13 HALLOWEEN THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES
Halloween in Los Angeles is a vibrant and eclectic affair, offering a number of spooky, eerie, and immersive experiences.
Southern California might have the highest concentration of high-quality haunts on earth (don’t quote me on that).
In this guide, I've curated a top 10 list of the biggest and most immersive Halloween activities, from haunted hayrides and horror nights to Dia de los Muertos celebrations in iconic locations.
There are far too many costume parties and Halloween events at bars and clubs to be included in this list. You’ll want to check the calendar of your favorite place if you’re looking for Halloween events at bars or clubs.
Whether you're a local looking for new ways to celebrate the season or a visitor seeking the best L.A. has to offer, our handpicked selection of Halloween events will ensure you have a hauntingly good time.
Let's dive into the enchanting world of Halloween in Los Angeles and discover the unforgettable experiences that await you.
1. Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park
In its 15th year, the Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park has established itself as one of the top Halloween things to do in Los Angeles.
This haunted hayride is awesome because so many people in Los Angeles are talented actors. This lends itself to a very passionate and engaged group of monsters who take pride in their job of scaring the crap out of you.
There are other halloween activities In addition to the haunted hayride.
When you arrive you will be dropped in a fabricated Town Square, which is, of course, filled with “local townsfolk” and is definitely haunted.
While you walk around between attractions you will be approached by these roaming townsfolk, and some terrifying monsters will likely be lurking around, looking for their next victim (it’s you).
Every year is a different setting and story so if you’re a fan of the macabre you will definitely want to get tickets to the haunted hayride at Griffith Park!
Haunted Hayride runs through Oct 31
Tickets start at $29.99
2. Knott’s Scary Farm
Every Halloween Knott’s Berry Farm turns into Knott’s SCARY Farm.
Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, it has earned its reputation as the 'granddaddy of all Halloween events.'
This terrifyingly thrilling attraction offers a night of adrenaline-pumping mazes, haunted houses, and spine-chilling scare zones.
For the brave souls looking for a night filled with heart-pounding scares and macabre entertainment, Knott's Scary Farm delivers the perfect Halloween experience.
With a rich history of delighting and terrifying its guests, Knott's Scary Farm remains a top choice for those seeking an authentic and spine-chilling Halloween experience in the Los Angeles region.
Knott’s Scary Farm runs from Sept 21 - Oct 31, 2023
Tickets start at $59.99
3. Six Flags Fright Fest
If pure adrenaline is more your style, consider hitting up Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
You can ride roller coasters and get jump-scared by creatures lurking in the shadows while wandering the park.
There will be monsters roaming around the grounds, and when the sun goes down, the scares go up (including riding a roller coaster in the dark!)
Purchase a Haunted Attraction pass to get into the Haunted Houses, including terrifying haunted houses themed around blockbuster movies, like The Conjuring and Saw franchises.
Fright Fest runs through Oct 31, 2023
Tickets start at $25
4. Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Celebrate Los Angeles’ Mexican heritage by attending a Dia de Los Muertos event
The day of the dead is in fact a celebration of life and a time to remember our loved ones past, and the lives they led.
While Dia de los Muertos is different from Halloween, it's often celebrated around the same time.
For a free event, check out historic Olvera Street at night to experience the nightly ceremonies that celebrate the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death.
Stop by this 9 day festival to honor the past and soak in a more spiritual Halloween-time experience.
For a more lively (and ticketed) event, check out the Dia de los Muertos event at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
The Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts a beautiful event featuring altars, live music, art installations, and a procession.
While this event is not scary at all you can enjoy the culture and traditions of the Day of the Dead.
The Day of the Dead event is on Oct 28, 2023
Tickets start at $35
5. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is another classic Halloween event in Los Angeles that is best for lovers of horror and suspense movies and TV.
Their version of a haunted hayride is the Terror Tram, which takes riders through the park while being swarmed by horrible creatures who want to eat your face.
In addition to the Terror Tram, they also have haunted houses themed after popular horror IP such as Stranger Things, The Exorcist, and The Last of Us.
Horror Nights runs all month through Oct 31st
Tickets start at $87
6. Halloween Time at Disneyland
Disneyland is always having fun special events, and Halloween Time is no exception.
Don’t expect to be scared at the level as Knott’s Scary Farm, Griffith Park Haunted Hayride, or Horror Nights at Universal.
But Disney fans will love the chance to see some of Disney’s more spooky characters come to life, including Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas. The standard characters will also have special Halloween themed costumes.
The Haunted Mansion ride fits perfectly into Halloween Time and you’ll find it decked out with pumpkins and other seasonal decorations. In fact, a few rides will be slightly different in order to fit the season.
You can also check out the Main Street Pumpkin Festival which features hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins along Main Street, USA.
