California’s Halloween season stands out for its variety: every major theme park runs a Halloween event, professional haunts operate from San Diego to Sacramento, and the state’s home-haunt scene is the largest in the country. The season also starts early, with the first ticketed event opening August 18. This guide covers the multi-day, ticketed Halloween events operating in commercial spaces across California in 2026. Single-day events and home haunts are not listed. Every event links to our full guide, where you will find current prices, lineups, and updates.
Planning by date? See when every haunted house opens in 2026.
City guides: Los Angeles | San Diego | Bay Area
Southern California at a Glance
| Event | Location | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Oogie Boogie Bash | Disney California Adventure, Anaheim | Aug 18 – Oct 31 |
| Halloween Time at Disneyland | Disneyland Resort, Anaheim | Aug 21 – Oct 31 |
| Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood | Universal Studios Hollywood | Sept 3 – Nov 1 |
| Howl-O-Scream San Diego | SeaWorld San Diego | Sept 11 – Oct 31 |
| Knott’s Scary Farm | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park | Sept 17 – Oct 31 |
| Six Flags Fright Fest | Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia | Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Queen Mary Dark Harbor | The Queen Mary, Long Beach | Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Los Angeles Haunted Hayride | Griffith Park, Los Angeles | Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat | LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad | Sept 19 – Nov 1 |
| The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park | Balboa Park, San Diego | Sept 25 – Nov 1 |
| Carved at Descanso Gardens | Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge | Oct 2 – Nov 1 |
| Black Casket | Yucaipa | Oct 2 – TBD |
| The Haunted Car Wash | Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, San Diego | Oct 2 – Oct 31 |
| The Hollow at Live Oak Canyon | Redlands, Inland Empire | Oct 2 – Oct 31 |
| Wicked Lit | Chance Theater, Anaheim | Oct 29 – Nov 2 |
| Delusion: Den of the Mosquito | Beckett Mansion, Los Angeles | Sept 17 – Nov 8 |
| Nights of the Jack | Calabasas | TBD |
Northern California at a Glance
| Event | Location | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Festival Fright Nights | Winchester Mystery House, San Jose | Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Terror Vault | The San Francisco Mint, San Francisco | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
| Heartstoppers Haunted House | Rancho Cordova, Sacramento area | Oct 2 – Nov 1 |
| Pirates of Emerson | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton | Oct 2 – Nov 1 |
| Hobb’s Grove | Sanger, Fresno area | Oct 2 – 31 |
Southern California Haunted Houses
Oogie Boogie Bash
Oogie Boogie Bash returns to Disney California Adventure on a record 33 nights from August 18 through October 31, 2026.
| Dates | 33 select nights, Aug 18 – Oct 31 |
| Location | Disney California Adventure, Anaheim |
| Tickets | $139 to $199, separate ticket (details) |
| New for 2026 | Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake street party, Yzma’s first US face-character appearance, record 33 nights |
Halloween Time at Disneyland
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort runs August 21 through October 31, 2026, across both parks.
| Dates | Aug 21 – Oct 31 (Plaza de la Familia through Nov 2) |
| Location | Disneyland Resort, Anaheim |
| Tickets | Included with park admission (details) |
| New for 2026 | Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake street party replaces the Frightfully Fun Parade |
Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is running its 2026 Halloween Horror Nights over 42 select nights from September 3 through November 1.
| Dates | 42 select nights, Sept 3 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Universal Studios Hollywood |
| Houses | 4 announced so far: Sinners, Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn |
| Tickets | On sale now (see our HHN tickets guide) |
| New for 2026 | The event’s first-ever Hellraiser house, plus Evil Dead Burn tied to the sixth Evil Dead film, and a new Fortnitemares scare zone (Freaky Fields) shared with Orlando |
Howl-O-Scream San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego has confirmed Howl-O-Scream will return on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 11 – Oct 31 |
| Location | SeaWorld San Diego |
| Lineup | 6 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, 3 vile vignettes, 1 show, 11 bars and speakeasies |
| Tickets | From $41.99 single night (details) |
| New for 2026 | Area 64: MOTHERSHIP house with an 80-foot facade, three all-new scare zones |
Knott’s Scary Farm
Knott’s Scary Farm returns for its 53rd season, the longest-running theme park Halloween event in Southern California.
| Dates | 26 select nights, Sept 17 – Oct 31 |
| Location | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park |
| Lineup | 10 mazes, 5 scare zones, 3 shows |
| Tickets | From $65 online (details) |
| New for 2026 | Two new mazes replace Grimoire and Mesmer; full lineup at Nightmares Revealed, Aug 18 |
Six Flags Fright Fest
Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS returns to Six Flags Magic Mountain for its 33rd year on select nights from September 18 through November 1. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo also runs Fright Fest (see our all-locations guide).
