It’s Sept. 1, which means that, arguably, it’s time for Halloween season! Though some theme parks have already started celebrating the Halloween season, I wanted to break down some of the cornerstone and flagship Halloween-themed experiences in Southern California.

Knott’s Scary Farm & Knott’s Spooky Farm — Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California

The original theme park haunt returns with new haunts and entertainment on select nights from Sept. 17 through Oct. 31. With 10 houses (mazes), stage shows and roaming scare actors, it will surely continue to delight and fright guests.

Tickets are on sale now on the Knott’s Scary Farm website as well as information on the more family-friendly “Spooky Farm”.

Halloween Horror Nights — Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, California

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood puts guests into a world of horror and thrills from the big screen on select nights from Sept. 3 through Nov. 1.

Every year, Universal Studios creates experiences and haunted houses themed around some of the most popular — and infamous — horror icons and franchises. Don’t forget about the famous Terror Tram, which takes guests who dare to ride onto the movie sets of the backlot, where they are put in the middle of the chaos as monsters, killers and creatures are let loose.

Tickets are available on Universal Studios Hollywood’s website, where guests can also explore the event’s other offerings.

Six Flags Fright Fest — Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California

Six Flags Fright Fest transforms the park after dark into a nightmare filled with haunted mazes, terrifying scare zones, roaming monsters and thrill rides in the dark. From elaborate haunted attractions to unexpected scares around every corner, Fright Fest brings a whole new level of fear to Six Flags each Halloween season.

Between the coasters and monsters, no one can escape the thrills.

Visit the Six Flags Magic Mountain website to purchase tickets for select dates from Sept. 11 through Nov. 1.

Queen Mary Dark Harbor — Long Beach, California

Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor transforms the legendary Queen Mary into a terrifying Halloween experience filled with haunted mazes, sinister characters, immersive scare zones, live entertainment and eerie encounters inspired by the ship’s haunted history.

If the stories and experiences reported by visitors to the ship don’t scare you, the ghouls, monsters and lost souls just might.

The second wave of presale tickets is available on the Dark Harbor website for select dates from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1.

Howl-O-Scream — SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California

This year brings an exciting first for the event with its first IP-based haunted house, inspired by the iconic horror franchise “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

Now in its sixth season, the event continues to establish itself as a premier Halloween experience in Southern California. Tickets are available for select nights from Sept. 11 through Oct. 31 on SeaWorld San Diego’s website.

These are just a handful of the largest haunt events taking place during the Halloween season. There are also a number of more family-centered “spooky” experiences for younger guests, which we will be highlighting soon.

MUSE will be visiting and experiencing many of these events in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more Halloween coverage.

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