Christmas Haunted House · Mesa, AZ
A Nightscare Before Christmas: What to Expect on the Night
A Nightscare Before Christmas is a horror show that happens to fall in December. The Scarizona crew runs it at the Thompson Event Center in Mesa, December 10 to 13 and 17 to 20, 2026. Expect a dark night on dirt and gravel ground. Thursdays and Sundays 7 to 9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 7 to 10 PM. Tickets go on sale soon.
Last updated Reviewed by Allen Thompson under our editorial policy
A Nightscare Before Christmas: Key Facts
The fine print, before the lights go out.
- Venue
- Thompson Event Center
- Haunts
- Mayhem in Madness, Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU, Startled Darkness
- Dates
- December 10 to 13 and 17 to 20, 2026
- Times
- Thursdays and Sundays 7 to 9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 7 to 10 PM
- Price
- From $19.95 plus fees
- Parking
- Free, included with your ticket
- Tickets
- Its own ticketing. Get a text when tickets go live
What Kind of Show Is It?
A horror event that happens to fall at Christmas. The scares come first, and the season is the setting.
The poster tells you the concept. A bloodied Santa holds a lantern in the snow between desert ruins, and Christmas lights wind around a saguaro. It is the same dark mood as the October haunt, set in December, and it runs through the same three haunts: Mayhem in Madness, Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU and Startled Darkness. The full picture of the event lives on the A Nightscare Before Christmas event page, and the Christmas haunted house in Mesa guide covers the what and the where.
Who Runs A Nightscare Before Christmas?
The same crew behind the Scarizona Halloween haunt, the family-owned Mesa attraction that has run its October seasons for over two decades.
Scarizona Scaregrounds builds and staffs its cast, sets and special-effects makeup in-house. Director of Operations Allen Thompson describes the standard as the equivalent of a movie or a TV show you walk straight into. The December event has its own ticket.
Hear About Tickets First
December 10 to 13 and 17 to 20, 2026. Tickets go on sale soon. The sign-up sends them to you as they land.
How Do I Get There and Where Do I Park?
Drive to the Thompson Event Center at 1901 N. Alma School Road, Mesa, AZ 85201. It is the same venue as the Halloween haunt.
The Plan Your Visit directions hold the map and the venue's parking details. Doors open at 7 PM every night.
What Is Underfoot, and What Should I Wear on My Feet?
The venue's lot is open-air dirt and gravel, so closed-toe shoes are wise.
Ground like that can be uneven, and it is a dark night. Wear shoes that grip and cover your toes.
How Do I Get Help on the Night?
Text for Help at 623-281-8114.
For questions before you go, call the customer service line at (480) 549-0406 or the information line at (480) 444-2590.
What Did a Guest Say About Last December?
One Google reviewer described the December 2025 run this way.
"The dark scare is very, VERY dark. And the medical one has real medical gear and some great costumes. They even send cast out into the parking lot to scare people sitting in their cars, which really set the mood!"
That is one guest's account of a past December run. This year's event runs through Mayhem in Madness, Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU and Startled Darkness.
What Are the Dates, Times and Prices?
December 10 to 13 and 17 to 20, 2026. Thursdays and Sundays 7 to 9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 7 to 10 PM. Tickets go on sale soon.
Christmas prices: General Admission from $19.95 plus fees, Fast Pass +$10, and VIP from $75 plus fees. The Plan Your Visit page covers the venue and the way in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Nightscare Before Christmas a scary event?
Yes. It is a horror event that falls at Christmas, run by the same crew as the Scarizona Halloween haunt. It runs through Mayhem in Madness, Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU and Startled Darkness.
Is it the same ticket as Halloween?
No. A Nightscare Before Christmas is a separate event with its own ticketing. Tickets go on sale soon.
When does A Nightscare Before Christmas happen?
December 10 to 13 and 17 to 20, 2026: Thursdays and Sundays 7 to 9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 7 to 10 PM. Tickets go on sale soon, and Christmas Ticket Alerts tell you first.
Which haunts does A Nightscare Before Christmas run through?
The same three haunts: Mayhem in Madness, Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU and Startled Darkness.
How much are Christmas tickets?
Christmas prices: General Admission from $19.95 plus fees, Fast Pass +$10, and VIP from $75 plus fees. Tickets go on sale soon.
How do I get help on the night?
Text for Help at 623-281-8114. The customer service line is (480) 549-0406.