In case you’re like a whole lot of us, you have been prepared for Halloween as quickly because it was gone final November! Even when the pumpkins get rotten and the spice doesn’t style so good anymore, spooky season stays beloved in Los Angeles. In actual fact, it actually by no means goes away. Horror conventions, screenings and cosplay occasions guarantee it. When the true deal darkish delights of the season are right here, our metropolis goes HAM for Halloween. Particularly after the Halloween Quarantines of 2020, screaming our heads off, dropping ourselves in a spooky story and getting in contact with our depraved facet by dressing up and partying with others, seems like a celebration of life as a lot because it does demise. Listed below are the very best locations to do exactly that. Most run by Oct. 31, however verify hyperlinks beneath for information on dates and occasions.
(David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort)
Monstrous Mainstays
Earlier than we survey the newest theme park choices in LA this yr, we now have 4 phrases for you: “Get a Quick Go!” The choice is really scary with wait occasions operating 1-2+ hours for the latest mazes, haunts and rides.
Disneyland does Halloween in a approach that’s all the time magical. Mickey turns right into a pumpkin with pumpkin ears and the decor all through the park will get a bit darker and creepier, led by imagery from the Tim Burton Disney basic The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas. It’s no surprise “goths” love this land of princesses and evil villains, which conjure among the scariest imagery of our childhoods. Disney’s ominous facet will get highlighted throughout Halloween to nice atmospheric impact. New additions this yr embrace a bespoke gingerbread home inside Haunted Mansion’s Vacation version and “bewitching new outfits” for Mickey and the gang. In case you’re in search of someplace particular to eat, we advocate Goofy’s Kitchen on the Disneyland Lodge, which this yr options characters wearing Halloween apparel backdropped by fall décor and themed desserts. Día de los Muertos is repped within the Plaza de la Familia expertise at Disney California Journey Park by Nov. 2, and with tributes at Disneyland that includes characters from Pixar’s Coco and extra. 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. disneyland.disney.go.com/
(Courtesy Knotts Scary Farm)
It’s the fiftieth anniversary of Knotts Scary Farm and meaning some recent blood within the maze division. After a go to on media evening, our favourite is Cinema Slasher, which takes over the theater that used to deal with the carnival-themed Darkish Experience. (It additionally was known as “Cloud 9,” a spot many Gen-X Angelenos absolutely bear in mind as an precise dance membership). It’s now a film home with three theater scenes representing totally different slasher films. Patrons “stroll although” the film display screen to the subsequent horrific expertise. We additionally loved the brand new Room 13, which includes a prohibition-themed haunting with gorgeously attired ghosts and deco touches all through. New dwell reveals embrace “Dr. Cleaver Returns” within the Fowl Cage Theatre, “Music, Monsters & Mayhem” on the Walter Knott Theater and “The Hanging: Uncancelled” on the Wagon Camp out of doors theater. 8039 Seaside Blvd., Buena Park. knotts.com/occasions/scary-farm
(Courtesy Halloween Horror Nights)
Chucky’s again! So are Common Monsters, The Stranger Issues children, and different fearsome previous faves at Halloween Horror Nights. The Chucky maze has all the time been one among Common’s greatest, and this yr they provide the satan doll’s “Final Kill Depend” recreating his greatest bludgeonings in movies and the brand new TV sequence. Different ominous choices embrace Evil Useless Rise with necronomicon-driven scenes from all through the Evil Useless franchise; “Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America” that includes chupacabra and different creatures from Latin folklore; The Final of Us based mostly on Ps’s award-winning post-pandemic online game/Max present; and The Exorcist: Believer that includes the battle to save lots of possessed ladies as seen within the new film. “The Terror Tram” continues to be operating, too, on the Common backlot, this time in the midst of an insect rebellion. 100 Common Metropolis Plaza, Common Metropolis. universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us
