Celebrate Halloween with the Vista community! Find all the local spooky happenings in our guide. Locals and visitors, prepare to unearth Vista's dark side with our comprehensive guide to Halloween happenings.
Popular Events: Dive into the spine-chilling atmosphere of Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, where immersive mazes and terrifying live performances await. With thrilling scares around every corner, Knott’s Scary Farm invites guests to experience its haunting attractions and nocturnal thrills. And the LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights offers family-friendly fun, featuring trick-or-treating and themed activities that are sure to enchant younger guests. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Vista
- Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights (Universal City)
- Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park)
- Howl-O-Scream (San Diego)
- SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular (San Diego)
- LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights (Carlsbad)
- Reign of Terror Haunted House (Thousand Oaks)
- Halloween in the Garden (Encinitas)
- Oktoberfest & HauntFest (La Mesa)
- Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme (Valencia)
- Pumpkin & Polar Palooza
See these and even more events listed below!
Vista Area Haunted Experiences
Knott’s Scary Farm
What to Expect:
A fully transformed theme park with uniquely haunted mazes and attractions.
Description:
Knott’s Scary Farm is the longest-running and most haunting Halloween theme park event in Southern California, offering over 50 years of nightmares, unimaginable scares, and innovative thrills. The event features uniquely haunted mazes and attractions, sinister shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog. It is not recommended for children under 13, and all guests need to have their own paid admission ticket.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott’s Scary Farm
Howl-O-Scream
What to Expect:
An immersive Halloween experience with increased scare levels and enhanced haunted houses.
Description:
Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego transforms the park into a sinister, spine-chilling playground of terror. The event features five angry haunts, seven scare zones, and six vile vignettes. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, themed bars, and nighttime coaster rides, all while trying to resist the eyes of evil that threaten to follow them everywhere.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Howl-O-Scream
Reign of Terror Haunted House
What to Expect:
Intense, horror-based experience with 11 interconnected theme attractions.
Description:
Reign of Terror Haunted House is Southern California's largest indoor walk-through haunted house attraction, featuring over 135 custom rooms and 10 interconnected haunt-themed sections. With terrifying scenes, living and mechanical monstrous characters, and spectacular special effects, this event is designed to maximize your deepest fears in a thrilling and fun way. The newest addition, Forest Fear, offers an intense horror experience not recommended for children under 13 years old.
Where: Thousand Oaks | More Info: Reign of Terror Haunted House
The 17th Door Haunt Experience
What to Expect:
A haunting storyline that builds fear from the moment you sign the waiver, leading through intense and immersive experiences.
Description:
The 17th Door Haunt Experience is Orange County's most intense haunted house, offering a haunting storyline that leads you through experiences unlike anything in your wildest nightmares. The event features a series of rooms designed to build fear from the moment you sign the waiver, ensuring an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: The 17th Door Haunt Experience
Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme
What to Expect:
California's largest haunt event with 20 haunted houses and scare zones.
Description:
Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme 2024 is California's largest haunt event, featuring a record combined total of 20 haunted houses and scare zones, including Stranger Things, Army of the Dead, Trick 'r Treat, SAW, and The Conjuring Universe. The event also includes monstertainment, eerie eats, and more.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme
The Weeping Witch
What to Expect:
An immersive horror experience with a unique blend of puzzles and theatrical scares.
Description:
The Weeping Witch is a horror-themed escape room at Cross Roads Escape Games. This immersive experience features a spirit that lures people by mimicking the sound of a woman crying, leading them into a dark and terrifying environment. Players must navigate through Madam Ruby’s study, solving puzzles and overcoming scares to banish the evil spirit and end their family curse before it consumes their souls. The room is designed for 4-8 players, aged 14 and above, and includes flashing lights, loud noises, jump scares, and fog.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: The Weeping Witch
Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales
What to Expect:
Immersive horror-themed axe-throwing experience with interactive projection targets and unique games.
Description:
Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales offers a unique horror-themed axe-throwing experience paired with a variety of craft beers and spooky drinks. Guests can engage in 13 unique games while mastering axe-throwing techniques to defeat the undead. The venue is perfect for date nights, parties, and groups of any size, providing an immersive and exciting experience.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales
All Saints Lunatic Asylum - Haunted
What to Expect:
Immersive and interactive haunted house experience with a focus on realism.