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia |
| Tickets | Mazes are a paid add-on; 2026 pricing TBA (details) |
| New for 2026 | Lineup reveal expected at Midsummer Scream, Aug 7 to 9 |
Queen Mary Dark Harbor
Queen Mary Dark Harbor returns for its 2026 Halloween season on select nights from September 18 through November 1.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Location | The Queen Mary, Long Beach |
| Tickets | Discount presale open, online only (details) |
| New for 2026 | Six mazes announced, two reimagined, plus two new rides and four new speakeasies. Discount presale open |
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride returns to Griffith Park on select nights from September 18 through November 1, 2026.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Griffith Park’s Old Zoo, Los Angeles |
| Tickets | Discount presale open (details) |
| New for 2026 | Fallen Angel 1980s rock maze, Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem returns, first-ever alcohol in Midnight Falls |
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat
LEGOLAND California’s Brick-or-Treat returns for the 2026 Halloween season on 12 select dates from September 19 through November 1.
| Dates | 12 select dates, Sept 19 – Nov 1 |
| Location | LEGOLAND California, Carlsbad |
| Tickets | Included with park admission on event dates (details) |
| New for 2026 | Brick or Treat Street, a walkthrough of six LEGO monster homes with a new Halloween light trail |
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park returns to Marston Point for its 27th year on select nights from September 25 through November 1.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 25 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Marston Point, Balboa Park, San Diego |
| Lineup | Mile-long trail plus the 3,500-square-foot eXperiment Maze and the free Dark Carnival scare zone |
| Tickets | From $34.99 timed GA, $49.99 Fast Pass (details) |
| New for 2026 | The free-entry Dark Carnival returns for its second year, expanded |
Carved at Descanso Gardens
Carved, the nighttime jack-o’-lantern and light installation at Descanso Gardens, returns October 2 through November 1, nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.
| Dates | Nightly, Oct 2 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Descanso Gardens, La Cañada Flintridge |
| Tickets | Non-member adults from $29 (details) |
| New for 2026 | Alexander Reichstein sculptures in his US debut, new Anytime Tickets, Halloween-night trick-or-treating |
Black Casket
Black Casket Productions, the Inland Empire haunted attraction known for changing its theme every year, enters its fourth season with Cannibal Creek.
| Dates | Oct 2 – TBD |
| Location | Yucaipa |
| Tickets | On sale Aug 22 (details) |
| New for 2026 | All-new Cannibal Creek theme |
The Haunted Car Wash
The Haunted Car Wash returns for its sixth season this October, expanding to four Southern California regions.
| Dates | Oct 2 – Oct 31 |
| Location | Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, San Diego |
| Tickets | $25 per vehicle (details) |
| New for 2026 | Largest footprint in its six-year history, new lower price |
The Hollow at Live Oak Canyon
Live Oak Canyon in Redlands debuts its first-ever haunted maze in 45 years, opening weekends October 2 through October 31, 2026. Haunt supervisor Philip-Blaine Adsit brings credentials from Knott’s Scary Farm, Sinister Pointe, and 17th Door.
| Dates | Weekends, Oct 2 – Oct 31, plus select weeknights TBD |
| Location | Live Oak Canyon, Redlands, CA |
| Hours | 7 p.m. to midnight (last entry 11 p.m.) |
| Tickets | Farm admission + separate maze ticket at the gate; cash or card (details) |
| New for 2026 | First-ever haunted maze at Live Oak Canyon, recommended 16+ |
Wicked Lit
Wicked Lit returns for its first season since 2017 with 10 performances from October 29 through November 2.