Six Flags Magic Mountain additionally celebrates an anniversary this yr — 30 years of its horror transformation as Fright Fest. This yr, two new haunted homes make debuts, whereas older ones return because the growth of a well-liked scare zone takes heart stage. There’s seven scare areas plus zombies lurking on rides — generally they even flip off the lights leaving riders in darkness. Mazes impressed by The Conjuring and SAW X convey film macabre to the combo alongside extra depraved walk-thrus. Monsters break away within the “Metropolis Below Siege” at 7 p.m. nightly whereas “Sliders of the Night time” clown round with sparked slide performances. Additionally anticipate an alien expertise with DJs, interactive video games and extra. Dates nonetheless open embrace Oct. 12-15, 19-22, 26-29, and 31. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia sixflags.com/magicmountain/occasions/fright-fest-2023
(Courtesy Haunted Hayride)
Thirteenth Ground Leisure Group has made some enhancements to Haunted Hayride for its fifteenth anniversary. There’s brand-new wagons with seating choices, plus up to date results, new horror set-ups and a brand new maze titled Hellbilly Halloween. Different new points of interest embrace Midnight Falls Axe Throwing, Zombie Splat – A GellyBall Expertise: which is like paintball however smaller, utilizing coloured water balloons; The Monte Revolta Present, a theatrical expertise an undead lounge singer and his band; Midnight Mortuary: Scorched Earth: an open home manufacturing; and Trick or Deal with, a maze of ghoulish residents and free sweet. 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Griffith Park. losangeleshauntedhayride.com
Shaquille O’Neal’s Shaqtoberfest has confirmed to be a killer evening with household pleasant time early and terror-ific components in later hours, all within the spirit of the previous Queen Mary Halloween haps like Darkish Harbor. Shaq says this yr’s occasion will probably be greater and scarier with extra horror-themed points of interest and interactive experiences such because the Gray Ghost haunted path (they’re inviting guests again into the stomach of the ship), dwell leisure, carnival rides, themed bars and cocktail lounges, and trick-or-treating on the final three Sundays in October (friends are inspired to return in costumes). 1126 Queens Freeway, Lengthy Seaside. shaqtoberfest.com
(Courtesy Angel of Gentle)
Haunted Arts
The perfect half about Halloween time in LA? The inventive, immersive, theatrical stuff that lets actors, manufacturing designers and weirdos right here actually go wild in pursuit of scaring the crap out of us.
In case you’re in search of one thing utterly recent and freaky to do for Halloween, Angel of Gentle ought to high your record. This theatrical expertise contained in the historic Los Angeles Theatre options an authentic storyline created by Chris Anastas and Mark Binder (produced by Buck Mason), which transports friends again to Outdated Hollywood within the Thirties. The attention-poppingly stunning landmark that’s Los Angeles Theatre is utilized in probably the most atmospheric methods right here — it’s the backdrop to a stage present by Rota Ok. Preston. However all is just not what it appears. The traditional Angel of Gentle curse is in some way revived throughout the present and friends are warned to not let Rota sing! A stroll by by no means earlier than seen components of the theater weaves the storyline as the story unfolds and possession clearly happens earlier than our eyes, ending with a sinister climatic spectacle. The 60-minute expertise makes use of Dolby Atmos sound, projection mapping, fog and strobe to unnerve and chill, because it consists of walks into the underground catacombs and theater dressing rooms of the particular haunted constructing. 615 S. Broadway, Downtown. angeloflight.dwell/enter-the-light
Demonic Dragway plunges you right into a flamboyant fiend scene at The Beckett Mansion within the West Adams District of LA. A spooky tour that includes drag-driven efficiency, the occasion additionally has cocktails, dance music, photographs ops, and a drag costume contest. “Drag queens from the darker realms” are promised, haunting the outdated mansion as they lip-sync for his or her lives and yours. Dates on Oct. 26, Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. 2218 S. Harvard Blvd. eventbrite.com/e/demonic-dragway-at-the-beckett-mansion-tickets-723736233557
(Courtesy Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater/City Loss of life)
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group all the time produces uniquely eerie and twisted reveals this time of yr. This season they current Darkish A.S.M.R. (a sonic Halloween expertise designed to enchantment to followers of “autonomous sensory meridian response” meshing whispers, shrieks and numerous types of triggering audio or visible stimuli, conceived and carried out by V Cate). There’s additionally Cabaret Macabre Halloween, a horny spooky choreo-au-go-go. And eventually, the present that put ZJU on the menacing map: City Loss of life, an extrasensory overload of bizarre, scary, humorous, weird imagery and sound. 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. zombiejoes.com.
