Halloween Events in Southern California – 2024

Southern California Halloween events and festivals: pumpkin patches, theme parks, haunted houses, and mazes. Scary festivals from Los Angeles to San Diego. The best thing about living in SoCal is you are never too far away from something fun to do on Halloween.

Events range from family-friendly to age-restricted haunted houses: scare zones, live shows, and ghostly walking tours of haunted neighborhoods. Find Halloween activities for Trick-Or-Treaters and grown-up Zombies.  Family-friendly events are listed at the bottom of this post. 

Knott’s Scary Farm

Experience a spine-chilling night of terror at Knott’s Scary Farm, featuring twisted mazes, scare zones, thrilling rides, and shows. Please note that costumes are not allowed, and re-entry is not permitted. The park opens at 7 p.m. Your ticket is valid for one event night only. Save up to $50.00 on select dates.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

Get ready to experience Halloween Horror Nights like never before! Summon your scream squad and prepare to face your worst nightmares brought to life at Universal Studios Hollywood. This exclusive event will take place on select nights from September 7th to October 31st, featuring eight terrifying haunted houses, the famous Terror Tram, scare zones, and live entertainment. Don’t miss out on the legendary scares that await you at Halloween Horror Nights!

Griffith Park Haunted Hayride

The original Haunted Hayride of Southern California can be found in Griffith Park. Visitors are taken on a tractor-pulled hay wagon ride through the park’s woods. The experience includes a slideshow presentation and a Scary-Go-Round that moves backward. The slideshow features a house of mirrors, a free psychic reading, and a souvenir shop. The attraction is open from September 22 to October 31. Save 30% off on tickets

HOWL-O-SCREAM AT SeaWorld San Diego

Nights of the Jack Calabasas

If you want the ultimate Halloween experience in Los Angeles, check out Nights of the Jack. This event has become a staple of the Southern California Halloween season, featuring vast grounds filled with elaborate, larger-than-life pumpkin installations that visitors can enjoy while walking through the trail around the history-filled ranch. Nights of the Jack will occur from September 29th to October 31st, 2023.

Fearplex: Lights Out Halloween Maze

Fearplex presents Lights Out, a terrifying Halloween event where nightmares come to life. Guests will participate in interactive scares and try to escape from frightening mazes, such as the Zombie Escape, Carnival of Evil, and Toxic Terror. After experiencing heart-pounding nightmares, guests can enjoy live entertainment with the resident DJ. A vendor village will also offer the best artists and products in the horror universe. Age 13 plus. Dates: Select nights – October 6-31, 2023, 6 – 11 pm. 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, California.

Scream Zone Del Mar Fairgrounds

San Diego County hosts the largest haunted Halloween event, featuring House of Horror, KarnEvil, and Haunted Hayride. Adults must accompany children aged 10 or 11, and the event is not suitable for any children under the age of 10. We’re excited to introduce a new attraction, Midway Madness, to our already frightful list of events. It is a fully immersive Halloween-themed carnival midway.

Garden Grove – Dark Harvest

Welcome to Dark Harvest – an immersive haunted maze attraction in Garden Grove. If you’re seeking a spine-tingling experience combining thrills, scares, and surprises, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll come face-to-face with terrifying spirits and embark on an unforgettable Halloween adventure. With special effects and surreal imagery around every corner, you’ll gasp for breath at every turn. This experience may not be suitable for children under 13—open select nights from September 29 to October 31.

Valencia – Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest

Are you looking for some spooky fun this fall season? Look no further than Six Flags Magic Mountain! At this thrilling theme park, you can experience a haunted house, six hair-raising mazes, eight scare zones, and monster entertainment. Please remember that these events are recommended for guests aged 13 and over. The event will occur on select dates from September 8 to October 31, 2023, at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.

Riverside Castle Dark Castle

Castle Dark in Riverside is hosting a thrilling event that promises to give you a spooky time—experience five brand-new haunted attractions that will send chills down your spine. You can enjoy an adrenaline-pumping adventure by stepping into the Cinema of Fear and Night Shift mazes. Brace yourself for interactive shows like Shipwreck Cove and Slider Alley, where you will see the frights come to life right before your eyes. Dates: September 22 – 29. 3500 Polk St, Riverside, California.

Haunted Trail Balboa Park San Diego

Are you ready for a spooktacular Halloween experience? The adventure begins in a vast maze and continues along a mile-long trail jam-packed with thrills and chills. Each group is limited to around twenty people at a time, so arrive early to secure your spot and avoid long waiting times. You can purchase a Timed Ticket or VIP Admission to skip the General Admission entrance line. The event runs from September 22 to October 31, 2023.

Southern California Family-Friendly Halloween Events

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

The Irvine Park Railroad is a must-visit attraction in Orange, California. It is a 1/3 scale train that takes kids and adults on a ride through the beautiful and historic Irvine Regional Park. One of the unique special events that the park hosts is the Pumpkin Patch. The Pumpkin Patch is situated just behind the train station, and it is free to enter. However, please note that the County of Orange charges a gate entrance fee for every vehicle that enters Irvine Regional Park. The Pumpkin Patch event will be held between September 16 and October 31, 2023.

Knott’s Berry Farm Camp Spooky

Are you looking for a fun Halloween activity for your kids aged 3 to 11 years? Check out the exciting Halloween event every weekend in October until Halloween Day. You don’t want to miss Camp Spooky, Ghost Town, and the Spooky Hollow Maze in Fiesta Village. The best part? Camp Spooky is included in your regular park admission.

