Best Haunted Events in California to Visit on Halloween
Trick or treat, bag of sweets, ghosts are walking down the street.
Halloween 2025 is right around the corner. And it is the right time to plan how to spend holidays.
With October comes a thrilling excitement across California, where streets fill with costumed revelers, spooky mansions, and glowing jack-o’- lanterns. The Golden State, the second-largest pumpkin grower in the U.S transforms into a playground of festive fun, from family-friendly adventures to chic costume parties. Half Moon Bay, famously known as the pumpkin capital of California, hosts spectacular pumpkin festivals that draw visitors from near and far.
Local Festivals and Parades
Hex, yeah! When it comes to Halloween celebrations, California really goes all out, hosting a variety of regional parades and festivals that attract visitors from different corners of the world. The West Hollywood Halloween Carnival, which draws thousands of costumed revelers, who flood the streets with music, creativity, and frightening fun, is a must-see event in Los Angeles.
The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego comes alive with family-friendly events, themed bars, and parties, making it a lively place for people of all ages.
The Castro District of San Francisco in its turn organizes vibrant parades and street parties that combine classic Halloween excitement with distinctive regional flair. Furthermore, Universal Studios Hollywood offers some of the most well-known haunted attractions in the country for fans of theme parks. Burbank adds its own unique twist to the Halloween season, offering community-centered events and lively festivities that highlight the city’s charm.
2025 Halloween Festivals in Burbank
Throughout the year, Burbank offers a variety of unique events that bring residents and visitors together, including music, food, art, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for seasonal celebrations, cultural experiences, or just a day of entertainment, Burbank's festival scene has something for everyone.
Haunted Adventure at Stough Canyon Nature Center
Dates: October 17, 18, 24, 25
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Stough Canyon Nature Center
Price: $10 Adults / $5 Children (12 & under) online; $12 Adults / $7 Children at the door
Ages: Recommended for ages 6+
What to Expect: At the Stough Canyon Nature Center, you have a unique chance to experience a spine-tingling evening with the Haunted Adventure. Guided by Stough Camp counselors, the guests trek through dimly lit hillsides encountering eerie sights and spooky surprises. This interactive adventure mixes storytelling, fright and fun for both families and thrill-seekers. For large groups.
Floating Pumpkin
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Verdugo Aquatic Facility
Price: $5
What to Expect: Prepare to dive into an unforgettable whimsical Floating Pumpkin Patch at the Verdugo Aquatic Facility. Here you can witness a wonderful picture where pumpkins literally float in the water! Swimmers of all ages can participate in festive water games and creative pumpkin activities, offering a playful twist on traditional Halloween fun.
Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" & What They Did Wrong!
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Buena Vista Branch Library
Price: Free
What to Expect: Here you have a unique chance to step back in time with a special screening and discussion of Orson Welles’ 1938 "War of the Worlds" broadcast. Enjoy the nationwide panic of this event and find out what made it such a cultural phenomenon. The perfect option for history buffs and fans of classic radio drama.
Glow in the Dark PJ Story Time
Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Buena Vista Branch Library
Price: Free
What to Expect: Get the small ones all snuggled up in their pajamas for a story session with a glowing, eerie atmosphere. For a mystical and risk-free start to Halloween celebrations, light-up children's books are a great choice.
Back to the Future 40th Anniversary Screening
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Buena Vista Branch Library
Price: Free
What to Expect: Join us for a special screening in honor of Back to the Future's 40th anniversary. As a classic Halloween treat, this film follows the adventures of Marty McFly and Doc Brown, which fans of all ages can enjoy.
Halloween Skate Fest
Date: Saturday, October 26
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Valley Skatepark
Price: Free
What to Expect: There will be costume contests, trick-or-treat stations, and skating competitions at the Halloween Skate Fest, so you may skate all night long. Everyone, from teens to adults, can have a blast at our exciting and risk-free Halloween party.
Halloween Carnival
Date: Friday, October 31
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: McCambridge Recreation Center
Price: $5
Ages: 3–11
What to Expect: There will be games, awards, and activities centered around Halloween for kids at the Halloween Carnival. Created with families in mind, it offers a fun, safe space for kids ages 3 to 11 to celebrate Halloween in style.
As you can see, Burbank has much to offer to feel the Halloween spirit. From scary hikes and haunted excursions to parties and screenings of great films. However, large groups may face issues such as traffic and parking due to the abundance of exciting events occurring simultaneously. When traveling in a large group, a Sprinter van is the most convenient option, especially on days when other modes of transportation are inconvenient or nonexistent. Sprinters provide greater room, dependable door-to-door service, and group transportation, in contrast to smaller groups or people who can benefit from taxis or ridesharing applications.
Where to Find the Scariest Spots in California
Where there is no imagination, there is no horror. California offers an eerily diverse array of spooky events, from spine-tingling ghost tours to high-adrenaline haunted attractions. For those who love a mix of history and chills, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is often called the scariest house in the U.S., while the Queen Mary Ghost Tour in Long Beach, the Orange County Ghost Tour, and the San Juan Capistrano Ghost Tour combine eerie storytelling with fascinating historical mysteries. These tours take visitors through dimly lit corridors and narrow lanes, offering goosebumps and intrigue in equal measure, though they can be a bit demanding for children or anyone avoiding crowded spots.
For thrill seekers craving something more extreme, McKamey Manor in San Diego pushes haunted experiences to their psychological and physical limits, requiring visitors to sign a release before entry, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. Meanwhile, California’s major theme parks bring Halloween to life with immersive haunted houses, scare zones, and fright-filled nights at places like Universal Studios, ensuring that everyone, from families and casual Halloween fans to devoted thrill chasers, can find their perfect scare..
Family-Friendly Events
In California you can find a wide variety of entertaining Halloween-themed activities for the whole family. With pumpkin carvings, seasonal decor, and photo-friendly arrangements, pumpkin villages are a common feature of towns and theme parks. Younger guests will have a great time during the holiday thanks to interactive games, slides, bounce houses, and petting zoos.
Here, we recommend that you visit these places during weekday mornings or early afternoons to take advantage of these family-friendly events. The reason is that during this period crowds are lower and lines are shorter. Crafts, games, and mildly spooky haunted attractions are frequently available at well-known locations including neighborhood pumpkin patches, community harvest festivals, and kid-friendly Halloween fairs. With so many possibilities, families can delightfully and securely feel the sense of Halloween in California.
No tricks, Just Treats With TourVango
Our Sprinter van is the perfect way to explore California’s spooky side without losing your cool, or your group. With plenty of room, door-to-door comfort, and no parking hassles, you can focus on the chills and thrills instead of logistics. Whether you’re a history buff chasing ghost stories, an adrenaline junkie seeking haunted houses, or just a casual Halloween fan, planning ahead with TourVango ensures a smooth ride through California’s most haunted spots. Don’t worry, we’ll get you close to the scares, but we’re not here to spook you ourselves. The ghosts of California can handle that!
So, Don’t forget to plan ahead… the ghosts of California await!