Get your scare on in Palm Desert with our ultimate Halloween happening guide. Whether you're rediscovering your city's dark past or seeing it anew, our guide brings you the best of Palm Desert's eerie offerings.
One event to consider is Halloween Horror Nights, where horror aficionado Eric has crafted terrifying attractions that immerse you in iconic films and chilling tales. You can also experience Knott’s Scary Farm, showcasing an array of haunted mazes and scare zones designed to give even the bravest a fright. And the Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring thrilling rides alongside spine-tingling scares. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Palm Desert
- Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park)
- Halloween Horror Nights (Los Angeles)
- Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Long Beach)
- Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme (Valencia)
- Halloween Spooktacular (Cathedral City)
- Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (Los Angeles)
- Oktoberfest at La Quinta Brewing Co.
- Dark Folklore Part 2 (Ontario)
- All Saints Lunatic Asylum - Haunted Attraction (Apple Valley)
- San Diego Ghosts (San Diego)
See these and even more events listed below!
Palm Desert Area Haunted Experiences
Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme
What to Expect:
Immersive horror experience with a variety of haunted houses and scare zones.
Description:
Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme is a Halloween event featuring 20 terrifying haunted attractions, 9 scare zones, and four frightful shows. The event includes new haunted mazes inspired by horror franchises like SAW, The Conjuring, Stranger Things, and Trick 'r Treat. Guests can experience chilling rides and dark attractions, making it California's largest and longest Halloween event.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
What to Expect:
A Halloween festival featuring haunted mazes and immersive attractions aboard the notoriously haunted Queen Mary.
Description:
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is Southern California’s most haunted Halloween event. Each fall, the Queen Mary transforms into a massive Halloween festival featuring haunted mazes, hundreds of monsters, immersive attractions, live entertainment, VIP experiences, themed bars and lounges, carnival rides, festive eats and treats, and instagrammable moments. The event includes terrifying mazes aboard the notoriously haunted Queen Mary, festival favorites like the Sinister Swings, and secret speakeasies hidden within the mazes.
Where: Long Beach | More Info: Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with interactive activities and themed attractions.
Description:
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride 2024 is an immersive Halloween experience in Griffith Park. The event features a haunted hayride, reimagined mazes, and interactive activities like mini escape games and axe throwing. Guests can also enjoy a Janelle Monáe-headlined party manor and other Halloween-themed attractions.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
All Saints Lunatic Asylum - Haunted Attraction
What to Expect:
A meticulously designed indoor maze with strict safety guidelines, offering a thrilling Halloween experience.
Description:
All Saints Lunatic Asylum is a professional year-round haunted attraction located in Apple Valley, CA. During Halloween Season, it transforms into a spooky experience with a meticulously designed indoor maze. The event offers a thrilling night with friends and family, adhering to strict safety guidelines. Visitors can enjoy a 15% discount on tickets for 6-19 purchases, 20% for 20-49 purchases, and 25% for 50+ tickets.
Where: Apple Valley | More Info: All Saints Lunatic Asylum - Haunted Attraction
San Diego Ghosts
What to Expect:
An immersive journey through San Diego's haunted history, featuring real ghost stories and paranormal investigations.
Description:
Explore San Diego's dark history and paranormal legends on a guided ghost tour. Discover haunted locations like the Whaley House, El Campo Santo Cemetery, and the Gaslamp District, learning about the city's complex past and its eerie hauntings.
Where: San Diego | More Info: San Diego Ghosts
Halloween Horror Nights
What to Expect:
The event introduces two new realms of fear, SINIST3R and SURR3AL, which offer a unique blend of physical and psychological terror.
Description:
Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Orlando Resort features 10 haunted houses, five scare zones, and a live stage show. This year introduces two horrifying realms of fear: SINIST3R, the overseer of physical pain, and SURR3AL, the overlord of psychological torment. Guests can explore frightening haunted houses, multiple scare zones, and enjoy spectacular live shows while experiencing many of the park’s most exciting rides and attractions.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Halloween Horror Nights
Knott’s Scary Farm
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with uniquely haunted mazes and attractions.
Description:
Knott’s Scary Farm is Southern California's largest and most terrifying Halloween event, celebrating its 50th year with over 19 haunted attractions, including five sinister scare zones, ten mesmerizing mazes, and four hair-raising shows. The event transforms the theme park into a nightmare world filled with horrifying monsters and spine-chilling thrills, making it an unforgettable experience for brave visitors.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott’s Scary Farm
Dark Folklore Part 2
What to Expect:
An immersive walkthrough haunt experience inspired by witchcraft legends in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions.
Description:
Dark Folklore Part 2 is an immersive walkthrough haunt experience produced by Chaffey Theatre Company. Inspired by legends of witchcraft in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, this interactive haunt transports visitors to the Black Forest, offering chilling and terrifying experiences. The event takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and is open from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays.
Where: Ontario | More Info: Dark Folklore Part 2
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Palm Desert
Oktoberfest at La Quinta Brewing Co.
What to Expect:
A festive celebration with authentic German food, music, and beer.
Description:
La Quinta Brewing Co. is hosting Oktoberfest with authentic German fare and unique German-style beers. The event features Bavarian band Haselnuss playing traditional German music, and attendees can enjoy a festive atmosphere with games and special beers brewed for the occasion. A $25 gift card will be awarded to the best-dressed German outfit.
Where: Palm Desert | More Info: Oktoberfest at La Quinta Brewing Co.
Halloween Spooktacular
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating with over 50,000 pieces of candy.
Description:
Cathedral City's 8th Annual Halloween Spooktacular is a festive event featuring over 50,000 pieces of candy for trick-or-treating. The event includes Halloween costume contests, police and fire exhibitions, music, and family games. It provides an opportunity to learn about the local police and fire departments through special demonstrations. Admission is free, and parking is also free.
Where: Cathedral City | More Info: Halloween Spooktacular
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Palm Desert
Disney vs. Halloween Brunch
What to Expect:
A fusion of Disney magic and spooky Halloween elements in a brunch setting.
Description:
Join Disney vs. Halloween Brunch for a delightful in-person celebration where Disney magic meets spooky Halloween vibes. Enjoy a unique experience filled with delicious food, a full bar, and fun costumes that will transport you to a world of enchantment and spookiness.