Halloween in Southern California: best theme park events and things to do (2026)
Halloween is an epic time of year in Southern California. The major theme parks deck themselves out with décor as Halloween events for both adult horror fans as well as families with young children get underway. Plus, lots of seasonal events pop up all around the area during spooky season. In this roundup, you will find highlights of the best ways to celebrate with silliness and spookiness around Southern California.
As 2026 announcements are made, we will update this guide. Keep reading or use the Table of Contents below to jump to the Halloween event you’re most interested in.
Halloween Season in Southern California: What to expect
Although there are constantly Halloween and horror offerings in Southern California, the official Halloween season events stretch for over two months, beginning in August and often heading into early November. A lot of the offerings are seasonal events at theme parks that are open year-round. But there are even more Halloween events existing for just the season.
Major theme parks
The major players in town are theme parks including Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland Resort, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, and Legoland California.
Disneyland Resort
At Disneyland Resort, you’ll find two distinct demonstrations of Disney’s Halloween prowess. First is the after-hours event, Oogie Boogie Bash and second are the decorations, festive characters, and seasonal additions offered at Disneyland Park.
Oogie Boogie Bash
The main Halloween event at Disneyland Resort is the after-hours Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure running on select nights between August 18 – October 31, 2026.
This hard-ticketed party includes pre-party mix-in to Disney California Adventure, unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads, unlimited trick-or-treat trail visits with unique to this event character interactions, the stunning and impressive Villains Grove walk-through experience, and so much more.
New for 2026 is Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party. At select times throughout the night, guests will see Ichabod Crane traveling through Disney California Adventure as the Headless Horseman pursues.
Halloween Time decor and entertainment included in regular admission
If you’re looking for Halloween offerings at Disneyland Resort without needing an additional cost beyond regular theme park entry, guests can enjoy Halloween Time throughout the resort between August 21 – October 31, 2026.
In addition to décor throughout the entire resort, Mickey and friends debut new Halloween-themed attire in Disneyland’s Town Square, and on select nights you can marvel at Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular with fireworks in Disneyland Park.
Courtesy of Disneyland
Mickey’s Trick and Treat live show returns to Disney California Adventure during regular park hours. Attraction overlays include Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure along with Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark in Avengers Campus.
Plaza de la Familia returns to Disney California Adventure honoring Dia de los Muertos between August 21 – November 2, 2026. The Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia Celebrate the Musical World of Coco! street show returns along with special crafts, food, photo ops and more.
Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit across the resort
Guests can seek out Disney-inspired pumpkins in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a scavenger hunt available at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney District. Purchase a map for Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit to receive a special keepsake, or simply keep your eyes on alert for the fun of it.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Hollywood on select nights between September 3 – November 1, 2026. This hard-ticketed horror event, not for the faint of heart, features iconic horror characters, movies and more.
This year’s event includes haunted houses featuring “Stranger Things 5”, “Sinners”, “Hellraiser”, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness, “Evil Dead Burn”, and “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” along with original themes Killceanera and Dead, Deader, Deadest.
The Terror Tram returns with a new theme this year featuring Art the Clown from the “Terrifier” movie series. In addition, guests can enjoy multiple scare zones, entertainment and more.
NEW: The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” finally arrives at HHN, just in food form.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Scary Farm, the original theme park haunt, returns on select nights September 17 – October 31, 2026. This after-hours event will feature ten frightening haunted mazes, five sinister scare zones, and three shows. This year is your final chance to experience the mazes Origins: The Curse of Calico as well as The Chilling Chambers. As you say goodbye to those favorites, enjoy two brand-new mazes called Inked and Unearthed.
If you’re looking for something more family friendly, visit Knott’s Spooky Farm during the daytime as part of regular theme park admission on select days from September 24 – October 31, 2026. Kids can trick-or-treat around the town of Calico’s shops for sweet treats and activities. Guests will find spooky décor and surprises throughout the park.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Fright Fest returns to Six Flags Magic Mountain on select nights from September 18 – November 1, 2026. With it comes a brand-new haunted maze based on the hit “Final Destination” film franchise. Final Destination: Death’s Playground is joined by another new haunted maze called Wolves’ Blood, with returning mazes The Conjuring Universe, Trick ‘r Treat, Carnage, Vault 666, and Willoughby’s Resurrected.
The event features a new icon character, named Kurvatu, who can be seen in a new Unleashed opening ceremony. Other new offerings include the shows NyteWalkerz and Sliders of the Night: Dreams of the Damned. The event also features seven scare zones throughout the park.
