Halloween is fast approaching and America is the place to celebrate. Originating with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts, Halloween has over time evolved into dressing up, trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins.
There are plenty of events that offer tourists the opportunity to revel in the festivities throughout the States. Here are five of my favourite events in Los Angeles. What's your favourite?
1. Knotts Scary Farm
Knotts Berry Farm transforms into
Knotts Scary Farm with free-roaming monsters, haunted mazes and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog.
With spooky rides, shows and attractions, visitors will be scared for hours. Don't miss the timber Mountain Log Ride where mysterious creatures lurk as you venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper Band and the town's Green Witch before splashing down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns.
Timber Mountain Log Ride. Image from:https://www.knotts.com/play/scary-farm/attractions/timber-mountain-log-ride-halloween-hootenanny
Satisfy your appetite with Frankenstein's Intestines Green Funnel Cake, Buffalo Bat Wings and a Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Milkshake.
This is one spooky event and described as 'a nightmare you can't wake up from'. This is not recommended for children under 13 years of age.
Knotts Scary Farm is open on select nights between 19 September and 2 November, 2019.
Location: Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park
Price: From $45
2. Disneyland
The Oogie Boogie Bash has sold out this year but there are plenty of other Halloween activities throughout the park.
Halloween decorations
The Main Street Pumpkin Festival, costumed characters and spooky touches are definitely worth the visit. The spook-tacular festivities continue with the Halloween Screams show with soaring flames, projections of rising ghosts and on selected nights, fireworks.
3. Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Studios
Halloween Horror Nights is an annual event with mazes and scare zones. From 24 October 2019 until 3 November 2919, guests will be able to navigate a Stranger Things maze plus mazes themed on Ghostbusters, Killer Klowns from Outer Space and Creepshow.
Select rides will also be open including Jurassic World, The Simpsons Ride™, Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers 3D.
Don't miss the Jabbawockeez perform with their gravity-defying choreography and amazing special effects.
The event begins at 7pm and daytime admission is not included in the price. Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for children under 13 years of age. No costumes or masks are permitted.
Location: Universal Studios Hollywood & Universal CityWalk, Universal City
Price: General admission - $72 - $99
4. Paramount After Dark Tour: Tales From the Other Side
The regular Paramount After Dark Tour turns into an enchanted version from 08 September 2019 until 03 November 2019 where you will hear about
Tales from the Other Side, with access to the neighbouring Hollywood Forever Cemetery. On this two and a half hour, after-hours experience, tour guides will dig up the dirt on Hollywood's dearly departed. Champagne, candy and popcorn will be provided.
Price:$99 per person, taxes and fees included
Location: Paramount Studios, Los Angeles
5. Boo at the Zoo - Los Angeles Zoo
Perfect for youngsters, this month-long celebration includes spooky tales, puppet shows and pumpkin carving. There will also be a hay maze and pumpkin patch.
Image from:https://www.lazoo.org/boo/
Daily attractions at
Boo at the Zoo include the Extinct Animal Graveyard, a Boo Bird Show with owls and vultures and getting up close and personal with creepy critters.
If you're fortunate to visit on a weekend, there will also be Swazzle's Monster Menagerie Puppet Show, a "Spooktacular Science" Show and Creature Craft so bring along a toilet roll and create your own bat.
Dressing up is encouraged.
Location: Los Angeles Zoo | Los Angeles, CA, Griffith Park
Price: Boo at the Zoo is included as part of the regular entrance price.
