PHILADELPHIA, PA — Halloween fans looking for thrills beyond the pumpkin patch can step into the ring of fright this season as the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts presents Haunted Circus Weekend: Scary Movie Edition on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Set inside Circus Campus, a 100-year-old former church in West Mt. Airy, the event transforms the historic 26,000-square-foot venue into a cinematic haunted playground filled with aerial acts, acrobatics, and circus storytelling inspired by iconic horror films.
“Theatricality and storytelling have always been at the core of what we do,” said Kitsie O’Neill, Executive Director of PSCA. “This year, we’re diving into one of our favorite Halloween traditions — scary movies — and reimagining them through circus.”
Two distinct performances will cater to different audiences. The Family Haunted Circus Show at 5:00 p.m. offers a playful take on spooky classics such as It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Hocus Pocus. Featuring PSCA’s youth and adult performers, the show promises flying popcorn, dancing monsters, and lighthearted frights suitable for all ages.
The Adult Haunted Circus Show at 8:30 p.m. turns up the heat — and the horror — with daring aerial acts, fire performances, and burlesque-inspired twists on films like Psycho, The Shining, and Jennifer’s Body. Expect seductive monsters, chilling clowns, and a touch of tongue-in-cheek gore. “It’s part horror show, part burlesque, part tribute to the scary movies we love,” O’Neill said. “And yes — there will be blood. Stage blood, at least.”
Tickets are available in advance for $15 for children and $20 for adults, or at the door for $25. Costumes are encouraged, with guests invited to channel their favorite horror film characters — from Elvira to Freddy Krueger.
For Halloween enthusiasts, Haunted Circus Weekend offers a rare combination of artistry and adrenaline — blending the wonder of the circus with the thrills of horror cinema. It’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the kind of spine-tingling fun that defines Philadelphia’s Halloween season.
Both performances take place at Circus Campus, 6452 Greene Street, Philadelphia. Advance tickets are recommended, as the event routinely sells out.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.