Who’s excited for Halloween? Although it’s just early September, Los Angeles boasts a wide range of Halloween activities and events to suit every preference. Whether you’re in the mood for thrilling scares or family-friendly fun, we’ve explored the best “spooktacular” attractions LA has to offer. From cutting-edge immersive experiences to beloved classics, get ready to howl at the moon and revel in the magic of Halloween in Los Angeles—it truly is one-of-a-kind!
Pro-Tip: To make the most of your experience, purchase tickets in advance! Staying organized will enhance your spooky escapade, especially when the fake chainsaw guy is hot on your heels. Additionally, if your schedule permits, consider attending on a weekday night. You’ll encounter smaller crowds and usually less traffic when heading to and from the events.
Location: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor returns to Long Beach after a two-year hiatus, and we can hardly contain our excitement! The haunted ship is ready to welcome the bravest souls for a spooky night filled with treasured characters, haunted mazes, live entertainment, themed speakeasy bars, ghostly encounters, and sinister-themed food. Be sure to secure your tickets early, as this is a Halloween favorite in SoCal.
Location: Carwood Car Wash – 2729 E. Carson St, Lakewood, CA, 90712
If you’re in search of a night filled with THRILLS, drive through LA’s most haunted car wash. The Tunnel of Terror offers an immersive experience where terrifying performers emerge amid chilling special effects, creating a horrifying atmosphere! As you creep through, expect sinister characters to leap from the shadows, enveloping you in spine-tingling surprises at every turn. Grab your bravest friends and family for a Halloween experience you won’t soon forget!
Location: 11 Baker St, North Hollywood, CA 91602
Universal Studios: Halloween Horror Nights is back with a vengeance, boasting an impressive scare factor. Known for its movie-making magic, expect nothing less than jaw-dropping costumes and makeup. Check out our comprehensive guide to this year’s event here.
Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge
Mark your calendars for October 4th to 30th, as Carved will illuminate Descanso Gardens with a stunning pumpkin wonderland, featuring a fresh route, new displays, and even more pumpkin fun. Wander through captivating exhibits showcasing luminous jack-o’-lanterns, fallen tree sculptures, and whimsical installations, including Tom and Lien Dekyvere’s glow-in-the-dark Rhizome installation in the Rose Garden Labyrinth and giant carved pumpkins nestled under the Rose Pavilion. Also, be sure to check out the expanded Día de los Muertos altar, creating a place for reflection and remembrance of loved ones. The pumpkin house, hay maze, and seasonal food offerings will all return, making Carved the perfect family-friendly outing that brings joy and wonder to visitors of all ages.
Location: 750 Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733
If you’re searching for a memorable Halloween experience that chills your bones or one that’s family-friendly, look no further than the Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns. Enjoy a mesmerizing trail of hand-carved pumpkins and more through November 2nd at Whittier Narrows Park. The park is transformed into a vibrant pumpkin wonderland, featuring stunning hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns, dazzling light displays, and assorted festive activities for everyone. Snap some photos with friendly (but fake!) monsters at various photo booths, and enjoy adult beverages from designated stations. A fair-like food court will also be available (featuring Hot Dog on a Stick!), s’mores stations (cash required), and themed merchandise at the exit. Tickets start at $24.99 for children and $29.99 for adults on select nights.
Location: Chinatown in Los Angeles
The Haunt is a unique hands-on ghost tour that offers spine-chilling, immersive ghost hunting experiences combining local lore, true crime stories, and ghostly interactions. Accompanied by a seasoned storyteller and ghost hunter featured on Ghost Adventures with Zak Bagans, this tour provides an interactive paranormal investigation exploring different hauntings. Your guide will provide EMF meters for use during the investigation, revealing the spirits of the Chinatown metro station, including gravesites uncovered during its construction. Don’t worry; each investigation concludes with a music-led ceremony, candles, and rituals to honor any spirits that joined the tour and to ensure that no lingering spirits follow you home.If you want to heighten your thrills, consider visiting out-of-town haunts in San Francisco, historic Old Town Temecula, and the beautiful Danish village of Solvang.
Location: The Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd. (Exposition Park)
The beloved Boney Island is back! Created by Simpsons producer Rick Polizzi over 20 years ago, it evolved from a simple front yard display to a major event beloved by Halloween enthusiasts at Griffith Park. At Boney Island, The Natural History Museum (NHM) transforms its Nature Gardens into an interactive and whimsically haunting light-up experience for all ages. Longtime fans can expect familiar sights such as skeletons performing tricks, shadow puppetry, and more. NHM adds its unique touch with artistic performances, real fossils, live animal presentations, trick-or-treating, and other glowing installations. Guests are free to explore the gardens, where creepy crawlies, silly skeletons, and carnivores from the Cretaceous era lurk around every corner.
