Who loves Halloween as much as I do? In this article I will tell you all the best family friendly places to celebrate Halloween in California and some other U.S. states. You can attend an event or two or make a weekend out of it or even have a whole week long Halloween themed trip.
This Halloween Attractions in California and beyond guide is by no means complete. I will be constantly adding to it once I find out more information so don’t forget to save, bookmark or pin it!
Halloween attractions in California
I am laying out these Halloween attractions in California from Southern California to Northern California but you can certainly visit them in reverse order too.
Halloween attractions in California: Disneyland
Halloween in Disneyland is probably the most famous Halloween event in California, albeit most expensive (though it is cheaper to buy Halloween party ticket then regular Disneyland 1 day ticket). You can experience it as early as mid-September.
The whole resort is transformed into a Halloween land. The decorations throughout the parks are amazing! During the 5-hour long party you can ride all the rides, watch the Halloween parade and fireworks, even go dancing. This is the only time when adults are allowed to dress up too. There will also be “treat trails” in the park where you can collect the sweet loot. Halloween in Disneyland is an event each person should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Here also more general tips for visiting Disneyland, California.
If you live on the East Coast, Halloween at Disney World will be a similar experience.
Halloween attractions in California: Long Beach – Dark Harbor
(by Coleman Concierge)
Can you imagine one of the top ten most haunted places in America turned into a Halloween attraction? You’ll only find that at Dark Harbor. In September and October, the Queen Mary anchored in Long Beach Harbor is invaded by swarms of monsters, maniacs, and ghosts. The highlight of the evening is seven terrifying mazes based on actual hauntings on the Queen Mary. The fully immersive experience takes you through the bowels of the ship herself where the macabre imagination of Southern California’s best costume and set designers could go wild. Teens and tweens will squeal in scary delight.
If you’re looking for family fun, don’t fret. There’s entertainment for kids of all ages at Dark Harbor. They can go for a spin on the chair ride from Micheal Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Costumed performers display their acrobatic skills on aerial silks, but you really don’t want to miss the sliders. These guys put together a choreographed show based on sliding 20-30 feet across the pavement, sending up a shower of sparks as the go. Make sure you remember the warning – kids, don’t try this at home. There’s also abundant food and drink options to complete the evening. See for yourself why horror-lovers insist that Dark Harbor is the best Socal Halloween attraction.
Halloween attractions in California: Cambria
Cambria, located on Central California coast, is famous for its Scarecrow Festival. This is one of the most unique Halloween events in California. The whole community gets together in creating dozens of unique scarecrows which, once created, are placed around town for everybody to enjoy. These are not just simple scarecrows but very elaborate artistic creations, sometimes, the whole scenes come to live with multiple characters.
During its 11 years in existence the Scarecrow Festival has grown to also include the town of San Simeon and it now attracts thousands of tourists from across the country. And the best part of the festival? – You can see all the scarecrows FREE of charge!
Halloween attractions in California: San Francisco Bay Area
The best time for Halloween in San Francisco Bay Area is the weekend before the actual Halloween. Lots of San Francisco Bay Area attractions will have Halloween events going on.
Halloween in San Francisco Bay Area: Amusement parks
California Great America, Gilroy Gardens and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom parks will all have Halloween parties encompassing 2 weekends before Halloween.
Halloween Haunt in California Great America, for example, will have themed live performances, scare zones, and several haunted mazes. It seems like California Great America comes up with a new Halloween surprise each year. This year the new experiences include: Wax Museum Blackout, Dia de los Muertos and Killer Clown Town.
Discovery Kingdom’s Fright Fest is similar in idea to Great America’s one: lots of haunted houses, scare zones and roaming costumes characters to complete the experience.
Halloween in Gilroy Gardens in more appropriate for younger kids. It is spooky but not too scary. Kids can ride their favorite rides, go trick-or-treating, see a Halloween musical show and venture into the Spider Lair. All the while the park is beautifully illuminated for the occasion.
Pixieland in Concord and Fairyland in Oakland amusement parks will also have Halloween events for young kids.
Halloween in San Francisco Bay Area: Museums
Several San Francisco Bay Area museums will traditionally have Halloween parties the weekend before Halloween, among them: California Academy of Sciences, Randall Museum in San Francisco and Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. Check the museums’ Calendar pages for the specifics of this year’s event.
Children Discovery Museum in San Jose will have the Halloween Family Night on October 31.
Halloween in San Francisco Bay Area: Local farms
A few of local farms will have Halloween attractions and parties too.
Lemos Farms: Halloween decorations, Halloween themed train and a haunted house.
Pastrorino Farms: Halloween decorations and a haunted train ride
Deer Hollow Farm: haunted barn, “dark forest” and themed crafts
Halloween in San Francisco Bay Area: Zoos
3 zoos in San Francisco Bay Area will have Halloween events. San Francisco Zoo and Oakland Zoo will have a Boo at the Zoo party during the day time the last weekend before Halloween while Happy Hollow Park and Zoo will have an overnight event – Haunt at the Hollow.
Halloween in San Francisco Bay Area: Train rides
Haunted Railroad at Ardenwood Historic Farm – spooky, not scary ride with Halloween decorations and costumed characters.