Halloween Time at Disneyland runs thru Oct 31
Tickets start at $159
7. West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
Free to attend, the Halloween Carnaval in West Hollywood is incomparable to public Halloween events anywhere else.
The event happens along Historic Route 66, aka Santa Monica Blvd, which is a street that has enough horror stories to put the Brother’s Grimm to shame.
There will be a stage erected with live DJ sets, food trucks, and thousands of wild costumes out and about
This is the 25th year of WeHo’s Halloween Carnaval and is rooted in the City’s diverse culture and community.
This event has blossomed into a genuine cultural event celebrating self-expression. It is not to be missed!
The event happens on the day of Halloween, Oct 31.
8. Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch
Going to a Pumpkin Patch is a great activity for families with children, or if you want to take your girlfriend on a cute date.
One of the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles is Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch, which has been operating for over 35 years.
Located in Culver City, attractions at Mr Bones Pumpkin Patch include the Pumpkin Village, a Straw Maze, Petting Zoo, Mr Bone’s Super Slide, a Tipi Village, Pumpkin Decorating, Facepainting and more
Mr Bones operates from October 5 – 29, 2023
Tickets start at $9
9. Scary Movie Screenings
Photo Credit: Kelly Lee Barrett © Cinespia.org
What better way to spend Halloween in Los Angeles than to see a screening of a scary movie?
All around the area are outdoor and indoor movie screenings of classic and contemporary horror films are held in different locations throughout the city, including Hollywood Forever Cemetery's Cinespia screenings.
Recently Vidiots migrated east and opened a theater in Eagle Rock. All October they will be screening classic horror flicks like Friday the 13th, Poltergeist, and a Nightmare on Elm Street
Street Food Theater hosts numerous screenings of classic movies, including Halloween, Hocus Pocus, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Screening dates vary, check the website for details
Tickets start at $22
10. Boo at the LA Zoo
For only 2 weekends a year you can visit Boo at the Los Angeles Zoo
This event is great for families with children, as there are trick or treating stations peppered around the park and costumes are encouraged.
You can watch a special feeding of the animals where the zookeepers give them seasonal treats, like pumpkins. Feedings are at 11:30am and 1:30pm.
There will also be themed photo ops, story readings, and a graveyard where you can learn about extinct animals.
Or just go into the reptile lair for a scare that lasts year round.
October 21/22 and 28/29
Tickets start at $22 for adults, $17 for children
11. Halloween Events at Heritage Square Museum
For those who don’t know, Heritage Square features 8 historic Victorian houses have been uprooted and moved to one site where visitors can explore the rich architectural heritage of Los Angeles.
These houses are definitely haunted.
This year there are a number of creepy events held at the Heritage Square Museum, which is a genuinely great place for Halloween themed events.
You can take a haunted ghost tour on Friday the 13th, attend the Victorian Mourning Faire on Oct 15th, or attend screenings of horror movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Ticket prices and dates vary for each event
12. Delusion
Delusion combines horror movie storytelling with a haunted house experience.
Think of Delusion as a "moving play" where guests move through the venue as the haunting narrative unfolds. Guests play a part in a fully realized, live, and otherworldly adventure.
Delusion is a very popular event with producers who have an absolute commitment to quality and originality.
Live actors, creature effects, stunts, elaborate set design, and an original score weave together a tale unlike any other.
This is a true immersive experience that is a must-see for any Horror-heads out there.
Delusion runs most weekends, through November
Ticket prices are dynamic, but start at $104.99
13. Boney Island at the Natural History Museum
An interactive Halloween light-up immersive experience comes to the Natural History Museum this fall.
The Nature Gardens are transformed into a spooky wonderland where you’ll find creepy creatures in the Deadwood Forest, talking and singing plants in the Hauntington Gardens, and even a skeleton orchestra.
There will also be live demonstrations by the museum’s Live Animals Team.
You can grab food from local vendors and food trucks and grab some Boney Island merch to prove you were there.
Boney Island runs Sept 28 - Oct 31
Tickets start at $25
Honorable Mentions
The goal for this post was to list 13 spooky Halloween things to do in Los Angeles.
Of course, it was very challenging to limit the list to just 13. LA has way too much going on!
Here is a short list of honorable mentions that you may consider checking out, if these 13 events leave you wanting more:
As we conclude our exploration of Halloween Things to Do in Los Angeles, one thing is clear: this city offers an array of immersive and captivating experiences during the Halloween season.
From the legendary West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval to the heart-pounding thrills of Knott's Scary Farm, Los Angeles proves to be a Halloween enthusiast's dream.
So, whether you're drawn to the eerie allure of haunted attractions, the vibrant celebration of Dia de los Muertos, or simply want to immerse yourself in the festive spirit of the season, Los Angeles has something to offer everyone.
Embrace the ghosts, ghouls, and goblins, and create unforgettable memories in the City of Angels this Halloween.
