Spooky season is upon us, and living in the land of make-believe gives fans of this time of year plenty of reasons to get their scares on! From haunted mazes to creepy hayrides to outdoor screenings of your favorite scary movies, there’s no better place than Los Angeles to celebrate the month of jack-o’-lanterns, witches, black cats, vampires, and all things that go bump in the night.
See Also: ‘V/H/S/Halloween’ Review: A Bloody Bag of Tricks That Could Use a Few Less Treats
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights
First up, the big one: Halloween Horror Nights! Universal’s legendary scream fest is back with more frights than ever and, somehow, even grosser. This year boasts eight terrifying mazes and a brand-new Blumhouse-inspired Terror Tram that’s a must for horror fans brave enough to climb aboard.
The Terror Tram takes you straight into Blumhouse’s greatest hits: you’ll meet M3GAN, stumble through The Purge, get grabbed by The Black Phone’s Grabber, and probably scream through The Strangers. Each stop feels like a bite-sized horror short come to life.
As for the mazes? Prepare for Five Nights at Freddy’s, Terrifier’s Art the Clown, a post-apocalyptic Fallout nightmare, and a Jason Voorhees celebration with the “many faces of Friday the 13th.” There’s even a WWE-themed house (The Horror of the Wyatt Sicks), a scarecrow-inspired maze scored by Slash, and a revamped Monstruos haunt featuring the ghosts of Latin America.
The lone returning maze, Poltergeist, is also the best, packed with actors and effects that make it feel like you’re walking straight into Tobe Hooper’s suburban nightmare.
Throughout the park, expect chaos: evil crow-people swooping in, chainsaw maniacs revving up, and killer clowns around every corner. It’s all gleefully unhinged.
Warning: this one’s not for kids. Nearly every maze leans hard into gore and shock, especially Terrifier, which might make even seasoned horror fans queasy. If you prefer your spooky season with a side of whimsy instead of entrails, this isn’t the event for you.
Tickets Here
LA Haunted Hayride
Next up, the LA Haunted Hayride, that nostalgic, pumpkin-filled tradition at Griffith Park that’s all about Halloween vibes. With three mazes, a haunted carousel, themed food vendors, and the famous hayride itself, it’s a great local haunt that leans more fun than fear.
Of the mazes, Monae Manor (yes, Janelle Monáe’s haunted house!) is the standout: stylish, weird, and wildly creative. Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem lets you literally “walk through her boobs” to enter the house, which feels like a proper tribute to the Queen of Halloween.
The hayride, sadly, has lost some steam. The actors seemed half-asleep, and the set pieces were more “haunted nap” than haunted hayride. Someone please get those ghouls a Red Bull! But even if the scares fall flat, the Halloween atmosphere – the fog, the lights, the laughter – makes it all worthwhile.
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Long a fan favorite, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor has unfortunately drifted into rough waters. Once one of LA’s most thrilling Halloween destinations, it’s become a bit of a mess: chaotic layout, low actor count, and mazes that feel more like abandoned sets than immersive experiences.
That said, wandering through mazes on the supposedly haunted ship still delivers major atmosphere points, and there are some fun extras if you’re willing to pay. You can join Lady Mabel for a séance to summon a vengeful ghost, hunt for hidden speakeasies using mystic tokens, toss some axes, or even roast marshmallows at the make-your-own s’mores station.
Just be warned: the layout is confusing (we literally couldn’t find the exit), and the lines can be painfully long. The Fast Fright pass often has a line longer than the regular queue, and the VIP option, while pricey, is probably your best bet if you don’t want to spend half your night waiting around.
Cinespia’s Outdoor Frights
Finally, for those who prefer their scares on screen instead of in a maze, Cinespia is back for October with a killer lineup of outdoor movies at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Every weekend offers a new spooky treat, and the vibe is pure LA magic: blankets, picnic baskets, and ghosts of Hollywood’s past watching from the sidelines.
Here’s what’s playing:
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October 11: The Craft (already sold out — surprise, surprise)
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October 17: Sinners (this year’s breakout horror masterpiece)
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October 18: Paranorman (for the Laika fans and their brave kiddos)
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October 25: A Nightmare on Elm Street (say hi to Freddy in your dreams)
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October 31: Scream Halloween Party (costumes encouraged, obviously)
So if you’re one of the Cinespia faithful, October is your last hurrah before the movies go dark until next summer. Scary!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a full-on gore junkie, a haunted house aficionado, or just in it for the vibes, Los Angeles has a fright for every flavor this Halloween season. From blood-soaked mazes to moonlit movie nights, the city of angels once again proves it’s also the city of demons — at least for October.
Happy Haunting, LA!
