Los Angeles may be known as the City of Angels, but the city has no shortage of ghosts, goblins, and witches. From family-friendly pumpkin patches to actual haunted houses that will make your skin crawl, LA offers a myriad of spine-chilling and fun activities to get you in the Halloween spirit. So, if you’re ready to get a little batty, we’ve managed to scare up a bunch of things to do and see this spooky season in our Ultimate Spooktacular Guide to Halloween in LA!
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights
If you’re a fan of horror films and all things terrifying, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is a must-visit. Infamous for its incredibly detailed haunted mazes, inspired by classic and popular horror films and TV shows, this event features fresh new events and attractions every year.
Halloween Horror Nights is a separate ticketed purchase from general admission to the park. Book your tickets in advance and plan accordingly with our Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios.
Pro Tip: The price of parking at Universal is scarier than the ghouls and demons you’ll encounter in the park, so plan ahead and book transportation with us. We’ll drive you right up to the front gate and we’ll pick you up as well!
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
What could be better than taking your boo to a dark and spooky cemetery to watch a scary movie among the bones and headstones of Tinseltown’s most famous deceased celebrities? The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is known for its outdoor screenings of classic horror films every weekend in October as well as on Halloween night! While you can always get tickets at the venue, you should consider getting your tickets in advance because they sell out fast.
Pro Tip: This is an outdoor seating venue, so you can bring along your own picnic-style food while sitting on the grass. You can even bring beer and wine! Check the venue website for rules and details.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
For a less frightening but just as festive Halloween experience, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival is a vibrant street party that draws thousands of revelers each year. This single-day event has been scaring up fun since 1987 and is known for its elaborate costumes, live music, and lively atmosphere. The carnival stretches for 1 mile on Santa Monica Blvd. between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Drive. It features multiple stages with performances ranging from drag shows to live bands. Whether you are there to show off your Halloween fit or just to take in the spectacle, this carnival is a must-see!
This free event brings the community and local vendors together to celebrate the season safely.
Pro Tip: Leave your pets at home for this event. Public drinking and alcohol are not permitted. While large bags and backpacks are not allowed, you can bring clear bags. Bear in mind that streets will be closed for this event, and parking will be more difficult than it already is, so plan accordingly.
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park is a legendary Halloween tradition. This event combines a haunted hayride with fun mazes, scare zones, and live performances. The hayride takes you through a dark, eerie forest filled with grotesque characters and horrifying scenes. Afterward, you can explore “Midnight Falls”, a spooky town where every resident celebrates Halloween, albeit in their own terrifying way.
This event may be too scary for children under 12, so bear that in mind. Food and drink vendors are available on-site and there are also add-on experiences.
Pro Tip: No costumes, facepaint, or props are allowed inside the venue, and you may only bring small bags or purses. You can park for free at the Los Angeles Zoo and take a shuttle to the event, but you can anticipate 15-45 minutes just for parking. You can pay for VIP parking, but this is not cheap.
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
The iconic Queen Mary in Long Beach is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world, and it embraces its eerie reputation every Halloween with Dark Harbor. This event features terrifying mazes set aboard the ship and on the surrounding grounds. Each maze has a unique theme, many of which are inspired by the ship’s haunted history. In addition to the mazes, there are also carnival rides, immersive attractions, themed bars and lounges, food, and live entertainment.
Pro Tip: Tickets are available exclusively online and vary according to the date and whether you upgrade. While general admission gets you access to all the mazes, Fast Fright Admission gives you faster entry to the mazes, Evil Express allows you to skip all lines as well as access to the Observation Deck, and the ultimate VIP admission gives you early entry to the venue, express entry to attractions and mazes, exclusive access to the Observation Deck and Captain’s Club, and more. Evil Express and VIP tickets are limited to get them quick.
We can get you right to the entrance and bypass the nightmare of parking and parking fees with our cruise terminal shuttle service.
Any Last Words?
Los Angeles offers a wide variety of Halloween events and activities, catering to all levels of scare-seekers and eerie enthusiasts. Whether you’re in the mood for a heart-pounding scare at a haunted attraction or a festive community event, the City of Angels (and ghosts) has something for everyone.
With so many amazing options, don’t let terrifying traffic and deadly high parking prices discourage you from going to any of them. Let Xpress Shuttles handle those monsters so you can rest in peace instead of stressing over transportation. Whether you need a car for you and your special someone or a van or shuttle for your larger group or family, we’ve got you covered. So grab your costume and scare up some friends and family for a spooktacular time in LA!