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Ahoy matey! Batten down the hatches and hoist the sails because pirates are swarming at Pirate’s Revenge—The Children’s Museum Guild’s 52nd Annual Haunted House! Between walking the perilous plank and snaking through a monstrous maze, this journey to the open sea will leave you shaking in your boots.
Begin by receiving orders in the Captain’s Room before heading out with Captain Crossbones and his crew on a voyage to search for lost treasure. During the journey to No Rules Island, the crew will explore a ghastly ghost ship and encounter the creepy kraken—a sea monster trying to take down the ship!
“We decided on Pirate’s Revenge this year because of the lasting love for pirates in pop culture,” said Haunted House Head Witch Julie Drew. “You’ve been able to find pirates in movies and books for generations, and now, you can find them at The Children’s Museum.”
Pirate’s Revenge offers friendly and frightening hours for pirates of all ages. For children who scare easily, the Haunted House offers IPL Lights-On Hours. Those who dare to be scared can select from two levels—Defenders Frightening Hours and EMC² Xtreme Scream hours. Xtreme Scream offers next-level terror for teens and adults on select Friday and Saturday nights.
“Pirate’s Revenge promises to bring out the pirate in all of us,” said Haunted House Head Witch Karin Held. “Between friendly and Xtreme Scream hours, we have the right level of fright for every family member—even the extremely brave ones.”
Both Lights-On and Frightening tickets are $8, and Xtreme Scream tickets are $12. Children under the age of 2 can go through the Haunted House for free.
Tickets can be purchased by stopping by The Children’s Museum Box Office or going online to childrensmuseum.org/hauntedhouse. Discount tickets can be purchased at Indianapolis Marsh locations.
“The Children’s Museum Guild has created and operated the Haunted House for 52 years —making it the oldest continually-running haunted house in the nation,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “Each year, these extraordinarily talented volunteers find a way to reinvent a tradition and dedicate more than 35,000 hours of their time to help us serve children and their families in a fun and entertaining way.”
Black Hat Bash
Saturday, Oct. 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Start planning a creepy, crazy, or comical costume now—this is an evening no one will want to miss!
It’s not called the city’s biggest and best family-friendly Halloween party for nothing. Enjoy an evening with music, local food, drinks (including a cash bar), party favors, a costume contest, and a costume runway show.
The event price includes a ticket to the Haunted House, which can be used for early access the night of the Bash or any day through the run of the house. Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for youths under 18. Museum members receive a $5 discount per ticket, and children under 2 are free.
Black Hat Dash
Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.
To kick off the Haunted House’s morning debut, the museum presents the 2nd annual Black Hat Dash!
Lace up the running shoes, grab an eye patch, and take part in this officially timed and sanctioned event. Both the 1 mile and 5K races will begin and end at The Children’s Museum with closed route roads and police supervision. Participants are encouraged to dress in Halloween attire for a chance to win the Black Hat Dash’s costume contest.
Following the 1 mile/5K Family Fun Run and Walk, participants are invited to attend the opening of this year’s Haunted House, Pirate’s Revenge.
Friendly Feast with the Witches
Various dates
This event leaves scary at the door and allows children and families to meet happy, friendly witches!
Enjoy a breakfast or lunch “BOO”-fet and fab“BOO”lous Halloween entertainment by Ruditoonz. After the feast, attendees will enjoy a tour of Pirate’s Revenge during IPL Lights-On Haunted House Hours for children who scare easily. All children will walk away with a special goody bag and a smile.
Friendly Feast tickets are $20 per person and are available for five dates throughout October.
Buccaneer Feast - NEW!
Friday, Oct. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Blow me down! New this year, the museum will host a Buccaneer Feast for children 8 years and older.
The fun-filled evening will feature two live band performances by Tommy and The Blondes and ADW, dancing, karaoke, a pizza dinner, the chance to explore the Treasures of the Earth exhibit, and a Frightening Hours tour of Pirate’s Revenge.
Tickets are limited and $25 each, so don’t miss this inaugural event!
The Children’s Museum Guild’s 52nd Annual Haunted House, Pirate’s Revenge, is presented by PNC Bank.
For more information on all of The Children Museum’s Halloween activities, please visit childrensmuseum.org/hauntedhouse.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.