Haunted Soiree: A Macabre Cocktail Celebration is equally interactive with a free-roam setup and two-hour cocktail get together inside a haunted home. Music, magic, macabre and menace collide with in-your-face drama and intrigue throughout Theatre Du Vaurien — a story of tormented spirits loosely based mostly on the Cabaret d’Enfer, historic hauntings and Fall-flavored folktales. Choose dates by Oct. 31. 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. hauntedsoiree.com/los-angeles
(Courtesy Delusion)
Thirteenth Ground Leisure Group can be behind Delusion, operating by Nov. 19, on the historic Phillips Mansion in Pomona. Friends get enveloped in an hourlong interactive nightmare that blurs the road between actuality and make consider. This yr’s expertise considerations “Nocturnes & Nightmares,” a few mysterious determine known as “The Writer,” whose chilling phrases come to life. Along with the immersive storyline, Delusion affords on-site eating and drinks in its backyard bar and Marion’s Chamber Lounge. Take a look at the assorted packages obtainable providing totally different ranges of entry and interplay, with the “Spectral Soiree” touting intimate moments in a depraved puppet bar, a Darkish Arts Theater internet hosting mystical artists, and a go to to the mansion’s attic the place you’ll summon the useless. 2640 Pomona Blvd., Pomona. enterdelusion.com
Movie and opera come “alive” on the stunning theater on the Ace Lodge with LA Opera’s shows of Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein (with dwell orchestra). The Boris Karloff 1931 masterpiece and sequel get reanimated by composer Michael Shapiro, who fills within the void by creating authentic new soundtracks, which he’ll conduct with the LA Opera Orchestra. A moody and majestic music expertise, for certain. Oct. 27 – Oct. 29. 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown. laopera.org/performances/202223-season/frankenstein/
Madmann Playground’s Manufacturing brings a horny twist to Van Helsing’s Dracula, with its immersive circus dinner theater premiering on Oct. 21 at Vatican Banquet Corridor. An authentic sapphic spin on the gothic story of vampires and vampire killers, it options an all-female forged of completed circus performers, dancers and actors, plus a three-course meal curated across the present’s narrative. Present dates embrace Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18. 6913 Van Nuys Blvd. eventbrite.com/e/van-helsings-dracula-tickets-656309819337
(Courtesy Madmann Playground)
Lodge Who? affords an immersive expertise for Halloween in October and November happening at Ivar Fortress in Hollywood. Remedy the thriller of Roman Ivar’s demise by amassing clues as you get pleasure from cocktails and an Autumnal feast. Extra data at thehotelwho.com
Tim Burton‘s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas In Live performance has develop into a Hollywood custom, welcoming each the Halloween and Christmas season with music and fanfare. The inimitable Danny Elfman performs the soundtrack with a dwell orchestra and particular friends together with Halsey, Ken Web page, Fred Armisen and Riki Lindhome. There’s a Nightmare costume contest earlier than the present and a trick-or-treat journey for teenagers of all ages, too. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. Oct. 27, Oct. 28, Oct. 29. hollywoodbowl.com/occasions/performances/2856/2023-10-27/disney-tim-burtons-the-nightmare-before-christmas-in-concert
A returning favourite for All Hallows Eve, the Phantom of the Opera with dwell organ music at Walt Disney Live performance Corridor affords the basic story of affection and horror starring Lon Chaney as Erik the Phantom. The long-lasting creature characteristic is amplified and embellished by organist Clark Wilson. 151 S. Grand Ave. laphil.com/occasions/performances/2399/2023-10-31/halloween-organ-film-music-the-phantom-of-the-opera
(Courtesy Disney)
Screamy Screenings
LA screening occasions are among the greatest methods to get into the spooky season spirit. Right here’s a partial record of the horror and Halloween time classics every screening occasion is providing this yr. See their web sites for particular dates, occasions and areas.
