Why Teens Love Halloween in LA

Despite being known mostly for palm trees and a year-round climate that isn't exactly PSL weather, Los Angeles celebrates Halloween with the best of them. First of all, there's an abundance of theme parks that transform themselves into terror zones during the spooky season. Secondly, we have the resources and talent to build ultra-realistic haunted houses for kids of all ages. And third, there's that previously-mentioned warm weather, which makes outdoor festivities possible throughout the fall.

Top Haunted Houses and Spooky Attractions in LA for Teens

Halloween Horror Nights are full of big scares for big kids. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios

Universal Halloween Horror Nights

Select nights from September 4 - November 2, 2025

Price: $79 and up (Online discounts are available.)
Scare Level: Extreme
Age Policy: No Minimum, but not recommended for children under 13

Yup, this one's scary. When Universal says that they don't recommend this haunt for anyone under the age of 13, take them at their word. We saw no one under the age of 14 the night we went, and that seemed like a good thing. That said, if you take your 14-year-old to Universal Horror Nights, they'll think you're the coolest parent ever!

If your family enjoys monsters, zombies, and screaming in unison, this can be a night of super-fun family bonding. Wander through scary mazes of different themes, a scream-inducing tram ride, a walk through a zombie apocalypse, and plenty of other rides and scare zones. The 2025 version includes themes like Fallout, the horrors of Five Nights at Freddie's, and (if you've paid any attention to the internet lately) the so-over-the-top it went viral Terrifier attraction.

The production quality is mega-high, and there is enough to see to keep you busy from opening to closing time—more, really, when you factor in that there are also very long distances to cover between some attractions. With so much to check out, springing for a front-of-line pass makes a huge difference—especially since the scariest thing at Horror Nights may be the crowds (one teen we know lost a shoe never to be found again)!

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Knott's Scary Farm is for kids 12 and up; Knott's Spooky Farm is for everyone. Photo courtesy of Knott's Scary Farm 

Knott's Scary Farm

Select nights from September 18 - November 1, 2025

Price: $64 and up (Online discounts are available.)
Scare Level: High
Age Policy: No Minimum, but not recommended for children under 13

Knott's Halloween event is the Southland original. The park has been creating a scarefest for more than 40 years and strikes a good balance between scary and big-kid-friendly. Would we bring someone younger than 12 years old? Nope. But we might bring a group of 12-year-olds and expect that most of them would love it. You can find plenty to do and see all night long, and Knott's even offers a buffet dinner included in some ticket prices to kick off the evening. Most of the rides are running, offering breaks from spooks, though some of our favorite bits are the walks between zones, through thick and spooky fog.

This year's event includes attractions like Mary—The Haunting of Worth Home, The Zoo, Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman, and more. There is plenty to induce fun screaming, though without quite as many zombies as Universal employs. Be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance, as gate tickets can be up to $50 more.

Reign of Terror Haunted House

Select nights through November 2, 2025

Prices: $42.99 for general admission; $47.99 for general admission on peak days; $67.99 for immediate access (skip the lines); $72.99 for immediate access on peak days
Scare Level: High
Age Policy: No Minimum, but not recommended for children under 13

Ventura County's Reign of Terror Haunted House features 12 haunted house attractions connected into one terrifyingly fun experience. Each attraction is designed to dive into your deepest fears and feature creepy names like The Possession, Unhallowed Ground, and Forrest of Fear. For 2025, all 12 experiences have been updated and enhanced.

Six Flags Fright Fest

Select dates from September 19 - November 2, 2025

Prices: Prices vary depending on the package; online discounts are available
Scare Level: High
Age Policy: No Minimum, but not recommended for children under 13

We have yet to experience this Halloween haunt for ourselves, but we're told by other parents that its scary factor is just a notch above Knott's. The Fright Fest mazes only require a Haunted Attractions Pass, but to experience the park itself, you'll need to pay full admission. The good news is that all of the rides are open. Unlike at other parks, you can even blend straight from the daytime theme park experience into the night, if you like, easing your tweens into Fright Fest more gently.

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The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is an LA Halloween classic. Photo courtesy of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Select nights September 19 - November 2, 2025

Prices: From $38.99
Scare Level: Moderate
Age Policy: No Minimum, but not recommended for children under 13

This is not your mama's hayride. The Haunted Hayride, a vehicular source of thrills and chills not for the faint of heart, causes adult screams through Griffith Park each year. This is an event best shared with teens, though we know a few younger kids who enjoy this scary ride. If you have kids of different ages, the Halloween carnival set up at the ride's starting point offers options for family members not ready to be scared witless. If you do love a good scary ride, this event is as LA as it gets. In addition to the Hayride, there are add-ons available like axe-throwing, an escape room, and a "scary-go-round" ride.

Delusion: Harrowing of Hell

Select nights September 19 - November 9, 2025

Prices: $113 and up
Scare Level: High
Age Policy: 12 and up

From the mind of creator Jon Braver, Delusion: Harrowing of Hell is something a little different than the typical haunted house or horror maze. Set at the Variety Arts Theatre in Downtown LA and self-described as a "moving play," you'll travel throughout the venue and participate as the haunting narrative unfolds. Unlike most mazes, which require you to move in a linear fashion through the experience, Delusion now features an "open world," and guests are invited to move throughout the location during and after their show. Delusion is about two hours long and only for guests 12 years old and older. (That's what the experience says; we say more like 15, to be honest.) This year is at a new location and features an enhanced lounge with themed meals, drinks for adults, and more.

The 17th Door: 2022

Select nights from September 26 - November 2, 2025

Prices: $39 and up
Scare Level: Intense
Age Policy: 16 and older only; parents must sign a waiver.

This year, the story at The 17th Door is that a darkness has overcome the inmates at Perpetuum Penitentiary. Here, the unorthodox methods for treating the evils of humanity have hit new levels of depravity. Go cautiously, as the inmates here have developed a taste for new victims...  The experience is about 30 minutes, though if you get too terrified, you can always shout "mercy" and the actor will back away, or you can leave the room, or even the entire experience. For the most adventurous, "The Field Trip" is another add-on that takes guests off-premises for a part walk-through, part drive-through experience.

FAQ’s for Haunted Houses and Other Scary Teen Halloween Activities in LA

Q: What is the scariest haunted house in Los Angeles for teens?
A: The 17th Door is extremely scary—so much so that parents must sign a waiver for their children, and you must be 16 or older to participate. Universal's Halloween Horror Nights is also particularly frightening, though most of the haunted houses/experiences in Los Angeles don't have age minimums.

Q: Are haunted houses in LA safe for teens?
A: Yes, most attractions have strict safety guidelines, but age limits and scare levels vary. Parents should check the rules before purchasing tickets.

Q: What is the minimum age for haunted houses in Los Angeles?
A: We have included in our writeups above, but always check with the venue before purchasing tickets. Most recommend that kids be at least 13.

Q: Which haunted attraction in LA is best for younger teens?
A: LA Haunted Hayride and some family-friendly haunted houses are good options for younger teens who want thrills without extreme scares.

Q: Do I need to buy tickets in advance for LA haunted houses?
A: Yes, especially for popular attractions like Halloween Horror Nights, which often sell out. Plus, tickets at the gate are typically more expensive than those bought ahead of time.

Originally published September 24, 2013