Factory of Terror's world of nightmares returns to Fall River this week. What to know.

FALL RIVER — It may only be mid-September, but there's already a chill in the air — especially the closer you get to Pearl Street. The blood-curdling kind.

Spooky season in the Spindle City is officially getting underway with the opening of Factory of Terror, one of New England's most anticipated fall haunts.

And the stars have aligned this year for a truly terrifying debut, with a date that's easy to remember — and quite fitting.

"There was no way we were not gonna open for Friday the 13th," said Mike Quill, Factory of Terror owner, noting that they typically open Saturday of that weekend each year.

"There couldn't be a better way to kick off the season," he said.

What's better than a classic slasher movie marathon to mark Friday the 13th? Getting in on the frights yourself (far away from the doomed Camp Crystal Lake) this Friday.

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Factory of Terror comes alive

The Factory scream team teases "a night of pure terror" awaits visitors as they head into their 29th season in the city.

And, as always, this year's tour is full of never-before-seen surprises, with an entirely redesigned attraction offering guests a brand-new immersive experience.

According to Quill, they've been prepping for the 2024 season as soon as they wrapped last year. That means set and storyline overhauls and actor training, which kicked off in July, and more recently rehearsals as September crept closer.

"This time of year there's a lot of buzz," Quill said. "When we start bringing in the new cast, the veterans into the haunted house space ... the place starts to come alive and we get excited, particularly this week leading up to opening."

Seeing the Factory of Terror crew's creativity come together in the home stretch is the most exciting part, Quill said, and he looks forward to sharing that excitement with a new crop of ghoulies.

What awaits brave souls at Factory of Terror this year?

Located in a historic building at 120 Pearl St., with boarded-up windows and a gargoyle above the door, Factory of Terror's setting plays a big role in this year's theme.

Over the past few years, Quill said, they've really embraced their surroundings and "leaned into the fact that we're in a real, 100-plus-year-old building in Fall River."

"It's cool to have a haunted house in a space like that," he said.

That theme carries through in this year's storyline. As Quill explained, "The factory is producing all sorts of holiday supplies and decor — so it allows us as you go through the attraction and through the experience you'll get a twisted take on not only the factory but various holidays. It's pretty unique, we've never done anything like it."

FOT has been a staple of haunted houses in New England for nearly three decades — with some staff members on board since year one — and Quill is thrilled to be able to continue that legacy.

"We're super excited for people to come see it," Quill said.

A look back: Turning up the chills at Factory of Terror

Any other changes?

This year when visitors exit the haunted house "they can catch their breath from screaming a bit" in Factory of Terror’s new gift shop, which they've expanded into a bigger space. There you'll find not only FOT merch but "anything Halloween and horror."

Should I expect a wait?

In the attraction's early days, Quill recalled, eager Factory of Terror visitors waited in sometimes hours-long lines that wrapped around the building to get in.

Now with timed ticketing, guest entry is much more seamless, even on busy nights. Quill said there are usually four to eight people per time slot, which can be reserved in advance on their website.

Survived FOT and ready for Round 2? Check out Fear Town

Seeking more scares this Halloween season? Head over to Seekonk for an extra nightmarish experience at Fear Town, which is also owned by Quill. The Factory's sister scream site is even larger, with three different haunted houses offering a 45-minute excursion into the unexpected.

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When is Factory of Terror open?

Starting Friday, Sept. 13, Factory of Terror is open Fridays and Saturdays throughout September. In October, they are open Friday through Sunday, as well as a mix of mid-week dates as Halloween approaches, including Oct. 30 and 31.

According to Quill, being open more weeknights is a plus because it ensures those who work on the weekends or for other haunted attractions don't miss out on their chance to get their fright fix.

For hours of operation and ticket availability, visit factoryofterror.com. For updates or to get a sneak peek of what's to come, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.

In honor of their special Friday the 13th opening date, tickets are $13 for opening weekend only (purchased in advance online).

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Factory of Terror in Fall River opens for season on Friday the 13th