Who’s ready for Halloween? Yes, we know it’s only the start of September, but LA is known for having an has an eerie abundance of Halloween experiences and events to cater to all tastes. Whether you’re seeking spine-tingling thrills or family-friendly fun, we’ve dug deep into our bag of tricks and treats to pull out a tantalizing glimpse into some of LA’s myriad of “spooktacular” offerings ranging from cutting-edge immersive experiences to time-honored classics. Get ready to howl at the moon and dance with the spirits, because Halloween in Los Angeles is unlike anywhere else.
Pro-Tip: First, purchase tickets ahead of time! We can’t say this enough. Getting organized will ensure every scream laugh at the fake chainsaw guy chasing you down. Second, if your schedule allows, consider weekday night. There are less people and typically less traffic going to and from the events.
Boney Island
Location: The Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd. (Exposition Park)
It’s back! The Simpsons producer Rick Polizzi created Boney Island for his family more than 20 years ago. It grew from a front yard display to a huge affair in Griffith Park with a cult-like following of Halloween lovers of all ages. The attraction closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Now, after a three-year hiatus, the crowd-pleasing event will be resurrected in Exposition Park. At Boney Island, The Natural History Museum (NHM) transforms their Nature Gardens into a hauntingly whimsical interactive light-up experience for all ages. The event will feature familiar sights for long-time Boney Island fans—skeletons performing rope tricks and levitating through hoops, shadow puppetry, and more. NHM will put its own spin on the event with artistic performances, real fossils, live animal presentations, trick-or-treating, and other ghoulishly glowing installations. Visitors can wander the garden paths as creepy crawlies, silly skeletons, and carnivores from the Cretaceous abound.
World of Illusions LA
Location: 6751 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Transport yourself to a world of spin tingling fantasy and bone chilling imagination at World of Illusions Los Angeles. Instead of hitting up the usual pumpkin patch this Halloween, grab your friends and bring them to this IG ready museum that’s inspired by cartoons, art, current events, movies, and more…and is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. World of Illusions sits right on Hollywood Blvd (great for any tourist) and has more than 30 3D Illusion experiences that will boggle your mind. Yup, make sure to bring those cameras to take the coolest optical illusion photos that will live forever on the feed. Take photos with King Kong, live in your own Snow Globe, walk on the edge of a skyscraper in a daring escape attempt, or find yourself cooking breakfast on the ceiling And just in time for Halloween, World of Illusions Los Angeles is celebrating this spooky season with the ultimate FLASH sale. On October 30th and October 31st, the museum is offering 50% off general admission tickets. Use this code ‘Wicked50′ and purchase them here.
Carved at Descanso Gardens
Location: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge
Mark your calendars because from October 6th to 29th, Carved will light up Descanso Gardens with a mesmerizing pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, new locations and even more pumpkin fun. As you stroll through the captivating displays, you’ll be amazed by luminous jack-o’-lanterns, fallen tree sculptures and whimsical installations, including Tom and Lien Dekyvere’s glow-in-the-dark Rhizome installation in the Rose Garden Labyrinth and giant carved pumpkins under the Rose Pavilion. Don’t miss the expanded Día de los Muertos altar, providing guests with a place to meditate and remember loved ones. The pumpkin house, hay maze, and fall food offerings will all be back to round out the fun, making Carved the perfect family-friendly adventure, bringing joy and wonder to visitors of all ages.
The Haunt Ghost Tours
Location: Chinatown in Los Angeles
The Haunt is a hands-on ghost tour that provides chilling, immersive ghost hunting experiences combining a mix of local lore, true crime histories, and ghostly interactions. Accompanied by an experienced storyteller and ghost hunter, as featured on Ghost Adventures with Zak Bagans, experience a real interactive paranormal investigation that reveals different types of hauntings. Your tour guide will equip you with EMF meters to use during the paranormal investigation, shedding light on the hauntings and ghosts of the Chinatown metro station, including cemeteries discovered during its construction. Don’t worry, each investigation ends with a ceremony with music candles, and a few rituals to honor whatever spirits joined the tour and ensure that nothing follows you home.If you find yourself wanting even more spine tingles, check out the out of town haunts in San Francisco, historic Old Town Temecula and the beautiful Danish village of Solvang.
