Huntington Haunt Experience
Oct. 28-31. Join two of Huntington Beach’s most notoriously feuding families, the Hauntingtons and the Oldlands, who request your presence at the doomed wedding of their bride and groom, where twists, turns and—of course—bone chilling terror await you. Take part in the candlelit 35-minute interactive experience where you become a part of the story. Attend the wedding at the historic Newland House and Barn, spread among two “scare” acres of haunted thrills and chills. Before beginning the tour and while waiting your turn, enjoy a haunted carnival with local artisans, a Victorian psychic, henna painting, a costume contest and live entertainment, food, wine and craft beer. Costumes encouraged, no masks allowed. W-Th 7-10 p.m.; F-Sat 7 p.m.-midnight. Happy Hour 4-6 p.m. daily. $12.50-$25. The Newland House, 19820 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, 714.337.9176. huntingtonhaunt.org
The 17th Door
Sept. 25-Nov. 1. Remember, the safe-word is “Mercy.” This Halloween, try the all-new haunt experience that takes place inside a vacant furniture shop at The Market Place. You’ll have to sign a waiver before the doors are locked behind you. This is an interactive Halloween experience where the gruesome characters are able to touch you. Those who dare to partake will spend roughly 30 minutes walking through 17 rooms where they will be locked in with a small group for a carefully planned show. Prepare for all five senses to be engaged with things like foul scents, extreme temperatures, detailed visuals, spooky sounds and even a chance for a taste test or two. 7 p.m. on various dates through Nov. 1. $21-$35. Adults and teens; Children under 13 permitted at parents’ discretion; no infants or toddlers allowed. The Market Place, 2856 El Camino Real, Tustin, 714.441.9080. the17thdoor.com
Eat, Drink and Be Scary
Oct. 31. Hotel Irvine invites guests to come as they aren’t for its inaugural Halloween Haunt Costume Party at Red Bar and Lounge. Dress up and enjoy the frightfully delicious spooky concoctions like the witch’s brew, the ghostbuster and the vampire’s bite. Party-goers will be judged in a costume competition for most original, scariest and best group costume for some awesome prizes. Guests are invited to take advantage of the Halloween Haunts package which includes a one- or two-night stay at the hotel, daily breakfast at Marketplace and two drinks to start off at Red Bar (starting at $149/night). 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free entry for costume party. Hotel Irvine, Red Bar & Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. redbarandlounge.com
Knott’s Scary Farm
Sept. 24-Oct. 31. Halloween is coming and Knott’s is the perfect place to put you in the zone –the scare zone. If you dare, visit the scare zone that has returned due to overwhelming demand, Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero, where you will be enlisted to fight off the zombie apocalypse. This year, its 43rd, includes new lives shows, 11 mazes and 1,000 monsters lurking throughout the park. See website for schedule. Select nights only. Sun, Wed and Th 7 p.m.-1 a.m.; F, Sat 7 p.m.-2 a.m. $39.99-$105. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Shipwrecked Halloween Bash at Island Hotel
Oct. 31. Prepare your shipwrecked-themed costumes because Island Hotel is calling all pirates, talking parrots, captain hooks, shipmates, mermaids and mermen. The Halloween bash will have sunken treasures, underwater mysteries and prizes for the best costumes. At 11 p.m., a panel of judges at Aqua Lounge will determine the winners. Prizes include dinner for two at Oak Grill, a couples massage at the Spa at Island Hotel and an overnight stay for two in a coastal view corner suite at Island Hotel. 9 p.m. $25 entry fee includes one complimentary drink. Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. islandhotel.com
Yappy Howl-O-Ween
Oct. 29. Canines and their companions are invited for tricks and treats in celebration of Howl-O-Ween. This seasonal “Yappy Hour” celebration is a chance for pups to strut their stuff in their favorite costume. A panel of judges will determine which canine will take home the prize in the costume categories of Scariest, Funniest, Most Glamorous and, of course, Best in Show. First place prize in each category is a hand-painted dog bowl by Debby Carman of Faux Paws Productions. Cost to enter the costume contest is $10 per canine. 4-7 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com
The Empty Grave
Through Nov. 1. Halloween is off to a spook-tacular start at The Laguna Hills Mall with even bigger and scarier than before thrills, chills and unexpected surprises around every corner. Spirits stir at this one-of-a-kind interactive haunted house attraction as you explore the Tobbarius Family Mortuary. Open weekends through Nov. 1. F-Sat, 7-midnight; Sun, 7-10 p.m. $13-$20. Check website for more information and to purchase tickets. 234000 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills. themtgrave.com
