California theme parks understand that some people want their Halloween nice and mild and others like it extra wild; that’s why Halloween festivities range from not-so-scary to nightmare-inducing – and everything in between.
Here’s a round-up of this year’s Halloween happenings, from mild to wild.
Legoland California Halloween
Legoland California one of the kid-friendliest Halloween celebrations, which is included with park admission.
New this year, is a brand new 17-foot-tall Lego Halloween Tree made of more than 681,000 Lego bricks and Brick or Treat Street, an all- new interactive trick-or-treat experience featuring a new Halloween interactive light trail and six life-sized Lego Monster homes inspired by fan-favorite Minifigures:
- Wacky Witch’s Cottage
- Wolf Guy’s Cabin
- Spider Lady’s Castle
- Mummy’s Throne Room
- Plant Monster’s Greenhouse
- Scarecrow’s Barn
The annual Brick-or-Treat activities also include trick-or-treating, costume contests, a scavenger hunt, “The Great Monster Chase” 4D Movie, and Disco Dragon Coaster a groovy ride overlay with a monster soundtrack and disco party lights.
The Legoland California Resort Brick-or-Treat celebration will take place on September 19, 26, October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31, and November 1, 2026 (included with park admission). You can find additional information HERE.
Sesame Place San Diego Halloween
One of only two U.S. theme parks completely dedicated to “Sesame Street” celebrates Halloween in not-too-spooky style with The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular.
Kids can come in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating around the park, Halloween-themed shows, the Sesame Street Halloween Parade, and an interactive Spot-The-Ghost scavenger hunt. Plus, there are Sesame Street-themed dry and wet rides and photo ops with Sesame Street pals (who will also be dressed up in costume).
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place runs on select dates from September 12 through November 1, 2026 (included with park admission). You can find additional information HERE.
Disneyland Resort Halloween
Once a “dead zone” between summer vacation and the holiday season (pun intended), fall at Disneyland Resort has become one of the most popular times to visit.
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort celebrates the spookiest time of year with seasonal eats and treats and the Haunted Mansion Holiday, overlay as Jack Skellington and his friends take over the mansion from Halloween through the holidays.
Halloween Time also features the Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular, which includes projections, special effects, and Halloween-inspired songs. On select nights, the show also includes fireworks.
Not to be left out of the action, California Adventure celebrates the spooky season with a “Haul-O-Ween” makeover of Cars Land that features the attraction overlays Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. Plus, when the sun goes down, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout becomes Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark – the same hair-raising drop ride with a monstrous twist. You’ll know it’s time to ride when emergency warning lights flash on the Collector’s Fortress facade.
Also in California Adventure, Plaza de la Familia honors the traditions of Día De Los Muertos with live entertainment, food, crafts and interactive experiences, including a performance that tells the story of “Coco.”
The separately-ticketed Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party includes themed treat trails hosted by Disney villains, the Mickey’s Trick and Treat live stage show, and Villains Grove, an immersive walking experience through villainous realms with sound, light, and shadow effects.
New this year is Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party featuring spooky music and spirited characters inspired by the iconic attraction.
Halloween Time runs daily from August 21 through October 31, 2026 (included with park admission); Oogie Boogie Bash takes place on select nights from August 18 through October 31, 2026 (separately ticketed).
RELATED READING:
- Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Halloween Time 2026: New Leota Street Party, Oogie Boogie Bash & More
- Disney California Adventure: Oogie Boogie Bash Event Guide
- Disney Halloween Merchandise 2026 Rolls In: Mickey, Villains, Nightmare Before Christmas, Mansion & More!
Knott’s Berry Spooky/Scary Farm
Knott’s celebrates Halloween with the daytime kid-friendly Knott’s Spooky Farm as well as the nighttime not-so-kid-friendly Knott’s Scary Farm.
During the day, guests can enjoy a family-friendly fall celebration, including fun kids’ Halloween activities and trick-or-treating in the town of Calico to collect sweet treats from the friendly townsfolk. But the faint of heart should skedaddle out of town before sundown.
With haunted mazes and attractions and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog, Knott’s Scary Farm has definitely earned its reputation as “the largest and most haunting” Halloween event in Southern California.
Knott’s Spooky Farm runs on select dates from September 24 through October 31, 2026 (included with park admission); Knott’s Scary Farm runs on select nights from September 17 through October 31, 2026 (separately ticketed).
Knott’s Scary Farm is not recommended for kids under 13.
