For nearly three decades, a quiet residential property in Croydon has transformed into a world of monsters, mysteries, and Halloween magic. however, this October, the screams will carry a little more meaning.
Croydon Haunted Hollows, the family-founded nonprofit known for its elaborate haunted walkthroughs and groundbreaking sensory-friendly experiences, is preparing for its final Halloween at the Prendergast family home.
While the future location of the popular attraction remains uncertain, founder and Executive Director Colleen Prendergast is determined that the organization’s mission will live on.
“Twenty-nine years ago, this was just something fun we did for Halloween. I never imagined it would turn into a nonprofit with an incredible team of volunteers and families who return year after year,” Prendergast said. “It’s hard to picture Halloween without the Hollows, but I don’t believe we’re finished. I think we’re just ready for our next chapter.”
Executive Director Colleen and Volunteer Traci – Courtesy of Croydon Haunted Hallows
Looking for a New Place to Haunt
The organization has simply outgrown its surroundings. What started as a family passion project has evolved into a full-scale community attraction supported by approximately 50 volunteers.
With elaborate sets, themed rooms, and thousands of guests over the years, the nonprofit needs more room to grow, preferably in a permanent, weather-protected, wheelchair-accessible location.
Prendergast recently met with representatives from Bristol Township Parks and Recreation to explore the possibility of working together. Representatives are expected to tour this year’s attraction to learn more about its operations and community impact.
“It’s encouraging to have people interested in seeing what we’ve created,” Prendergast said. “We’re hoping to find a partnership where we can bring our creativity, our volunteers, and our experience to a new space. We already have the passion and the people. Now we just need somewhere to put all these monsters!”
Although discussions are preliminary and no agreement has been reached, the nonprofit is hopeful that local organizations, property owners, or community partners may recognize the value of keeping the Halloween tradition alive.
CHH Crew at Neshaminy Creek Brewery 2026 — Courtesy of Croydon Haunted Hollows
Changing the Way America Haunts
While the Hollows’ future home is still being determined, its message has already traveled far beyond Pennsylvania.
Croydon Haunted Hollows says it was the first haunted attraction in the United States to introduce a sensory-friendly haunted walkthrough, making the experience more accessible to children and adults with autism, sensory sensitivities, and other disabilities.
Rather than keeping that idea to themselves, Prendergast and her team have issued a challenge to haunted houses throughout the country: offer at least one sensory-friendly hour during their Halloween season.
This past April, Prendergast brought that message to the Northeast Haunter’s Convention, encouraging other attraction owners and creators to adopt the concept.
“We’re not asking haunted houses to stop being scary,” Prendergast explained. “We’re asking them to think about the families who never get to experience what the rest of us take for granted. If you can spend months building an incredible attraction, surely you can spend one hour making it accessible to someone who otherwise couldn’t enjoy it.”
During Croydon Haunted Hollows’ sensory-friendly walkthroughs, lighting and sound effects are adjusted, actors take a gentler approach, and children are encouraged to interact with the characters.
In fact, children can shout “Boo!” at any monster, and the actors will play along by acting frightened themselves.
Retro Jason Voorhees 2025 —- Courtesy of Croydon Haunted Hollows
The attraction also offers a secret password during traditional nighttime hours that allows guests who become scared or overwhelmed to signal that they need a friendlier experience.
Prendergast hopes these simple practices will become common throughout the haunted attraction industry.
“Success to me isn’t being remembered as the first,” she said. “Success would be hearing that haunted houses in other states are doing this too. I would love to see the day when parents don’t have to search for a special Halloween event for their child because inclusion has become part of the tradition everywhere.”
CHH – Thom, Jill and Talia – our crew members 2025 — Courtesy of Croydon Haunted Hollows
This Year’s Mystery: Crime, Cults and Cryptids
Despite the uncertainty surrounding next year, the volunteers aren’t letting anything dampen their Halloween spirit.
The 2026 attraction, “The Hollows Files: Crime, Cults and Cryptids,” promises a journey through unsettling mysteries, strange creatures, and true-crime-inspired storytelling.
Drawing on her longtime fascination with crime documentaries, Prendergast challenged her volunteers to create scenes inspired by real cases, mysterious events, and legendary folklore.
“This theme has really pushed everyone outside their comfort zones,” she said. “When you’re dealing with true crime and mysteries, the details matter. I wanted our volunteers to dig into the stories, get creative, and then add that special Hollows touch. Let’s just say the truth can sometimes be scarier than fiction.”
Each year, volunteers are given creative freedom to design and bring their assigned spaces to life. Some specialize in acting, while others build sets, paint scenery, design costumes, or create special effects.
There is no professional cast or construction crew behind the attraction. Instead, the work is completed by community members who volunteer their time and talents.
CHH crew 2025 — Courtesy of Croydon Haunted Hollows
“What amazes me is how much ownership our volunteers take in their creations,” Prendergast said. “Someone will come to me with an idea that sounds completely ridiculous, and a few months later, there’s this amazing room standing in my yard. I love that they get the chance to create something that’s entirely theirs.”
For many volunteers, the Hollows has also become a place to build friendships, gain confidence, and feel accepted.
The group welcomes participants of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds, creating an inclusive environment behind the scenes as well as for its guests.
A Legacy Bigger Than a Backyard
Since becoming a registered nonprofit in 2018, Croydon Haunted Hollows has welcomed more than 9,500 visitors through its community Halloween experiences.
Its mission extends beyond providing free entertainment. It strives to create a place where families can celebrate together, people can express their creativity, and individuals of all abilities can feel welcome.
As the final Halloween at the family home approaches, Prendergast acknowledges that the experience will be emotional.
There are years of memories attached to the property, from the earliest homemade decorations to the elaborate scenes now produced by the Boo Crew.
Purge member Rosann from 2025 — Courtesy of Croydon Haunted Hollows
But she believes that what makes the Hollows special cannot be measured in square footage.