BUENA PARK, Calif. — With Halloween approaching, it's time to get your scare on.

The costumed monsters, ghosts and witches are back, and so are the abundant number of haunted houses and jump scare events this Halloween season. 


What You Need To Know

  • There are several Halloween haunts across Southern California this year

  • NBA hall of fame member Shaquille O'Neal is hosting Shaqtoberfest at the Queen Mary in Long Beach

  • Nights of the Jack will once again illuminate Calabasas with thousands of lit-up and decorated pumpkins

  • For those who don't want an up close terrifying experience, visitors can check out a haunted car wash in Anaheim or Fontana

While mainstays, such as Knott's Scary Farm, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, Six Flags Magic Mountain's Fright Fest, and Disneyland's Oogie Boogie bash, are well known, there are several other scary attractions to visit. 

Disney Scareolers perform Friday nights through Sunday nights from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31 at Downtown Disney. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Here's a list of some of the Halloween haunts and haunted houses in the Los Angeles and Orange County area:

The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

In Griffith Park, visitors are invited to explore the fictional town of Midnight Falls, where they'll encounter the Witch of the Woods, who has cast an evil spell on the city and summoned spirits to crossover. There are several haunted houses and mazes for visitors to check out. 

The attraction runs on select nights from Sept. 23 to Halloween night, Oct. 31. Tickets start at $30.

Shaqtoberfest

The Queen Mary in Long Beach is no stranger to Halloween and haunted events. But this time, the place will have a new ringleader. 

NBA Hall of Fame member and former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal has teamed up with ABG Entertainment and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group to produce a family-friendly Halloween event at the Queen Mary.

Shaqtoberfest features a pumpkin patch during the day and an over-the-top light show with electronic dance music at night. There'll be a trick-or-treat trail, a fun house and, of course, a chance to explore the Queen Mary. 

The event runs on select nights starting Sept. 29 to Halloween night, Oct. 31. Tickets start at $25 for children, and general admission is $30. 

Delusion: Valley of Hollows

If you want a more immersive and interactive scare experience, then Delusion: Valley of Hollows in Pomona may be for you. 

According to the website, visitors play the role of deprogrammers - individuals who rescue people from the influence of cults. 

They'll travel to the 1970s, where they'll explore the Phillips Estate and infiltrate a cult called The Hollows.

Tickets start at $90

Haunted Carwash: Tunnel of Terror

Not into haunted houses? How about giving a haunted carwash a try? 

Tunnel of Terror OC, born out of the coronavirus pandemic, when restrictions prevented people from interacting with one another, is back. 

With two locations, one in Anaheim and another in Fontana, visitors can see costumed ghosts, killer clowns, and zombies approaching their vehicle while also getting their car washed. 

Tickets start at $30. The experience runs on select dates from Oct. 6 to Oct. 31. 

Nights Of The Jack returns for the 5th year at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. (Photo courtesy of Nights of the Jacks)

Nights of the Jack

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend into King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas this Halloween season, where they'll see a variety of hand-carved and illuminated pumpkins. 

Visitors to the annual Nights Of The Jack Halloween Jack O' Lantern family-friendly event can walk along a trail decorated with lit-up pumpkins, eat at food trucks, and sip a beverage or cocktail. 

The event will be open to the public for 25 dates beginning Sept. 30 through Oct. 31. Tickets start at $40. 

Visitors can go trick-or-treating at Cemetery Lane, a collection of Victorian-era homes in Los Angeles. (Photo courtesy of Black Cat Orange/Cemetery Lane)

Cemetery Lane

Located in Heritage Square in Los Angeles, visitors wanting a spooky trick-or-treat experience can visit a collection of eight Victorian-era homes. 

Visitors will see several costumed monsters, grab candy, take photos, and have other experiences as they explore the insides of the supposedly haunted homes and the gated community.

Tickets start at $27. The event runs on select dates from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30. The entrance is at 3515 Pasadena Ave. in Los Angeles.