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Oct 23- 25. Enjoy the 91st annual Anaheim Fall Festival in its new locale on the Packing District grounds (Anaheim/Santa Ana Sts.) starting on Friday. The Halloween Parade and Fall Festival will feature carnival rides from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday night, all-day Saturday and until 4 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday, enjoy a children’s and doggy costume contest on Farmers Park, a pumpkin patch, craft booths and live musical entertainment. The Fall Parade on Saturday night will begin at 6 p.m. celebrating all things Halloween! The parade will travel down Center St. Promenade from Harbor Blvd., turning onto Anaheim Blvd. on its way to the Packing District finale. Don’t forget to enjoy the traditional $5 Spooky Pancake Breakfast on Farmers Park Sunday morning from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. See website for full schedule and map for parking structures. Free. Downtown Anaheim, 714.999.3456. anaheimfallfestival.com
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Oct. 1-Nov. 1. Live your nightmares aboard the haunted Queen Mary among ghouls, spirits and the undead. This year, discover new monsters, more attractions and a hauntingly horrifying new maze. Scary Mary’s Lullaby Maze takes you on a spine-tingling trip through the story of little Scary Mary who’s looking for new playmates. End your frightening night at the Big Top Bar featuring tantalizing absinthe concoctions. See website for Happy Haunting Hour and VIP packages. Sun-Th 7 p.m.-midnight; F-Sat 7 p.m.-1 a.m. General Admission $29. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com
Boo at the Santa Ana Zoo
Oct. 17-18, 24-25 and 30. Grab your costumes and join the zoo for their annual “merry not scary” celebration in a fun, safe and family friendly setting. Jump on board the “boofari” express train and make your way through 10 prize stations along the trick-or-treat trail. Enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed games and activities, including storytelling, sing-alongs and visits with nocturnal animals. 5:30-8 p.m. $16.95; free for children two and under. 1801 Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, 714.836.4000. santaanazoo.org
Family Fright Zone Friday
Oct. 30. Ghostly creatures take to fright, on this spooky family Fun Zone night. Gather for a BOOtiful evening at the 4th Annual Halloween event featuring costumes, pumpkins, candy, spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, face painting, spooky and slimy lab activities and live entertainment for the entire family. 5-8 p.m. Free. ExplorOcean, 600 E. Bay Ave., Newport beach, 949.675.8915. explorocean.org
Night of the Living Dead
Oct. 2 – Nov. 1. Spend Halloween honoring the zombie classic that started it all. A true cult classic—and one of the scariest movies of all time—Night of the Living Dead comes to Fullerton for a live performance on stage. The dead are walking and hungry for human flesh. A group of panicked survivors are barricaded in a deserted farmhouse while the army of flesh-eating zombies hover outside the door. Warning: Graphic Violence. See website for varying showtimes. $22. Maverick Theatre, 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton, 714.526.7070. mavericktheater.com
Trick-or-Treat Pumpkin Party at Kaleidoscope Center
Oct. 25. Costumed youngsters ages 2 to 10 are invited to bring their own treat bag and stroll the center for trick-or-treating followed by pumpkin decorating with paint. Pick up your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch! Noon-3 p.m. Free event; pumpkins for decorating $5. 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949.542.4405. gokaleidoscope.com
Haunted Gingerbread House Building at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Oct. 24. Start a new tradition or carry on a time honored institution at the Jazz Kitchen. Build your very own haunted mansion to add to your Halloween décor. Noon-2 p.m. $48 per kit; includes two seats; extra seats are $12 each. Advance reservations and payment necessary.Downtown Disney, 1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.776.5200. rbjazzkitchen.com
Halloween Bash at Darya
Oct. 25. Celebrate Halloween at Darya’s 3rd annual party and costume contest. Featuring live music, VIP tables, prizes and more. 8:30 p.m. $20; ladies free before 10 p.m. 3800 S. Plaza Drive, Santa Ana, 714.557.6600. daryasouthcoastplaza.com
Main Street Halloween Fest
Oct. 31. Visit Huntington Beach as downtown transforms to “HBoo Spookytown.” For children of all ages, this annual Halloween celebration features spooky festivities like a moon bounce, petting zoo, Ferris wheel, pumpkin carving, costume contests and more. 4-8 p.m. Free. Main St. and 5th St., Downtown Huntington Beach, 714.536.8300. hbdowntown.com
Knott’s Berry Farm Camp Spooky
Weekends throughout October. Kids ages 3 to 11 are invited to dress to impress in all their Halloween finery to Snoopy’s Costume Party in Camp Snoopy. This daytime, non-scare celebration of cheer rather than fear is full of shows, activities and of course, trick or treating. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com