Written by The Shrtlst Team
Famous amongst horror fans, this event is filled with incredible effects, talented scare actors, and limited-time attractions. Every cinematic land in the park is transformed in moments to the control of the creepiest and crawliest— Nothing is sacred. That includes the latest and greatest horror films taking over their studio backlots in the most hideous fashion. Whether you are new to this annual attraction or a long-time fan, Universal will never disappoint.
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Landmarks
1000 Universal Center Dr, Universal City, 91608, US
This one is a bit more fun for the whole family in the name of tricks, treats, and trails! As an annual special event, the Oogie Boogie Bash brings in rare characters for meet-and-greets and treat trails to interact with the villains of iconic Disney films! There are even special parades that tie everything together in a nice spooky bow. This event is an add-on ticket to the normal one, which is limited to only a select number of guests, so grab yours quickly to participate!
Scary Farm is one of the longest-running scary events in Southern California and is known for its scare zones and mazes! There are tons of monsters roaming about the park that definitely provide the scares on every occasion. Would not recommend this one for anyone under 13, but if you’re looking for thrills as well as a good spooky time, their effects and shows will definitely have you satisfied.
The Queen Mary is already known to be a hideously haunted ship but this annual event is legendary in the city of Los Angeles. The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor hosts various attractions, mazes, shows, and vendors to make for the perfect spooky evening out! If the masses of monsters and ghouls lingering about don’t give you goosebumps, surely the real-life ghosts will as you venture through the night in style.
The perfect way to start out the Halloween Season with a bang, this two-day event in September has the biggest names in horror as well as the newest inventions in horror attractions and films! With over 170 different exhibitors, 32 celebrities, and over 24 different panels and entertainment, there is a ton to explore and enjoy at Horrorcon LA. If you know and love horror, this is the place to be. You don’t want to miss it!
This intense haunted house experience is known throughout California for making its ticket holders quit halfway through. They even have a safe word for when things get a little bit too much for you to handle. With suggestive themes, the ability to grab you, things being dumped on you, etc., The 17th Door is definitely an experience for older teens and above, but if you’re feeling brave– go for it! You get bragging rights if you make it all the way.
One of the best things about the Escape Hotel Hollywood is that there are multiple experiences for every type of spooky interest! Whether you love horror, mystery, or action, the entire hotel provides escape rooms, restaurant dining, and performances to entertain and delight. This one is open year-round but can get pretty popular during the Halloween season, so be sure to check in sooner than later!
In this annual concert event, silent film specialist Clark Wilson returns to perform an enchanting but chilling evening symphony with the original organ score of the 1922 Nosferatu! This is performed live with the influential film and it’s a one-night engagement on Halloween. If you’re looking for a classical spooky evening, this is the place to be.
Filled with astonishing acrobatics and thrills beyond comprehension, the Vampire Circus at the Montalban pushes the boundaries of human performance for the enjoyment of the audience. For those looking for a night out on the town to dress up in their best while still engaging in something sultry and themed for the season, this is the event for you! At only 90 minutes, it is the best date night activity for dinner and a show!
Featuring fangtastic fun for the whole family, the LA Zoo is welcoming trick-or-treaters to pick up some treats on their trails and even feed Halloween-themed foods to some of their favorite animals! There will even be storytimes from acclaimed authors and illustrators, tours through the extinct animal graveyard (and ways to protect the endangered), and many more! It’s a great way to incorporate learning in a fun and spooky way this Halloween season.
There once was a zoo in Griffith Park that was all the rage, now its ancient animal habitats have become the place for all the spooks in this haunted hayride. Griffith Park hosts several scary events each year, but this one takes the cake in the atmosphere alone. It may be too intense for children under the age of 12, but for the ones who are a little daring and love a good story, this is definitely the thrill of a lifetime with classic scares!
This immersive experience is great to get all those spooky pictures for your socials! The Horror High Reunion features some of the best horror movies and cult classics, it is highly encouraged to come in costume or cosplay and pose in their various photo ops! It’s a great way to spend the day learning about horror icons and getting in the spirit of the season.
The Museum of Death is a lot more serious and definitely not for the faint of heart. The museum provides a lot of education about death and everything post-mortem, but the images and stories are very real and very graphic. If you are someone who would like to learn and engage in their morbid curiosities, it is the perfect place to browse slowly and take in everything that it has to offer. Don’t forget to sign their guest book if you survive the experience!
Open only on Saturdays, this gothic club is perfect for adults looking for something both thrilling and passionate. The inside feels like you have stepped into a whole new world that’s filled with bats, candlelights, dancers, and dark music– all painted black as the night. The cocktails are incredible, there is plenty of seating, and the vibes are so very Halloween in the best of ways. Bar Sinister is devilishly delicious fun, especially if you enjoy a dark vampire aesthetic.
Open all year, this is a great cafe to start the day before heading out on your other spooky adventures! Each of their beverages at Horror Vibes Coffee is themed to represent famous horror movies and the atmosphere is perfect for anyone who loves everything eclectic. Big horror buffs will recognize the various signatures on the mural and art pieces, adding to the overall horror vibes.
It may be haunted by some of Hollywood’s brightest, but that is not the only thing that is enchanting about this famous gravesite and cultural center! The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a great place to learn about the cultural history of Hollywood and the glitz and glamour that made it what it is today! Not only this, but they feature various films and performances to celebrate art’s most cherished figures.