Halloween Horror Nights
Universal's official 2026 ticket calendar includes October 1. The separately ticketed event features eight haunted houses, Terror Tram, scare zones and live entertainment.
Movie-scale fear · Updated October 1, 2026
Los Angeles haunted houses
Compare six major 2026 attractions from Universal City and Griffith Park to Buena Park, Long Beach, Valencia and Thousand Oaks—with official dates and traffic-aware routes.
6 current optionsTheme parks + standalone hauntsTonight guidanceOfficial sources linked
The short answer
What are the best haunted attractions near Los Angeles?
Choose by geography, not just fame. Halloween Horror Nights is the studio-scale option, Knott's Scary Farm is the Southern California classic, and Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is the central outdoor event. Dark Harbor turns the Queen Mary into a festival, Magic Mountain pairs coasters with mazes, and Reign of Terror is the strongest standalone indoor destination.
Last verified October 1, 2026. Check official calendars, ticket inventory and parking instructions before leaving.
Tonight · Thursday, October 1
What can you do tonight?
Start with the event that publishes an explicit October 1 date, then verify same-day inventory.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
The Griffith Park event runs select nights September 18–November 1 and currently promotes tonight on its official homepage. Confirm the available entry windows before driving.
Choose the anchor
Six verified Los Angeles-area experiences
Every attraction below can fill an evening. The outlying destinations should not be stacked into one route.
Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios Hollywood runs 42 select nights from September 3–November 1. The 2026 lineup includes eight haunted houses, Terror Tram, scare zones and The Purge: Dangerous Waters.
Knott's Scary Farm
The separately ticketed Buena Park event runs select nights September 17–October 31, with mazes, shows, rides and more than 1,000 monsters. The operator does not recommend it for children under 13.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
The signature Griffith Park hayride returns select nights September 18–November 1. The 2026 theme, Fallen Angel, expands the fictional town of Midnight Falls with a new séance theater.
Queen Mary's Dark Harbor
Dark Harbor runs select nights September 18–November 1 in Long Beach, combining six mazes with shipboard settings, live entertainment, rides, themed bars and optional experiences.
Magic Mountain Fright Fest
Six Flags runs select nights September 18–November 1 in Valencia. Park admission is required, while haunted mazes require a separate Haunted Attractions Pass or an event bundle.
Reign of Terror
The Thousand Oaks attraction connects 12 haunts across 145 rooms and 35,000 square feet. Its 18-night 2026 season adds Backwoods and The Blue Bayou Hotel; timed general admission starts at $39.99.
Compare quickly
Los Angeles haunts at a glance
| Experience | Format | 2026 timing | Best fit | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halloween Horror Nights | Theme park + eight houses | Sept. 3–Nov. 1 | Movie-franchise spectacle | Universal City |
| Knott's Scary Farm | Theme park haunt | Sept. 17–Oct. 31 | Classic all-night event | Buena Park |
| Haunted Hayride | Hayride + attractions | Sept. 18–Nov. 1 | Central outdoor night | Griffith Park |
| Dark Harbor | Shipboard festival + six mazes | Sept. 18–Nov. 1 | Atmosphere and groups | Long Beach |
| Fright Fest | Coasters + paid mazes | Sept. 18–Nov. 1 | Ride-focused groups | Valencia |
| Reign of Terror | 145-room walkthrough | 18 nights in 2026 | Standalone intensity | Thousand Oaks |
Map the metro
Open the right destination
“Los Angeles area” spans more than 70 miles here. Map the event before buying a timed ticket.
Four workable plans
Build the night
Studio City + Universal
Eat before the rush, arrive early, and let Halloween Horror Nights own the evening. Its eight houses make a second ticket unrealistic.
Los Feliz + Haunted Hayride
Pair an early Los Feliz or Atwater Village meal with Griffith Park. Keep the post-haunt stop nearby instead of crossing town.
Buena Park or Long Beach
Choose Knott's or Dark Harbor—not both. Each offers enough mazes and entertainment for a full separate evening.
Spooky Farm or Tricks and Treats
For younger children, use the daytime family events at Knott's or Magic Mountain rather than the intense nighttime programs.
Fast answers
Los Angeles haunted-house FAQ
What are the best haunted attractions near Los Angeles in 2026?
Halloween Horror Nights is the studio-scale choice, Knott's Scary Farm is the classic theme-park haunt, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is the central outdoor option, Dark Harbor uses the Queen Mary, Fright Fest combines coasters and mazes, and Reign of Terror is the large standalone indoor haunt.
Which Los Angeles haunted attractions are open tonight, October 1?
Halloween Horror Nights explicitly includes October 1 on its official 2026 calendar. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride also currently promotes tonight on its homepage. Confirm same-day inventory before leaving.
Which haunted attraction is closest to central Los Angeles?
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park is the most central option here. Halloween Horror Nights in Universal City is the closest large theme-park event to Hollywood.
Are there family-friendly Halloween events near Los Angeles?
The nighttime events in this guide are intense. For younger children, use daytime Knott's Spooky Farm or Six Flags Tricks and Treats instead of Scary Farm or Fright Fest.
Can I visit two Los Angeles haunted attractions in one night?
Usually no. Traffic, parking and queues make one major attraction per night the reliable plan. Treat Buena Park, Long Beach, Valencia and Thousand Oaks as separate destination nights.
Is FrightTour affiliated with these attractions?
No. FrightTour is an independent planning guide. Verify dates, rules and availability directly with each venue.
FrightTour does not operate or represent these attractions. Dates, hours, prices, parking instructions, age guidance and availability can change. Official venue pages are the final authority.
Keep planning
More expanded city guides
San Diego
Compare five San Diego County attractions with coastal and inland routes.
Las Vegas
Compare ten year-round and seasonal horror experiences.
Greater Phoenix
Compare ten Valley attractions with routes for adults, families and multi-stop nights.
Know another Los Angeles-area haunt?
Operators and visitors can submit an attraction or request a listing correction.
Submit or claim a listing →