If the end of summer has you craving everything related to autumn—from pumpkin-spiced beverages to horror flicks—then head to a California theme park. These Golden State attractions love to start celebrating Halloween early—a few beginning in late August and some continuing for a few days after October 31.
Early fall is a great time to visit theme parks, as the back-to-school season often means shorter wait times and more enticing deals. In San Diego, for instance, October brings Kids Free San Diego, when kids 11 and under get in free at most major attractions with a paying adult. Get your season started now at these terrifying haunts, delightfully tame parties, or candy-themed celebrations:
Aug. 23–Oct. 31: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
Both Anaheim theme parks kick off the season in a big way: Disneyland Park has the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, a blinged-out and reopened Haunted Mansion, and special Halloween Screams fireworks. Disney California Adventure Park has its own holiday-themed rides, such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark as well as the interactive costume party called Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show. California Adventure also offers the Plaza de la Familia area—live performances, crafts, and an add-your-own Memory Wall—that honors Dia de los Muertos and features characters and music from the movie Coco.
For extra fun, take the Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tour, which includes special seating for the nighttime show (select dates) or join the Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit game (Aug. 30–Nov. 1), where you can buy a map to hunt down hidden decorated pumpkins, then collect a prize at the end.
California Adventure also offers the separate-ticket Oogie Boogie Bash on select nights during September and October. Collect goodies on the Treat Trail, see the Frightfully Fun Parade, and check out famous Disney villains lurking along the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Make sure to check out the resort’s various offers before you go: Families can get a three-day deal that works out to $50 per child per day and anyone can get up to 25 percent off Disneyland hotels (both deals good through Sept. 26).
Sept. 5–Nov. 3: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
This year’s separate-ticket scarefest at the Los Angeles theme park features a new slate of unnerving scare zones and haunted houses inspired by Hollywood horror films and TV series such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A Quiet Place, and even Ghostbusters. This year, the Terror Tram is “Enter the Blumhouse” featuring M3GAN, and The Weeknd returns to the park for a special haunted house called “Nightmare Trilogy.” Halloween Horror Nights is intended for ages 13 and up.
Sept. 6–Nov. 3: SeaWorld Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream, San Diego
San Diego’s ocean-themed park offers two different Halloween experiences. During the day, little kids will love the pirate-themed SeaWorld Spooktacular (select days from Sept. 6–Nov. 3), with pirate parades, a pumpkin patch, candy quests, and trick-or-treat stations. After dark, teens and grown-ups can get their nerves frazzled at Howl-O-Scream (select days from Sept. 27–Nov. 2), with haunted houses, scare zones, and darkened coasters, including a 3D scare zone called Circus of the Damned. The festivities also include live shows and themed bars, such as one called Bloodthirsty.
Sept. 7–Nov. 3: Six Flags’ Fright Fest, Valencia and Vallejo
California’s two Six Flags theme parks offer an array of haunted mazes, scare zones, darkened rides, and zombies roaming after dark. At Magic Mountain, just outside Santa Clarita, the fun begins Sept. 7, with nine scare zones and seven haunted houses. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo kicks off its party on Sept. 21 with its own spooky zones and dark rides.
Both parks also host a beer- and oompah-music-fueled Oktoberfest (Sept. 14–Nov. 1) as well as a not-scary Kids Boo Fest (select dates from Sept. 20–Nov. 3).
Sept. 14–Oct. 27: Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND, Carlsbad
Come on select Saturdays and Sundays during September and October for this separate-ticket event at the Carlsbad park. The six-hour experience includes a monster dance party; live shows, and a new 4D movie called The Great Monster Chase. Be sure to ride The Dragon coaster which has a special “disco” makeover for this time of year.
Sept. 14–Nov. 3: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place San Diego, Chula Vista
The Sesame Street–themed park in Chula Vista throws a Halloween party every weekend through the end of October, with the integer-loving Count playing host. Come in costume to go trick-or-treating, join in the Halloween Costume Parade, and join the fun on a Spot-the-Ghost scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the dance parties and meet-and-greets with the Count and other Sesame Street characters donning their own costumes.
Sept. 19–Nov. 2: Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park
The freak-out-fest at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park has been running for more than 50 years now, and features more than 1,000 live-action ghosts and ghouls waiting behind every corner (and in the fog!) at the 15-plus mazes, fright zones, and creepy shows. (This event is intended for ages 13 and up. Also, the park’s current policy states that visitors ages 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who’s at least 21 to enter or be in the park after 4 p.m.)
Sept. 20–Oct. 26: Tricks and Treats at California’s Great America, Santa Clara
In between the rides at this Santa Clara theme park, enjoy two distinct Halloween celebrations: the “Tricks” zone (say, a zombie cover band, silent disco, and worms-in-dirt cupcakes) or the “Treats” area, which includes a candy-corn farm, a sweets-conjuring witch, and lots of trick-or-treating. Everyone can enjoy creative dishes such as pumpkin beignets, butternut squash flatbread, and sweet apple betty. Buy your tickets online for the best rates.
Sept. 27–Oct. 27: Halloween at Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
The little kid–friendly park in Gilroy throws a party every weekend evening in October with the theme “Boo Alley,” based on the musical show The Great Big Boo. See characters from the show, including Vinnie the Vampire and Wendella the Witch, and enjoy light displays, trick-or-treating, and special food and drink—including “potion” beverage options for both kids and adults.
Want more pumpkin-and-ghoul-themed fun? Check out these California Halloween celebrations and activities located all over the Golden State.
