Halloween is never really over for haunted houses; they just get makeovers for other holidays.
A few area haunted houses are throwing open their doors for a winter or Christmas-themed limited run in December, allowing guests to keep the scares of October going a little longer.
Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn presents its eighth annual Christmas Fear event Dec. 15-17, featuring characters like Jack Frost, Krampus and Mr. and Mrs. Claus; along with familiar images associated with the holidays like festive lights, gingerbread men and the North Pole. All with a horrible holiday twist, of course.
Midnight Fear creator and owner Justin Cerniuk and his crew have redecorated every room and passage of the 26,000-square-foot haunted house for the December event.
“What makes it a little bit different is how interactive it is,” he said. “Normally, with haunted houses in October … you just walk through the show. When you visit here, you’re actually a part of the show.”
For example, maybe an evil elf with hand you a present and you in turn have to hand it off to another character, like Jack Frost. And maybe there’s a forest where the Sugar Plum Fairy and some elves help you build a snowman.
“All the interactions set you up for the scares. So it’s still a haunted house, but it has a whimsical, magical feeling,” he said. “It’s really interactive and immersive. You’re set in this magical Christmas world with a twist to it.”
The storyline has humans in the town losing their Christmas spirit with Santa, Krampus, the Yeti and the elves trying to scare it back into them, he said.
“That’s why we called it Christmas Fear,” he said.
Many of the same actors from the Halloween season have returned for the event.
“It’s kind of like seasonal depression,” he said. “From August through October, we’re going 110% and then it just stops. Haunted houses are a lot like theater. We create a safe environment. We’re like a family.”
A fan favorite, he said, is the snowball fight. Customers are given “snowballs” and get to engage in a snowball fight with carolers and elves in a winter wonderland town, he said.
Because the Christmas event isn’t as crowded, crowds aren’t rushed through, he said.
“You get to take your time and enjoy and interact with everyone,” he said.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Oak Lawn-based charity, Christmas Without Cancer.
There will be a lights-on family-friendly Christmas Fear event from 12 to 3 p.m. Dec. 16. Actors will be in non-scary Christmas costumes, posing for photos and offering high-fives to children. Families can also pose for a group digital photo with Krampus, which can be downloaded later for free.
“I think everyone should change up their holiday plans and have fun doing something different,” he said. “I think it’s a unique way to celebrate Christmas.”
Here are some area holiday-themed haunted houses. While we do our best to ensure accuracy, it’s always a good idea to call or check the haunt’s website before venturing out in the cold.
Sub-Thermal Nightmare: 7-11 p.m. Dec. 8-9 at Dungeon of Doom, 600 29th St., Zion. Tickets: $29.99-$54.99. 847-262-3666; dungeonofdoom.com/special-events.
The Dungeon has frozen over into a winter hellscape complete with new characters, a unique buried alive show and rooms transformed into a frozen wasteland.
Krampus: The Fright Before Christmas: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 8-9 and 6:30-10 p.m. Dec. 10 at 13th Floor Chicago, 5050 River Road, Schiller Park. Tickets: $29.99-$49.99; $84.99 for VIP. 13thfloorchicago.com/Krampus
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.Horrifying Christmas characters will haunt all who choose to enter, turning holiday cheer to holiday fear. Mini escape games and a photo with Krampus can also be purchased. Check website for times.
Twisted Elves: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 9, 15-16 at Disturbia Haunted House, 1213 Butterfield Road, Suite D, Downers Grove. Tickets: $22.99-$49.99. 630-896-2466; hauntedhousedisturbia.com.
Bad Santa, his demented Elves and his many evil accomplices have taken over the huge holiday warehouse.
Christmas Fear: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 15-17 and lights on 12-3 p.m. Dec. 16 at Midnight Terror Haunted House, 5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn. Tickets: $30-$45. [email protected]; MidnightTerror.com.
An interactive, Christmas-themed haunted house where nightmares await.
Christmas Nightmare: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 15-16 at Massacre Haunted House, 299 Montgomery Road, Montgomery. Tickets: $29.99-$49.99. 708-320-3327; fearthemassacre.com.
Touted as the longest-running Christmas haunted house in America. Must purchase tickets online in advance; no tickets will be sold on-site.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.