Thomas and Percy Halloween Party at Roaring Camp railroad in Felton
Halloween attractions in California: Lake Tahoe
The last weekend before Halloween, Homewood Mountain Resort organizes a two-day extravaganza with lost of Halloween fun for entire family at Trick-or-Treat Village featuring free scary movie showings, face painting, pumpkin decorating, a haunted house and some goodies from local vendors. The culmination of each evening is chilling chairlift ride through haunted scenes. To learn more visit Halloweekend page at Homewood Mountain Resort website.
It is a great time to visit to visit Lake Tahoe area for another reason too – beautiful fall foliage, which is quite rare in California. Take a hike during the day before heading to Trick-or-Treat Village which opens at 3 pm.
Halloween attractions in other parts of the U.S.
Halloween in Salem, MA
If you want to walk around in witches hats for the entire week of Halloween then look no further than Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is one of the most popular Halloween destinations in the US. Why? Salem is famous for the Salem Witch Trials that took place in the 1600s. The city has been glamorized in Hollywood movies such as Hocus Pocus and now people flock to Salem every Halloween. And, rightly so, there is so much Halloween-themed activities to do.
First, you’ll want to make sure to learn about the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Take the family to visit The Salem Witch Museum which involves a retelling of history on life-size stage sets. Remember, the witch trials can be dark (and scary) to little ones. We took our one year old but he had no idea what was going on, just use your parent intuition. Walk through town along Essex Street and make sure to stop for a picture next to the Bewitched sculpture and stop into the Peabody Essex Museum if you and your family enjoy art. It’s great! Located next to the museum is the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, a quiet reflective place and a great learning opportunity on social justice for the kids.
Head to the Salem Witch Village to take in the Haunted Neighborhood of Salem. Walk through the oldest cemetery in town, get your Halloween-themed shopping done and buy tickets to local Halloween attractions: guided tours, haunted houses, or a wax museum. Take your pick! On Halloween night, walk down Essex Street with the family and be in for a treat. People go all out here! Make sure to finish up early, because scary costumes abound later in the night. Because of Salem’s popularity, please know that it will be packed and hotels will be pricey. You’ll want to plan ahead for this trip.
Halloween in New York
(by Toddling Traveler)
Most people know that New York City is amazing (and crowded) around Thanksgiving and Christmas. After our trip to New York City last Fall, however, Halloween in NYC is now in the running for us as our favorite time of year in the big apple.
After talking to friends who live in Manhattan with kids and consulting our network of family travelers, we decided to trick-or-treat in Midtown East. Trick-or-treating in Midtown New York is unlike anything I’ve experienced in the suburbs. Instead of going to houses, you go to local businesses. The entire experience is well run by the Midtown East Partnership, and it’s complete with maps and info on what type of treat each business offers. Our son loved chatting with the local business owners, and it gave us a chance to try out some local favorites like Melissa’s Cupcakes and Insomnia Cookies.
In addition to trick or treating in Midtown East, the Upper West Side holds family-friendly trick or treating, with its beautiful brownstones decked out for Halloween. If you’re in New York in the days leading up to Halloween, there are a number of events including an annual children’s parade held at Washington Square Park. New York City is also beautifully decorated for the Fall, and if you time it right you can also catch some of the Christmas decorations coming up at the beginning of November.
Here you can find detailed information on Halloween events in New York.
Halloween in Santa Claus, IN
(by Amanda Claise)
Santa Claus, Indiana may be named after an iconic Christmas figure, but this small town sure knows how to celebrate Halloween! Santa Claus is home to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, a family owned theme park boasting holiday themed rides, top ranked wooden coasters, and free soft drinks. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari hosts Happy Halloween Weekends from mid-September until the last weekend in October. The theme park is transformed with pumpkins and fall decor, while corn mazes, a “spooktacular” Halloween show, and many fall treats are added throughout. The park focuses on creating a fun and friendly Halloween atmosphere for all ages.
While visiting Holiday World, take the family camping at Lake Rudolph Campground. The campground hosts many fall and Halloween activities including bonfire ghost stories, haunted hayrides, and a Ghostly Golf Cart Glow Parade.
If camping isn’t for you, stay in one of Santa’s Cottages. The Cottages offer a homely feel with a kitchen, grill, fire pit, and options for multiple bedrooms. During the fall season, the Cottages have trick or treating on Friday nights and free train rides.
The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a short drive from the park and Cottages. Families can hike the Trail of Twelve Stones to see the farm where President Lincoln spent his teen years and experience life in the fall as a Lincoln.
Continue across the street to Lincoln State Park for Friends Fall Frolic, where kids can enjoy crafts, games, and paint pumpkins, while walking in the steps of the 16th President.
If you found this Halloween in California and Beyond itinerary useful, please do me a little favor and share this information with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their travel plans. 🙂 Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram where I post many more cool photos and videos about our trips than I could include in a blog post and organize some nice giveaways!
If you know of other cool Halloween attractions in California and other parts of the U.S., please, let me know in comments below. We would love to check them out!
Additional Halloween ideas
Here are the best Halloween books EVER – both fun and educational – from our library to yours. They will make your Halloween celebrations extra special:
Here are some great Halloween crafts and games for kids that we love and highly recommend:
I also love these kits to make Halloween science, Halloween gummies (you will need the molds and Agar Agar) and Halloween lanterns:
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