Description:
All Saints Lunatic Asylum is a professional haunted house attraction located in Apple Valley, California. It emulates a real asylum for entertainment purposes, offering a thrilling experience with interactive characters and immersive settings. The attraction is open every Friday and Saturday in October and November, with special events on major holidays and every Friday the 13th. It is not recommended for children under 10, pregnant women, or the faint-hearted.
Where: Carlsbad | More Info: All Saints Lunatic Asylum - Haunted
Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experiences blending music and surreal visuals.
Description:
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is a terrifying event featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows. This year, it includes a new haunted house inspired by The Weeknd's "Nightmare Trilogy" and "Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines," where guests can experience an epic battle between Universal Monsters. The event runs on select nights from September 5 to November 3, starting at 7 p.m. each night.
Where: Universal City | More Info: Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Vista
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with not-so-scary live shows and plenty of candy.
Description:
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights is a family-friendly Halloween event featuring not-so-scary live shows, silly monster LEGO characters, and plenty of candy. The event includes trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets, and limited-time attractions like the Disco Dragon Coaster. It's a fun-filled celebration for all ages, making it an ideal activity for families during the Halloween season.
Where: Carlsbad | More Info: LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat Party Nights
SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular
What to Expect:
A pirate-themed Halloween celebration with interactive activities and festive decorations.
Description:
SeaWorld San Diego's Halloween Spooktacular is a family-friendly event filled with interactive activities, trick-or-treating, and photo-worthy moments. Enjoy pirate-themed celebrations, swashbuckling parades, magical candy quests, and festive decorations. The event includes a charming pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat stations, and live music throughout the park.
Where: San Diego | More Info: SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular
Oktoberfest & HauntFest
What to Expect:
The event features a variety of Halloween-themed activities, including stilt walkers, an organ concert, and a pet costume contest, making it a spooktacular celebration for all ages.
Description:
The 6th Annual Halloween in La Mesa Village is a free, family-friendly event that provides a fun and safe environment for all. Trick-or-treating will take place along La Mesa Blvd. between 4th St. and Acacia, with participating businesses handing out treats. The event will also feature Halloween-themed stilt walkers, an organ concert at La Mesa First United Methodist Church, and a 3rd Annual Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest. Guests can enjoy a free photo booth and explore the variety of stores and eateries in the area.
Where: La Mesa | More Info: Oktoberfest & HauntFest
Halloween in the Garden
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Lightscape is its spectacular light and sound experience that transforms the garden into a magical winter wonderland.
Description:
Lightscape at the San Diego Botanic Garden is a spectacular light and sound experience that returns for its third year. The event features dazzling light displays and enchanting sounds, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors. It runs from November 15, 2024, to January 5, 2025, with event times from 5 to 10 p.m., and last entry at 8:45 p.m.
Where: Encinitas | More Info: Halloween in the Garden
San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen
What to Expect:
A Halloween-themed extravaganza in a zoo setting with interactive festivities and live performances.
Description:
San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen is a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring a variety of activities, including live music performances, interactive games, and special animal exhibits. The event transforms the zoo into a glittering and glimmering spectacle with glowing decorations and entertainment for all ages.
Where: San Diego | More Info: San Diego Zoo HalGLOWeen
Pumpkin & Polar Palooza
What to Expect:
A family-friendly event that promises plenty of pumpkins and fall fun activities.
Description:
Pumpkin & Polar Palooza is a family-friendly event that kicks off the pumpkin season early. It promises plenty of pumpkins, photo opportunities, and fall fun. This event is perfect for families looking to enjoy a festive and fun-filled day with activities suitable for all ages.
Where: Vista | More Info: Pumpkin & Polar Palooza
Vista Fright Night
What to Expect:
A variety of family-friendly activities including trick-or-treating, haunted tractor rides, and costume contests.
Description:
Vista Fright Night is a family-friendly Halloween celebration in Downtown Vista. The event features trick-or-treating at various booths, haunted tractor rides, and a haunted house. There are costume contests for babies, kids, pets, and adults. The event also includes an artist market and a shadow theater show. It promises a fun and spooky experience for all ages.
