Out of town friends asked me what to do for Halloween in LA. I literally didn’t know where to start. Do I tell him about the theme parks that turn into legit nightmares? The massive street party that shuts down entire neighborhoods? The fancy orchestral concerts with horror movie soundtracks? It’s all a lot in the best possible way.
So, the Martin Feinberg team decided to put together this guide. It’s for anyone else who’s feeling lost in LA’s Halloween wonderland. Trust me, you’re going to want to bookmark this. Also, if you’re interested in more kid-friendly events, check out some Halloween events in (and near) Culver City.
What are the Big Halloween Events in Los Angeles?
Knott’s Scary Farm
Let’s start with the granddaddy of them all. Knott’s Scary Farm has been scaring people senseless for over 50 years, and they’ve got it down to a terrifying science. People who claim they “don’t get scared easily” end up literally sprinting through the last maze.
They’ve got more than 10 haunted mazes. Each one is like walking through a different nightmare. The actors are incredible. It runs from mid-September through the beginning of November, usually 7 PM to 2 AM on event nights. Fair warning: this is NOT for kids. Teenagers end up crying every year, and you can’t blame them.
Tickets start around $64, but tops out at $499 for the VIP experience. Pro tip: get there early or buy a Fast Pass. The lines are absolutely brutal on weekends.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
If Knott’s is the granddaddy, then Universal Studios HHN is the cool sibling with the Hollywood connections. The production value here is insane. You’ll see movie-quality sets, effects, and scares. They usually base their haunted houses on popular horror franchises. So, you might be running from the Terrifier’s Art the Clown one minute and facing off with Jason next.
The scare zones throughout the park are just as intense as the houses themselves. Actors literally pop out of nowhere while you’re just trying to walk to the bathroom. Tickets can be on the pricier end (starting at $77). But, honestly worth every penny if you’re into high-quality scares. It typically runs from early September through early November.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest
Fright Fest includes like 20 haunted houses and scare zones. Plus, all the regular rides operate with Halloween overlays. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this should definitely be on your list.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
If the theme park events are intimate nightmares, the WeHo Carnaval is a massive, chaotic celebration that takes over Santa Monica Boulevard. There’s easily half a million people in costumes, and some of the outfits are absolutely incredible. People spend months preparing for this.
The best part? It’s completely free. The not-so-great part? You’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of other people. So, if crowds make you claustrophobic, maybe skip this one. But if you want to people-watch and show off your costume, it’s one of the best places in LA.
What are Some Unique LA Halloween Events?
Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns is perfect if you want Instagram-worthy photos without any jump scares. They set up thousands of hand-carved pumpkins in different themed displays. It’s actually really beautiful. Tickets are pretty reasonable (starting at $24.99 for children). It’s the kind of event where you can bring grandparents and toddlers and everyone will enjoy it. Plus, they usually have hot chocolate and seasonal treats. That’s always a win.
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Landmark Theatres
This is peak LA weirdness in the best way possible. Every weekend in October, people dress up in full Rocky Horror costumes. They basically turn the movie theater into an interactive performance. We’re talking audience members shouting lines, throwing rice, and dancing in the aisles. It’s chaotic and amazing. Fair warning: this definitely gets rowdy and is not for everyone. But, if you’re into cult classics and don’t mind organized chaos… it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Academy Museum’s Monster Mash
The Academy Museum knows how to throw a party, and their Halloween event is basically a celebration of horror movie history with an open bar. They screen classic monster movies, have costume contests, and the whole museum stays open late with special exhibits. The Monster Mash attracts fans who go all out with their costumes. It’s a little like Comic-Con meets Halloween meets fancy museum fundraiser.
The Evil Dead in Concert
Street Food Cinema does this thing where they screen movies with live musical accompaniment. Their Evil Dead Halloween show is particularly legendary. Picture this: Sam Raimi’s campy horror masterpiece with a live band creating all the sound effects and music. It’s ridiculous and brilliant. The musicians are incredibly talented and they really lean into the campiness of it all. Plus, there’s usually food trucks and the whole outdoor cinema vibe is perfect for LA.
