Halloween events in Los Angeles for spooky fun

Confront familiar foes at Universal Studios’ annual Halloween festivities, where big-budget scares meet iconic horror movie characters. You’ll be able to navigate multiple scare zones and mazes, including ones based on A Quiet Place, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Insidious, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the Weeknd, an all-female assembly of the classic Universal Monsters and a selection of creatures inspired by Latin American folklore. Also, the “Terror Tram” edition of the studio tour will return with a Blumhouse takeover, while The Purge will again assume stage show duties over at the WaterWorld venue.

This interactive seasonal event combines elements of immersive theater with a more story-based approach to a walk-through haunted house. This year, it’ll take over the Stimson House, a recognizable red brick mansion built in 1891 in University Park. “The Red Castle,” which opens on September 20 and runs just past Halloween to November 3, puts you in the role of a possibly-superpowered asylum patient under the care of a spiraling psychologist who’s attempting to resurrect his deceased wife.

This is one of the largest Halloween street parties in the world, and there’s really no better place to be on October 31st. Sure, the crowd is huge (like, a half-million people huge) and a bit belligerent, but the amazing display of costumes and general merry-making spirit deem it at least a worthy stop, if not your main destination for the evening. Find it along Santa Monica Boulevard, between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard.

See our guide to the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval.

What could be a better fit for Halloween than spooky films screened in a cemetery? This October, Cinespia will be showing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Coraline and Trick ‘r Treat at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, plus Suspiria at the Orphuem.

Start planning your costume now—L.A.’s favorite public radio station, KCRW, is bringing its legendary Halloween masquerade ball back for the first time since 2018. The 21-and-over party heads to the Mayan this time around with DJ sets from familiar on-air personalities (Novena Carmel, SiLVA, Travis Holcombe) plus special guests Remi Wolf and Say She She.

The only thing better than a haunted attraction is a haunted attraction on a giant boat. You’ll find all the usual horrors here—fog, mazes and countless monsters. What sets Dark Harbor (back for the first time since 2019) apart is its use of its surroundings; the dark, cramped confines of the Queen Mary are already pretty spooky even without monsters—just be prepared to climb a lot of skinny staircases. The event’s 2024 return includes experiences set in the ship’s swimming pool, kitchen, engine room and staterooms.

Each year the Walt Disney Concert Hall adds a little bit of Frank Gehry architecture to Halloween with a silent film screening accompanied by organist Clark Wilson for an extra eerie feel. This year, take a seat for the silent 1922 masterpiece Nosferatu.

Recently reopened L.A. icon Clifton’s Republic welcomes the ghosts of its past for a night of mystery and history. A ticket to the Halloween soiree includes access to the six-story landmark’s Brookdale Dining Hall, Monarch lounge and Gothic lounge, plus a complimentary welcome cocktail. There will also be ghostly burlesque by the Rhythm Howlers, DJs spinning and magic. For $200, you can even take a peek into the beyond with Clifton’s resident medium, Matt Bruce, who will be hosting a séance circle. The VIP route also gets you exclusive entry into the Tree Tops, one of Clifton’s “lands” that’s not yet open to the public.

The masters of alfresco rooftop movie viewing are awakening the spirits in October with a slate of Halloween favorites at their DTLA rooftop. The festive flicks continue to pick up as Halloween approaches, with plenty of chances to see Hocus Pocus, Friday the 13th and Halloween, among others.

The LA Opera and the United Theater on Broadway (formerly the Ace) once again join forces for a chilling mash-up of live music and film. Hole up in the gothic auditorium for a screening of the 1931 Spanish-language production of Dracula, complete with a live accompaniment from the LA Opera Orchestra and a new score by lauded composer Gustavo Santaolalla. While the Bela Lugosi classic was being shot, a forgotten-until-recently version in Spanish, starring Carlos Villarias, was filmed at night on the very same set.