Croydon Haunted Hollows Prepares For Final Halloween At Longtime Home

Provided by Croydon Haunted Hollows:

After years of bringing screams, laughter, and a little Halloween magic to the community, Croydon Haunted Hollows is preparing for a bittersweet milestone. The nonprofit haunted attraction will celebrate its final Halloween season at the Prendergast family home, the place where countless memories have been made, friendships formed, and a unique Halloween tradition has grown into something much bigger than a backyard haunt. 

But while this chapter may be coming to an end, the organization hopes its story is far from over. 

Croydon Haunted Hollows Executive Director and founder Colleen Prendergast has been actively exploring options for a new home for the organization, including a recent meeting with Bristol Township Parks and Recreation. 

“I recently met with Bristol Township Parks and Recreation, and they are planning to walk through our haunt this year, which we are really excited about,” Prendergast said. “Hopefully, we will be a good fit for a partnership. It’s important that our sensory-friendly haunted walkthrough continues. We were the first in the country to offer this type of experience, and the community spirit we have built deserves to continue.” 

For Prendergast, finding a new location isn’t simply about having more room for monsters. It’s about preserving a mission that has become deeply personal to her family, volunteers, and the thousands of visitors who have walked through the Hollows over the years. 

What began as a family Halloween tradition in 1996 eventually grew into a nonprofit organization in 2018. Today, Croydon Haunted Hollows is known not only for its elaborate displays and frightening characters but also for its commitment to making Halloween accessible to everyone. 

The organization pioneered a sensory-friendly haunted walkthrough designed for individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, and other disabilities. The attraction is also wheelchair accessible, allowing families who might otherwise avoid traditional haunted houses to participate in the Halloween fun. 

A Small-Town Mission With a Nationwide Message

What started in a Croydon backyard has now become a mission that reaches far beyond Bucks County. 

Croydon Haunted Hollows has issued a nationwide challenge to haunted attractions across the United States: dedicate at least one hour of their Halloween season to a sensory-friendly experience. 

Prendergast took that message directly to the haunted attraction industry this past April, pitching the concept at the Northeast Haunter’s Convention and encouraging fellow haunt owners and creators to consider how one small change could open their doors to an entirely new group of families. 

“We were the first in the country to offer a sensory-friendly haunted walkthrough, but I don’t want us to be the only ones,” Prendergast said. “I challenged haunted attractions across the country to give families just one hour. One hour where the lights are a little brighter, the sounds are a little softer, and the monsters are a little friendlier. That’s all it takes to make a child who has always been left out feel included. Imagine if every haunted house in America did that. Think about how many families we could reach.” 

For Prendergast, the goal has never been to change what makes haunted houses scary. It’s about recognizing that Halloween should have room for everyone. 

“I love a good scare as much as anyone, but nobody should have to miss out on Halloween because the experience is too overwhelming,” she said. “If something we’ve created in our little backyard in Croydon can inspire another haunted attraction somewhere across the country to become more inclusive, then we’re doing exactly what we set out to do.” 

During the Hollows’ sensory-friendly hours, the scares are toned down, and children have a special way to turn the tables on the monsters. 

All they have to do is say “Boo!” to one of the characters, and suddenly the frightening creature becomes the one who’s scared. 

Even during the evening’s traditional performances, guests who become overwhelmed can use a secret password that signals the actors to immediately become friendly. 

The nonprofit hopes its next location will provide more space, protection from unpredictable October weather, and the accessibility needed to continue welcoming families of all abilities. 

One Last Halloween at Home 

While the search for a new location continues, the Hollows’ dedicated volunteer team, affectionately known as the “Boo Crew,” is preparing to make this year’s final home haunt one to remember.

The 2026 theme, “The Hollows Files: Crime, Cults and Cryptids,” takes visitors into the mysterious and sometimes disturbing world of true crime, unexplained phenomena, strange legends, and infamous cases. 

“I’ve always been a big fan of true crime documentaries, so I knew this theme would be a challenge,” Prendergast said. “Everything is based ‘on a true story.’ Of course, this is the Hollows, so you never know what kind of twists our crew might throw in!” 

From chilling criminal mysteries to eerie cult-inspired scenes and legendary creatures lurking in the shadows, visitors can expect a collection of unique experiences created by the volunteers themselves. 

Unlike many traditional haunted attractions, Croydon Haunted Hollows operates as something of an artists’ collective. 

Prendergast divides the property into individual spaces and encourages volunteers to create their own concepts, characters, scenery, and performances. 

“Our volunteers have been working on their ideas all year long, and I cannot wait to see them bring everything to life,” she said. “I give them their own little piece of haunted real estate and tell them to be creative. I love watching their imaginations take over. Sometimes I don’t even know what they’re building until it starts coming together!” 

The Boo Crew includes people of different ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities, all united by a love of Halloween and a desire to give something back to their community. 

And they do it without collecting a paycheck. 

“These people give up their evenings, weekends, and so much of their personal time to make this happen,” Prendergast said. “They build, paint, decorate, act, make costumes, and help each other. They’re not just volunteers. They’re family. And what makes me proudest is that they get to be themselves and share their talents with thousands of people.” 

More Than Just a Haunted House 

For the Prendergast family, closing this chapter at their home brings mixed emotions. 

Over the years, the Hollows has welcomed thousands of guests, partnered with local businesses, supported community events, and introduced generations of children to the fun and excitement of Halloween. 

But perhaps its greatest accomplishment is creating an environment where everyone belongs. 

“People see the decorations, the monsters, and the haunted rooms, but there is so much more behind it,” Prendergast said. “We’ve watched shy kids find their confidence, volunteers discover

talents they didn’t know they had, and families experience something together that they might not have been able to enjoy anywhere else.” 

That sense of belonging is exactly what the organization hopes to carry into its next chapter. 

Although no future location or partnership has been finalized, Prendergast remains optimistic that the right opportunity will come along. 

“We’ve built something special here, and I don’t want to see that disappear just because we’ve outgrown our home,” she said. “We’re hoping someone sees what we see — a group of passionate people who have created something positive for the community. We aren’t just looking for a building. We’re looking for a place where this mission can continue to grow.” 

For now, however, the focus remains on celebrating one final unforgettable Halloween at the place where it all began. 

And if there’s one thing the Boo Crew knows how to do, it’s go out with a scream. Visit Croydon Haunted Hollows 

Croydon Haunted Hollows will present its final season at the family home on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026. 

Sensory-Friendly Walkthroughs: 

● Friday, October 30: 5–6 p.m. 

● Saturday, October 31: 4–6 p.m. 

Traditional Haunted Walkthroughs: 

● Friday, October 30: 7–9 p.m. 

● Saturday, October 31: 7–9 p.m. 

Admission is free, and the attraction is operated entirely by volunteers. Donations help support the nonprofit’s mission of providing inclusive Halloween experiences for the community. 

As the Hollows prepares to close the gates on its longtime home, one thing is certain: the spirit of Halloween doesn’t belong to a house or a yard. 

It belongs to the people who keep it alive. 

And the Boo Crew isn’t ready to hang up their costumes just yet.