Daily | 6 – 11 p.m.
Located near the Missouri Barn and Silo, the Mystic Faire brings together an entertaining market of local artists, food, specialty drinks, and treasures of other worlds for all to enjoy. Make sure to stop at the Cabinet of Coffee & Curiosities for event souvenirs.
Dark Forest
October 18-19, 24-26, 31 and November 1-2
Presented in partnership with Quixotic, Powell Gardens ushers in fall with Dark Forest, an immersive and multimedia walk-through experience in the woods. As the dark lush veils of nightfall sweep solemnly across an eerie Midwest sky, Dark Forest invites you to journey through a magical and mysterious wooded landscape where the channels of nature’s mortal realms are fiercely pierced by unexplainable paranormal forces and spellbinding supernatural beings.
Dark Forest (October 18-19, 24-26, 31, and November 1-2) opens portals to worlds just out of reach. Enthralling performances, captivating music, and creative technology collide to pierce the fabric of this universe. At Dark Forest, the universe’s most coveted secrets are freely revealed to all those who wander. Inside this wildly uninhibited labyrinth of beguiling darkness and brilliant light, the most eccentric and ethereal creatures are free to unleash the electrifying powers of their spine-chilling gifts in boundless form.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with the Dark Forest experience opening at 7 p.m. Last entry occurs at 10 p.m.
Tickets are limited and must be purchased online in advance.
Attraction Uses: fog, strobe lights, flashing lights, and other intense lighting features, low to no path lighting, intense sound, steep inclines/declines, and rugged, uneven, narrow, unpaved, loose, and natural terrain.
Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail.
Powell Gardens makes no claims that the trail is designed, maintained, or managed for any mobility device. Due to natural, rugged, narrow, and uneven terrain, the one-mile hike through Dark Forest, visitor discretion is advised.
See our FAQs section below for more information.
Add On Experiences
VIP Fast Pass Tickets ($95)
Fast Pass holders are invited to visit Dark Forest any time on the date selected and move to the front of the line. VIP Fast Pass includes two drink tickets, VIP parking, and a limited-edition t-shirt. VIP Fast Pass holders will have access to a private seating area and bar along the Dark Forest trail. This exclusive experience is limited to a few guests each night and must be purchased in advance.
Purchase VIP Fast Pass Tickets
Fire Feast ($58)
Step into the Fire Feast, where culinary delights and mesmerizing performances await you at the edge of the woods. Dark Forest’s unique dining experience features food cooked on an open wood fire, surrounded by the flickering glow of fire torches. Enjoy pop-up fire performances and indulge in specialty fire-themed cocktails and mocktails.
The daily menu includes a wood-fire grilled supper of chicken, beef, and veggie kabobs served with chimichurri sauce, spiced rice, grilled ears of corn, and dessert. Each meal includes one drink. Meals are gluten-free and vegetarian friendly. Revel in the warmth and flavor of fire-cooked dishes. Join us for an unforgettable evening!
Tickets to Fire Feast must be purchased in advance. Dinner will be available from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Food, Beverage, and Shopping at Dark Forest
Daily | 6-11 p.m.
Guests can enjoy a snack or libations at the Missouri Barn concessions, Cabinet of Coffee & Curiosities, and the Mystic Faire. Selections will include a menu of hot food, coffee and cider, local brews, and more.
Daily | 6-11 p.m.
Coffee lovers can enjoy a cup of local roasted Post Coffee Co. coffee along with cider, other hot beverages, and a selection bakery items and gifts.
Daily | 6-11 p.m.
Beer, wine, and local spirits will be available along with snacks.
Daily | 8-11 p.m.
Grab another round of drinks halfway through the Dark Forest experience at the Lake Bar while enjoying pop-up fire performances.
Fire Feast ($58)
6:30-8:30 p.m. | Adjacent to Missouri Barn
Step into the Fire Feast, where culinary delights and mesmerizing performances await you at the edge of the woods. Dark Forest’s unique dining experience features food cooked on an open wood fire, surrounded by the flickering glow of fire torches. Enjoy pop-up fire performances and indulge in specialty fire-themed cocktails and mocktails.
The daily menu includes a wood-fire grilled supper of chicken, beef, and veggie kabobs served with chimichurri sauce, spiced rice, grilled ears of corn, and dessert. Each meal includes one drink. Meals are gluten-free and vegetarian friendly. Revel in the warmth and flavor of fire-cooked dishes. Join us for an unforgettable evening!
Tickets to Fire Feast must be purchased in advance. Dinner will be available from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
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Botanical Highlights at Dark Forest
Garden Galleries
Garden Galleries feature an all-new plant display! In the daytime, beautiful and cheerful sunflowers fill the space. As night falls, new blooms make themselves known. Look for night blooming datura and moonflower amidst fluorescent trees.
