FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shocktober is a haunted house located inside of Carlheim Manor in historic Leesburg, Virginia. Shocktober events are also fundraisers for the nonprofit, The Arc of Loudoun, helping individuals with disabilities and their families. THIS YEARS SHOCKTOBER TAKES PLACE EVERY WEEKEND FROM October 1st to October 30th, 2021

Before entering Shocktober, ALL MUST SIGN A WAIVER. SHOCKTOBER involves participating in various physical activities, including but not limited to climbing steps, crawling, or squeezing through tight spaces WITH LITTLE TO NO LIGHTING. After signing the waiver, we will give you a wristband and you will be allowed to enter Carlheim Manor. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Tickets can be purchased online ONLY. Click here to buy tickets.

All tickets are non-refundable. All funds from Shocktober benefit The Arc of Loudoun, a nonprofit that serves children and adults with disabilities. If you would like to change your ticket date/time, please email [email protected]

If you have a smartphone, you do not need to print your ticket, but show the Ticketing Office your unique bar code and they can scan from your phone.

Shocktober: Buses begin loading at 6 p.m. You must be inside the gates of our campus by 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, and 9 p.m. on Sundays to go through Carlhiem Manor before the night ends.

The times are just to help with line management. You are welcome any time from 7 p.m. until we shut our gates at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays.

If you need to come at a different day/time than what’s stated on your ticket, we can accommodate you once you arrive at Shocktober or you can email [email protected]

All Shocktober Fans must park at the Pennington Lot (112 Church St NE Leesburg, VA 20176) and take the buses to Shocktober. Your haunt begins once you board the bus! Buses run the entire night picking up and dropping off Shock Fans. NO guests will be allowed to park on the property except for those who display official ADA license plates or placards. Uber, taxis, Lyft, etc. must also be dropped off at offsite parking. Buses begin loading at 6:00 p.m.

ALL of the attractions are designed to be interactive, extremely scary and intense; they are all PG-13. Children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. You know your child better than we do so we will let you decide whether they should go through. Carrying young children through is NOT recommended. There are no refunds if anyone decides not to finish the haunt. There are many emergency exits located throughout the haunts in case anyone is too scared to finish!

Each self-guided tour of the HAUNTED CALHEIM MANOR takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

Shocktober is a fundraiser for the nonprofit, The Arc of Loudoun. Every penny raised through these events goes into programming for people with disabilities and their families.

Our attractions are a high startle, high-intensity event featuring strobe lights, fog, loud noises, and electrical effects that can affect pacemakers, other implanted medical devices, and those prone to seizures. Visitors who are pregnant or who have certain health conditions should check with their physician before attending the event.

Because the haunt takes place in a 150-year-old manor, we are sorry to say that the attractions at Shocktober are not wheelchair accessible.

Although none of our actors will touch you, your fear will make you wonder what did. If you touch our actors you will be asked to leave immediately and will not receive a refund.

You can purchase a ‘no-scare’ chicken glow necklace at the door for $5. Wear this necklace during your tour through the haunted manor and you will not be “targeted” by our ghouls and zombies.

Plus our premier attraction is designed with exit hallways for this reason, just ask any staff or actor and you will be escorted out, but don’t forget there is no re-entry and NO refunds.

We love our volunteers and are always looking for more, whether you want to act in the house or help with customer service outside. All volunteers need to be at least 14 years old. Please visit our volunteer page for more information. shocktober.com/volunteer

As we do not encourage bringing children under 13, there are no discounts. We are an equal opportunity scary event.

Yes, if you are interested in group rates we have packages available for a party of at least 6 individuals please visit the booking link on Shocktober.org for more information.

In order to get the best experience throughout our attractions, you will travel inside our walls in groups of 4-6.

Shocktober is open rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. Most of the event takes place inside; however, the line and some sections of the tour are outdoors, and the attractions are not heated.

Your guess is as good as ours. If you don’t want a long wait or you are pressed for time, we recommend taking advantage of our Manor Fast Passes or coming on Sunday, which is typically a slower day.

You may wear a costume to Shocktober, but you may not wear a full face mask or facial makeup. You may not impersonate a character of Shocktober, and if found doing so, can be asked to leave.

No, you may not take pictures, videos, or record inside the attractions – recording of any sort is strictly prohibited inside our haunt! But you are welcome and encouraged to take pictures outside of the haunts or while waiting in line. You can even post on our social media using the hashtag #ShocktoberHaunt and #Shocktober2021. Please tag us! We would love to share your pictures on our social media!

Instagram and Twitter: @ShocktoberHaunt and Facebook is: https://www.facebook.com/Shocktober

We have a few rules. If you don’t follow them, you will be asked to leave with no refund.

• Do not touch any haunt actors, staff, props or parts of the attraction at any time.
• Do not bring any type of weapons, laser pointers, flashlights, alcoholic beverages, food or drink, book bags, no pets on the property.
• Respect other customers and haunt employees; no rude or lewd behavior, no foul language, defacing property.
• No smoking on the entire property. Please leave all cigarettes and lighters in your car.
• Cell phones are NOT to be used to light your way through and will subject you to removal with no refund.

We will continue to follow all state and local protocol in regards to the Coronavirus. We are requiring all Shocktober attendees to wear a face covering for entry, and we are encouraging guests to remain socially distanced at 6 feet while on campus.

When you arrive to Shocktober, we invite you to visit our food or beer and wine tent where we will have meals and alcohol for purchase from local Loudoun County businesses. There will also be a video wall that is perfect for pictures and videos!

Cash will NOT be accepted at Shocktober! All food, drinks, and merchandise orders will be placed on your phone via QR codes.