Nevermore Goth Rave
If you want to dance in a cemetery (or at least feel like you are), this is your event. It’s basically a goth/darkwave rave with Halloween vibes, and the crowd is incredible. Everyone commits to the aesthetic. We’re talking elaborate makeup, stunning costumes, and dancing that looks like it belongs in a Tim Burton film. Something about the combination of dark electronic music and Halloween theatrics just works. Plus, the goth community in LA is surprisingly welcoming to newcomers, so don’t worry if you don’t know the scene.
LA Day of the Dead Festival
This is probably the most culturally rich Halloween-adjacent event in the city. It’s a massive celebration of Día de los Muertos with traditional altars, authentic food, live mariachi music, and art vendors. It’s educational and beautiful and nothing like the typical American Halloween vibe. It’s a nice contrast to all the jump scares and horror movie marathons.
Los Muertos 5K
Continuing the Day of the Dead theme… Runners dress up in Día de los Muertos costumes and makeup, and the route goes through some beautiful parts of the city. It’s actually a really fun way to experience the holiday if you’re into fitness and community events. The energy is infectious, and seeing hundreds of people in sugar skull makeup jogging through downtown is a little surreal.
Musical Halloween Performances in Los Angeles
Walt Disney Concert Hall Halloween Spectacular
They do orchestral performances of horror movie soundtracks in one of the most beautiful concert halls in the city. It’s sophisticated Halloween for adults who want something different from the typical haunted house experience. It can be romantic in a weird, spooky way. Plus, the acoustics in that building are incredible, so even if you’re not usually into classical music, the experience is pretty amazing.
The Nightmare Before Christmas at Hollywood Bowl
The film, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, is screened in full while an orchestra plays the soundtrack live. It’s under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl, which is already magical. But, add in Danny Elfman’s incredible music performed live and it becomes something special. The whole experience feels very “adult Halloween”. It’s sophisticated, but still fun and spooky. Plus, the acoustics at the Bowl are incredible, so hearing “What’s This?” with a full orchestra is genuinely goosebump-inducing.
Real Talk: Planning Tips
Book Everything Early
Seriously, we cannot stress this enough. Hotels near the major theme parks fill up fast, and the good ones get expensive quick. You can end up paying twice as much for a mediocre hotel far from the fun.
Traffic is Your Enemy
LA traffic is always bad, but Halloween weekend traffic is apocalyptic. Don’t even think about driving between multiple events in one night. Pick one main event and stick with it, or use rideshares if you absolutely have to move around. Sitting in traffic for three hours between Anaheim and Universal City will kill your Halloween buzz faster than anything.
Dress Comfortably
We see people every year who clearly prioritized looking cool over being comfortable, and they’re miserable by 10 PM. You’re going to be walking (or running from monsters) for hours. Wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and remember that LA evenings in October can still be pretty warm. Unless you’re going to an event where you want to wear a costume!
Budget for More Than Just Tickets
The ticket price is just the beginning. You’ll want snacks, drinks, probably a Fast Pass for the popular events, parking or rideshare money, and maybe some merch. Budget about double whatever the ticket costs for the full experience.
The Events That Didn’t Make the Main List But Are Still Worth Mentioning
There are tons of smaller events happening all over the city – rooftop Halloween parties in West Hollywood, spooky movie nights in Griffith Park, costume contests at bars in Silver Lake. The best way to find these is to follow local Instagram accounts and Facebook groups for your neighborhood.
Halloween in Los Angeles
Halloween in LA is whatever you want it to be. Want to be genuinely terrified? Hit up Knott’s or Universal. Want to party with half a million people in costumes? WeHo Carnaval is your spot. Want something classy and sophisticated? Try the concert hall. Want family fun without nightmares? Disney and the pumpkin displays are perfect.
The hardest part isn’t finding something to do… it’s choosing between all the amazing options. Our advice? Pick one or two main events and really commit to them rather than trying to cram everything in. You’ll have way more fun and actually remember the experience instead of just rushing from place to place.
Even if you just end up trick-or-treating in a cool neighborhood like Beverly Hills or Los Feliz, you’re still doing Halloween in LA right. This city knows how to celebrate, and the energy during October is absolutely infectious.
Just remember to book early, dress comfortably, and prepare for some epic people-watching. Happy haunting!