Knott's Spooky Farm features Peanuts characters in Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating for kids (and grown-ups).
September 22, 2023
Spooky season is back, and so are Halloween events at local theme parks.
Whether you're looking to be scared silly, trick-or-treat with your little ones, or just take in the vibes, we round up Halloween events around Southern California—including how you can enjoy them for less with AAA Tickets.
Select nights, now through Oct. 31, 2023
Los Angeles
Legend has it you should never go alone to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, select nights September 7-October 31. Summon your scream squad and you might survive terrifying haunted houses, sinister scare zones, live entertainment, and exhilarating attractions.
Select nights, now through Oct. 31, 2023
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park
Knott’s Scary Farm is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with 10 haunted mazes, 5 scare zones, and 4 shows. The Chilling Chambers is an all-new maze that honors the very first Knott’s Scary Farm maze, 10 Chilling Chambers, which debuted in 1977.
Returning favorites include the Bloodline 1842 interactive shooting gallery maze and the mind-bending Mesmer. And of course, it wouldn’t be Knott’s Scary Farm without the stunts and comedy of The Hanging show, which also returns at the Wagon Camp.
RELATED ARTICLE: Your guide to the haunted mazes at Knott's Scary Farm
CHAPERONE POLICY: A chaperone policy is in effect on all Knott’s Scary Farm event nights. Guests who are 15 or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted. Learn more about the chaperone policy.
CLEAR BAG POLICY: Only clear plastic bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” or non-clear wristlets/clutches no larger than 5”x 8”x 2” are allowed at Knott's Scary Farm.
Daytime Thursdays-Sundays, now through Oct. 29 plus Oct. 31, 2023
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park
If you have small children (or don't want to be scared witless), you can still get into the spirit of the season at Knott's Spooky Farm, an event full of family-friendly Halloween activities. It’s included with regular park admission Thursday through Sunday from September 28 to October 29, plus Halloween.
Meet Peanuts characters like Charlie Brown and Snoopy in costume, go trick-or-treating in the Calico Ghost Town, and enjoy Halloween-themed food and treats. Plus, ride the Halloween-themed versions of the Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride.
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Now through Oct. 31, 2023
Anaheim
Both theme parks at Disneyland Resort transform for Halloween. At Disneyland Park, the Haunted Mansion gets a Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas makeover as Haunted Mansion Holiday. Check out the hand-carved pumpkins at the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, then enjoy the Halloween Screams fireworks and light show spectacular.
At Disney California Adventure, ride Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark, a special Halloween-only ride featuring Rocket, Groot, and a hungry fire dragon. Cruise over to Cars Land to appreciate the lavish decorations and costumed cars, plus go for a spooky spin on the Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree rides.
Select nights, Sept. 29-Oct. 31, 2023
San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego’s annual Howl-O-Scream event returns with some big upgrades. The park’s 4 haunted houses have all received redesigns, including new 3D scares at Circus of the Damned that guests can experience with 3D glasses.
Five scare zones include the new Simon’s Meat Market, as well as the beautiful, but deadly sirens of the Sea of Souls. This is also the first Howl-O-Scream for the new Arctic Rescue straddle coaster, which debuted this year, so add some thrills to your chills (and ride Emperor and Electric Eel in the dark, too).
Daytime Fridays-Sundays, now through Oct. 29, 2023
San Diego
Have your kids ever met a mermaid? They can do that and much more at SeaWorld San Diego’s kid-friendly Halloween Spooktacular, included with regular admission on select days. Dress up in costume and take part in the Trick-or-Treat Candy Trail from noon to closing with the purchase of a SeaWorld candy bag. Plus, enjoy the new O.P. Otter’s Spooktacular Surprise musical show, join the Halloween Dance Party, find your way through a hay maze, and complete a pumpkin hunt map for a prize.
Select nights, now through Oct. 31, 2023
Valencia
Eight haunted houses and 5 scare zones make Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain one of the region’s biggest events. Headlining the festivities are 2 new haunted houses based on popular film series: The Saw X house puts guests through the terrifying contraptions of Jigsaw, while The Conjuring brings unlucky visitors to the haunted Perron family farm to meet Annabelle the doll firsthand.