Where: Vista | More Info: Vista Fright Night
Helen Woodward Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with hands-on animal interactions and STEM activities.
Description:
The Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival at Helen Woodward Animal Center is a spook-tacular event designed for families with toddlers and elementary age children. The festival features hands-on animal encounters, trick-or-treat stations, spooky crafts, face painting, and a mini pumpkin patch. Guests can explore the new Eerie Estate, where animal ambassadors will be dressed in their best Halloween attire.
Where: Rancho Santa Fe | More Info: Helen Woodward Howl-O-Ween Harvest Family Festival
San Diego Family Halloween Event
What to Expect:
"Family-friendly Halloween celebration with LEGO characters and trick-or-treating."
Description:
Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND California is a family-friendly Halloween event featuring not-so-scary live shows, silly monster LEGO characters, and trick-or-treating. This event offers a fun and festive atmosphere for all ages, with themed entertainment and treats.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: San Diego Family Halloween Event
Mission Valley Pumpkin Station 2024
What to Expect:
A variety of rides and attractions in a festive pumpkin patch setting.
Description:
Mission Valley Pumpkin Station 2024 offers a fun-filled experience for all ages. Enjoy giant slides, a mini slide, swing ride, train jumpee, Ferris wheel, El Paso train ride, boat ride, and a petting zoo. The pumpkin patch is open daily from September 29 to October 31, with extended hours on weekends. This family-friendly event provides a variety of activities to celebrate the fall season.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Mission Valley Pumpkin Station 2024
Bates Nut Farm Howl-o-Ween Doggie Costume Contest and Parade
What to Expect:
Prizes awarded to the top dog costumes.
Description:
The Bates Nut Farm Howl-o-Ween Doggie Costume Contest and Parade is a fun-filled event where you can bring your dog in their favorite costume to enjoy the pumpkin patch and compete in the contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top dogs, and after the contest, you can take part in all the Pumpkin Patch festivities, including sampling great food.
Where: Valley Center | More Info: Bates Nut Farm Howl-o-Ween Doggie Costume Contest and Parade
Bates Nut Farm Scarecrow Contest
What to Expect:
The event features a display of scarecrows through October, with cash prizes and gift certificates awarded to top entries in each category.
Description:
Join in the fun at Bates Nut Farm's 33rd Annual Scarecrow Contest, where you can design and build a scarecrow to exhibit in the Pumpkin Patch. Each entry will receive a free jack-o-lantern pumpkin and a certificate of participation. All winning scarecrows will become part of Bates Nut Farm's famous scarecrow collection.
Where: Valley Center | More Info: Bates Nut Farm Scarecrow Contest
Del Mar Pumpkin Station 2024
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Del Mar Pumpkin Station is its variety of family-friendly activities and attractions, including Giant Slides and an antique carousel, making it a fun-filled event for kids of all ages.
Description:
Del Mar Pumpkin Station is a festive event where families can pick their perfect pumpkins and enjoy various activities and attractions for kids of all ages, including Giant Slides, an antique carousel, and several other rides and inflatables. The event offers free parking and admission, with rides requiring a separate ticket.
Where: Del Mar | More Info: Del Mar Pumpkin Station 2024
Plaza Bonita, National City Pumpkin Station 2024
What to Expect:
The event features a variety of rides and attractions suitable for all ages, including a petting zoo and a pumpkin patch.
Description:
Plaza Bonita, National City Pumpkin Station offers a festive fall experience with attractions like a giant slide, ferris wheel, play center, and petting zoo. Visitors can enjoy the pumpkin patch and various rides, making it a perfect destination for families to celebrate the season.
Where: National City | More Info: Plaza Bonita, National City Pumpkin Station 2024
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Vista
Novo Halloween Bash
What to Expect:
Enjoy live music from a Top 40 band and explore a Spooky Market with unique treats and drinks.
Description:
Join Novo Halloween Bash for a spook-tacular night filled with laughter, dancing, and spooky fun Enjoy live music from the Top 40 band Those Guys, explore the Spooky Market featuring Tortas Del Wash Mobile and Fuego Marino, and don't forget to wear your costume for a chance to win a prize. This event promises to be an unforgettable Halloween celebration.