Halloween Guide to Southern California Theme Parks: What Not to Miss in 2026

Every fall, Southern California’s theme parks transform into Halloween playgrounds. Some go heavy on the frights with haunted houses, scare zones, and gory details meant for adults, while others keep it family-friendly with not-too-scary character encounters, pumpkin displays, and mountains of candy.

This guide walks you through how each theme park in Southern California celebrates Halloween, highlights their signature seasonal events, and shares tips for making the most of your visit.

One quick note: if you’re planning to bring kids to an after-hours event, check the park’s Halloween guide first. Some of these experiences are designed to terrify even adults, and they can feel overwhelming for tweens and younger teens.

Halloween Guide to Southern California Theme Parks: An Overview

Here’s what you can expect this Halloween season across Southern California’s most popular theme parks:

• SeaWorld San Diego – Spooktacular daytime fun with trick-or-treating plus the terrifying Howl-O-Scream at night.
• Disneyland & Disney California Adventure – Halloween Time décor, special ride overlays, and the popular Oogie Boogie Bash party.
• Universal Studios Hollywood – Halloween Horror Nights with movie-quality haunted houses, scare zones, and the Terror Tram. (We have discounted tickets to this.)
• Knott’s Berry Farm – Family-friendly Spooky Farm by day and the legendary Scary Farm haunt by night.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain – Fright Fest with haunted mazes, scare zones, and thrill rides in the dark.
• LEGOLAND California – Brick-or-Treat Monster Party, a candy-filled celebration perfect for kids.

Whether you’re after family fun or heart-pounding scares, this Halloween guide to Southern California theme parks highlights the best events, ticket tips, and ways to save.

SeaWorld San Diego’s Halloween Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream

SeaWorld San Diego celebrates Halloween with two very different experiences: the family-friendly daytime Spooktacular and the after-dark fright fest Howl-O-Scream.

Spooktacular (Daytime)
On weekends from September 6 through November 2, SeaWorld’s beloved Spooktacular takes over the park with activities that kids (and parents) will love:

• Halloween Dance Party with costumed performers
• Character meet-and-greets
• Trick-or-treating throughout the park (bags provided)
• O.P. Otter’s Spooktacular Surprise! show at Mission Bay Theater, where kids can join a costume party and dance along
• Pumpkin Hunt, a scavenger-style game where guests purchase a map and search for SeaWorld animal-themed pumpkins hidden across the park. Complete it to win an exclusive Halloween prize.

Howl-O-Scream (Nighttime)
Once the sun sets, the fun takes a scarier turn. On select nights from September 12 through November 1, the park transforms into Howl-O-Scream — an “intense horror-filled haunt” designed for mature audiences. Expect:

• Scare zones filled with creatures of the night
• Terrifying haunted houses with elaborate sets and jump scares
• Live entertainment created for thrill-seekers
• Tickets: Howl-O-Scream is separately ticketed at $43.99 per person.
• Hours: Begins at 7 p.m. and runs late into the evening.

Insider Tips

• October is Kids Free San Diego — which means one child gets in free with a paid adult ticket.
• Save money by purchasing discounted SeaWorld San Diego tickets in advance.

Disneyland & Disney California Adventure

From late August through October, Disneyland Resort transforms into a festive Halloween wonderland. Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park get decked out with pumpkins, themed décor, ride overlays, special food and drinks, and after-hours events that draw huge crowds year after year.

What to Expect

• Halloween décor: Hundreds of carved pumpkins line Main Street, U.S.A., and spooky touches appear throughout both parks.
• Ride overlays: The Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday, themed after Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Other attractions also get Halloween twists.
• Shows and entertainment: The Halloween Screams fireworks show lights up the sky, and you’ll find plenty of Halloween-themed character meet-and-greets and trick-or-treating spots.
• Special treats and eats: The parks roll out an entire seasonal food lineup. Highlights include:
  • Jack-O’-Lantern Mickey Pumpkin Macaron
  • Maleficent Churro
  • Transylvania Transfusion Punch
  • Mickey Bat Cookie
  • Plus, many other limited-time snacks and desserts at restaurants and kiosks across both parks.

Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure
The separately ticketed Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure is the crown jewel of Disneyland’s Halloween celebrations. Guests can enjoy immersive treat trails, character encounters, exclusive shows, and themed experiences throughout the park.

• Takes place on select nights in August, September, and October.
• 2025 tickets are already sold out, so mark your calendar to purchase the day they go on sale in future years.
• Requires separate admission (not included with regular Disneyland tickets).

Teen-Friendly Fun
For thrill-seekers, Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark takes over the ride each evening from 3 p.m. until closing. It’s loud, intense, and designed to be scary — a hit with teens, but not appropriate for young kids.

Insider Tips

• Plan to eat in the parks — the Halloween food lineup is outstanding, with creative treats you won’t find any other time of year.
• Ask PhotoPass photographers for special Halloween Magic Shots — they’ll add spooky surprises to your pictures.
• We have discounted Disneyland tickets. On Park Hoppers, use promo code SAVEMORE for an extra $5 off below.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights

When it comes to horror, no one does it quite like a movie studio. Universal Studios Hollywood goes all-in for Halloween Horror Nights, running on select nights from September 4 through November 2. This is one of the most intense and immersive Halloween events in Southern California — and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

What to Expect
Halloween Horror Nights features:

• 8 movie-set-quality haunted houses, including themes like A Quiet Place, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Insidious: The Further, The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines, Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America, and Dead Exposure: Death Valley.
• The Terror Tram, this year featuring the ultra-creepy android M3GAN.
• Scare zones and live shows packed with jump scares and movie-worthy special effects.
• Scare actors throughout the park — sometimes even offering surprises or themed interactions while you wait in line.

Tickets & Age Policy

• General admission starts at $77 per person, with upgrade options available (including Express and RIP tours).
• Separately ticketed event (not included with park admission).
• Not recommended for kids under 13 or for teens who aren’t into horror.

Insider Tips

• Be prepared: the makeup, special effects, and gore are incredibly realistic, making this one of the scariest theme park events anywhere.
• Buy tickets early — most nights sell out.

Discounted Universal Studios tickets are available, however, Halloween Horror Nights requires its own separate ticket. Don’t worry as we have a discount on them, too!

See my Universal Studios Hollywood guide to touring it and Warner Bros. Studio® on the same day.

Knott’s Berry Farm: Knott’s Scary Farm and Knott’s Spooky Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm goes all out for Halloween, offering two very different seasonal experiences: the terrifying after-hours Knott’s Scary Farm and the kid-friendly daytime Knott’s Spooky Farm.

Knott’s Scary Farm (Nighttime)
This is the original theme park Halloween event — and still one of the biggest and scariest around. From September 18 through November 1, the park transforms into a nightmare landscape filled with:

• Haunted mazes and scare zones
• Sinister live shows
• More than 1,000 monsters lurking in nearly every corner

There are very few scare-free zones, and monsters will sneak, startle, and chase you from the shadows. It’s a separately ticketed event, best for ages 13 and up.

• Hours: 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. or 2 a.m., depending on the night
• Tickets: Starting at $64
• Tips:
  • Buy tickets early — this event sells out fast.
  • Consider a Fright Lane pass to skip lines that can stretch up to two hours.
  • Don’t miss the creepy-themed food and drinks like pumpkin soup, Halloween churros, candy corn funnel cakes, and cocktails with floating eyeballs.

Knott’s Spooky Farm (Daytime)
For younger visitors, Knott’s Spooky Farm offers a lighthearted way to celebrate Halloween on Thursdays through Sundays, September 25 – October 31. Perfect for kids ages 3–11, this daytime event includes:

• Trick-or-treating through Ghost Town (bags provided)
• Family-friendly live shows, like the skeleton marionette puppet show at Bird Cage Theater
• Costume contests and themed decorations
• Encounters with critters at Creepy Critters Corral
• Seasonal overlays on rides like Timber Mountain Log Ride, where aliens and ghosts join the fun

Spooky Farm activities are included with regular park admission. No need to bring your own trick-or-treating bags as every child receives one at entry.

Insider Tip
Save money with discounted Knott’s Berry Farm tickets.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest

On select nights from September 19 through November 2, Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a full-on fright zone.

