Southern California Halloween Events 2026: Haunts, Patches & Family Fun

Halloween in Southern California: LA, OC & San Diego

Explore Southern California Halloween events for 2026, from pumpkin patches and theme-park nights to haunted houses and mazes. Whether you are in Los Angeles, Orange County, or San Diego, you will find festivals for every scare level. The lineup includes haunted houses, scare zones, live shows, music festivals, and family days built for costumes and candy. Start with the teen-and-adult haunts, then jump to the family-friendly section.

Southern California Halloween Events for Teens and Adults

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood turns the park into a hard-ticket haunt on select nights from September 3 through November 1, 2026. Expect movie-based haunted houses, scare zones, the Terror Tram, and live entertainment. This is a teen-and-adult event, not a daytime park visit. Confirm the night you want and buy tickets early. Tickets.

Queen Mary Dark Harbor in Long Beach

Dark Harbor returns to the Queen Mary on select nights from September 18 through November 1, 2026. The ship and harbor fill with haunted mazes, themed bars, live entertainment, carnival rides, and seasonal food. New for 2026 is the Shipwrecked: Brace for Impact maze, plus reimagined classics. Go if you want atmosphere and a floating haunt rather than a theme-park crush. Event Website.

Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park

Knott’s Scary Farm remains Southern California’s longest-running theme-park Halloween night. On select nights from September 17 through October 31, 2026, the park opens at 7 p.m. with mazes, scare zones, rides, and shows. Costumes are not allowed, and re-entry is not permitted. Your ticket is valid for one night only. Families with younger kids should visit Knott’s Spooky Farm during the day instead.Event Website.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park

The original Los Angeles Haunted Hayride runs on select nights from September 18 through November 1, 2026, in Griffith Park. The night includes a tractor-pulled hayride through the woods, mazes, and scare zones. It is not recommended for children under 12. Arrive with a timed ticket plan; weekend waits build fast. Event website

Nights of the Jack in Calabasas

Nights of the Jack remains a SoCal Halloween staple: a walkable trail of oversized pumpkin installations on a Calabasas ranch, now paired with carnival energy, food trucks, and evening lights. It works for mixed-age groups who want spectacle without jump-scare mazes. Check the calendar before you drive; nights sell in waves. Event website

Six Flags Fright Fest at Magic Mountain

Fright Fest EXTREME at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia runs on select nights from September 18 through November 1, 2026. The event pairs park rides with horror mazes and scare zones and is recommended for guests 13 and older. Ignore out-of-state park notes from older listings; this date and address are for Magic Mountain only: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. Event website

Lights Out at Fairplex in Pomona

Fairplex’s Lights Out Halloween maze event runs on select nights from October 3 to October 25, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. Guests move through interactive mazes such as Zombie Escape, Carnival of Evil, and Toxic Terror, then hit live DJ sets and a horror vendor village. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Event website

Haunted Trail in Balboa Park, San Diego

Haunted Trail is a one-mile scare walk in Balboa Park that starts in a large maze and continues through the trees. Groups are capped at around 20 people, so timed or VIP tickets matter on weekends. Buy ahead and arrive at your window; general-admission lines move slowly. Event website

Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Southern California

Looking for candy, trains, and pumpkins instead of screamers? These Southern California events are built for costumes and kids.

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch sits behind the station in historic Irvine Regional Park in Orange. The 1/3-scale train, hay maze, and pumpkin field are the draw. Patch admission is separate from the County of Orange vehicle entry fee for Irvine Regional Park. The 2026 season runs into October 31; weekend reservations can be required. Event website

Live Oak Canyon Fall Harvest Festival

Live Oak Canyon Farm in Redlands runs a full fall festival with rides, games, a petting zoo, a corn maze, a train ride, food vendors, and one of Southern California’s largest pumpkin patches. The 2026 season is listed from September 25 through October 31. Arrive early on weekends. Address: 32335 Live Oak Canyon Road, Redlands.

Adventure City’s Boo-Tastic Halloween Party

Adventure City in Anaheim keeps Halloween small and easy: 11 kid-scale rides, Trick-or-Treat Street, a Vortex tunnel, the Express Train, and a scavenger hunt. Parking is free, which is rare in Orange County in October. Confirm 2026 party nights on the park calendar. Event website

LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights

Brick-or-Treat returns to LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad on select dates from September 19 through November 1, 2026. New this year: Brick-or-Treat Street, six life-size LEGO Monster homes with treats, plus shows, meet-and-greets, and costume contests. The event is included with dated park admission on Brick-or-Treat nights. Event website

Carved at Descanso Gardens

Carved lights the Camellia Forest and Rose Garden at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge with carved pumpkins and fall color. There are no scare actors. It is one of the easiest all-ages evening walks in Los Angeles County. Address: 1418 Descanso Dr. Event website

Fall Festival at The Original Farmers Market

The historic Farmers Market at 6333 W. 3rd St. in Los Angeles hosts a child-friendly Fall Festival with carnival games, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, live music, and holiday treats. Costumes are welcome. Use it as a low-stress LA stop if you already have downtown or Fairfax plans.

Halloween Aglow at Birch Aquarium

Birch Aquarium’s Halloween Aglow is a family version of its after-dark ocean nights. Kids get a glow-and-creature evening instead of jump scares. Confirm 2026 nights and ticket windows on the aquarium site before you drive to La Jolla.

Boo at the Zoo in Santa Ana

Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Ana Zoo is a “merry, not scary” trick-or-treat day with treat stations and rides such as the Boofari Express Train, Conservation Carousel, and Ferris wheel. Costumes are encouraged. Address: 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana. Verify the 2026 date on the zoo calendar before you go. Event website

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

1. Group up. Trick-or-treat with an adult or stay in a group.
2. No lights, no go. Skip dark houses.
3. Stay off the street. Use sidewalks and crosswalks.
4. Carry a light. Wear reflective gear and pack a flashlight or glow stick.
5. Check the candy. Toss unwrapped or suspicious treats.
6. Skip alleys. Stay on well-lit streets.
7. Drivers: Slow down and watch for costumes after dusk.
8. Have fun, stay visible. Candy isn’t worth a close call.

Fun Things To Do With Kids in Southern California