Unravel the mysteries of Santa Monica's Halloween underworld with our all-encompassing guide, featuring the most thrilling events and bone-chilling attractions to explore. Explore the haunted microcosms of Santa Monica with our guide, a microscope for spectral scientists and curious quantum observers.
One of the highlight events this spooky season is Knott's Scary Farm, known for its immersive mazes and frightful scare zones that will test even the bravest souls. Another attraction, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, transforms the streets into a vibrant parade of costumes and entertainment, drawing crowds for an unforgettable night. And the Halloween Horror Nights is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering iconic horror film experiences in a thrilling setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Santa Monica
- West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval (West Hollywood)
- Halloween Horror Nights (Universal City)
- Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park)
- Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (Los Angeles)
- Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Long Beach)
- Nights of the Jack (Calabasas)
- Absolutely Halloween
- Spooky Splash Spectacular
- Boo at the Bay (Newport Beach)
- Hollywood Halloween Bar Crawl (Hollywood)
See these and even more events listed below!
Santa Monica Area Haunted Experiences
Knott’s Scary Farm
What to Expect:
A fully transformed theme park with uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, offering an immersive and terrifying experience.
Description:
Knott’s Scary Farm is the longest-running and most haunting Halloween theme park event in Southern California. This year, it features uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and over 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog. The event includes 10 frightening mazes, 5 sinister scare zones, and hair-raising shows that will captivate souls seeking an exhilarating experience. Exclusive merchandise and themed food and drink options are also available.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott’s Scary Farm
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted mazes and secret speakeasies.
Description:
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is Southern California’s most haunted Halloween event, transforming the Queen Mary and surrounding harbor 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, such as Lullaby, Feast, and Infirmary, as well as new attractions like Breakout and The Ringmaster’s twisted circus. Secret speakeasies and unique experiences like axe throwing and pirate-themed shooting games add to the event's allure.
Where: Long Beach | More Info: Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with new attractions like Madame Aurora's seance show and interactive mini escape games.
Description:
Experience the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, a thrilling Halloween event in Midnight Falls. This year, Janelle Monáe returns with a legendary party at Monáe Manor, where ghostly encounters await. Enjoy new attractions like Madame Aurora's seance show, mini escape games, and the iconic Scary-Go-Round. The event also features axe throwing and a GellyBall experience against live actor zombies.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Halloween Horror Nights
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experiences with themed attractions and scare zones.
Description:
Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood offers a terrifying experience with terrifying haunted houses, sinister scare zones, and immersive attractions. The event features a variety of themed houses and scare zones, including "The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy" and "Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines." The event runs from late August to November, with specific dates and times varying by location.
Where: Universal City | More Info: Halloween Horror Nights
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Santa Monica
Nights of the Jack
What to Expect:
Unparalleled lantern art activations and immersive digital carnival games.
Description:
Nights of the Jack is an immersive Halloween event in Los Angeles, featuring a nearly 1-mile walking trail with over 20 immersive scenes, hand-carved festival jack-o'-lanterns, digital carnival games, AR selfies, and unparalleled lantern art activations. The event offers a family-friendly atmosphere with festive fall treats, hot cider, and seasonal cocktails at the Spookeasy bar.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Nights of the Jack
Spooky Splash Spectacular
What to Expect:
The Spooky Splash event offers a fun and safe Halloween experience with activities and games designed for all ages.
Description:
Join us for a spooky yet family-friendly Halloween celebration at the Santa Monica Swim Center. The Spooky Splash event features a fun-filled evening with activities and games designed for all ages. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with decorations and entertainment that will make your Halloween memorable. This event is perfect for families looking to have a fun and safe Halloween experience.
Where: Santa Monica | More Info: Spooky Splash Spectacular
2024 DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids
What to Expect:
The event offers a safe and family-friendly environment with a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating and live shows.
Description:
The 17th Annual DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids is a family-friendly event celebrating Halloween with trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets, live puppet and magic shows, and fun activities. The festival features a safe and jubilant atmosphere, with complimentary hot dogs and cookies, and commemorative pumpkin tote bags for the first 600 children. It takes place at Grand Hope Park on October 31, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: 2024 DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids
Sun & Sea Halloween Market @ The Point
What to Expect:
A curated outdoor market with 30 local vendors offering a variety of fun activities and shopping opportunities.
