Halloween time is upon us, bringing a multitude of parties, costumes, candies and the possibility of rain. Looking for inspiration on how to celebrate the holiday weekend? Here’s a list of things to do this weekend, featuring L.A. Halloween staples and a few on-campus celebrations, organized by distance from USC.
Late Night ‘SC: Spooktacular
If you’re looking to celebrate close to campus, USC Student Life will be hosting “Late Night ‘SC: Spooktacular” on The Village’s Great Lawn from 8-11 p.m. on Oct. 31. The carnival — complete with free food, games and a ferris wheel — will be open to students as well as families attending Trojan Family Weekend. Tickets are free, but registration is required with EngageSC.
Halloween Tailgate
Missed out on tickets to Saturday’s sold-out game against Ohio State on Oct. 31? No worries. You can still check out USC Student Life’s Gameday Experience on the Pardee Lawn for games, food and giveaways.
“The Horror Show” Exhibition, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
“The Horror Show” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened on September 26, but is a perfect Halloween excursion. The exhibition covers over 200 years of horror storytelling, featuring costumes from iconic movies such as “Alien,” “Dracula” and “Midsommar.” It also covers common horror themes and how the genre is used to explore identity, sexuality and ability. Check out USC Annenberg’s coverage of the exhibition here.
The exhibition will be on view through July 25, 2027. Student tickets are $15 with ID.
L.A. Haunted Hayride and Halloween Festival
At the L.A. Haunted Hayride and Halloween Festival, Old Griffith Park is transformed into the fictional ‘80s town of Midnight Falls, which is haunted by witch-summoned spirits. Inspired by the holiday hayrides popular on the East Coast, the attraction takes you through various themed sets with clowns, zombies and other spooky scares. The event isn’t just the hayride— there are also three mazes, games, food and a Scary-Go-Round. Want to see more? Check out Ampersand’s event coverage here.
The L.A. Haunted Hayride and Halloween Festival will run through November 1st. Tickets start at $46.34.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios’ ultra-popular Halloween Horror Nights has already gone viral multiple times this year, from the controversial inclusion of Nikki from “Obsession” in scare zones to its well-loved Michael B. Jordan lookalikes in the “Sinners” maze. Horror Nights features eight mazes this year, based on movies like “Evil Dead Burn” and “Hellraiser.” It also features three scare zones, three street experiences and the Terror Tram featuring the “Terrifier” franchise’s Art the Clown. With the blaring heavy metal, stilt-walking scareactors and iconic chainsaws, the event is a staple of L.A. Halloween. Been to Knott’s already this year? Stop by Horror Nights to settle the age-old rivalry once and for all.
The event runs through November 1. Tickets start at $95.
Burbank Horror Row
Burbank’s Magnolia Boulevard, informally known as “Horror Row,” is a year-round destination for horror lovers due to its multitude of horror-themed shops, restaurants and museums. It’s only fitting that nearby residents go all out to decorate their homes for the Halloween season. This year, some popular standouts are The Beetlejuice House and the Circus of Nightmares. The Halloween in Burbank Map can help you plan out your stops. If you make the trek, be sure to stop by Horror Vibes Coffee on the way, or grab a potato ball at Porto’s.
Queen Mary Dark Harbor
Once an active luxury ocean liner and a World War II troopship, the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Queen Mary now sits in the Long Beach Harbor. Every Halloween season, the historic ship is transformed into a haunted attraction called The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor. Marketed as “Southern California’s most haunted Halloween event,” the event features six mazes, some based on the stories of its famous ghostly inhabitants. There are also shows, games, food and a number of hidden speakeasies for the 21+ crowd. Check out Ampersand’s coverage of the event here.
The event runs through November 1. Tickets start at $69.
Knott’s Scary Farm
Knott’s Scary Farm is 28.6 miles from USC campus, but experiencing the “Grandaddy of all Halloween events” is worth the drive. The first and longest-running theme park haunt, Knott’s has been scaring Angelenos for 53 years. This year, the event features 10 mazes, including new ones — “Inked” and “Unearthed” — five scare zones, shows and lots of themed food options. Be sure to walk through the beloved Ghost Town fog, where the cursed residents of Calico are there to scare at every turn. And don’t forget to grab a funnel cake before the line gets too long!
The event runs through October 31. Tickets are $85.
Have a safe Halloween weekend, Trojans!