While fall foliage is sparse in L.A., there’s no shortage of Halloween spirit. It’s October, so there are precious few weeks left to hit up costume stores and stockpile some of the best Halloween candy. You’ll find plenty to do among the street fairs, Halloween parties and other fun festivals in L.A. in our October events calendar. Here’s everything to know and everywhere to go for Halloween in Los Angeles!
Oogie Boogie Bash
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
The Nightmare Before Christmas’s bug-stuffed sack has taken over the Halloween duties at Disneyland, moving the theme park’s annual after-hours, specially ticketed seasonal event across the way for the debut of (the sold-out) Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure. Here’s the gist if you’ve never been to Disneyland’s previous seasonal parties: Halloween spirits begin to materialize around both parks just after Labor Day with glowing decorations and spooky ride overlays, but this five-hour ticketed event throws in a bunch of exclusive Halloween entertainment with the promise of considerably shorter wait times for select rides. Tickets.
Urban Death
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre, North Hollywood
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group hosts a chilling series of vignettes. Armed with a shoddy flashlight to illuminate the their path, guests navigate a labyrinth of terror before enduring a series of shocking scenes that will unsettle even the most stoic of horror fans. Tickets.
“Natural History of Horror”
Natural History Museum, USC/Exposition Park
It’s alive. It’s alive! The Natural History Museum is taking a look at the science and history that inspired some of film’s most iconic, hideous creatures. “Natural History of Horror” will tackle scientific discoveries, like early experiments in animal electricity and the excavation of King Tut’s tomb, and explore how they influenced old-school monster movies, like The Mummy and Frankenstein. Learn more here.
‘Psycho’ Live with Orchestra
The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Downtown Historic Core
The LA Opera and the Theatre at Ace Hotel once again join forces for a chilling mash-up of opera and film. Hole up in the Ace’s gothic auditorium for a screening of the 1960 Alfed Hitchcock classic, Psycho, complete with a live accompaniment from LA Opera Orchestra—we can already hear that iconic string motif from Bernard Herrmann’s score. Stick around after the October 26 performance for the Ace’s “A Hitchcock Halloween,” a haunted costume party in the hotel theater’s cathedral-like lobby. Tickets.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Old Zoo, Griffith Park
Like seemingly all pop culture horror experiences right now, this year’s Haunted Hayride will set the action in the mid-’80s in the ficticious town of Midnight Falls. Based on the early concept images, we’re getting vibes that fall somewhere between road culture of Sons of Anarchy and the isolation of Twin Peaks. The Old Zoo tradition, now in its 11th installment, has always borrowed and reworked a bunch of props and costumes from previous years, but organizers insist that the design elements of this year’s event are entirely new. Tickets.
Dark Harbor
Queen Mary, Long Beach
The only thing better than a haunted attraction is a haunted attraction on a giant boat. You’ll find all the usual horrors here—fog, mazes and countless monsters. What sets Dark Harbor apart is its use of its surroundings; the dark, cramped confines of the Queen Mary are already pretty spooky even without monsters—just be prepared to climb a lot of skinny staircases. There’s also an R.I.P. Lounge (see what they did there?) if you’re looking for a first-class experience (fewer monsters, more booze). Tip: Arrive early for the $20 “Happy Haunting Hour” from 6 to 8pm, where you can calm your nerves with a spiked potion at a pair of tap rooms. Tickets.
Nights of the Jack
King Gillette Ranch, Santa Monica Mountains
Stroll across the scenic King Gillette Ranch as the Santa Monica Mountains hideaway is illuminated with thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. This year, a partnership with Nickelodeon is bringing pumpkins inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants and an Are You Afraid of the Dark pre-show space. And for the adults, make sure to sip on Halloween cocktails at the Spookeasy Bar. Tickets.