Single Day Admission, Season Passes and Memberships all gain access to Fright Fest to enjoy the shows, scare zones, and more. To enter the haunted houses, guests need to purchase a Haunted Attractions Pass with an option Express upgrade.
SeaWorld San Diego
Howl-O-Scream returns to SeaWorld San Diego for a season of frights from September 11 – October 31, 2026. This after-hours event is San Diego’s largest nighttime Halloween experience featuring all-new haunts, all-new scare zones, and vile vignettes. Enjoy cocktails, beer and spirits at their six themed bars and five speakeasies along with their live show Monster Stomp.
For a more family-friendly event, experience SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between September 11 – November 1, 2026. This year’s festivities include the premiere of the all-new Baby Shark Halloween Show. Families are able to enjoy trick-or-treat stations, a pumpkin patch photo op, live entertainment, dance parties, character encounters and more.
Legoland California
Halloween Season at Legoland California offers character meet & greets, dance parties, delicious treats and themed décor from September 20 – October 30, 2026. Seasonal attractions include the Lego Halloween Tree, The Great Monster Chase 4D movie adventure, and Disco Dragon Coaster featuring a groovy monster soundtrack and party lights, plus the new Galacticoaster indoor roller coaster debuts a Halloween overlay in the pre-boarding area.
If you’d like to add a bit more spooky to the Halloween season, guests can purchase an additional ticket to Brick or Treat, occurring on select dates between September 19 – November 1, 2026. This year’s event features an all-new trick-or-treat experience on Brick or Treat Street with a Halloween interactive light trail. Guests can enjoy tons of candy, a prehistoric pumpkin patch, not-so-scary shows, and silly monster Lego characters.
Local Halloween attractions
Frankenstein: Resurrection
The Nocturne Theatre in Glendale, California has created a new musical inspired by the classic Frankenstein Monster story for the Halloween season. “Frankenstein: Resurrection” blends gothic horror, science fiction and an original score in a story of obsession, grief and the terrible cost of refusing to let go.
“Frankenstein: Resurrection” does not seek to recreate Shelley’s novel onstage, but instead uses its characters, ideas and consequences as the foundation for a sequel. Victor’s pursuit of conquering death has finally succeeded. But this time, he is the one brought back from the dead.
The Nocturne Theatre is particularly known for their dark and macabre productions with the theatre’s owners having a background in the haunt industry. “Frankenstein: Resurrection” will be presented September 11 – November 1, 2026.
A Killer Night Live in Studio City
Set in 1958, “A Killer Night” places guests inside a memorial for murdered Hollywood starlet Sophia Vance. The limited-capacity experience combines live performances, comedy, 1950s music, clues and dinner as the story moves between Vitello’s Rendition Room and Velvet Martini Lounge. Each performance is limited to 100 guests. Vitello’s is a popular Italian restaurant with event space and moody decor. “A Killer Night” takes place on select dates Sept. 15-Oct. 31, 2026.
Photo by Charlie Chappell
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, is hosting the 13th season of Dark Harbor on the world’s most haunted vessel. This event features six haunted mazes including the all-new Shipwrecked: Brace for Impact, plus reimagined versions of some of their classics including Lullaby, Infirmary and more. This Halloween attraction also features five secret speakeasies throughout the event and live shows including Lady Mabel Presents: Scary Mary’s Dark Séance and Gale’s Requiem.
New this year, is the Alien Abduction and Blacklight Bumper Cars rides, plus more returning rides and carnival games.
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor features a full night of Halloween entertainment, food, and spirits aboard and on the surrounding grounds of this historically haunted ship. The event runs on select nights September 18 – November 1, 2026 and offers various ticketing options for all budgets.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride returns to Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California for its 18th season. In addition to the namesake and expanded hayride, this event features three haunted mazes including the all-new Fallen Angel maze. Returning favorite mazes include Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem and Hellbilly Halloween.
