Creepy Christmas Returns to Lancaster, PA!
If you're looking for a unique holiday experience that combines festive cheer with spine-chilling thrills, Field of Screams in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has you covered! For the first time ever, 2024’s event introduced the “Haunted Slayride” to this popular haunt, shaking up (literally) their usual allotment of haunted attractions. On a chilly evening that dipped as low as 24°F, we embarked on a terrifying journey through the creepy holiday-themed event. "Creepy Christmas," as it’s called, includes all the traditional spooky elements Field of Screams is known for, but with a holiday twist.
Actors dressed as everything from pigs to clowns to radioactive mutants brought the ride to life for us, delivering scares against a backdrop of Christmas lights and eerie music. Any haunt owner can likely tell you how difficult it is to operate an attraction in below freezing conditions, but operating an outdoor hayride with hydraulics and weather-contingent effects is a whole different level. Despite the temperatures, the actors' energy was infectious, making the experience both thrilling and festive…and for what it’s worth, it was also nice to have a wagon full of hay to swaddle ourselves up in for a little bit of insulation!
Above: Katie poses with “Santa Krunk” and the Grinch as we do what we can to keep warm during Field of Screams' 2024 "Creepy Christmas" event!
In addition to the “Slayride”, visitors to Field of Screams’ holiday event can expect to explore indoor haunted house experiences like the Den of Darkness and Frightmare Asylum, each offering their own terrifying delights. The immersive experience is elevated by creative seasonal touches, such as Krampus sightings and creepy holiday decorations. The night is filled with unexpected moments, from humorous encounters to genuine scares, making it a fun outing for thrill-seekers of all ages. And although we didn’t have enough time to explore them in earnest, the Midway area also offers guests some additional, scare-free activities such as axe throwing, five-minute escape games and carnival games with prizes for all ages.
Of course, no holiday event is complete without seasonal treats and libations, and Field of Screams delivered with their holiday-themed cocktails at the Chainsaw Bar. The "Grinch's Goblet" drink was a fruity, festive concoction that brought some warm fuzzies to the increasingly chilly night. In addition to the drinks, guests can grab food from local vendors like the 2D Gyro Fusion food truck (one of many food trucks typically parked on property during the main season), which kept us well-fed and nourished as we polished off our evening at one of Pennsylvania’s premiere haunted attractions.
Above: Katie is surrounded by evil elves and the Terrifier’s Santa persona at Field of Screams' 2024 Creepy Christmas event!
Generally speaking, the Field of Screams team never fails to offer a unique, spooky holiday event. Despite the cold, the event was a tremendous success - offering plenty of thrills, fun and holiday spirit(s). If you're in the Lancaster area during the Christmas and/or holiday season, be sure to check out Field of Screams for an unforgettable holiday horror experience! If you’re very lucky or very unlucky, you might even stumble across Krampus and his elves before the night is over. For an inside look at all of the attractions from 2024’s event, be sure to check out our vlog below! As always, we’d like to thank co-owners Jim and Gene Schopf for permission to film inside the attractions and share a little of this holiday horror with you.
