If the end of summer has you craving everything related to autumn—from pumpkin-spiced beverages to horror flicks—then head to a California theme park. These Golden State attractions love to start celebrating Halloween early—some beginning in the first week of September and continuing through October 31, or even a few days after.
Early fall is a great time to visit theme parks, as the back-to-school season often means shorter wait times and more enticing deals. In San Diego, for instance, October brings Kids Free San Diego, when kids 11 and under get in free at most major attractions with a paying adult. Get your season started now at these terrifying haunts, delightfully tame parties, or candy-themed celebrations:
Sept. 1–Oct. 31: Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
Both Anaheim theme parks kick off the season in a big way: Disneyland Park has the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, a blinged-out Haunted Mansion, and special fireworks. Disney California Adventure Park has its own holiday-themed rides—such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark—and a Plaza de la Familia with Coco-inspired decor and entertainment in honor of Día de los Muertos (through Nov. 2).
California Adventure also offers the separate-ticket Oogie Boogie Bash on select nights during September and October. Collect goodies on the Treat Trail, see the Frightfully Fun Parade, and check out famous Disney villains lurking along the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Just outside the parks in the Downtown Disney District, you can play a scavenger hunt–style game, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, from Sept. 8 to Nov. 1.
Make sure to check out the resort’s various offers before you go: California residents can get a deal on three-day Hopper tickets, good through Sept. 28, and anyone can get up to 20 percent off Disneyland hotels through Sept. 30. (While you’re at the park, check out the new Tiana’s Palace restaurant, the Princess & the Frog-themed restaurant that opens in Disneyland Park on Sept. 7.)
Sept. 7–Oct. 31: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
This year’s separate-ticket scarefest at the Los Angeles theme park features a new slate of unnerving experiences inspired by Hollywood horror films and TV series. This year’s zone themes include Stranger Things, The Last of Us, The Exorcist, Chucky, and a showdown with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Hunchback, and the Phantom of the Opera. This year’s Terror Tram, meanwhile, has the creepy-crawly theme of “The Exterminatorz.” Halloween Horror Nights is intended for ages 13 and up.
Sept. 8–Oct. 31: Six Flags’ Fright Fest, Valencia and Vallejo
California’s two Six Flags theme parks offer an array of haunted mazes and scare zones, darkened rides, and zombies roaming after dark. At Magic Mountain, just outside Santa Clarita, the fun begins Sept. 8, while the party at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo kicks off on Sept. 23. Little kids, meanwhile, enjoy daytime thrills at Kids Boo Fest (select dates from Sept. 8–Oct. 31).
Sept. 15–Oct. 31: SeaWorld Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream, San Diego
San Diego’s ocean-themed park offers two different Halloween experiences. During the day, little kids will love the trick-or-treat-friendly SeaWorld Spooktacular (select days from Sept. 15–Oct. 29), with a hay maze, mermaid meet-and-greets, and candy aplenty. After dark, teens and grown-ups can get their nerves frazzled at Howl-O-Scream (select days from Sept. 29–Oct. 31), with haunted houses, scare zones, and darkened coasters—as well as themed adult beverages, like the Murder She Float.
Sept. 16–Oct. 29: Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND, Carlsbad
Come on select Saturdays and Sundays during September and October for this separate-ticket event at the Carlsbad park. The six-hour experience includes character meet-and-greets; a monster dance party;a new show called Once Upon a Brick—The Tale of the Wolf Guy; and a special “disco” version of The Dragon roller coaster.
Sept. 16–Oct. 29: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place San Diego, Chula Vista
The Sesame Street–themed park in Chula Vista throws a Halloween party every weekend through the end of October, with the integer-loving Count playing host. Come in costume to go trick-or-treating, join in the Halloween Costume Parade, and join the fun on a Spot-the-Ghost scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the dance parties, specials shows, and photo ops with the Count and other Sesame Street characters donning their own costumes.
Sept. 21–Oct. 31: Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park
One of the largest haunts on the West Coast celebrates its 50th anniversary this year at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. More than 1,000 live-action ghosts and ghouls are waiting behind every corner at the 10 mazes, five fright zones, and four shows. (This event is intended for ages 13 and up. Also, the park’s current policy states that visitors ages 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who’s at least 21 to enter or be in the park after 4 p.m.)
Sept. 22–Oct. 28: Tricks and Treats at California’s Great America, Santa Clara
In between the rides at this Santa Clara County theme park, enjoy two distinct Halloween celebrations: the “Tricks” zone (a zombie cover band, silent disco, and worms-in-dirt cupcakes) or the “Treats” area, which includes a candy-corn farm, a sweets-conjuring witch, and lots of trick-or-treating. Everyone can enjoy creative dishes such as pumpkin beignets, butternut squash flatbread, and sweet apple betty. Buy your tickets online for the best rates.
Sept. 29–Oct. 31: Halloween at Gilroy Gardens, Gilroy
The little kid–friendly park in Gilroy throws a party every weekend evening in October with the theme “Boo Alley,” based on the musical show The Great Big Boo. See characters from the show, including Vinnie the Vampire and Wendella the Witch, and enjoy light displays, trick-or-treating, and special food and drink—including a treats-filled Great Big Chocolate Cup.
Want more Halloween fun? Check out these pumpkin-and-ghoul-themed celebrations and activities all over the Golden State.