Daytime
During the day, you’ll find Halloween decorations, stage shows, and themed touches on rides — including pitch-black roller coaster experiences after dark. These elements are spooky but still manageable for families with older kids.

Nighttime (Fright Fest)
Once the clock hits 7 p.m., the real scares begin. Zombies, ghouls, and other creatures of the night roam the scare zones, while haunted mazes and sinister set pieces take over the park. Even the roller coasters get in on the fun — and you never know when a monster might end up next to you in the seat.

Tickets & Age Policy
Fright Fest now requires a Haunted Attractions Pass, which is a separate ticket in addition to regular park admission.

• Recommended for ages 13+ — this event gets intense.
• Guests over age 12 may not wear costumes.
• Chaperone Policy: Anyone 15 or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is 21+ with a valid ID from 4 p.m. until closing.

Insider Tips

• Sundays are typically the least crowded.
• Ride lines are usually shorter at night. Many guests can hit all the major attractions in about four hours without buying the Express Maze Pass.

See my Six Flags Magic Mountain guide.

LEGOLAND California Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

If you’re looking for a Halloween event that’s truly designed with families in mind, LEGOLAND California’s Brick-or-Treat is the perfect fit. The event runs on select dates — September 29 and October 6, 13, 20, and 29.

What to Expect
Brick-or-Treat is packed with kid-friendly fun, including:

• Costume contests
• Trick-or-treat stations (LEGOLAND hands out more than 1 million pieces of candy plus special LEGO bricks)
• Live shows, games, and Halloween crafts
• Roaming performers and character meet-and-greets with Monster Rocker, Green Witch, Tiger Woman, Spider Lady, and more

The highlight is the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party, held every Saturday in September and both Saturdays and Sundays in October. Kids can dance with the LEGO Zombie Cheerleader Crew or rock out with the LEGO Monsters of Rock — air guitars welcome!

Food & Treats
Seasonal eats include the massive 2-foot Monster Dog and the colorful Monster Mash Up Shake, sold throughout the park.

Insider Tips
October is part of Kids Free San Diego, so one child ages 12 and under gets in free per paid adult with qualifying tickets. Costumes are encouraged for guests of all ages. Expect longer lines for rides and activities on Brick-or-Treat nights.

Tips When Visiting Halloween Events in Theme Parks

Halloween at Southern California theme parks is exciting, but it can also be crowded, overwhelming, and sometimes a little too scary if you don’t plan ahead. Whether you’re visiting with kids or chasing thrills with friends, these tips will help you make the most of your spooky adventure.

• Buy tickets early – Popular events like Oogie Boogie Bash and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights often sell out weeks (or months) in advance.
• Know what’s included – Some Halloween offerings (like Disneyland Halloween Time décor or LEGOLAND’s Brick-or-Treat) are included with regular admission. In contrast, others (Knott’s Scary Farm, Fright Fest mazes, Howl-O-Scream, and Oogie Boogie Bash) require separate tickets.
• Check age recommendations – Not all events are suitable for kids. Universal, Knott’s Scary Farm, and Howl-O-Scream are best for teens and adults, while LEGOLAND, Disneyland, and SeaWorld Spooktacular cater to younger families.
• Arrive early, stay late – Crowds build fast, especially at after-hours events. Arriving at the opening and staying late gives you the best chance to experience more.
• Use skip-the-line options – Consider add-ons like Universal’s Express Pass or Knott’s Fright Lane to cut down on long waits for mazes and rides.
• Dress wisely – Costumes are encouraged at family-friendly events, but usually prohibited for adults at scarier nighttime haunts. Comfortable shoes are a must since you’ll be walking a lot.
• Plan for food – Seasonal treats are a highlight at many parks, from themed churros at Disneyland to creepy cocktails at Knott’s. Lines can be long, so try to eat at off-peak times.
• Bring the essentials – A light sweater for cool nights, a portable charger, and, for kids, a small trick-or-treat bag (though many parks provide them).

Final Thoughts

No matter your age or scare level, Southern California theme parks have a Halloween experience to match — from candy trails and dance parties for families to haunted mazes and late-night thrills for horror fans. Just remember: tickets sell out quickly, so plan ahead and look for discounts to make the most of your visit.

See also: Things to do in San Diego around Halloween for kids and grown-ups