The popular Glenwood attraction runs each weekend in October, starting Sept. 29

Haunting Glenwood since 2011, Fright Nights Haunted House and Escape Room is an experience like none other and 2023 is their final haunt. 

Located in the basement of Central Square, the experience includes twists and turns through hallways and rooms designed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your skin crawl. 

Fright Nights originally began as an outdoor haunt at the fairgrounds put on by Glenwood and Beyond. Todd Gylsen and Brent Gulsvig have been the brains behind the operation since the beginning and the pair continued the tradition after Glenwood and Beyond decided to pass the torch on. 

In 2013, Fright Nights moved from the fairgrounds into the former band and choir rooms at Central Square. “The whole thing is an escape room with an escape room inside of it,” stated Gylsen. “We were an escape room before escape rooms were cool.” 

The Fright Nights experience has received rave reviews over the years and as you walk through the rooms you can understand why. The hidden doors and twists and turns create a sense of entrapment and adding in the actors only makes it more excitingly terrifying. 

Actors range in age from four years old to adulthood. “No one expects a little kid to be in a haunted house doing the scares, but we’re happy to have them,” Gylsen added. The number of actors varies from 15-25 on any given night. There is a room dedicated to their preparation including mirrors and makeup along with props and costumes.

As you weave your way through the maze, you experience themes from several horror movies. One room that stands out is the door maze. You enter the room to several doors, all of which open, but only one leads the way out. The kitchen is full of props meant to frighten. “It’s the favorite room for actors to work with all of the scares and props,” said Gylsen. 

Fright Nights has undergone several changes over the years and the immense capacity of the attraction is evident by the number of themes and haunts. The craftsmanship that has gone into creating one of Minnesota’s top haunted houses makes the fact that it’s the last season in the space a sad one. “We will have to take down everything, the camera system, the walls, the floors, all of the props. We’ve worked tirelessly every year to add more and more experiences,” Gylsen said.

Recently an escape room was added. It can accommodate up to six people who have to search the room for clues in order to escape the room in the 60-minute window. The unassuming room resembles a library or den and is definitely not the easiest place to escape. The escape room is only available by reservation. They can be made by calling (320) 368-3898 or emailing frightnightsllc@gmail.com.

Fright Nights is open every Friday and Saturday through October from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Opening weekend will be September 29 and 30.