alley” and a squad of scarecrows. And more killer clowns than your therapist cares to know about. Much of Shriner’s collection is animatronic. Almost everything is terrifying. Hours and prices: Runs 7 to 9 p.m., Sundays to Thursdays; 7 to 10, Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 26 and 6 to 10 p.m., Oct. 27 to 31. Free. Scorpio House 15833 W. Cypress St., Goodyear Dan Malanowski knows how to scare up an amazing Halloween display. A few years back, he constructed a two-story pirate shipwreck outside his previous home in Sun City. This year, Malanowski’s channeling “Stranger Things” and building an enormous spider-shaped Mind Flayer and a walkway straight out of The Upside Down. Fans of the show will love it. Hours and prices: On display nightly at dusk starting in mid-October. Free. The House of Haunts 8325 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale Scottsdale’s Steve Birkett and his children are behind one of the most elaborate and stunning DIY haunted houses in the Valley. It’s offered the Valley thrills and chills for decades with its special effects, creepy atmosphere and mind-bending scenes. There’s a room based on “The Shining,” an elaborate recreation of the Lost Dutchman Mine, a laser-filled swamp and rooms that screw with people’s perceptions. According to Steve’s daughter, Caitlyn Birkett, they’ve created additional areas this year, proving you can teach old haunts new tricks. Hours and prices: Open nightly, 6:45 to 10 p.m., from Oct. 27 to 31. A $5 donation is requested. See more at phoenixnewtimes.com
