The Children's Museum Guild's 62nd annual Haunted House opens 9 October 2026 and runs through 31 October at 3000 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. The museum calls this year's edition Fright Academy and lists PNC as presenting sponsor. Its own page describes the house as the museum's largest annual fundraiser. A ticket costs $9 at general admission, $8 for members and $5 through an Access Pass, and museum admission is a separate purchase.
A group planner gets two sets of doors to build the day around, and the museum publishes both.
Friendly Hours carry seven windows a week
Uranus Fudge Factory Friendly Hours run Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays carry a second window from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays run noon to 5 p.m. That comes to five weekday mornings, one Wednesday afternoon and one Sunday afternoon.
The museum recommends Friendly Hours for children who scare easily. The lights stay brighter, the music stays upbeat, and greeters hand out goodies and treats. A bike helmet giveaway runs every Wednesday.
Frightening Hours run nine nights
Frightening Hours run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 9 p.m., with dimmed lights, scary music, jump scares and haunters in masks. Eleven Thursday, Friday and Saturday dates fall inside the run, and the museum publishes two exceptions. Friday 9 October and Halloween carry none.
The nights that run are 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30 October. Two of them, 15 and 22 October, are Twice the Fright Nights sponsored by Bassett Services, with two trips through the house on one Frightening Hours ticket.
The Friendly Hours window closes at 3 p.m. on the three weekdays that carry both sets of hours, and Frightening Hours open at 4 p.m. on those days.
Three Mondays stand dark
Museum hours for the season run Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Mondays closed. October 12, 19 and 26 all fall inside the haunted house run. Halloween falls on the season's final day and closes the house at 3 p.m. on the friendly clock.
Two Saturday evenings a group can add
Twilight Fright runs Saturday 24 October at 6:30 p.m. at the Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience for ages 7 to 14. The museum lists a visit through the house during Frightening Hours, performances by the School of Rock band, laser tag, a silent disco, glow golf, sports games, pizza and drinks. Tickets are $30 for adults and $30 for youth.
After Dark: Sports and Spells runs Saturday 17 October at 7 p.m. for adults 21 and over, with live music from GrooveSmash, a costume contest and the outdoor sports areas. Tickets are $50. The haunted house takes a separate $9 ticket at that event.
Group numbers to book against
The house sells on a three-step group ladder: $9 each from 1 to 19 tickets, $7.50 each from 20 to 99 and $7 each from 100 up, booked through Customer Service at 317-334-4000. Museum admission carries a group discount of 20 percent from 20 people, and children under 2 enter free.
The museum asks for group reservations at least two weeks ahead of a visit. Buses drop passengers near Meridian Street and park on the east side of Illinois Street at 32nd Street. Vans and other oversized vehicles use the surface lot past the garage at Illinois and 30th streets. Parking is free, and the garage at 3000 North Illinois Street joins the museum by skywalk.