| Dates | 10 performances, Oct 29 – Nov 2 |
| Location | Chance Theater, Anaheim |
| Tickets | On sale Aug 1 (details) |
| New for 2026 | First season in eight years, two plays: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Las Lloronas |
Delusion: Den of the Mosquito
Delusion returns to the Beckett Mansion in West Adams, Los Angeles, the building where the series staged its first show in 2011 and the Neil Patrick Harris co-production in 2012. The 2026 play, Den of the Mosquito, is set in a 1920s New Orleans brothel; guests play agents of a secret organization investigating supernatural threats. Delusion is billing it as its longest and most interactive show to date at a full 50 minutes, with split paths, extremely limited availability, and the return of the Play Your Part VIP option, now named The Leech.
Tickets are on sale now. Every 2026 show is 18 and over only, running select nights from September 17 through November 8 at a flat $143 (including $13 fees). Several Saturdays, including October 3, 10, and 17, are already sold out. Full details in our Delusion 2026 coverage.
Nights of the Jack
Nights of the Jack (Calabasas) has not announced 2026 plans. We will add it to this guide when dates land.
Northern California Haunted Houses
Festival Fright Nights
Festival Fright Nights returns to the Winchester Mystery House on select nights from September 18 through November 1, and it is dropping last year’s linear haunt for an open festival format, adding a new haunted house, The House of Spirits, and a 1926 estate-wide mystery.
| Dates | Select nights, Sept 18 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Winchester Mystery House, San Jose |
| Tickets | Discount presale open (details) |
| New for 2026 | Open festival format, new House of Spirits haunt, 1926 estate-wide mystery |
Terror Vault
Terror Vault returns to The San Francisco Mint in 2026 with a new production titled Slashed: Return to Hellville.
| Dates | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
| Location | The San Francisco Mint, San Francisco |
| Tickets | GA $64.42–$90.30 (details) |
| New for 2026 | All-new 1980s-slasher theme |
Heartstoppers Haunted House
Sacramento’s Heartstoppers Haunts is entering its 18th season with a new exclusive VIP experience and a new stage show.
| Dates | 13 select nights, Oct 2 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Rancho Cordova, Sacramento area |
| Lineup | 4 haunted houses plus the new hourly Redemption! stage show |
| Tickets | On sale Sept 5 (details) |
| New for 2026 | Frightfully Fancy Club VIP experience, new stage show, new scenes in all four haunts |
Pirates of Emerson
Pirates of Emerson returns to the Alameda County Fairgrounds on select nights from October 2 through November 1 for its 36th season.
| Dates | Select nights, Oct 2 – Nov 1 |
| Location | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton |
| Lineup | 4 walk-through haunted houses on six acres, plus Frightmares & Oddities and live bands |
| Tickets | From $38 (details) |
| New for 2026 | Midway games now included with every ticket tier |
Hobb’s Grove
Hobb’s Grove, an HAA-certified Top Haunt in Sanger, runs Thursdays through Sundays from October 2 through October 31.
| Dates | Thursdays–Sundays, Oct 2 – 31 |
| Location | Sanger, Fresno area |
| Tickets | hobbsgrove.com |
California Haunted House FAQ
When do haunted houses open in California in 2026?
The earliest events start in mid-August: Oogie Boogie Bash on August 18 and Halloween Time at Disneyland on August 21. Most major haunts open between September 11 and September 25, and nearly everything runs through November 1.
Which California haunted houses are family-friendly?
Carved at Descanso Gardens has no scare actors at all, Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND is built for young kids, Halloween Time at Disneyland is all-ages during the day, and The Haunted Car Wash scares the whole family from inside the car.
What is new to California for 2026?
Hellraiser debuts at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood, Wicked Lit returns after eight years, SeaWorld adds the Area 64: MOTHERSHIP house, and the Haunted Car Wash grows to its largest footprint in six seasons.
Which 2026 lineups have been revealed?
The LA Haunted Hayride, Six Flags Fright Fest, and Festival Fright Nights all revealed their 2026 lineups at Midsummer Scream in early August. Knott’s reveals its full Scary Farm lineup at Nightmares Revealed on August 18.
Updated August 11, 2026. This guide is updated as announcements land, with the next big wave expected at Knott’s Nightmares Revealed (August 18). Want to work at one of these haunts? See how to become a scare actor.