Select coasters and other rides run in the dark during Fright Fest for a uniquely thrilling experience. Afterward, take a break in the new Invasion “Monster-tainment” zone, which features alien DJs and games to play.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Guests need both a Six Flags Magic Mountain park admission ticket and a separate Haunted Attractions Pass to go into Fright Fest’s haunted houses. AAA members can save on Six Flags admission tickets, but the Haunted Attractions Pass must be purchased separately from Six Flags.
Daytime Fridays-Sundays, now through Oct. 29 plus Oct. 31, 2023
Valencia
Kids Boo Fest is Six Flags Magic Mountain’s family-friendly daytime counterpart to Fright Fest. It’s included with regular admission on event days, as well as on Halloween itself. Kids can come in costume to trick-or-treat in Bugs Bunny World, enjoy rides and Halloween-themed food, and explore kid-sized hay mazes.
Daytime Saturdays in September, Saturdays & Sundays in October
Carlsbad
Head to Legoland California on select Saturdays and Sundays to take part in the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party, included with regular daytime admission. Trick-or-treat stations are available around the whole park, and costumes are encouraged.
High-energy entertainment includes the interactive Lord Vampyre’s Very Important Monsters Dance Party, a zombie cheerleader show, and a disco party takeover of the Dragon Coaster. Once you’ve danced yourself out, enjoy The Great Monster Chase movie’s 4D special effects.
Daytime Saturdays & Sundays, now through Oct. 29, 2023
Chula Vista
Nobody celebrates Halloween like the inhabitants of Sesame Street. Bring your costumed monsters to trick-or-treat (available with the purchase of a reusable candy bag) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy 2 different scavenger hunts—one hunting ghosts and another finding all the Count’s scarecrows—and turn in the completed maps for a prize.
Other highlights include a hay maze, the Countdown to Halloween show with the Count, the Furry Friends Dance Party, and the 8-float Sesame Street Halloween Parade.
Nightly
Los Angeles
Hear stories about real ghosts (and maybe seen one for yourself) on this nighttime walking tour in Hollywood. It visits 8 haunted locations on a 60-minute, 1-mile route.
Visit the Roosevelt Hotel, where Marilyn Monroe’s spirit is said to still occasionally appear in the suite she lived in for 2 years. Other stops include the El Capitan Theatre, the Chinese Theatre, and the Magic Castle.
Photo by Robin Riggs
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 28-29, 2023
Long Beach
Want to see an underwater pumpkin carving demonstration? That and more is on offer at the Aquarium of the Pacific's family-friendly Scarium of the Pacific event, taking place the weekend before Halloween. Now in its 24th year, the event features costume and coloring contests, a magic show performed by a vampire, spooky storytelling, crafts, and of course all the creatures that swim, crawl, and fly at the Aquarium.
Fridays-Sundays, Sept. 22-Oct. 29, 2023
Riverside
The 15th annual Castle Dark transformation of Castle Park is underway with 5 all-new haunted experiences. Two highlights: The park's famous Antique Car Ride is now the Haunted Highway, with scenic views to die for. Then head to Night Shift, an interactive haunted maze where you'll take on the role of a security guard investigating a warehouse full of malfunctioning toys.
The interactive Shipwreck Cove and Slider Alley shows also await, as do Halloween treats like funnel cakes, "vampire bites," and blood bag drinks.
5-9 p.m. Fridays-Sundays in October
San Diego
Kids 11 and under get into this illuminated nighttime spectacle for free. Enjoy the antics of the "Boo Crew" of scarecrow stilt-walkers, the musical stylings of the Skeleton Band, a glow-in-the-dark variety show with acrobats and unicycling, and more. Get in on the action yourself at the Bubble Dance Party, where billions of bubbles are released around the clock.
There are critters to see, too: The daytime Reptile House becomes the ominous Python Path by night where guests can appreciate these reptiles in a spookier light. The Featured Creatures show brings some of the zoo's commonly feared creatures to the stage to set the record straight and clear their reputations.
AAA members save on tickets to Halloween events
AAA Tickets has savings on admission to Halloween events and guided ghost tours across the country.
