Sounds of Screams Opens at Miami-Dade Fair Expo Center

Sounds of Screams has opened its doors at the Miami-Dade Fair Expo Center, offering a combined carnival and horror attraction for the 2026 Halloween season. The venue is designed to separate family-friendly midway activities from intense haunted house experiences, a layout intended to manage crowd flow and visitor comfort.

Osmel Nieves, one of the operators, stated that the team has operated haunted houses since they were 12 years old. He described the current project as a long-term goal that has finally materialized at this specific location.

The facility features five distinct haunted houses. Nieves noted that staff members undergo a three-month training period before they are deployed to interact with visitors. He said the attention to detail in the design is extensive to ensure the environment feels controlled.

A key operational feature is the physical separation of the Midway carnival area from the horror sections. Visitors can move between the food and live entertainment areas and the haunted attractions based on their preference for intensity. Nieves compared the overall atmosphere to major theme parks like Disney or Universal, noting that such an integrated experience had not previously existed in Miami.

For adult visitors, the venue includes bars located throughout the property. Nieves explained that guests over 21 can purchase drinks at various points without leaving the main attractions. This allows visitors to remain in the environment while consuming beverages.

Safety protocols are a central part of the design. Nieves said no staff members touch visitors during the haunted house segments. The complex uses approximately 400 cameras to monitor activity in the horror zones. He observed that after completing the first house, guests often realize they are safe, which shifts their reaction from fear to laughter.