Halloween is one of our family’s favorite seasons. While my husband loves brainstorming fun scare tactics for our teens, I prefer taking the younger kids to family-friendly Halloween events. This year, we’ve explored the best Halloween attractions in Southern California, ideal for both thrill-seeking teenagers and playful little ones.
Top Spooky Halloween Events for Some Frights
Although our teens might feign boredom at yet another visit to the pumpkin patch, they eagerly anticipate some of the family Halloween traditions we’ve established over the years.
A cherished tradition as our kids have grown is the annual spooky night out with their dad, where he takes them to a few of Southern California’s most terrifying Halloween events each year. Here are a few of their favorite destinations!
Universal Halloween Horror Nights
If you’re looking for spooky thrills, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is definitely the top event.
What We Love About Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights
- Intricate and Well-Designed Mazes – Universal boasts the most elaborately themed mazes inspired by popular shows and movies, making for an incredible experience according to our teens.
- Numerous Attractions & Shows – There are plenty of experiences available, with most major attractions open (except the tram), alongside a variety of mazes and shows.
- Delicious Food – Universal offers some of the best dining options among all the parks during the Halloween season.
Areas for Improvement
- Prepare for Lots of Walking – Universal opens their backlot for the mazes, which means quite a bit of walking. Even my teens felt exhausted after a night there.
- It’s the Priciest Halloween Horror Event – Ticket prices start at $77 and can soar up to $300 for front-of-the-line passes. Fortunately, we found some great discounts, which you can access here!
- Long Wait Times – Expect wait times that can reach into the triple digits. If your budget allows, definitely consider getting express passes!
You can check out my complete review of Universal Halloween Horror Nights here!
Knott’s Scary Farm
Knott’s Scary Farm remains the ultimate Halloween haunt for those truly seeking a scare. We find this event to be the most chilling.
What We Love About Knott’s Scary Farm
- The Scares Never Stop – As you roam the park, it feels like someone could jump out at you at any moment. Characters unexpectedly leap out, sliding on their knees and emitting sparks to frighten you.
- Most Mazes Than Any Theme Park – Knott’s has the most mazes of any theme park. Expect to spend a full night tackling them all unless you have a VIP Fright Pass.
- Affordably Priced – Tickets start at just $59.99, making it more budget-friendly than many other theme park events. You can find discounted tickets for Knott’s Berry Farm here!
- Fantastic Rides – Knott’s also features thrilling rides; GhostRider and Accelerator will surely get your adrenaline pumping!
Areas for Improvement
- Lines Need Better Management – Knott’s tends to allow too many people into a maze at once, making it less scary if you’re following a large group. (Pro Tip: Walk slowly and create a gap). My husband enjoys getting spooked, so he deliberately walks slowly through the maze to keep the suspense alive.
- Extended Wait Times – The queues can stretch quite long. Arrive early, start at the back of the park, and work your way forward. If your budget allows, consider purchasing a Fright Lane Pass to skip the lines.
SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream
One of the top events for teens is SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, which debuted in 2022! It’s hard to picture SeaWorld as a scary place, but they do an excellent job in transforming the park.
Highlights of SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream
- Maze Entrances are Party-Split – This adds to the scare factor, as you never know when monsters will jump out.
- Short Wait Times – The quietness of the park enhances the eerie vibe.
- Impressive Theme – The transformation of SeaWorld into a haunted space is truly remarkable.
Areas for Improvement
- Food Availability – The park opens at 6 p.m., but food isn’t available until 7 p.m. There are only three small stands that offer a limited selection of food.
- Number of Mazes – The previous year had only three mazes and rides, leading to a quick experience. Fortunately, this year’s offering includes five mazes and seven scare zones, which should address this.
Six Flags Fright Fest
To be honest, this event isn’t our favorite. If you’re mainly looking for frights, we suggest skipping it altogether.
Other Frightening Southern California Halloween Attractions
- Dark Harvest Corn Maze – Navigate through a terrifying corn maze in Chino Hills, full of jump scares to get you into the Halloween spirit.
- Coffin Creek Corona – Experience five haunted attractions along with a Dark Shadow Marketplace in one spooky location!
