Best Haunted Houses & Scary Halloween Attractions in Los Angeles 2026

1. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

2026 confirmed

Dates: Select nights September 3–November 1, 2026.
Start time: The event begins at 7 p.m.; entry products and closing times vary by date.
Location: Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City.
Price: Date-based ticketing; verify the live official checkout.
Age fit: Universal recommends the event for ages 13 and older.

HHN is the strongest choice for guests who want recognizable horror properties, studio-level scenic design and multiple houses in one night. The 2026 program combines franchise-based and original concepts with scare zones, live entertainment and selected park rides. The tradeoff is operational complexity: popular houses can develop long waits, and general admission may not cover everything a visitor assumes.

DayZora recommendation: Choose this for production scale, not value simplicity. Compare general admission, early entry and Express carefully, then build a priority order before arriving. Metro’s B Line serves Universal/Studio City, with the hill shuttle reducing the need to park. Review costume, bag and security policies; do not assume daytime park admission includes the separately ticketed night event.

Official HHN dates and tickets

2. Knott’s Scary Farm

2026 confirmed

Dates: Select nights September 17–October 31, 2026.
Location: Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park.
Price: Official online admission advertised from $65; taxes, fees, date and upgrades can change the total.
Best for: Visitors who want many mazes, scare zones and rides in one separately ticketed night.

Scary Farm is a full-park haunt rather than a single walk-through. That makes it useful for groups with mixed priorities: some can focus on mazes, others on atmosphere, shows or coasters. It is also easy to underestimate the walking and queue time. A low headline price does not necessarily include front-of-line products, parking, food or every premium option.

Planning tips: Buy through Knott’s, confirm the exact night and read the chaperone and bag policies. Arrive before the event begins, eat beforehand if budget matters, and rank must-do mazes. Driving is the most practical option for many LA visitors, but evening traffic to Buena Park can be significant. This is not the gentle daytime Knott’s Spooky Farm program and is not recommended for young children.

Official Scary Farm information

3. Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

2026 confirmed

Dates: Select nights September 18–November 1, 2026.
Location: Griffith Park’s Old Zoo area, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles.
Price: Timed ticket products and upgrades vary; use official checkout for the selected night.
Best for: Groups wanting outdoor Halloween atmosphere without committing to a theme park.

The hayride is the anchor, but the experience is broader than sitting on a vehicle. Seasonal editions typically combine the ride with walk-through attractions, characters and a common entertainment area. Its outdoor Griffith Park setting gives it a different feel from indoor warehouse mazes, although darkness, dust, weather and uneven ground are practical considerations.

DayZora recommendation: Pick this when location and atmosphere matter more than maximum maze count. Wear closed-toe shoes, carry a layer and confirm whether parking is included or sold separately. Rideshare pickup can be congested at closing, so establish the exact pickup point. Ticket names and inclusions can be confusing; compare general, VIP and any skip-the-line option feature by feature.

Official Haunted Hayride tickets

4. Queen Mary Dark Harbor

2026 confirmed

Dates: Select nights September 18–November 1, 2026.
Location: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach.
Price: Date-based admission and upgrades; verify the official ticket portal.
Best for: Visitors who value a distinctive historic setting and can travel to Long Beach.

Dark Harbor’s advantage is place. A permanently moored 1930s ocean liner creates corridors, decks and industrial surroundings that a temporary haunt cannot easily reproduce. The event should still be judged as produced entertainment, not evidence of paranormal claims. Expect theatrical mazes, roaming characters, bars or food offerings, and considerable walking.

Planning tips: Budget the full trip from Los Angeles, including traffic, parking and the return drive. Long Beach Transit and Metro can reduce driving, but late-night connections require planning. Review prohibited-item, costume and accessibility information; historic ship spaces may present different mobility considerations than a modern park. Buy only from the organizer or its authorized ticket portal and verify the selected night.

Official Queen Mary seasonal-event page

5. Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain

2026 confirmed

Dates: Select nights September 18–November 1, 2026.
Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia.
Price: Park-plus-maze bundles advertised from $74; a dated Haunted Attractions Pass from $25. Taxes, admission requirements and upgrades apply.
Age guidance: Not recommended for children under 13.

Fright Fest is best understood as two purchases that may need to work together: access to the park and access to haunted mazes. The official page says all guests need paid admission or a valid pass, while maze entry requires a Haunted Attractions Pass or qualifying bundle. That distinction prevents a common disappointment at the gate.

The 2026 lineup includes multiple mazes and scare zones alongside thrill rides. Choose it when coasters are as important as haunted houses. Valencia is far from many parts of LA, so compare travel time with Universal or Griffith Park before purchasing. Check ride operations, park hours and the exact bundle inclusions. Arrive early enough to handle security and account for the walk from parking.

Official Fright Fest page and tickets

6. Reign of Terror Haunted House

2026 season confirmed

Schedule: The organizer advertises 18 nights for the 2026 season; select the exact date and time on its live calendar.
Location: Thousand Oaks; confirm the current entrance and parking directions on the ticket page.
Price: Ticket type and time-dependent; verify official checkout.
Best for: Haunt fans who prefer one large, dedicated indoor attraction over a theme park.

Reign of Terror is a useful west-valley alternative for visitors who care more about continuous haunted-house design than rides or licensed movie franchises. Because it is a specialized attraction, the main decision is whether its drive and timed-entry structure fit your group. The organizer also lists limited special sessions, so a calendar screenshot from another website is not a reliable substitute for live availability.

Pro tips: Choose a precise session, read arrival-window rules and leave enough time for Thousand Oaks traffic. Confirm the current venue address rather than relying on an old listing, and review sensory warnings with every member of the group. If anyone wants a lower-intensity event, split the group or choose a more flexible park setting.

Official 2026 schedule and tickets

7. The 17th Door

2026 ticket calendar published

Dates/hours: Multiple dated sessions appear on the official 2026 calendar; availability varies.
Location: 8420 On the Mall, Buena Park, CA 90620.
Price: Timed ticket options; official prices include stated fees and tickets are generally nonrefundable.
Age guidance: Recommended for adults and teens 16+. Minors require a parent or legal guardian waiver.

This is the most intense selection in the guide. It uses close interaction and physical/sensory effects rather than relying only on visual sets. The organizer warns of possible touching, water, strobe lighting, fog, loud noise, claustrophobia, moving floors and other demanding effects. A waiver is required, and the experience is not appropriate for young children or every medical condition.

Why choose it: Experienced haunt visitors who actively want participation may value it more than a conventional maze. First-time visitors should read the entire official FAQ—not only promotional copy. The attraction uses the safe word “Mercy,” although the FAQ notes that certain rooms cannot be exited once entered. Arrive at the printed time, dress for water and physical effects, and never pressure a reluctant group member to participate.

Official 2026 ticket calendar Safety FAQ

8. Creep LA and Delusion immersive-horror watch list

Current 2026 runs not verified

Creep LA and Delusion are associated with story-driven immersive horror, where small groups may interact with performers or move through a narrative rather than cycle through a traditional maze. At this update, DayZora did not verify a current official 2026 Los Angeles schedule, venue, price and ticket inventory for either production. They are therefore planning leads—not confirmed events.

Do not buy through an undated article or assume a prior mansion or venue will return. If either organizer announces a run, review the level of audience participation, touch policy, stairs, duration, age limit, waiver and late-arrival rules. Immersive productions often have lower capacity and stricter timing than theme parks, so refunds and transfers matter more. DayZora will move a production into the confirmed comparison only after a primary source publishes usable details.

Official Creep LA page Official Delusion site