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. Shocktober has three recurring events: SHOCKTOBER: OUR MAIN EVENT, EVERY WEEKEND FROM October 4th to November 2nd, 2019  MY BLOODY VALENTINE: A WEEKEND EVENT EVERY FEBRUARY and PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS OUR ALL NIGHT GHOST HUNTS: FOUR TIMES A YEAR.

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.

HOW DO I BUY TICKETS? 

Tickets can be purchased online and at the door. We accept cash and all major credit cards.

I CAN NO LONGER MAKE IT TO SHOCKTOBER, CAN I GET A REFUND ON MY TICKET?

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 info@shocktober.org.

DO I NEED TO PRINT OUT MY TICKET OR CAN MY TICKET BE SCANNED FROM MY PHONE?  

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

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION AT SHOCKTOBER?

Shocktober: Gates open at 7 pm on Fridays & 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You must be inside the gates of our campus by 10 pm on Friday & Saturdays, and 9 pm on Sundays, to go through Carlhiem Manor before the night ends.  

CAN I ARRIVE BEFORE OR AFTER THE TIME SLOT ON MY TICKET? 

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

I NEED TO COME ON A DIFFERENT DATE/TIME STATED ON MY TICKET, WHAT DO I DO?

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 info@shocktober.org.

WHERE DO I PARK?

All Shocktober Fans must park at our off-site parking lots and take the Camp Carlheim 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 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 start rolling at 6:30 pm on Fridays & 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

ARE THERE AGE RESTRICTIONS? 

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!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THROUGH SHOCKTOBER?

Each self-guided tour of the HAUNTED CALHEIM MANOR takes approximately 20 – 25 minutes and CARNIVAL OF SOULS takes 10 – 15 minutes.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

Shocktober is a fundraiser for the nonprofit,  The Arc of Loudoun. Every penny raised through these events goes into programming for children with disabilities living in Loudoun.

CAN I ATTEND SHOCKTOBER ATTRACTIONS IF I AM PREGNANT OR HAVE OTHER HEALTH RISKS?

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.

IS SHOCKTOBER WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

We are sorry to say that the attractions at Shocktober are not wheelchair accessible.

DOES ANYONE TOUCH YOU IN THE HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS?

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.

I’M WORRIED I’LL BE TOO SCARED, SHOULD I GO?

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.

HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER OR ACT FOR SHOCKTOBER?

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. FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR CHILDREN OR SENIORS?

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

DO YOU OFFER GROUPS RATES?

Yes, if you are interested in group rates and have a party of 10 or more – you can get them ONLINE if one person is purchasing them. If persons in the group will be making separate purchases, please click here and someone will contact you as soon as we can.

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN GO THROUGH AT ONCE IN A GROUP?

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

ARE THERE RAIN DATES?

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.

HOW LONG WILL THE WAIT BE?

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 RIP passes or coming on Sunday, which is typically a slower day.

CAN I WEAR A COSTUME TO SHOCKTOBER? 

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

CAN YOU TAKE PHOTOS OR VIDEOS, OR RECORD ANY PART OF SHOCKTOBER?

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 #CarlheimManor #CampCarlheim and #Shocktober2019. 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

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF 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.