October has arrived, and it’s not all pumpkin spice lattes, it’s also the Spooky Season with numerous ways to find your Halloween chills and thrills. Halloween should be extra festive this year as it will fall on Friday, Oct. 31.
Now through Nov. 2
DiscoveryCube Enchanted Halloweekends
Info www.discoverycube.org/los-angeles/events/enchanted-halloweekends
Step into a world where science and magic intertwine for an unforgettable Halloween experience for all ages. Cast spells at the Wonders of Wizardry stage show, explore family challenges and navigate through the Haybale Maze. Don’t forget to wear a costume.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Info losangeleshauntedhayride.com
Experience the world-famous ultimate Halloween event, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.
Located in Griffith Park, which is transformed into the foothills of Midnight Falls, the leaves turn brown and the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.
The Witch of the Woods has cast her spell to summon the spirits of the underworld to cross over and assimilate into form. The Hayride leads to an adventure of horrors afflicting the town. The Spirit of Halloween comes to life, surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board The Hayride.
Halloween icon Janelle Monáe has also returned with another legendary party and this year, you’re invited to her maze. Step into the Monáe Manor where it’s Halloween every night and things aren’t quite what they seem.
Enjoy Hellbilly Halloween, smore’s stations in the town square and Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem Maze.
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Info darkharborhalloween.com
Each fall the Queen Mary transforms the ship and surrounding harbor into a massive Halloween festival featuring haunted mazes, hundreds of monsters, immersive attractions, live entertainment, VIP experiences, themed bars and lounges, carnival rides, festive eats and treats and more.
Pick and choose from a variety of attractions and experiences from terrifying mazes aboard the notoriously haunted Queen Mary to festival favorites like the Sinister Swings. Tickets are only available online.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest
Info www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/events/fright-fest-2025
The Santa Clarita Valley’s favorite Halloween “hot spot” returns with terrifying haunted mazes, sinister scare zones, live shows and specialty food and drink. A live cast of ghouls and goblins awaits around every corner.
Nothing is as it screams with horrors that lurk in foggy corners and haunts that are dying for your presence.
Twisted Colossus is even scarier after dark.
Among the eight haunted mazes is the new Carnage. Enter the chaotic fortress and become a disciple of the most villainous clown in a City Under Siege.
Among the nine scare zones are two new areas:
Nightmares Reign of Blood: Face a twisted Wonderland where the Queen of Hearts hunts you and paints roses red with blood.
Thunderbolt Alley Step into a 1950s rockabilly world where classic monsters party hard and burn rubber in the afterlife.
Halloween Horror Nights
Info www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us
Universal Studios Hollywood transforms on select nights into one of the scariest locations in Los Angeles. Not recommended for children under age 13.
Brave eight haunted houses, the Terror Tram, scream-filled scare zones and nightmarish creatures that pop out of the shadows where and when you least expect it. Enjoy themed merchandise, food and drinks as well as diabolical entertainment.
Now through Nov. 1
Knott’s Scary Farm
Info www.knotts.com/events/scary-farm
Knott’s Scary Farm is the longest-running theme park Halloween event, having launched the concept in 1973 and continuing to operate for over 50 years. The original Halloween event, known as “Halloween Haunt,” was the first of its kind and set the standard for future Halloween-themed attractions at theme parks.
Now in its 52nd year, Knott’s Scary Farm, which invented the haunted maze concept for theme parks, will feature new mazes among its 10 mazes, five scare zones, live shows and the monsters we all know and love.
Guests should expect to encounter hundreds of live actors performing as roaming “monsters.”
Night of the Jack
Info nightofthejack.com
Located at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas this isn’t your average pumpkin patch. Night of the Jack is a Halloween spectacle with its massive mile-long immersive trail featuring larger-than-life jack-o’-lantern installations, dazzling light technology, interactive displays, food from Los Angeles’s top food trucks and themed cocktails and specialty drinks in the Spookeasy. Timed entry tickets.
Now through Oct. 31
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort
Info http://bit.ly/4nZ8l5A
The highlight of any visit to Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time is the Disneyland Haunted Mansion’s eerie estate macabre makeover.
The Paint the Night Parade at Disneyland will dazzle guests with more than one million brilliant LED lights in this technical spectacle.
Guardians of the Galaxy Monsters After Dark is located on the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park. Join Rocket in his race to rescue Groot.
Meet the residents of Radiator Screams, renamed for Halloween Time in Cars Land at California Adventure.
Both parks feature special themed décor, drinks and food.
Now through Oct. 30
Carved at Descanso Gardens
Info www.descansogardens.org
Discover a mesmerizing pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route and more pumpkin fun.
“Carved” is illuminated with hundreds of carved jack-o’-lanterns.
Descanso Railroad will be specially lit for “Carved” and new ghosts will join the family of wood spirits carved from five enormous logs by Chainsaw Jenna. You’ll be amazed by luminous jack-o’-lanterns, hand-carved giant pumpkins and the “Rhizome” installation.
Entry times: 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 pm, 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
Oct. 18-19; Oct. 25-26
Boo at the L.A. Zoo
Info lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/boo
Dress up to explore the zoo located within Griffith Park. Weekend activities include special shows, a maze, education stations and pumpkin feedings for the zoo residents. Trick-or-treating stations feature premium candy, plus themed photo ops and a Spooky Storytime. Fun for all ages, costumes are encouraged.