Rooftop Cinema Membership: Coraline, Hocus Pocus, Scream, The Shining, Nightmare on Elm Road, Bride of Chucky, Get Out, Halloween, American Psycho, The Descent. rooftopcinemaclub.com/los-angeles
Electrical Nightfall: Friday the thirteenth, The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Little one’s Play, The Craft, Elvira Mistress of the Darkish, The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath, Beetlejuice, Hellraiser. electricduskdrivein.com
Alamo Drafthouse: The Exorcist Believer, Frankenstein, The Factor, Dracula, The Others, Ghostbusters, Psycho, Poltergeist, Little Store of Horrors. drafthouse.com/los-angeles
Right here’s…. Halloween! (Warner Bros)
Melrose Rooftop: Scary Film, I Know What You probably did Final Summer time, M3gan, Halloweentown, Silence of the Lambs, Shaun of the Useless, Rocky Horror Image Present. melroserooftoptheatre.com
American Cinemateque: Witches and vampires from throughout globe are featured within the “Worldwide Home of Horrors” screening sequence, together with José Mojica Marins’ A Praga, George Melford’s Spanish model Dracula, Bong Joon-ho’s The Host and Guillermo del Toro’s Cronos. americancinematheque.com
Tropicana’s Spooky Film Night time has Halloween films below the celebs on the haunted Roosevelt Lodge Pool together with The Addams Household, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Hocus Pocus and The Shining. Films are complimentary to friends and obtainable by advance ticket buy eight hours previous to showtime for non-guests. Gown up within the theme to get a free cocktail or candybar at concessions. thehollywoodroosevelt.com/occasions/los-angeles/tropicana-spooky-movie-nights
Rooftop Screams’ October version at The Montalbán display screen has Jason Goes to Hell: The Closing Friday with a particular look by its star, Kari Keegan in Oct. 28. themontalban.com/rooftopmovies
Cinespia will host the final word Hollywood Without end Cemetery screening of John Carpenter’s Halloween… and naturally it’s already offered out. However there’s nonetheless tickets obtainable for The Ring, Harry Potter and Rosemary’s Child (with Halloween get together scene). Gown to precise the characters and storyline in every movie and immortalize in Cinespia’s well-known themed picture sales space. cinespia.org
(New World Photos)
Haunted at House
Don’t need to exit among the many ghouls and freaks of the evening? Keep house and watch scary films, creepy classics and new programming only for this time of yr.
Freeform 31 Nights of Halloween options all of the nostalgic biggies for its twenty fifth anniversary all month lengthy, from Hocus Pocus to The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas to The Addams Household, together with new titles equivalent to Encanto, Zombies and Zombies 2 freeform.com
AMC Fearfest has virtually all of the Halloween films (eight to be precise), the majority of the Nightmare on Elm Road movies, a whole lot of the Friday the thirteenth flicks, a lot of the Hellraiser and Closing Locations, and a hell of much more. amc.com/reveals/fearfest
AMC’s sister streamer can be a part of the blood bash: Shudder FearFest serves up all of the carnage you crave, plus new content material from our latest interviewee Joe Bob Briggs at The Final Drive-In and former LA Weekly cowl ghouls, The Boulet Brothers, who debut a brand new season of demonic drag competitors on Dragula. shudder.com
(Courtesy Shudder)
Hulu’s Huluween 2023 options new sequence Dwelling for the Useless, American Horror Tales Season 3, and a mass of flicks from the darkside. hulu.com/huluween
Disney+‘s Halloscream affords its new Goosebumps reboot arriving on Oct. 13 and different darkish fare. We advocate something with a villain in it, too, beginning the creepiest witch of our childhoods in Snow White. whatsondisneyplus.com/tag/hallowstream/
The Netflix Halloween Assortment options all of Jordan Peele’s movies (newly added), plus a lot of serial killers, slashers, ghosts and ghouls. New titles embrace the Mike Flanagan adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the Home of Usher and the end-of-times chiller Depart the World Behind. netflix.com
Max’s Home of Halloween assortment digs into HBO’s library, with “Candy Treats” for teenagers — Coraline, Harry Potter and the fact competitors Halloween Cookie Problem; “Scary, However Not Scary-Scary” highlighted by The Final of Us and True Blood; and “Hang-out Your Desires” super-spookers like Annabelle and the It movies, The Nun and The Exorcist, celebrating 50 years of nightmares. Max.com
See LA Weekly’s Arts Calendar for extra Halloween happenings in LA.
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