Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House

September 26-November 1, 2025

Winchester Mystery House
525 South Winchester Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 247-2000
$, winchestermysteryhouse.com | festivalfrightnights.com

 2025 Story Line - It's Halloween night, 1924.

It's been two years since Sarah Winchester died and her estate has sat silent with memories turning to dust. Buried secrets of her mysterious life and out-of-this-world beliefs may be unveiled like a Pandora's box when the new owner claims to have opened a spiritual portal, a window into the past that will finally reveal why Sarah Winchester built her endless house of secrets.

Inviting the public to a 1920s Halloween Masquerade Ball featuring a night of costumes, glamour, music, and perhaps, revelations, has this new owner with a flair for theatrics uncovered a buried truth, or invited something unspeakable into our world?

• See three main haunted attractions
• Theatrical experiences
• Buy themed food and beverages
• Discover spaces never seen before spaces in this huge mansion
• Take away an unforgettable evening of immersive entertainment to sustain you till your next haunt

As you venture deep into the halls, an unsettling feeling creeps in. You are not alone. Dare to take this scary adventure filled with unexpected surprises.

Past year's Halloween at Winchester

April 13, 1923 Hollywood royalty chooses San Jose as new residence, seeking tranquility. Things take a turn during this most unhinged housewarming.  Miles and Flora Taylor  extend  you an invitation but as the night progresses a mysterious air settles in, revealing that there is more to this gathering than meets the eye.

The festivities of the night commence with Miles and Flora’s Lavish Garden Party. As the sun sets and darkness surrounds the estate, a world unfolds where the line between reality and imagination blurs. Step past the threshold and there is no turning back.

It's haunting nightmare as the ghosts of former residences make their presence felt.  Beware the Mists! outdoor scare zone reveals a shadowy realm where terror lurks at every corner under the open night sky.

Halloween Museum contains vintage Halloween decor and memorabilia. Paper decorations, crafted lanterns, bewitching costumes and masks offer a time-traveling journey into the cherished traditions of Halloween.

Miles and Flora's Lavish Garden Party brims with sideshow entertainment, interactive games, themed photo opportunities and 1920s themed food & drinks.

The year is 1949 and the estate has changed hands several times since the passing of Sarah Winchester. It’s most recent isolation is broken by the arrival of Madame Nightshade, an entrepreneurial owner of a small traveling carnival and self proclaimed investigator of supernatural phenomena.

The Haunt - Wander the halls of the house of mystery and brace yourself for a terrifying journey through the worlds most haunted home. The Spirits that Madame Nightshade draw you further and further into the darkest areas of the Winchester Mystery House. You are left to wonder who called you to the house – Madame Nightshade or the restless spirits of the Winchester Mystery House?

Madame Nightshade’s Spirit Carnival and Outdoor Performance will kick off the evening with sideshow entertainers, games, food, and the Spookeasy Bar.

Spirits Within: The Wheelbarrow Ghost (works in basement with his ever-moving wheelbarrow), Little Mary (caught between the worlds of the living and dead), Headless Helena (serial killer who beheads husbands), The Caretaker (most malevolent), The Bride (dead, but eternally waiting for her wedding day), and The Swamp Witch (deceased botanist).

VIP tickets allow for the ticket holder to walk through both routes and gain expedited access to the haunt for a $15 upgrade. 

Paranormal researchers, mediums, ghost hunters and master magicians have visited Winchester Mystery House throughout 98 years that this fascinating mansion has been open to the public. Looking for explanations to make sense of this mysterious place, brave guests are guided through dark & dizzying hallways of the Winchester Estate in search of answers. The home will not be visible during the show. For the history of the house, book a daytime tour.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.