Chaotic Singles Themed Party – Halloween Style
Friday, October 27th
Location: Sassafras Saloon, 1233 Vine St, Los Angeles
Nothing is spookier than getting ghosted, except maybe an epic party FULL of chaotic singles! Sassafras Saloon will be turned into a haunted house for the night (so beware) for singles to get their spook on. There will also be a costume contest halfway through the night so come ready to scare, impress, or maybe both. And if the thought of meeting other eligible dates makes you want to go full vampire and hide upside down for years…don’t worry… host Cassidy Davis very much knows what she’s doing and has a lot of fun icebreakers planned.
Nights of The Jack
Location: 26800 Mulholland Hwy Calabasas (Entrance located on Wickland Road and Mulholland Hwy)
Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s whispers about every season: Nights of the Jack. Yup, it’s back and brighter than ever with their much talked about notorious Halloween event that’s in the vain of “if you know, you know.” It kicks off September 29th and we love the illuminated light show under the autumn sky and the yummy hot cider and seasonal cocktail from their “Spookeasy” bar plus delicious festive fall treats. This is one of our top picks for families and little boo’s of all ages.
Delusion: Nocturnes & Nightmares
Location: The Phillips Estate in Pomona, 2640 Pomona Blvd, Pomona
For those daring to tread the line between reality and madness (and make the trek to a land far far away), the mystical Phillips Mansion beckons you to plunge headlong into an evening of Delusion’s specters & spirits. This is a full immersive horror experience that will leave you spellbound. This year, the chilling theme is “Nocturnes and Nightmares,” where guests will navigate the dimly lit corridors and shadowy corners of the sprawling mansion, indulging in the macabre delights of this sinister soiree. Prepare to be ensnared in a web of haunting tales, as you interact with both menacing and beloved characters while unraveling the enigma of the elusive author behind the Delusion series and uncovering a disturbing agenda. Delusion is undoubtedly one of our top picks for a spine-tingling adventure with a group of friends. Get ready to embrace the darkness and have your dreams haunted for at least a night.
Knott’s Scary Farm
Location: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
If a little road trip doesn’t scare you too much, head down to the OC to experience the culmination of 50 years of terror in the fully transformed theme park. There are haunted mazes and more than 1,000 terrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding across every inch of the park. Be sure to leave room for Knott’s Scary Farm’s themed treats, like the Fingers and Toes tater tots, or the Cereal Killer Funnel Cake.
The Bride of Frankenstein with Live Orchestra – Presented by LA Opera
Location: The Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S Broadway
Camp, humor and horror collide in one of the greatest sequels ever. Break out the hairspray and spend Halloween with the hugely popular annual celebration of horror and live music: The Bride of Frankenstein. Happening at the breathtaking Theatre at Ace Hotel, relive one of the most iconic “wedding” scenes in cinematic history. The 1935 horror classic will play out larger than life on the silver screen while the magnificent musicians of the LA Opera Orchestra, conducted by Jenny Wong, perform Franz Waxman’s groundbreaking original soundtrack score LIVE. It’s the ultimate cinematic experience and is only happening the weekend before Halloween.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Location: Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
This is a good one and a staple here in LA. Welcome to Midnight Falls! Where we forget that the chainsaw guy was an actor in our level 2 improv class and just let the Witch of the Woods work her magic. The spirit of Halloween definitely comes to life at LA’s ultimate Halloween event. Stop by the (S)laughterhouse to scream with fright at Herschel the smiling scary dude. We love the hayride because its great for a date night, group of friends, or for going for that solo spook.
BONUS!
House of Spirits
Location: The Nocturne Theatre, 324 North Orange Street, Glendale
If you are looking for a more adult and sexy Halloween event, head over to this haunted cocktail soiree. Enter the 90,000 square foot haunted mansion and enjoy spirits of every kind, tarot readings, and secret games. Learn about the legend of Vaughan Hall, and enjoy sinister stories that will leave you wanting to sleep with your lights on at least until Thanksgiving. The soiree begins October 6th.
If you’ve got your tickets to hit up Halloween events, check out more things to do in the month of September.
