California theme parks are preparing for Halloween with a range of events that start as early as late August and continue into November. Many parks are offering both family-friendly activities and more intense scares, appealing to visitors of all ages.
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim will hold its Halloween Time celebration from August 22 to October 31. Disneyland Park will feature the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, an updated Haunted Mansion, and Halloween Screams fireworks. Disney California Adventure Park is hosting themed rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark and Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show. The park also offers Plaza de la Familia, which celebrates Dia de los Muertos with live performances and crafts inspired by the movie Coco. Additional experiences include Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tour and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit game, where guests can search for decorated pumpkins for prizes. On select nights in September and October, California Adventure hosts the Oogie Boogie Bash, a separate-ticket event featuring a treat trail, parade, and appearances by Disney villains.
Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles will run Halloween Horror Nights from September 4 to November 2. This event includes new scare zones and haunted houses such as Jason Universe—based on Friday the 13th—and Terrifier. The Terror Tram ride is also available along with themed food and merchandise. Organizers note that this event is intended for those aged 13 or older.
SeaWorld San Diego offers two distinct experiences: SeaWorld Spooktacular during the day from September 6 to November 2 for younger children with pirate parades, pumpkin patches, candy quests, and trick-or-treat stations; after dark on select days between September 12 and November 1, Howl-O-Scream provides haunted houses, scare zones including Circus of the Damned in 3D, live shows, themed bars such as Bloodthirsty bar, and darkened coasters aimed at teens and adults.
Six Flags Magic Mountain near Santa Clarita starts Fright Fest on September 19 while Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo begins its version on September 20; both run through November 2. These events feature haunted mazes, scare zones with roaming zombies after dark, dark rides, Oktoberfest celebrations with beer and music from September 13 to November 2, plus Tricks and Treats events designed for families.
LEGOLAND in Carlsbad hosts Brick or Treat on select Saturdays and Sundays between September 20 and November 1—a separate-ticket event that includes dance parties, live shows (including a typical fun 4D movie), special food offerings like “potion” beverages for kids/adults alike (at Gilroy Gardens), meet-and-greets with costumed characters such as The Count at Sesame Place San Diego’s Count’s Halloween Spooktacular running weekends from September 13 through early November.
Knott’s Scary Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park runs from September 18 to November 1—an event known for over fifty years—with more than one thousand actors populating fifteen-plus mazes/fright zones/shows; it targets guests aged thirteen or older who must be accompanied by someone twenty-one or older if under sixteen after four p.m. The city of Buena Park joins in festivities through local attractions like Pirates Dinner Adventure’s Vampirates show or Porto’s Bakery seasonal treats.
Gilroy Gardens holds Boo Alley-themed weekend evenings between late September/early October based on musical show The Great Big Boo—with character appearances/light displays/trick-or-treating/special drinks.
In addition to these theme park offerings across California cities such as Anaheim (Disneyland Resort), Los Angeles (Universal Studios Hollywood), San Diego (SeaWorld/Sesame Place), Santa Clarita/Vallejo (Six Flags locations), Carlsbad (LEGOLAND), Buena Park (Knott’s Berry Farm) https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/best-theme-parks-in-california/, Chula Vista (Sesame Place San Diego) https://sesameplace.com/san-diego/events/counts-halloween-spooktacular/, Gilroy (Gilroy Gardens) https://www.gilroygardens.org/play/events/halloween-at-gilroy-gardens/, families can find additional fall festivities throughout the state.
