Halloween in Los Angeles: Events Across the City

10/13/2016 | Sara McLean |

While fall foliage is sparse in Los Angeles, there is no shortage of Halloween spirit! From festive favorites with plenty of frights, to family-friendly attractions and festivals, there is an abundance of worthwhile Halloween events to attend this October! Let the countdown to the thrills and chills begin!

Image provided by Queen Mary; Used with Permission

QUEEN MARY’S DARK HARBOR

The only thing better than a haunted attraction is a haunted attraction on a giant boat. At the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, you’ll find all the usual horrors — fog, mazes, and monsters — as well as a vintage Ferris wheel and a full bar. What sets Dark Harbor apart is its use of its surroundings, where a majority of the mazes are located in the dark, cramped confines of the already haunted Queen Mary. Take a tour around this grotesque "carnival," be scared, and never see the ship in the same light again!

Dark Harbor runs from Sept 29th - Nov 1st. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.queenmary.com/events/dark-harbor/

Queen Mary's Dark Harbor. Image provided by Queen Mary; Used with Permission

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Theme parks certainly know how to give a good scare when it comes to Halloween, and Universal Studios is no exception. Five new mazes have been added this year — including horror classics like The Exorcist, Freddy vs. Jason, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Halloween: Hell Comes To Haddonfield — as well as some newer, modern favorites. There is a scare zone called The Purge: Election Year complete with a terror tram from Crypt TV and Eli Roth full of scary killer clowns. The best portion by far was the Walking Dead maze! Halloween Horror Nights runs from Oct 13th - Nov 5th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com/hollywood.

Halloween Horror Nights, Image Used with Permission

LOS ANGELES HAUNTED HAYRIDE

Los Angeles’ famed Haunted Hayride returns this year to its darker and more disturbing roots with its brand new and most innovative theme of Secret Society. Upon entering the LA Haunted Hayride gates, you’ll need to decide which part of the Secret Society you belong: The Elite or The Deranged? Located in Griffith Park, this hayride through the grounds after dark has you riding on a wagon, as well as traveling some of the path on foot. There are also mazes, a "scary-go-round," and a chance to go pumpkin carving!
This event runs from Oct 1st - 31st. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com.

LA Haunted Hayride, Image Used with Permission

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS AT HOLLYWOOD FOREVER

Hollywood Forever Cemetery claims to host the largest Day of the Dead celebration in California, and we wouldn’t doubt it. The cemetery grounds are covered with art exhibitions, dance rituals, musical performances, children’s arts and crafts projects and food vendors (and crowds) aplenty. You’ll see altars to the dead created by community artists, and you can either watch or participate in the calaca (skeleton) costume contest. In honor of the fest’s 16th anniversary, this year’s theme is “the Tree of Life," and it’s sure to be a spectacular display, as always.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, Oct 29th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ladayofthedead.com/.

Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever; Image used with Permission

HALLOWEEN AT DISNEYLAND

Disneyland has decked out the seasonal pumpkins and spooky décor in celebration of Halloween, showcasing its best and most villainous features until Oct.31st. The Haunted Mansion attraction has now become “The Nightmare Before Christmas," while Space Mountain is overlaid by “Ghost Galaxy," and Tower of Terror celebrates its last Halloween season before closing in January. Aside from the eerie additions to the park, Disneyland has implemented Halloween twists to classic Disney attractions, including a special fireworks show called the Halloween Screams with Jack Skellington, and a frightfully Fun Parade, which features villains and Haunted Mansion ghosts.

Halloween at Disneyland runs from Sept 9th - Oct 31st. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit disneyland.disney.go.com/