HALLOWEEN AFTER DARK
Less sweet. A little more scream. 👻
Halloween isn't just for the littles! I love the cute traditions with the kids (and sneaking a few pieces from their candy stash), but sometimes it's fun to head out with friends and enjoy the scarier side of the season.
From local haunted walkthroughs to theme parks filled with monsters, these Southern California Halloween events offer plenty of options for brave teens, date nights, and adults looking for a night out with a few good scares.
🎟️ A little planning before the screaming
Check each event's age recommendations, chaperone rules, ticket availability, and hours before heading out. Some require advance online tickets, while others sell admission on-site. Prices may vary by night, and parking, taxes, or fees may cost extra.
📍 Scares Close to Home
Start here for haunts in Upland, Montclair, Ontario, and Chino.
🏥 Haunted Hospital | Upland
Creepy corridors, unsettling scenes, and surprises around the corner make this local haunt an easy pick for a spooky night close to home. According to the event listing, this is its final year, with just three nights to visit.
When: October 16, 23 & 30, 2026
Hours: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Admission: $5
Best suited for: Teens and adults who enjoy jump scares
🚗 The Haunted Car Wash | Montclair
Your car gets a wash. You get the scares! Splash N Go Express turns its tunnel into a drive-through haunt with live actors, eerie lighting, and special effects. You can stay in the car, but that doesn't mean you won't scream.
When: Check the ticket listing for available dates and times
Admission: From $28.52 per vehicle
The experience: A haunted car wash you drive through
🏰 CHS Haunt: Escape the Murder Castle | Ontario
Can you find your way out? Chaffey Theatre Company's haunted walkthrough takes visitors into a theatrical horror experience inspired by the infamous H. H. Holmes. Expect dark twists, unsettling encounters, and plenty of reasons to keep your friends close.
When: October 23, 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2026
Hours: Listed as 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.; confirm your selected evening
Admission: $15 at the door
Recommended for: Ages 12+
🌽 The Haunted Harvest at Frosty's Forest | Chino
Finding your way through a corn maze gets a lot harder when monsters are part of the route. The Haunted Harvest features six themed haunted houses throughout a two-acre corn maze, with scares waiting in the darkness between them.
When: Thursdays through Sundays through October 31, plus October 19, 26 & 28, 2026
Hours: Opens at 7:00 p.m.; closing time varies by date
Admission: $30 general admission; $46 Fast Pass
Ticket sales: In person at Frosty's Forest
Location: 14861 Ramona Ave., Chino
Budget note: Separate admission to Frosty's Forest is required in addition to your haunt ticket. Check the current entry price for your visit date.
🌙 More Inland Empire & High Desert Haunts
Make a night of it with haunted mazes, farm scares, and a trip into the High Desert.
🎢 Castle Dark | Riverside
Castle Park takes a spooky turn after sunset with three haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment, and rides. This year's lineup includes two new mazes and a returning favorite, plus the After Dark party on Friday and Saturday nights.
When: Fridays through Sundays through November 1, plus Thursday, October 29, 2026
Hours: 7:00 p.m. to midnight
Admission: Online tickets from $29.99
Age guidance: Not intended for children under 13. Guests under 17 must remain with a parent or adult guardian age 21+.
🌾 Haunted Hayride & Haunted Trail at Greenspot Farms | Mentone
A farm at night already feels a little different. Add monsters lurking through the orchards and ravines, and you've got Terror on the Farm. Choose the haunted hayride, the haunted trail, or both, then take a breather by the campfire.
When: Select nights beginning October 9, 2026; check the event calendar
Hours: 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Admission: Haunted hayride $30; haunted trail $20
Ticket sales: On-site only; cash and cards accepted
🌽 Fear Farm Haunt | Hesperia
Head to the High Desert for haunted houses, a haunted hayride, scare zones, and the Monster Midway. Bring your scare-loving friends and leave time to grab something to eat between attractions.
When: Select nights October 9 through 31, 2026
Admission: From $30
Before you go: Confirm the current address, hours, and attraction lineup on the event website.
🚘 A Little Farther for a Fright
Planning a bigger night out? These Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego options give you a reason to venture farther.
👣 Haunted Orange County Ghost Walks | Multiple Locations
Prefer ghost stories and local history? Join a guided walk through historic neighborhoods and hear the legends connected to the buildings and streets around you. Options include Old Town Orange, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Fullerton, and more.
When: Dates and times vary by tour
Admission: Several walking tours start at $34.24
Age guidance: Varies by tour. Several are ages 12+, while some require guests to be older.
Reservations: Book your selected tour online
🚜 Los Angeles Haunted Hayride | Los Angeles
Gather your bravest friends for an evening built around the Haunted Hayride and its surrounding Halloween attractions. Check this year's lineup and ticket options to decide how much fright you want to fit into your visit.
When: Select nights through November 1, 2026
Admission: Advertised tickets from $34.99; check package inclusions and fees
Ticket sales: Online only
🎬 Halloween Horror Nights | Universal Studios Hollywood
If horror movies are your thing, this is your chance to walk straight into the nightmare. Universal's Halloween Horror Nights features eight haunted houses, the Terror Tram, and scares throughout the park.
When: Select nights through November 1, 2026
Admission: Prices vary by date and ticket type
Age guidance: Not recommended for children under 13
Good to know: This is a separately ticketed event.
🎢 Knott's Scary Farm | Buena Park
There's a reason a night in the fog is a Halloween tradition for so many Southern California scare fans. Knott's Scary Farm brings together haunted mazes, roaming monsters, scare zones, rides, and shows for a full evening of frights.
When: Select nights September 17 through October 31, 2026
Admission: Online tickets from $75; taxes may apply
Age guidance: Not recommended for children under 13. Check the current chaperone policy before planning a teen outing.
🐙 SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream | San Diego
Heading to San Diego for a Halloween weekend? SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream fills the park with haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment, and themed bars. This is the park's intense nighttime haunt, so review the event's age guidance before bringing teens.
When: Select nights September 11 through October 31, 2026
Admission: Check the website for current date-specific pricing
Good to know: Review the Howl-O-Scream ticket options and admission requirements separately from daytime park tickets.
🧡 Know your crowd before you go
A teen who loves scary movies might feel very differently when a monster follows them through the fog! Read the attraction descriptions together, check age and chaperone policies, and let everyone weigh in before buying tickets.
Event schedules, attractions, prices, and policies are subject to change. Please confirm details directly with the organizer before purchasing tickets or traveling.
