Trick or Treat! Halloween is fast approaching, and numerous festivities have been organized throughout the Los Angeles area. Rather than staying home, go to blood-curdling amusement parks and events that are sure to make this Halloween unforgettable.

One of the top places to celebrate Halloween is Universal Studios’ annual “Halloween Horror Nights.” This year, guests can venture warily through seven new mazes based on American Horror Story, The Exorcist, and other frightening TV shows and movies. They can also attend live performances and experience scenes from Universal’s chilling trilogy, The Purge. This event is perfect for fans of horror and those who love being scared.

Knott’s Scary Farm is another terrifying way to celebrate Halloween. Salvador Martinez (10) has been to Knott’s Scary Farm numerous times and believes it to be “scarier than you would imagine… but the whole experience is like being in a completely different world.” Every year, Knott’s Berry Farm organizes this for Halloween. It includes mazes like ‘Paranormal Inc.’ as well as shows and scare zones.

In Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride takes place to terrify guests. This year theme is Secret Society of Samhain where people ride on a haunted ride as part of a chilling story. There is a section on foot this year, so guests will be able to have the full experience. In addition to the hayride, people can wander through a haunted village and maze.

Those who prefer a less intense attraction should attend Disneyland’s Mickey’s Halloween Party could be a better fit.  Fun events await guests such as Halloween-themed rides, trick-or-treat stations, and the new Frightfully Fun Parade. Children and adults can dress up, although costumes must be child-friendly and have no weapons or sharp objects. It’s an entertaining, family friendly way to celebrate and is pleasing to all ages.

For those who enjoy film music, Danny Elfman’s Nightmare Before Christmas live at the Hollywood Bowl may be an ideal way to spend Halloween. Danny Elfman is the composer for the music from The Nightmare Before Christmas and also is the voice actor for Jack Skellington. The audience can also enter a costume contest if they dress up as characters from Tim Burton’s movies, like Edward Scissorhands or Beetlejuice. Some other cast members from The Nightmare Before Christmas will be attending, including Paul Reubens (Lock), Catherine O’Hara (Sally) and Ken Page (Oogie Boogie).  

Events in Los Angeles are organized everywhere for people to appreciate and enjoy, so spend Halloween attending one of these, but be ready for a haunting experience.