And you thought sending your kids back to school was the most frightening thing you could handle – not so, fellow Santa Claritans. It’s only 97 days until Christmas, which can only mean one thing: Fright Fest is coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The park, normally a thrill-centered, but family-friendly amusement park, is undergoing its annual transformation from a “theme park” to a haunted “scream park” for Season 19 of Fright Fest Presented by Snickers®, Southern California’s most thrilling Halloween experience.

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This season marks the biggest Fright Fest in the park’s history with four new scare zones, three new mazes, two new shows and extended park hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Award-winning makeup artist Scott Ramp and his “Scream Team” will be transforming 400-plus Fright Fest scaractors into ghouls, zombies, vampires and demons nightly.

Starting October 7, the park will offer 13 days of terrifying haunted mazes, roaming zombies and spooky shows.  If that’s not enough, Six Flags Magic Mountain will add a “twisted” element to some of their monster coasters by turning off the lights, leaving riders to face their fears literally in the dark.  And, the Fright Fest exclusive that coaster fanatics wait for all year … the transformation of one of the largest, most celebrated coasters in the world, Colossus BACKWARDS!

For four weekends in October, Fright Fest leaves no tombstone unturned to bring guests the ultimate sensory overload for every range of fear.  For the little monsters, a Trick or Treat Trail, Kid Scaryoke and Witch Hazel Halloween Crafts in Whistlestop Park round out the activities.

The newest and one of the largest mazes in Southern California is The Aftermath, where brave souls enter a post apocalyptic city inhabited by nomad warriors who rule with bone-crushing iron fists and the dead stalk the living.  Also new this year is Chupacabra, where guests come face to face with this elusive blood-thirsty creature as it terrorizes the local Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival; and Cursed, featuring roaming gypsies and werewolves who hunt for fresh blood.

Returning mazes include the popular BITE II, featuring sexy and sinister werewolves who are out for a bite in this nest of the undead; and Lecter’s Slaughterhouse , a family-run business specializing in tasty human treats.

Spooktacular shows include hypnotists Chris Maybre and Suzy Haner, who put park guests in compromising scenarios in their hilarious stage show located in Golden Bear Theater, and the new Off With Your Head, a Pop/Glam Rock musical spectacular featuring the music of Bon Jovi, Rhianna and Michael Jackson.  Additionally, the comical freaks of the new Dr. Fright’s CarnEvil perform the hits of Guns ‘n’ Roses, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga in front of DC Universe, and be sure to dust off your thriller moves and join in the fun as the popular DJ Demonic and gRAVE return to the same area.

Fright Fest hours (of course, it’s better after dark…)

October 7, 9, 16, 23, 30 & 31 – 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

October 8 – 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29 – 10:30 a.m. to midnight

While families are welcome at Six Flags Magic Mountain at all times, there are some parts of Fright Fest that are NOT recommended for children under 12. They include: The Aftermath, Chupacabra, Cursed, Bite II, Lecter’s Slaughterhouse and Willoughby’s Haunted Mansion.

A little lower on the scare meter, but creepy nonetheless are Jokester’s Hideout 3D, Warehouse 13, Gypsy Hollow, The Wastelands, Nightmares – A Twisted Tale, Hillbilly Massacre, City Under Siege and Exile Hill.

Attractions even more exciting by night are Foggy Nights at Batman: The Ride, X2:  AREA 19, Colossus – backwards (A Fright Fest Exclusive), Spinning Thumper Bumpers, Terror Tracks – Rides In the Dark (Apocalypse, Tatsu, Viper, The Riddler’s Revenge and Goliath – all with the lights off)

But wait, there’s more! Meet Rip Morgue at Willoughby’s Mansion; enjoy shows like Off With Your Head (A pop/glam rock musical spectacular with the music of Bon Jovi, Rhianna, Michael Jackson and more), Dr. Fright’s CarnEvil (The freaks are out in this rock ‘n’ roll musical and comedy review, featuring the hits of Guns ‘n’ Roses, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga); the High Sierra Hypnotist and gRAVE dance club.

Some attractions are especially for children and their parents, including: Witch Hazel’s Pumpkin Patch crafts, Kid Scaryoke, A Looney Tunes trick or treat adventure, including meeting and greeting the Looney Tune characters in their Halloween costumes and a new Fright Feast show and meal at the Mooseburger Lodge.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is located at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, north of Los Angeles off Interstate 5 at the Magic Mountain Parkway exit.  The Park is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October. For information call (661) 255-4111 or visit us at sixflags.com for operating days and hours.

For ticket information, visit their website: http://frightfest.sixflags.com/magicmountain