Monday, September 19, 2022

Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn expands staff and characters in 2022

Since its opening in 2014, Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn, Chicagoland’s favorite haunted attraction, has attracted tens of thousands of fright-seeking fans who appreciate the haunt’s commitment to eerie excellence and attention to dreadful details. But this year promises to be the most nightmare-inducing ever, thanks to the establishment’s decision to nearly double its staff of costumed actors.

That means 40 additional characters, nearly 80 in all on most nights, await brave customers who dare to walk through Midnight Terror’s malevolent maze of monsters.

Containing two uniquely themed but interconnected haunted houses under one roof – Willow’s Nightmare, and the Factory of Malum – the haunt boasts claustrophobic corridors, petrifying passageways, and unforgettably horrifying rooms packed with creatures, killers, and psychopaths hungry for new victims. This year, the demonic overlord Malum has appointed Malice, his daughter of slaughter, to lead his minions in an uprising into the helpless world beyond the factory, and you’ll bear witness to this disturbing outbreak.

“In 2022, we’ve hired and carefully trained more actors, added new creatures, and implemented more special effects to enhance the fright experience,” explains haunt creator/co-owner Justin Cerniuk. “I’m confident that visitors are going to be thrilled and rank this as our best year yet. People are eager to get their fear on again in full force.”

As in years past, the haunt will offer covered outdoor and indoor waiting along with entertainment provided by a DJ, photo opportunities before entering and departing, and online ticket discounts.

Case in point: Those who plan to attend opening weekend – September 23, 24, and 25 – will enjoy half-priced general admission when purchasing tickets online using the promotion code SPOOKY. At MidnightTerror.com, you can also join Nightmare Fuel (the haunt’s official email list) and receive information on future discounts and promotions.

“This year, we will also be giving away free Midnight Terror merch every 90 minutes to random lucky attendees waiting in line, including T-shirts, hoodies, and hats,” adds Cernik.

Midnight Terror was just named among the best haunted houses in Chicagoland by TimeOut. In recent years, readers of USA Today voted Midnight Terror a top 10 haunted attraction in the entire country; the haunt is one of 20 nominees in USA Today’s 2022 voting, as well. Meanwhile, TheScareFactor.com ranked Midnight Terror as a top 10 haunt, ScaryOverload.com named it among the top 10 scariest haunted houses in America, Fox 32 Chicago declared it the number one haunted house in all of Illinois, and the attraction comes highly recommended by Thrillist, NBC, the Chicago Tribune, Patch.com, Haunted House Chicago, Illinois Haunted Houses, and others.

Midnight Terror Haunted House is located at 5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn, Ill., 60453, just east of the intersection of Central Avenue and 111th Street. General admission per person starts at $28 online and $35 at the onsite ticket booth; Fast Pass admission per person, which places you in a line that is three times faster than the general admission line, is $50. Or you can purchase immediate access ($65 per person), which guarantees instant entry into the haunt.

Visitors can park for free on-site. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine, from:
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 23, 24, and 30, Oct. 1, 7, 30, and 31
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 25, and Oct. 2, 9, 16, 20, 23, and 27
7 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29

Suffer from a phobia of evil clowns and carnival creatures? Conquer your fears by coming to Midnight Terror on November 4 and 5 (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.), when the haunt’s theme transitions to a Clown Takeover and sinister circus dwellers rule the roost (tickets start at $25).

For more details, visit MidnightTerror.com or email midnightterror.info@gmail.com.