Wikipedia
Howl-O-Scream is an annual Halloween event which takes place at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. This event primarily competes with another central Florida Halloween event, named Halloween Horror Nights, held at Universal Orlando Resort, also known for its grotesque and macabre themed haunted houses and scare zones.
The event takes place during select nights in October (typically on the weekends). The event places focus on haunted houses, "Scare Zones," and shows that pertain to a specific theme. The haunted houses are enclosed areas with specific storylines and highly themed decor. Typically, they lead guests through a somewhat claustrophobic maze with various features designed to startle, confuse, or disquiet those who enter using a combination of strobe lights, fog machines, and other instruments of this sort. Scare zones are similar to haunted houses; however, they are outdoor areas set in the main paths. Scare Zones also feature a specific theme and contain objects used in haunted houses: typically people dressed up as creatures pertaining to the theme, fog machines, strobe lights, and also decor (boxes, broken street lights, and similar accoutrement) pertaining to the theme. The shows are similar in structure to the standard stage shows shown at Busch Gardens; however, they have a Halloween setting, and feature dark humor and grotesque scenery.