Poison Apple
The Apple Court features garden ghosts surrounding a giant red poison apple perfect for a selfie.
Dark Forest FAQs
Find the answers to frequently asked Dark Forest questions below.
Presented in partnership with Quixotic, Dark Forest is an eerie, immersive, multimedia hike in Powell Gardens’ woods. There are light shows, performers, and music along a 1-mile unpaved natural path.
Attraction Uses: fog, strobe lights, flashing lights, and other intense lighting features, low to no path lighting, intense sound, steep inclines/declines, and rugged, uneven, narrow, unpaved, loose, and natural terrain.
Most guests complete the Dark Forest experience in about one hour. If you have time before or after your ticketed trail time, visit the Mystic Fair and Missouri Barn & Silo for food, beverages, and shopping.
The Dark Forest experience takes place along Powell Gardens’ one-mile Family Discovery Loop. Visitors should be prepared to walk along a one-mile unpaved trail through the woodlands with rugged and natural terrain. Visitors should also be prepared to walk to and from the parking lot and entrance/exit paths to the experience.
One-mile hike outdoors on unpaved trail through the woodlands with rugged and natural terrain. Guests can expect limited visibility (including but not limited to fog, low to no lighting), uneven and narrow natural paths with loose terrain (including loose soil, wood chip, and gravel surfaces), and hills with potentially steep inclines and declines.
Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail. No pets allowed, with the exception of registered service animals.
Powell Gardens makes no claims that the trail is designed, maintained, or managed for any mobility device. Due to natural, rugged, narrow, and uneven terrain, the one-mile path through Dark Forest, visitor discretion is advised. Visitors use Powell Gardens’ areas at their own risk. Please see above for expected trail conditions.
Attraction Uses: fog, strobe lights, flashing lights, and other intense lighting features, low to no path lighting, intense sound, steep inclines/declines, and rugged, uneven, narrow, unpaved, loose, and natural terrain.
Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail.
No, there is no special pricing for children. Dark Forest is full of eerie performers and scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences. It is not recommended for anyone below the age of 13. Parental discretion is advised.
Guests are not allowed to bring strollers, wagons, or similar items on the trail.
Think of Dark Forest as PG-13. While there are no jump scares or gore used throughout the Dark Forest experience, the event is meant to be a creepy immersive walk through the woods, which may be considered frightening or upsetting.
Port-a-potties are available at the beginning of the trail (before visitors enter) and at the Mystic Lake (halfway point). It is recommended visitors use the restrooms at the Missouri Barn prior to their entry time for the trail. .
Due to the rugged, natural, and narrow terrain along the path, there is no seating along the trail. However, limited seating is available at the Mystic Lake (halfway point). Additional seating options can be found at the Missouri Barn & Silo prior to entry into the experience.
No, the trolley will not be available during Dark Forest. The trolley is only available during daytime general admission hours.
A VIP Fast Pass includes two drink tickets, an event t-shirt, access to VIP parking and VIP area along the Dark Forest trail, and ability to jump to the front of the Dark Forest line.
Dark Forest is the perfect time to capture photos and videos! Please avoid any flash photography.
If you stop to take photos or videos during the experience, please be considerate of others. Keep moving forward to keep the path clear and flowing. Do not obstruct traffic. If you would like to stay longer at a particular moment, please move to the side of the path to avoid hindering the flow of traffic.
If you choose to share your photos or videos to social media, tag @powellgardens, @quixoticfusion, and @darkforestkc and use the hashtag #darkforestkc.
- Visitors should stay on the marked Dark Forest path. Do not wander in the woods.
- Visitors should not touch performers.
- Visitors should be respectful of fellow guests and performers throughout the experience.
- Visitors are welcome to take photos and videos but flash photography is strictly prohibited.
- Visitors should dress appropriately for an outdoors experience on natural terrain through the woods with closed-toe shoes and layers pending weather conditions.
- Visitors should not litter.
- Powell Gardens is a smoke-free facility.
- Firearms or weapons of any kind are not allowed.
Dark Forest tickets are sold by the time of entry to the one-mile experience. For example, if you purchase 7 p.m. tickets, you should be in line to enter the woods by 7 p.m.
Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes ahead of your scheduled time to allow for check-in and parking.
Should Dark Forest be cancelled or changes occur to the event due to severe or dangerous weather conditions, staff will make an announcement on social media and ticketholders will be notified via email with next steps. (Make sure you check your junk, spam, and promotions folders!)
We will share additional details, including rainout dates if available, with ticket holders as needed. Tickets are non-refundable.
In case of emergency, call 911 and notify a staff member or performer.
Plan your visit to Powell Gardens today.
Once your tickets are purchased online, you will receive confirmation via email. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!