Adventure City’s Boo-Tastic Halloween Party

A fun and kid-friendly way to celebrate Halloween? Join us for an exciting event featuring 11 thrilling rides, a free candy and trinkets walkthrough called “Trick-or-Treat Street,” and a dizzying delight in the All-New Vort x tunnel. Hop aboard the Express Train and enjoy a fun Halloween scavenger hunt. Plus, don’t worry about parking as it’s completely free! The event will take place on September 29th, October 6th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, or 31st in 2023.

Live Oak Canyon Fall Harvest Festival

Live Oak Canyon Fall Harvest Festival offers rides, games, photo ops, a petting zoo, a corn maze, a train ride, food vendors, a gift shop, and a giant pumpkin patch in Southern California.

Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch

Pick from a vast selection of pumpkins. Weekends include live entertainment, food trucks, rock climbing, bounces, horse-drawn carriages, and hayrides. Saturday, September 16, 2023 to Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Fall Friday Festival – October 13th, 20th & 27th – 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Legoland® Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

Brick-or-treat party Nights are the signature Halloween event at Legoland. On Saturday nights, join the Monsters who take over LEGOLAND®. Experience shows, participate in character meet-and-greets, costume contests, treat stations, and more. Legoland, Carlsbad California. Included with park admission. September: 16, 23, 30 (Saturdays) October: 7 – 8, 14 – 15, 21 – 22, 28 – 29 (Saturdays & Sundays)

San Diego – San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen

The San Diego Zoo hosts HalGLOWeen on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October, except for October 30. This Halloween-themed extravaganza lights up the night with entertainment, dance parties, musical performances, and food specials. The interactive festivities make for a fun family event. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October
Activities start at 5 pm.

Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival

The much-awaited Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival is back with all your favorite fall activities. With 40,000 pumpkins, two corn mazes, and a sunflower field, the festival brings a petting farm, too. Visitors can enjoy playing games, hay rides, live music, displays, and demonstrations from College student clubs and agriculture-related organizations. Food and drink vendors will be available on site. Dates: September 30 – October 29, 2023. See the website for open days and tickets. 102 S. University Drive, Pomona, California. Website:

Fall Festival at The Original Farmers Market

Take kids to a child-friendly Fall Festival at the historic Farmers Market. This event offers exciting carnival games, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch. Encourage your kids to dress up in their favorite costumes, enjoy the live music, and indulge in delicious holiday treats. The Original Farmers Market – 6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, California. October 21-22, 2023.

Halloween Aglow to Light Up Birch Aquarium

Come to Birch Aquarium this Halloween to enjoy an all-new, family-friendly celebration. Halloween Aglow is inspired by Oceans at Night, a popular adults-only event, and it’s perfect for kids, too. Discover the wonders and mysteries of the ocean after dark in a fun atmosphere. The event occurs on October 27 and 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

Carved at Descanso Gardens Carved

Carved at Descanso Gardens is making a comeback this year with thrilling new trails, awe-inspiring locations, and unforgettable experiences. As you wander through the captivating Camellia Forest and picturesque Rose Garden, get ready to be mesmerized by the enchanting glow of jack-o’-lanterns and the vibrant hues of autumn foliage. Carved is a family-friendly event for all ages. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, California. October 6–29, 2023.

Santa Ana – Boo at the Zoo

Bring your children to Boo at the Zoo for a safe, fun, trick-or-treating experience. Ten different toy and treat stations will provide goodies for the kids. Boo at the Zoo is a “Merry, not Scary” family event suitable for all ages, and everyone is encouraged to wear a costume. Rides like the “Boofari” Express Train, the Conservation Carousel, and the Fifty Monkey Ferris Wheel are available. Dates: October 21, 22, 28, 29 – 2023. 1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, California.

Shaqtoberfest Queen Mary Long Beach

Shaqtoberfest is a fantastic Halloween event at the beautiful Queen Mary in Long Beach. This event promises a memorable experience, including family-friendly trick-or-treating games, tasty treats, thrilling haunted trails, and live performances. Shaqtoberfest runs September 28 – October 31, 2023. 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, California.

Los Angeles Zoo – Boo at the Zoo

Get ready to immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit at the L.A. Zoo with a range of unique activities and entertainment. You can enjoy spooky sights daily, and during weekends, the fun gets even better with open-air live shows, pumpkin feedings for the animals, themed photo opportunities, and education stations. Free with paid Zoo admission
Dates: October 1 – October 31, 2023.

The Spook-Tacular Pagent Of The Monsters

Get ready for the “spooktacular” Pageant of The Monsters that will be held in Laguna Beach this fall! This Halloween tradition occurs every five years and is highly anticipated by locals and visitors. The festival grounds will offer unique workshops, fun activities, music, and more! The backstage of the pageant will be transformed into a family-friendly haunted house. This year’s theme is “The Maze of the Minotaur,” promising an A-MAZE-ing adventure! Make sure to mark your calendars for this year’s celebration on October 27th, 28th, 29th, and 31st!

Carlsbad Strawberry Company Pumpkin Patch

Going to a pumpkin patch with family and friends is essential to Halloween. You can find your perfect giant pumpkin at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company. You can enjoy games and food on weekends and visit the family farm. In addition, every Friday and Saturday night in October offers the Haunted Corn Maze experience, which is perfect for teenagers and adults looking for a heart-thumping experience—date: September 23 – November 5, 2023.

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