Local terrors at this year's Halloween Horror Nights

SINGAPORE - Halloween Horror Nights 5 takes on a local twist at Universal Studios Singapore this October, running for 14 nights across 5 weekends from Oct 2.

The theme this year surrounds the rise of the blood moon, which eclipses all good and spreads destruction across the land. Visitors to the event can expect to see familiar scenes and folklore in 3 locally themed haunted houses, with a fourth house featuring an intense underground experience.

Headlining the haunted houses this year is True Singapore Ghost Stories: The MRT, in collaboration with local ghost writer Russell Lee. Inspired by paranormal sightings on the train, this haunted house is set in an original storyline created just for the event.

"I am elated that Universal Studios Singapore has developed this exciting new dimension to the book series," said Lee. "I am sure fans are just as excited as I am to hop on board this train ride."

Another familiar Singaporean setting given a sinister twist is Siloso Gateway Block 50, an HDB block stricken by a virus epidemic which transforms residents into flesh-ravaging vultures. Beyond that, the gates to hell will open at Hell House, as guests take a journey through the Underworld.

Those who aren't afraid of the dark can feel their way through the event's first-ever dark house, the fortress of the Tunnel People. For more immersive scares, the scare zones this year include conTERMINATED, a quarantined zone where diseased inhabitants fight for survival, as well as an alien invasion experience in The Invaders.

Guests may also sign up for the Behind The Screams tour, which grants an exclusive and inside peek to the attractions. This tour is only available on select nights, with limited spots.

Visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg or www.rwsentosa.com for more information.

andrewg@sph.com.sg