Location: 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas (Entrance located on Wickland Road and Mulholland Hwy)
Approximately thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, nestled in the Santa Monica mountains, there lies a shadowy wonderland known as Nights of the Jack. This event, filled with illuminated wonders, kicks off on September 27th and boasts a spectacular light show set against the autumn sky, along with tasty seasonal cocktails and hot cider from their “Spookeasy” bar. This family-friendly event is perfect for visitors of all ages who cherish the enchantment of the season!
Location: Stimson House, 2421 Figueroa St, Los Angeles
If you’re eager to explore the line between reality and madness (and are willing to journey a bit further), the mystical Phillips Mansion invites you to an evening filled with Delusion’s spirits and illusions. This fully immersive horror experience will leave you entranced. This year’s haunting theme, “The Red Castle,” leads guests through shadowy corridors and dimly-lit chambers, allowing you to indulge in macabre delights at this sinister gathering. Expect to cross paths with both ominous and captivating characters while unraveling the mystery surrounding the enigmatic author behind the Delusion series. This experience is a must for friends seeking a spine-tingling adventure. Prepare yourself to embrace the darkness and enjoy a night of haunting dreams!
Location: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
If a short road trip doesn’t scare you, head to Orange County to experience a fully transformed theme park that showcases 50 years of terror. There are haunted mazes and over 1,000 terrifying creatures lurking in the fog throughout the park. Don’t forget to save room for Knott’s Scary Farm’s themed treats, such as Fingers and Toes tater tots and Cereal Killer Funnel Cake.
Location: Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
This is a long-standing favorite in LA. Welcome to Midnight Falls, where we conveniently forget that the chainsaw guy was in our level 2 improv class and let the Witch of the Woods cast her spell. The spirit of Halloween comes alive at LA’s ultimate Halloween event. Don’t miss the (S)laughterhouse, where you can scream alongside Herschel, the smiling scary character. The hayride is a perfect choice for a date night, a gathering with friends, or a solo scare—the choice is yours!
Location: The Montalban Theater; 1615 Vine St, Hollywood
Step into a mesmerizing Halloween universe at The Vampire Circus! This extraordinary circus combines mystery, terror, and thrill, inspired by Tim Burton’s artistic vision. It features breathtaking acrobatics akin to those seen in Cirque Du Soleil. This transformative and immersive theater experience guarantees a fantastic night of live entertainment that pushes the limits of human performance. The Vampire Circus promises a blend of fear, joy, laughter, and wonder, taking audiences on an unforgettable journey through the Underworld and the realm of vampires. Use code VAMPIRE15 for a 15% discount on tickets!
Location: The Nocturne Theatre, 324 North Orange Street, Glendale
For those seeking a more adult and sensual Halloween event, visit this haunted cocktail soirée. Enter the expansive haunted mansion, indulge in an array of spirits, enjoy tarot readings, and uncover secret games. Learn about the legend of Vaughan Hall, accompanied by sinister stories that may leave you sleeping with the lights on until Thanksgiving.
Location: 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
Fearplex Presents LIGHTS OUT, an event where Halloween comes alive with lights! Experience zombie-themed mazes, blacklight trails, and a carnival of horror that promises to deliver non-stop scares. Every Friday – Sunday from October 4th to October 27th, enjoy scare zones and interactive light displays at the Pomona Fairplex, featuring haunted labyrinths like Shadow Circus, Asylum of Horrors, and Haunted Swamp for a night filled with spine-tingling excitement.
Location: 1313 Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA 92802
You can’t beat celebrating Halloween at Disneyland! The park transforms into a Halloween wonderland featuring costumed characters, the Haunted Mansion Holiday, themed cars driving through Cars Land, and even a spooky twist on Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark. While it’s not the scariest event, it’s the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.
Location: 3500 Polk St. Riverside, CA 92505
Head down to Riverside for Castle Dark, one of the top Halloween parks around! Nominated for Best Halloween Theme Park by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader Choice Awards, Castle Dark offers a thrilling atmosphere filled with spine-tingling scares and delightful frights! Enjoy rides, haunted mazes, games, and even mini-golf, ensuring you have a blast!
Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355
Fright Fest at Six Flags is the ultimate destination for thrill-seekers. With intense rides and shorter lines, you can maximize your enjoyment of both rides and haunted mazes. This year features 11 haunted houses and 9 scare zones, with new attractions like Stranger Things, The Conjuring Universe, and Saw’s 20th Anniversary. If you’re looking for the ultimate thrill and a dose of fear, this is the Halloween event for you.
If you’ve secured your tickets for Halloween festivities, don’t forget to check out more activities happening this September!
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