Throughout the fictional town of Midnight Falls, guests can enjoy themed food and beverages in addition to immersive attractions. The Cider Mill Experience offers guests warm apple cider and fresh apple cider donuts. Plus, for the first time, guests 21+ can enjoy alcohol at a new bar being added to the event. That is just a small taste of the numerous themed food and beverage options available at Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in addition to a theatrical séance, mini escape games, Zombie Splat GellyBall Experience, and more.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride runs select nights from September 18 – November 1, 2026. Various ticketing options are available for individual or bundle experiences.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
The South Coast Botanic Garden in Los Angeles County will illuminate with more than 10,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns on a mile-long trail. This family-friendly Halloween event will delight guests of all ages as they journey through various themed areas including a circus theme, Dia de los Muertos, an undersea tableau, and more. Every thirty-minutes, a synchronized pumpkin light show will illuminate the gardens as passersby watch on with delight.
The event also features a Fun Zone with a massive pumpkin-shaped bounce pad and pumpkin-themed slides.
Themed food and beverages are also available along with s’mores kits to roast over a fire. Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns will be presented on select nights September 18 – November 1, 2026.
Delusion: Den of the Mosquito
The acclaimed interactive horror theater experience Delusion returns to the historic Beckett Mansion in Los Angeles, California with its latest installment, Den of the Mosquito.
Set inside a brothel in 1920s New Orleans, Den of the Mosquito unfolds as a supernatural tale of crime, family, mobsters and monsters, with vampire courtesans lurking at the center of its mystery. Guests become agents of Anomaly, a clandestine organization investigating supernatural threats, and must move through the story as active participants whose encounters help propel the night forward.
Since its beginnings in 2011, Delusion has been loved for its intimate, character-driven, and cinematic storytelling where guests become part of the story. Groups are limited to only ten guests, making for a unique experience for all involved. Each iteration has featured a new, original story. So, even if you’ve been to Delusion before, you’ve never experienced it like this.
Delusion: Den of the Mosquito runs on select nights from September 17 – November 8, 2026, and marks a homecoming to the Beckett Mansion for the long-running series.
Drunk Dracula
The Drunk Shakespeare Society is officially making their Los Angeles debut with “Drunk Dracula” for the Halloween season. This popular company of actors is known for its format where one actor consumes five shots of alcohol before attempting to perform a classic work of literature. In this case, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. The rest of the cast are sober actors attempting to keep the show on track. It’s a blend of theatre, improvisation, audience interaction and comedy, making every performance unique. “Drunk Dracula” will be performed at The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, California from September 11 – November 14, 2026.
The Madness
Downtown Repertory Theater presents “The Madness”. Audiences step inside the Vespera Institute, where the nurses have a cult-like devotion to “the rules” in this immersive and location-based theatrical experience. You may wake up somewhere unfamiliar. You may be committed. You may want to escape before attenuation. Audience members may be separated from the people they attend with as each audience member becomes a “patient” of the mysterious Vespera Institute for their own unique experience. Many will have one-on-one encounters with performers. All will traverse a world of haunted mansions and an abandoned church. “The Madness” will be performed at Mountain View Mausoleum in Altadena, California on select nights between October 2 – November 7, 2026.
Reign of Terror
Reign of Terror Haunted House is bigger than ever in 2026 and features two all-new sections with 145 rooms of terror featuring twelve terrifying themes. The Blue Bayou Hotel and Backwoods are two new areas built from the ground up and featuring new environments, props, characters and scares. The fan-favorite Fun House section has been extensively remodeled for this Halloween season and their post-haunt photo experience has added large-scale themed sets and props for guests to capture photos. This expanded haunt now covers 35,000 square feet, therefore making it an unusually long haunted house experience with detailed environments, live performers, special effects and tons of scares. Reign of Terror can be found in Thousand Oaks, California and is open select nights from September 25 – November 2, 2026.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater Hallowe’en Spooktacular
The fan-favorite Hallowe’een Spooktacular presented by Bob Baker Marionette Theater (BBMT) returns to Los Angeles this Halloween season. From a tap-dancing Frankenstein to visitors from outer space to a friendly People Purple Eater, there is no spooky show quite like BBMT’s Spooktacular. This year’s production also includes an ode to Día de los Muertos, which celebrates the Theater’s community in a distinctly Bob Baker way. This family-friendly puppet show is the perfect way celebrate spooky season for folks of all ages. Hallowe’en Spooktacular will be performed select dates from September 5 – November 8, 2026 at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.
Stay tuned for more additions to the Halloween season in Southern California.
Jeff DePaoli is an event producer living in Los Angeles. He is the producer and host of “That Halloween Podcast” and works throughout the year with Halloween events including Midsummer Scream and Creep It Real OC, as well as the event he founded, Wicked New England. Learn more and claim free gifts at DePodcastNetwork.com
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