After closing in 2020 due to the pandemic, “Nightfall” will return to haunt Old Tucson, offering a “more immersive, theatrical experience,” the sites new operators said Wednesday.
The Halloween event will begin Oct. 6 and run Thursdays through Sundays until Oct. 30.
The event will now feature a detailed storyline. Old Tucson officials said the new experience will encourage guests to talk with the cast, piece together clues and solve the “terrifying mystery” of the small western town, an Old Tucson news release said.
Timed entry booking is now required for Nightfall in order to provide a better experience and manage the number of guests in the park, the news release said. Tickets can be booked beginning Sept. 1 at the website, nightfallaz.com.
The timed entries begin at 5:30 p.m. each night, and guests are allowed to enter the park, 201 S. Kinney Road, until 10 p.m. Guests can explore the various haunts, attractions and dining options until the park closes at 11:30 p.m.
The popular Halloween attraction is making a comeback following Old Tucson's closure in 2020. "Nightfall" begins Oct. 6 and runs Thursdays through Sundays until Oct. 30.
Standard pricing for Nightfall is $35 for adults and $30 for children between the ages of 5 and 11; children 4 years old and younger will be free. Parking will be $5 per vehicle.
Pricing for the more popular dates vary from the standard pricing. If you attend Nightfall on Oct. 8, 15, 22, 27, 28, 29 and 30, tickets will cost $45 for adults, $40 for children and free for children 4 and younger.
Old Tucson, the setting of more than 400 feature films and TV shows, closed in August 2020 after the pandemic halted the crowd-based events that drew visitors to the historic location.
Pima County took over control of the 180 acres of land leased to former operator Old Tucson Co. when it announced it would be terminating its 25-year lease due to financial troubles onset by the pandemic. The company had leased the property since 1973.
In April, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a contract with American Heritage Railways to take over operations at Old Tucson.
Company officials told supervisors at the time it would bring back the annual Nightfall event along with other events and film productions.
American Heritage Railways calls itself a “heritage tourism company based on the preservation of railroad history.” The company has specialized in operating historic railroad equipment for more than 25 years and is a top-five licensor for live-themed events with Warner Bros. and owns three tourist railroads, a scenic bus company and a historic frontier hotel.
Frightening images of Nightfall at Old Tucson
Actors Gary Laramore, Ed McKechnie, Jonathan Mincks (now known for his work during Dillinger Days) and Louise Wilson during a scene at "Nightfall, Arizona," the first year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1990.
A crazy person in the historic old jail during "Nightfall, Arizona," the first year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1990.
Just another dead body on the streets of Old Tucson during "Nightfall, Arizona," the first year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1990.
A blood-spattered, chainsaw wielding Robert Ratkevich awaits to greet visitors during a preview of Old Tucson's Nightfall in 2015, the 25th anniversary of Tucson's town of terror where everyone has gone mad.
A scared couple are hesitant to see what is around, near or under the hood of a pickup truck inside Psychomania, one of the attractions during Old Tucson's Nightfall in 2015. Entrants to Psychomania experience the dark and twisted corridors of a psychotic human brain.
David Bertolldo, right, is looking for a hug from one of the characters in the park during a preview of Old Tucson's Nightfall in 2015, the 25th anniversary of Tucson's town of terror where everyone has gone mad.
Joe Briscoe carries his mask in his hand as he walks through Old Tucson on his way to The Inferno, where he plays Hellraiser No. 1, at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear, in 2009. The Inferno is a journey into Dante's Inferno where tortured souls cry out for mercy.
Brad Banacka has a little fun applying some makeup for his character that goes around town scaring anyone at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear, in 2009.
Natalie Marsh and Stacy Mort jog away from of clowns like David M. Felix bearing chain saws at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear in 2009.
A ghoulish Andrew Beatty rises from the dead scaring the bejesus out of many passersby at one of the attractions at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear in 2009.
A tortured Charlie Luna is in peril during a scene from the performance, "Necrosis-Party of Six" where a Hip-Hop competition goes bad inside the Palace at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear in 2009.
Not everything at Nightfall is scary unless you take a chance on riding a mechanical bull as Alexa Calludoes as she spins off the machine at this year's Nightfall, Harvest of Fear in 2009.
Everyone knows how deadly the Arizona sun can be especially without some sort of sunscreen for protection. Still, that may not be the case here as one of the exhibits appears to be coming out of its coffin at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear, in 2009.
Travis Montoya plays Crazy Sam at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear at Old Tucson in 2009.
Rob Jensen who plays the evil Dr. Jebediah Hyde has fun with the Hemphill brothers, Mike and Matt, during a skit on main streets at this year's Nightfall, Harvest of Fear at Old Tucson in 2009.
An eery fog rises out of a coffin in the middle of the town square where a corpse seems to be making a break for it at Nightfall, Harvest of Fear at Old Tucson in 2009.
Old Tucson Studios actors Michael Moore and Josh Mattison eat sandwiches in the commissary before the start of Nightfall 2007 at Old Tucson.
Even a gut cutter like Charlie Watkins needs a break before starting his ghastly work in the Cannibal House at Old Tucson before the start of Nightfall 2007. Watkins had the task of removing the innards of a tortured soul that is hanging around.
Dried but fake blood is caked on Aaron Araza's costume while he checks himself out in front of a mirror as several actresses wait for their performance to start in the musical review, Vampire Nightmare, at Nightfall 2007 at Old Tucson. Araza played Crazy Sam and is part of the humorous show, Gross Anatomy, where actors participate in outrageous and ghoulish medical procedures.