Description:
Sun & Sea Halloween Market @ The Point is a festive outdoor event hosted by Sun and Sea Collective. On Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10 AM to 3 PM, 30 local vendors will gather at The Point in El Segundo, CA. The market offers a variety of fun activities including trick-or-treating, costume contests, permanent jewelry, sweet treats, face painting, and hair tinsel. This curated market is a great opportunity to shop small and support your local community.
Where: El Segundo | More Info: Sun & Sea Halloween Market @ The Point
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Santa Monica
Boo at the Bay
What to Expect:
Over 100 vendors and a zombie dance performance make it a unique Halloween experience.
Description:
BOO By The Bay is a free spooktacular celebration with live entertainment, seasonal food and drinks, games, and costume contests. The event features over 100 vendors, live DJs, and a zombie dance performance by Thriller SD.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Boo at the Bay
Hollywood Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
A comprehensive Halloween survival kit including free welcome shots, drink discounts, and free nightclub entry passes.
Description:
Join over 300 guests for the annual Hollywood Halloween Bar Crawl on October 25, 2024. Come dressed in costume and roam Hollywood Boulevard, stopping at over 10 bars and nightclubs with one all-access pass. The Halloween survival kit includes free welcome shot tickets, drink discount coupons, free nightclub entry passes, and a map to all participating venues. Enjoy exclusive drink specials, free Halloween handouts, and a pre-bar crawl social meet and greet at the check-in event.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Halloween Bar Crawl
Halloween Friday: Joker - Folie À Deux
What to Expect:
A sophisticated blend of French elegance and Hollywood glamour, offering an immersive and luxurious Halloween experience.
Description:
Join us for a hauntingly chic Halloween celebration at the Sofitel Beverly Hills. Inspired by the Joker and Harley Quinn's twisted love story, "Folie à Deux," this event promises an eerie and unsettling atmosphere filled with delirious delights and wicked revelry. Groove to spine-tingling tunes by live DJs, sip on sinister concoctions, and indulge in the night's magic with exclusive VIP areas and tables.
Where: Beverly Hills | More Info: Halloween Friday: Joker - Folie À Deux
Halloween Rooftop Costume Party
What to Expect:
A fusion of 2000s classics and today's hits in a rooftop setting.
Description:
Join us for a night of Y2K vibes and today's hottest hits at the Sooper Vibes Halloween Rooftop Costume Party. DJs will spin a fusion of 2000s classics, hip-hop, and RnB, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. With two rooms, indoor and outdoor spaces, fully stocked bars, and VIP sections, this event promises to be a memorable Halloween celebration. Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory, and parking is available with validation.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Halloween Rooftop Costume Party
Halloween Monster Night 2024
What to Expect:
An extravagant Halloween celebration featuring renowned headlining DJs, live performances, and stunningly costumed models in a glamorous Hollywood venue.
Description:
Halloween Monster Night 2024 is the ultimate upscale Halloween party in Los Angeles, celebrating its 23rd year. Held at the stunning Sunset Room Hollywood, this event features 4 top headlining DJs, 3 premium bars, live performances, and electrifying LED robots. The night includes costume contests with awards for the scariest, sexiest, and best overall costumes. With its glamorous venue and exquisite elegance, this Halloween celebration promises a truly unique experience.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Halloween Monster Night 2024
Halloween Party
What to Expect:
A haunted masquerade ball on a yacht with 3 decks and 2 DJs, offering a unique and memorable Halloween experience.
Description:
Experience a hauntingly fun Halloween night aboard the Entertainer Yacht in Marina Del Rey. This Titanic-themed cruise features 3 decks, 2 DJs, and two dance floors filled with world-class house music and open format DJs. Over 400 costumed party-goers will dance the night away in a semi-formal attire with masks preferred but not required. The event promises a unique and memorable experience with stunning harbor views and a lively atmosphere.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Halloween Party
Other Halloween Activities Near Santa Monica
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
What to Expect:
A one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard transformed into a festive gathering with live entertainment, food vendors, and elaborate costumes.
Description:
The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is a vibrant and iconic Halloween celebration that transforms Santa Monica Boulevard into a dazzling spectacle of creativity and revelry. This free event features live DJ sets, food trucks, and thousands of elaborately costumed attendees. The Carnaval also includes Halloween-themed celebrations at local businesses, bars, and restaurants, making it a unique and unforgettable experience for all who attend.