Best New Haunted Attraction

Each year, new haunted attractions open and compete with the area’s elite Haunted Attractions to become the best of the best. This award is to recognize the new haunted attraction which stands above the rest of new entries for that particular year/season.

Description & Criteria

Any Haunted Attraction is eligible for consideration of this award during their first season of operation.

Please note:

  • Should an attraction close and re-open in a future year, it will not be eligible for consideration.
  • Should an attraction change locations or ownership, it will not be eligible for consideration.
  • Should an attraction be unknown to Haunted House Chicago during their first season of operation, and receive a review beyond that first season, it will not be eligible for consideration.
  • Any other rulings for consideration, will be made by the Haunted House Chicago Review Team.

Past Winners:

2024: 5 Points Haunted House in West Chicago, Illinois

2023: Terror Roulette in South Barrington, Illinois

2022: Monster Purge in St. Charles, Illinois

2021: The Old Joliet Haunted Prison in Joliet, Illniois

2020: No awards presented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019: Fear District in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2018: The Park After Dark Haunted House in Chicago, Illinois

2017: N/A – No new haunted attractions opened in 2017

2016: HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport, Illinois

2015: The Slaughter Haunted House in West Dundee, Illinois

2014: 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago in Schiller Park, Illinois (Previously Melrose Park, Illinois, when this was awarded)

2013: CarnEvil Haunted House in Hoffman Estates, Illinois

2012: Abandoned Haunted House Complex in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin

2011: The Haunted Infirmary at Bartonville Insane Asylum in Bartonville, Illinois