8 ways to celebrate Halloween in OC and LA County, ranging from seriously scary to family fun
For those looking for frightfully good fun, here are places where you can celebrate Halloween around Southern California.
Tomas K - Moderator 
There are a lot of ways to get your scare on during Halloween, from walk-through haunts that will leave you terrorized to theatrical experiences that will put you in the middle of a macabre story to nights out with the kids where the scares won’t traumatize the little ones.
So for those looking to have some frightfully good fun this spooky season, here are a few ways to celebrate the spooky holiday.
Delusion: The Red Castle
When: Various dates and times through Nov. 3
Where: Stimson House, 2421 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles
Tickets: $109.99 and up at enterdelusion.com
This long-running theatrical horror experience is constantly changing its storyline and this year visitors to Stimson House will be transported to the mid-20th Century and into the world of Dr. Frederick. The brilliant psychologist has brought some of his patients and their otherworldly abilities to the abandoned castle where they will help bring the Doctor’s wife back to life. What could go wrong with a little resurrection right?
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
When: Select nights through Nov. 2
Where: Whittier Narrows Park, 750 S. Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte
Tickets: $24.99 and up at magicofthejackolanterns.com
This pumpkin experience is made up of thousands of hand-carved Jack O’lanterns and light displays. Visitors can follow the illuminated trail and check out pumpkin scenes, inflatables and bouncy pads and also take in the pumpkin light show programmed to music across the entire event.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
When: Various nights through Nov. 2
Where: Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
Tickets: $36.99 and up at losangeleshauntedhayride.com
People can step into the haunted town of Midnight Falls and walk among the monsters as they head over to three scary mazes. They can also hop aboard the Hayride, which will take them to the backwoods of the town where a rumored cannibalistic family lives.
Nights of the Jack
When: Various nights Sept. 27- Nov. 2
Where: King Gillette Ranch: 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas
Tickets: $26.99 and up at nightsofthejack.com
This immersive Halloween experience attracts couples and families who can walk through a nearly one mile trail that’s lined with thousands of Jack O’lanterns and light displays. There are also digital carnival games, pumpkin carving demonstrations, food trucks and for adults there’s the Spookeasy, a pop-up bar with beer, wine and themed cocktails.
17th Door Haunt Experience
When: Various dates Sept. 27-Nov. 3
Where: 8420 On The Mall, Buena Park
Tickets: $41 and up at the17thdoor.com
This is a seriously scary haunt. Seriously, it’s so scary people have to sign a waiver before going in and then you’re given a safe word to scream in case you want out. Why is it so scary? The actors can touch you, things can fall on you, at points you may even have to get down on your hands and knees to get through the haunt and there may be live bugs involved too.
Fearplex Presents Lights Out
When: Fridays-Sundays, Oct. 4-27
Where: 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona
Tickets: $29 and up at fairplex.com/lightsout
When the lights go out the monsters and zombies come out at this Halloween haunt and festival. It’s made up of several walk-through haunts with creatures like zombies, crazed clowns and an insane asylum.
Discovery Cube: Pumpkin Palooza
When: Fridays-Sundays, Oct. 4-27
Where: 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana
Tickets: $10 general admission to venue plus $12 general admission to special event at discoverycube.org
This one is for the young ones as the Discovery Cube hosts Pumpkin Palooza. It will feature two floors of Halloween-themed science activities, a pumpkin festival and dance party.
Reign of Terror
When: Select nights Sept. 27-Nov. 2
Where: 285 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
Tickets: $42 and up at rothauntedhouse.com
This is a huge haunt with 142 rooms and 11 different interconnect themed sections. Yes, it’ll feel like the horror never ends in this terror maze that’s filled with all kinds of monsters. New this year is the Forest of Fear where after exciting a backwoods saloon, all sort of creatures will chase you through a dark forest.
