Haw Ror Villa 5: Back From the Dead

Haw Ror Villa 5! – Back From The Dead

Halloween is creeping up on us once again, and so is Haw Par Villa’s annual horror festival, making a surprise return for its 5th edition. This year, Haw Ror Villa 5! – Back From The Dead will take place over 22 nights, from 8th October to 15th November 2026 .

If you’re not fond of horror, you may be thinking: “Why would I pay money to scare myself?” Same here. But fear not; consider me your sacrificial lamb as I brave through the scares of Haw Ror Villa 5. By the end of this article, you’ll know if the sinister experience is worth stepping out of your comfort zone for.

What is Haw Ror Villa?

Haw Ror Villa initially began as a celebration marking the anniversary of Haw Par Villa’s Hell’s Museum. But as Halloween attractions like Halloween Horror Night grew in popularity, there was growing interest in seeing what a uniquely local Halloween experience could look like at Haw Par Villa.

P.S. Check out our ranking for the haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights 2026 .

From 2023 onwards, Haw Ror Villa became an annual Halloween tradition , featuring spooky decorations and scare actors spread throughout the park. Although Haw Ror Villa 4 was announced as the final edition, heritage tour company Journeys decided to bring the scares back for 1 more year after an overwhelming response from fans calling for its return.

What to expect at Haw Ror Villa 5

Image credit: Haw Ror Villa

This year’s rendition of Haw Ror Villa brings you 4 scare zones , each with their own distinct themes and atmosphere, but all connected through an inter-zone game. You can also expect to be immersed in the storyline, which picks up 1 year after the events of Haw Ror Villa 4.

Before your experience even begins, you’ll be separated into 3 different houses based on the colour of your wristbands. The houses are inspired by the 3 poisons of Buddhism: desire, delusion, and hatred.

But don’t worry if you and your friends are sorted into different houses, you can still stay together throughout the experience. Your house only determines the games you’ll play, so you’ll still get to spend the night solving all mysteries together.

Those with red wristbands are part of the house of desire.

What sets Haw Ror Villa apart from your typical Halloween attractions is its focus on Asian folklore and horror . With familiar stories and beliefs woven into the experience, some of the scares hit a little too close to home for me. So while horror fans may have a field day, those of us who scare easily might want to clutch onto a friend before entering.

Zone 1: Guide to Sin City: Vices, Punishments and Rewards

A guided performance tour into Hell

A year has passed since a mysterious cult made Haw Par Villa their headquarters and opened a portal to Hell, leaving the cultural theme park seemingly abandoned. That is, until people started receiving letters inviting them back to the park, promising them fortune and wealth. You’ve received a letter as well, and despite your better judgement, you’ve ended up back in Haw Par Villa.

This is the story that sets the stage as you enter Zone 1: Guide to Sin City .

The court official welcoming visitors.

Upon stepping in, you’ll be greeted by a court official from the 10 Courts of Hell, who guides you through the entrance of Haw Par Villa and introduces you to the history of what was once Tiger Balm Park. Pay special attention to how you can earn karmic points as you make your way through the different zones, as these points may help you secure a better fate after death.

This zone does a great job of setting the tone for the rest of the night. I found myself so immersed in the story that at moments, I couldn’t tell which parts were based on real history and which were fabricated just for the show.

The hungry ghost performing for the audience.

But don’t get too comfortable; you may be guided by one of Hell’s court officials, but that doesn’t stop malicious spirits from lurking in the darkness,