Read all about Knott’s Scary Farm here:
SeaWorld San Diego Halloween
SeaWorld San Diego also “straddles the fence” across not-so-spooky and super scary with the kid-friendly SeaWorld Spooktacular during the day and the horrifying Howl-O-Scream at night.
For it’s 6th scary season, Howl-O-Cream will feature all-new angry haunts, scare zones, and vile vignettes as well as six themed bars, five speakeasies and the live Monster Stomp show.
SeaWorld Spooktacular will take place on weekends from September 11 through November 1, 2026 (included with park admission); Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026 (separately ticketed). Find information about SeaWorld Spooktacular HERE and find information about Howl-O-Scream HERE.
Howl-O-Scream is not recommended for kids under 13.
Additional Halloween Events at Sea World San Diego:
- Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run & Kids Fun Run on October 18, 2026. Details HERE
- Día de los Muertos Celebration on October 31 and November 1, 2026. Details HERE
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags offers thrills by day and frights by night during the Halloween season with all your favorite rides plus Tricks and Treats during the day and a terrifying lineup of mazes, scare zones, and haunted attractions for Fright Fest at night.
Tricks and Treats will take place on weekends from September 25 through November 1, 2026 (included with park admission); Fright Fest will take place on select nights from Sept. 18 through November 1, 2026 (imazes require a separate access fee not included in regular park admission. Find information about Fright Fest HERE.
Fright Fest is not recommended for kids.
Universal Studios Hollywood
There’s definitely nothing mild going on at Universal Studios Hollywood during Halloween, and the park’s marquee after-hours separately-ticketed Halloween Horror Nights event features haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows inspired by the biggest names in horror.
While Universal parks in Florida and California share haunted houses based on well-known horror franchises. This year, the lineup includes haunted houses based on Sinners, Hellraiser, and the final season of Stranger Things.
But California gets its own slate of original houses and scare zones plus the exclusive Terror Tram, a hair-raising ride through the Universal backlot where anything can be lurking (and usually is).
Halloween Horror Nights takes place on select nights from Sept. 3 through Nov. 1, 2026 (separately ticketed).
Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for kids under 13.
You can read all about Halloween Horror Nights here:
Evil Dead Joins the Line-up at Universal Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2026
More Southern California Haunts
Not at a theme park, but equally haunting, these seasonal events are worth putting on your spooky season calendar.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park takes guests to the town of Midnight Falls, where the Witch of the Woods has cast a spell that summons the spirits of the underworld to seek revenge on those who have cast her out.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride will take place on select dates from September 18 through November 1, 2026. Find information HERE.
You can purchase discounted tickets now and then select the day and time once it gets closer to when you would like to attend. Discount pre-sale tickets will be available for a very limited time or while supplies last. Access the pre-sale HERE.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is not recommended for kids under 13.
Queen Mary Dark Harbor
Each fall the Queen Mary transforms the ship and surrounding harbor into a massive Halloween festival featuring haunted mazes, hundreds of monsters, immersive attractions, live entertainment, VIP experiences, themed bars and lounges, carnival rides, and festive eats and treats.
Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary runs on select nights from September 18 through November 1, 2026. Find information HERE.
Halloween at Birch Aquarium in San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego hosts two separately ticketed Halloween events: Oceans at Night: Halloween (for guests 21 and older) on October 22, 2026, and the family-friendly Halloween Aglow on October 23 and 24, 2026.
- Oceans at Night: Halloween – Guests age 21+ can dive into fun games, cool science, hauntingly delicious drinks, live music, and the opportunity to explore the aquarium after dark. Be sure to wear a costume for fab photo opportunities.
- Halloween Aglow – Guests can discover the wonders of the sea after dark while they trick-or-treat in the Living Seas Gallery, including glowing surprises. Families can also see Birch Aquarium divers carve pumpkins underwater and experience the science of slime in the Boo and Goo Lab.
Tickets for Halloween Aglow and Oceans at Night: Halloween go on sale September 17. Oceans at Night is $59.95 per person and For Halloween Aglow tickets are $59.95 for adults and $49.95 for children (ages 2 and under are free). Members save 20%.
Find information HERE.
Discount Theme Park Tickets & Hotels!!!
MiceChat brings you the BEST theme park ticket, hotel & package deals! (You’ll find extra nights free, big discounts, and special offers as well).
As Halloween and Christmas approach, be sure to check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and lots of local attractions:
(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals and we may make a small commission on any sales made through our links)
Let’s Hear From You!
Do you prefer Halloween to be not-so-scary or truly terrifying? We know many of you are Disney fans, but we’re curious what other Southern California Halloween celebrations you are looking forward to. Let us know in the comments below!