Blood goes flying in the air as actor Michael Moore gets his spine removed by fellow actor Josh Mattison while James Mead looks on during "Gross Anatomy", part of Nightfall 2007 at Old Tucson.
The skeletal remains of Crazy Sam pops out of a vat of acid and to the delight of the audience chats with the evil Dr. Jebediah Hyde during Nightfall 2007 at Old Tucson.
Actor James Mead as Dr Jebediah Hyde tries to hypnotize Aren Farrington during Nightfall 2007 at Old Tucson. They were part of the humorous show, Gross Anatomy, where the good doctor performs questionable, if not outrageous medical procedures.
Crazy Sam (Aaron Araza)) gets some medical attention from the evil Dr. Jebediah Hyde (James Mead) during "Gross Anatomy," where they participate in outrageous medical procedures at Nightfall 07', Darkness Rising at Old Tucson.
Austin Elbie as Chain swings a fake chain saw, complete with sound, as several frightened visitors try to get away at Cannibal House, part of Nightfall 07', Darkness Rising at Old Tucson
Several kids hold on to the railing as they walk through the Vortex while in the Caverns of Despair, part of Nightfall 07', Darkness Rising, at Old Tucson
Face painter Candi Carrell does some final touching up on Jallina Limar at Old Tucson before Nightfall 07', Darkness Rising.
A shackled Courtnie Robenolt as the beautiful Zambora struggles to get out of her chains before her transformation can take place at Old Tucson during Nightfall 07', Darkness Rising.
One of the displays at Cannibal House at Old Tucson has a crow picking away at the remains of an unlucky soul for Nightfall 07', Darkness Rising.
Andrew Kenworthy, art director at Old Tucson Studios, works on a puppet that will be in a blood letting show for 2007 Nightfall.
Andrew Kenworthy, art director at Old Tucson Studios, checks out one of the sets for 2007 Nightfall Old Tucson.
2006 Nightfall at Old Tucson: Mark Newill as zombie.
2006 Nightfall at Old Tucson: Quick costume ideas include using torn cheese cloth to give a spooky cobweb look.
2006 Nightfall at Old Tucson: Laura Wood shows off a costume that incorporates tulle, an easy to use item to give things a spooky look.
2006 Nightfall at Old Tucson: Austin Elbie models a Chupacabra costume, with fur poking out from behind torn jeans.
A character lurks in a haunted house at Old Tucson Studios during Nightfall in 2000.
Sylvia Pesquerra got the fright of her life when "Silas Reaper" from Nightfall came after her during the 1999 Ted Walker Youth Day at Old Tucson.
Leesajean Meader gets ready for opening night of "Nightfall VII" at Old Tucson Studios in 1998.
Corey Hawk paints lizards so they will show up under a black light in the Tunnel for Old Tucson's Nightfall VIin 1997.
Thomas Lough secures a guillotine to a platform at Old Tucson's Nightfall VI in 1997.
A death scene from the show's first dress rehersal - Greg DeBenedetti, as Olin, the evil henchman, screams as he meets his end at the hands of outlaw Wesley (played by Preston Gamblin), while Brett Nathan (played by Bobby Stevens) lies in the foreground during Nightfall VIII at Old Tucson Studios in 1999.
John Zell, Props Assistant at Old Tucson, puts flickering bulbs into candles during setup of the sacrifice table for Old Tucson's Nightfall VI in 1997.
Tim Olds (on ladder) removes some rope while setting up the recovery room of Nightfall VI at Old Tucson Studios in 1997.
The old mission at Old Tucson is lit up with pyrotechnics during Dr. Hyde's Hall of Horrors at Old Tucson's Nightfall VIII in 1999.
David Davis gets the Werewolf set ready for "Nightfall IV," the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1993.
A skeleton emerges from Morbidiah Hyde Cemetery during "Nightfall IV," the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1993.
Mike Muise and Frank DeFelice pack brains into the open skull of a mannequin before "Nightfall III," the third year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1992.
A carpenter saws off the top of a mannequin's head in preparation for "Nightfall III," the third year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1992.
Mike Muise adds the final, gory touches to a mannequin at the "Goulliard Rehab Center" for "Nightfall III," the third year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1992.
Actor John Reckers helps carpenter Mike Walker test out the guillotine before "Nightfall III," the third year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1992.
A bug-eyed grave digger runs from a corpse during "Nightfall II" the second year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1991.
A corpse leaves the cemetery during "Nightfall II" the second year of the annual Halloween attraction at Old Tucson Studios in October, 1991.
Angelica De La Paz, left, and her friend Celeste Campas react while walking through the Dead Man’s Grotto haunted house at Nightfall in Old Tucson outside on Oct. 6, 2022.
Mayoral candidate Nice, bottom center, speaks to guests from the Town Hall while Goyle top left, played by Cadin Gamblin, and Gar, played by Austin Buchanan, watch guests at Nightfall in Old Tucson outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 6, 2022.
Mame Merryman, center, played by Beth Little-Hansler, yells at Kathy Shilling, played by Heather Kram, during a skit in front of the Hotel Del Torro at Nightfall in Old Tucson outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 6, 2022.
Rosa Flora, played by Katarina Russo, watches guests near the Town Hall at Nightfall in Old Tucson outside of Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 6, 2022.
