On Saturday, Six Flags Magic Mountain kicked off panels and presentations for the day at Midsummer Scream, further detailing this year’s lineup of mazes, scare zones, and more. The panel was led by Mike Ostrom, Head of Entertainment at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Mark Wing, Senior Creative Supervisor.
Returning Mazes
Through the initial lineup announcement last week, we knew that Fright Fest at Magic Mountain would again host mazes by popular horror IPs “The Conjuring” Universe, “SAW,” and “Trick ‘r Treat.” Though the mazes are making their return, Ostrom shared that all three of these mazes are returning with enhancements for 2025.
“We’re enhancing everything,” said Ostrom during the presentation. “A lot of new surprises and a lot of really fun partners that we’re working with on all three of these attractions.” Few other details were shared about the properties, but Ostrom added, “It’s going to be a really, really good year for the IP-based attractions here at Magic Mountain.”
When discussing the return of original legacy mazes at Fright Fest, Wing shared that guests should keep an eye out for enhancements there as well. However, some unfortunate news was added to the update by Ostrom. “While we’re not ready to announce it yet, just know that this will be the final time you can see some of these attractions at Magic Mountain. So make sure not to miss these.”
The four returning mazes include Truth or Dare, Condemned: Forever Damned, Willoughby’s: Ressurected, and Vault 666.
Returning Scare Zones
While this year’s returning scare zones were also revealed earlier in the week, Wing shared some new details around one of last year’s most popular scare zones at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Underworlds of Oz. “You’ll see some new characters in these scare zones,” said Wing, who went on to share that guests can look forward to seeing Dorothy, the Lion, and the Tin Man at this year’s event.
New Maze
Though announced last week as part of this year’s lineup, the presentation shared further details around what guests can expect from the only new maze for 2025, Carnage. Set in the city of Green Willow in the ’90s, Carnage introduces guests to a city that’s come under siege by clowns on the night of the city’s centennial. The maze creates an origin story for the scare zone City Under Siege.
“As you go through this maze, you’re going to go to the outskirts of town, where you’re going to enter the abandoned carnival warehouse that was taken over by Carnage,” said Ostrom. “Where he recruited all these people and manipulated them into joining his cult. And then literally, manipulated their faces to look grotesque and gruesome. And you’ll see how the clowns actually got to looking the way they do.”
As a tie-in to the scare zone, guests will also have the opportunity to become part of Carnage’s disciples. “The way that’s going to happen is that you’ll obviously be tested throughout the attraction with his disciples, and you have the opportunity to be branded with his insignia,” said Wing. “And that is actually going to get you the better interactions with his generals out in the City Under Siege. So make sure you get branded when you go through.”
New Scare Zones
Nightmares: Reign of Blood
While not technically new, the scare zone Nightmares is being rebranded as Nightmares: Reign of Blood. The over-decade-old scare zone is getting a refresh for 2025. “We are redesigning the whole area,” shared Wing during the presentation. The scare zone is themed to Wonderland, but the story behind the zone is that the Red Queen has taken over Wonderland, and her army now overruns it. With the announcement, the team also shared concept art of some of the new characters being introduced to the scare zone, including a Cheshire Werecat and The White Rabbit. Other characters that will make an appearance include The Mad Hatter and Alice, who has been trapped in the land for a very long time.
Thunderbolt Alley
Thunderbolt Alley is a new scare zone that has taken over the space formerly occupied by Dead Zone in the park’s Underground section. It’s a 1950s rockabilly world set in Thunderbolt Alley, a drive-in theater where classic monsters party hard and burn rubber in the afterlife. The scare zone leverages the pop art makeup style made popular by the park’s Scream Break event and will feature characters that you can interact with throughout the scare zone.
Wing shared details around the cast of characters you’ll find in the land, which is made up of The Bats, the Red Ladies, bad guys, The Demons, and an irate abominable snowman ice cream salesman whose ice cream has been melted by The Demons. Wing shared that there will also be several characters based on classic monsters, such as zombies, werewolves, and “Gil-esque men,” among others.
Ostrom closed out this section of the presentation, sharing that the Abominable Snowman’s ice cream stand featured in the concept art will be one of the interactive lantern activations.
New Live Show
Margo Rita’s Monster Ball
During the presentation, Ostrom and Wing were joined by popular Scream Break characters Margo Rita and Tequila Sunrise to announce an all-new stage show, Margo Rita’s Monster Ball. “This is an all-new, high-energy, very vibrant, very drag-inspired experience,” shared Wing. The show will be a live song and dance show featuring Margo and her daughters, Sapphire Martini, Bloody Mary, and Apple Spritz. As part of the performance, guests will get to vote for the Queen of the performance.
Introducing Interactive Lanterns
As a new element to Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest, the park is introducing the interactive lanterns, first introduced at Knott’s Scary Farm during the event’s 50th anniversary. Similar to Knott’s, the lanterns will activate experiences throughout the park, and as a bonus, if you purchase a lantern at one theme park, it will work at any of the theme parks. The new experience comes as a result of the merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair (the company that owns Knott’s Berry Farm), which merged in 2024.
Other Fall Events at Magic Mountain
During the presentation, Magic Mountain also took some time to discuss enhancements being made to other fall events, including Oktoberfest and its daytime Tricks and Treats event at the park. Both events are getting a massive expansion for 2025. While few specifics were shared, both events are said to be receiving new enhancements and live music added as a significant part of the event.
On the Tricks and Treats front, Ostrom noted that the event would be receiving some scenic enhancements. At the same time, Wing shared that the original character, Willoughby the Bat, would be joined by two new characters: a zombie puppy and a giant pumpkin character named Igor P. Umpkins, who will be introduced as a villain in Tricks and Treats.
Fright Fest returns to Six Flags Magic Mountain on select Nights from September 19 through November 2, 2025. Tickets for Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain are on sale now at sixflags.com.
