Alton Towers has announced a first-of-a-kind immersive Halloween dining experience as part of its Scarefest 2026 celebration. Scarefest 2026: Dine with the Dead marks the first Halloween celebration of its kind at the resort, featuring a sinister party hosted by Lord Vincent and Lady Lucinda Vile.
An evening of immersive frights
Guests will experience a dining experience that grows more unsettling as the evening progresses, with members of the mysterious Vile family appearing throughout alongside strange acquaintances. The event will include spooky performances to bring the story of the Vile family to life, including live entertainment happening right at the dinner table.
Diners taking part in the event won't just be viewing the story and performances; they will become immersed in the story itself, with Alton Towers promising that guests will play a central role in the evening's events. Overall, the experience will include three sections: a cocktail party, a three-course meal, and an afterparty.
Pricing and additional experiences
Guests who want to take part in Scarefest 2026: Dine with the Dead can secure their place for £69 per person. Meanwhile, those who want to see even more can take part in a VIP tour of the Final Exhibit scare attraction with a complete behind-the-scenes experience.
The guided tour includes a lights-on walkthrough, letting guests experience a new perspective of the newly built attraction. Alton Towers is also bringing back its Ghost Tour experience, taking place in the Grade II listed Towers, which includes a 60-minute guided ghost tour complete with paranormal detection equipment.
Family stays and visitor feedback
Families who want to experience all the scary attractions just in time for Halloween can enjoy them for free as part of a themed stay at Alton Towers Resort, with short break stays available from £79 per person. As part of the stay, families can stay overnight in a spooky-themed accommodation, plus a second day at Alton Towers, provided for free as part of the experience, with stays available to book from September 14 up to October 22.
Howard Ebison, Vice President of Alton Towers Resort, said: “Dine with the Dead will bring something completely different to the Scarefest 2026 line-up, immersing families in a spine-tingling story where they are not simply watching the spookiness unfold - they are right at the heart of it. After a night of frights, with our Second Day Free offer, guests can take some time to recharge before enjoying a full extra day of thrills, fun and adventure at the Resort.”
Previous Scarefest visitors have shared mixed feedback. One happy visitor wrote: "Visited on Saturday 11th October 2025, and once again Scarefest proved why it’s one of the highlights of the UK theme park calendar. Even with around 20,000 visitors, the park didn’t feel overly crowded — especially compared to the chaos closer to Halloween. The weather was mild, the atmosphere electric, and the park looked incredible with glowing pumpkins, fog effects, and haunting music echoing through the trees."
Another added: "First time doing scarefest, brilliant scaremazes, perfectly themed with amazing characters and stories. Managed to get on most rides on the Sunday, bit busier on the Monday but still got to ride wickerman in the dark (epic!)."
A third said: "Was a tad hesitant when I realised the mazes were an extra expense! But they were worth every penny! Have to say they were the best mazes I've ever done. Proper scary and great attention to detail. Recommend indeed."
A fourth added: "Been to Alton Towers for many years now. I liked all the rides there especially Wicka/Wika Man it looks slow but it’s really fast. Now I think I’m ready to go on oblivion maybe. Hotels were just very quiet and calm. The resort might be loud and busy but it’s still a great place to go out, especially the ScareFest."
A fifth said: "One of the best places ever. Everyone is so friendly and the scarefest theme was awesome. Hotel was great and we didn't want to go home. It's a great place to go with families."
However, one less pleased customer wrote: "Scarefest was a nightmare far to many people in the park, certain rides closed others breaking down. Que times say an hour but shortest time was 2hours 40 mins."
Another added: "Been coming to scarefest for a few years now. This year (2022) weren't so great the staff weren't helpful in any which way they were pretty annoyed being asked questions of any sort me my son and friends had hot dogs and we all seemed to have bad stomachs the next day! it were the only thing we all had that coud of explained the upset stomach for us all hope this were just a one off it's always been a blast."