- L.A.’s Haunted Hayride: Griffith Park – The terror we know and love returns, featuring mazes, trick-or-treating, plus a haunted hayride.
- The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park – A mile-long trail walk filled with spine-tingling sights and sounds you won’t soon forget.
- Reign of Terror Haunted House – A large haunted house in Thousand Oaks with chilling walk-through experiences!
Best Halloween Events for Kids (and Those Who Prefer to Stay Spooked)
Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash
Disneyland features two separate Halloween events this season. Visitors can enjoy Disney Halloween Time with regular park admission, where the park is beautifully decorated with Halloween decor, highlighted by a massive pumpkin on Main Street.
There’s also a special nighttime event at California Adventure called the Oogie Boogie Bash.
Why We Adore the Oogie Boogie Bash
- Remarkable Parade – The parade during the Oogie Boogie Bash is entertaining, showcasing the headless horseman and beloved Disney characters in festive costumes.
- Themed Trick-or-Treating – The trick-or-treat trails feature Disney villains appearing at various points along the path.
- Transformations of Redwood Creek Trail – This area of the park becomes a stunning spooky experience that must be seen to be believed.
- Guardians of the Galaxy After Dark – The nighttime version of this ride is entertaining and definitely worth trying.
- Short Wait Times for Rides – Take advantage of shorter lines for your favorite Disney attractions, which is fantastic!
Areas for Improvement
- Pricey Tickets – This event ranks among the most expensive Halloween offerings in Southern California, with prices ranging from $129 to $169.
- Fast Sell-Outs – Tickets for this event go quickly, so it’s best to buy them within the first couple of hours of availability.
- Slow Entry Process – If you arrive right at event start time, expect to wait around 30-45 minutes to get through the ticket and wristband lines.
SeaWorld’s Spooktacular
While SeaWorld hosts a haunted event after dark, the daytime Spooktacular is also full of fun. This year, it features a pirate theme, complete with impressive parades and candy quests. SeaWorld’s Spooktacular runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from September 6 to November 3.
What We Love About SeaWorld’s Spooktacular
- This year, kids can explore festive pirate-themed areas and activities across the park.
- Collect treats at themed candy stations throughout the venue.
- Attend Halloween-themed shows starring playful pirate characters; our favorite was Clyde & Seymour from last year!
- Children can dress up and participate in a lively costume parade alongside pirates.
Legoland’s Brick or Treat
Legoland’s Brick or Treat is perfect, especially for kids aged 3-9.
Why We Love It:
- The park features adorable Lego-themed Halloween decorations.
- Your ticket grants you full access to the park for an entire day, unlike most other theme parks.
Possible Improvements:
- The shows can feel somewhat underwhelming, especially when compared to the Oogie Boogie Bash.
- Limited operating dates are a drawback.
More Family-Friendly Southern California Halloween Attractions
Best Pumpkin Patches in Southern California
- Bates Nut Farm – A classic destination for over 50 years, where families can grab a wheelbarrow to find the perfect pumpkin. They also offer delicious BBQ, food trucks, and numerous activities. Check out their family fun packages for an unforgettable day.
- Peltzer Pumpkin Farm – An annual must-visit, offering fun activities like train rides, pig races, a petting zoo, and even a chance for little ones to drive a tractor. They provide one of the best selections of pumpkins and gourds.
- Tanaka Farms – Take your pumpkin picking to the next level at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. With wagon rides and a petting zoo, it’s a great theme park experience. Reservations for parking are required on busy weekends. They also have a U-pick veggie garden open daily.
- Mountain Valley Ranch Pumpkin Patch – Nestled near Ramona, this patch allows families to search for the perfect pumpkin, navigate a massive corn maze, blast corn from a cannon, visit farm animals, and take fun photos with vintage farm equipment.
- Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch – Experience a true LA vibe at Mr. Bones’s Pumpkin Patch, where you might even spot a celebrity while picking pumpkins. Be sure to check their website for the most current attendance information, as they occasionally close for private events.
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Mike is a dedicated father of six and possesses a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He excels in providing practical travel tips and hacks, particularly for Disney travel!
