Spooky season has arrived, folks. You feel it. Shorter evenings. Warm night air. Dry leaves skittering on empty streets. Orange porch lights flick on across the Valley. Los Angeles in the fall hits different, and that’s why we’re here: to help you cut through the noise and lock in the good stuff. This city contains the Halloween Capital of the World, and you have a lot to navigate. We’ll make it easy.
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Below is your clean, no-fluff lineup for September. Each item gives you dates first, then a quick why-go. Bookmark this.
Events
Creep It Real OC – Sept 12 to 14
Orange County’s fan-forward Halloween expo returns to Heritage Museum with vendors, photo ops, and live entertainment all weekend.
Burbank Fall Festival – Sept 13
Free early-evening festival at Johnny Carson Park with vendors and bands; easy pre-season vibes in the Halloween Capitol of the World.
Witches Magick Market – Sept 20
A community-forward, open-air market for with over 25 vendors featuring handcrafted occult goods and spellcraft essentials, artisans and readers, public ritual, interactive altar, and much more.
HorrorCon (LA Convention Center) – Sept 20 and 21
A two-day horror convention with celebrity guests, panels, cosplay, and deep-cut vendors.
Dodgers Horror Fest Market – Sept 21
A one-day maker market with horror art, collectibles, and photo ops; good stop if you want merch without maze lines.
NOIR! A Hollywood Thriller Sept 20
This one is NOT to be missed. A highly Immersive 1940s crime story staged across Heritage Square’s historic homes put on by Downtown Repertory Theatre. There’s really nothing quite like what these guys are doing. Expect roaming scenes, separations, and one-on-ones. An absolute gem.
All Ages
Nights of the Jack – Sept 26 to Nov 1
A mile-long jack-o’-lantern trail at King Gillette Ranch with absolutely insane lighting displays, themed vignettes, food and drinks, and easy parking flow. Fall vibes secured.
Bob Baker Hallowe’en Spooktacular – Sept 6 to Nov 9
LA’s marionette legends bring back the seasonal revue with classic songs, glow in the dark skeletons, free ice cream. Perfect for first-timers and spooky vibes for all ages.
Spider Pavilion (Natural History Museum) Sep 14 – Nov 30
Walk among free-roaming orb-weavers in an outdoor pavilion; it’s calm, close-up, and surprisingly soothing. A highly unique seasonal offering from the NHM!
Haunted Houses
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights (Hollywood) – Sept 4 to Nov 2
We had to mention it. Top-tier IP mazes, Terror Tram, and late-night coaster energy; plan with Express if you hate lines.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (Griffith Park) – Sept 19 to Nov 2
Midnight Falls returns with the hayride, town zones, and new Elvira tie-ins at the Old Zoo. Descanso Gardens
Delusion: Harrowing of Hell – Sept 18 to Nov 9
An utterly insane horror gem – if you want something special, don’t miss this. In this interactive and highly immersive haunt, you move through the story and become part of the plot.
Queen Mary Dark Harbor Sept 19 to Nov 2
One of our top picks every year, a truly special horror playground set to the iconic, historical and haunted backdrop of The Queen Mary. This year boasts 6 walkthrough experiences, a brand new theatrical experience, secret speakeasies, carnival rides, and much more. Some haunts take you onto the underbelly of the boat – the ambiance is absolutely top notch with this one. Run, don’t walk!
The Willows Sept 25 – Nov 23
A highly immersive interactive haunt set in an undisclosed historic mansion. Intimate, dinner-party-from-hell vibes. JFI Productions, who is putting this on, is well known for Creep LA.
Reign of Terror (Thousand Oaks) – Sept 26 to Nov 2
An absolute classic, legendary walkthrough haunt that’s grown from the owner’s house to a huge indoor walkthrough with 140+ rooms and pro-level set detail. Was featured in an episode of Nathan For You, if that means anything to you.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest – Sept 19 to Nov 2
Horror at Six Flags. Park-wide scare zones and add-on mazes after dark; easy win if you want coasters plus monsters.
Knott’s Scary Farm – Sept 18 to Nov 1
One of LA’s most beloved theme parks puts on the original SoCal haunt event with inventive mazes and monster street theater with a super immersive ghost town. Fantastic production and a really great time!
Movie Recs
Movie Taste-Along: Harold & Maude @ Vulture Culture Oddities Sep 12 (6:30 PM)
Food-paired film experience returns with a cult favorite; watch for the official date drop and ticket link.
Alien at Cinespia @ Hollywood Forever – Sept 13 (8 PM)
Ridley Scott’s nightmare screens among the stars. Picnic early, then scream together.
Creepshow @ The Vista – Sept 19 (7:30 PM)
Do yourself a favor and visit the Video Archives screening room in The Vista theatre, an awesome tiny space that holds rare and acclaimed VHS and 16mm screening in Quentin Tarantino’s restored Vista.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind @ Mt. Wilson Observatory – Sept 27 (3 PM)
Classic sci-fi screens a mile above LA in an extremely special space with Bob Baker Marionettes adding pre-show magic.
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Notes: event details and schedules above were verified from official sources at the time of publishing; always check the organizer link before you go.