Haunted Attractions and Halloween Events in the U.S.

Types of Halloween events

• 1Haunted housesWalk-through attractions with actors, effects and themed rooms. Some are mild, many are intense — check age guidance.
• 2Corn mazesFarm mazes, often with a daytime family version and a scary “haunted” version after dark.
• 3Pumpkin patchesPick your own pumpkin, take a hayride, try apple cider donuts and kettle corn.
• 4Theme park Halloween nightsSeparate-ticket evening events with mazes, scare zones and shows.
• 5Parades and festivalsCostume parades, block parties and downtown trick-or-treat events.
• 6Ghost toursGuided walks through historic districts focused on local legends.

Major theme park Halloween events

Several big U.S. parks run Halloween events on select nights, usually from September through October 31. Dates, prices and age guidance change every year, so always confirm on each park’s official website.

• Halloween Horror Nights — Universal Orlando Resort (Florida) and Universal Studios Hollywood (California). Intense haunted houses and scare zones; generally recommended for older teens and adults.
• Knott’s Scary Farm — Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California. One of the longest-running theme park Halloween events, dating back to 1973.
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida. Family-friendly, with costumes welcome and trick-or-treat stations.
• Oogie Boogie Bash — Disney California Adventure, Anaheim. A family Halloween party with characters and treat trails.
• Howl-O-Scream — Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks in several states. Haunted houses and scare zones aimed at teens and adults.
• Fright Fest — many Six Flags parks across the country, with daytime family activities and scarier nights.

Famous Halloween towns

Salem, Massachusetts

Known worldwide for the Salem witch trials of 1692, in which 20 people were executed after accusations of witchcraft. Today Salem hosts a month-long Halloween celebration often called Haunted Happenings, with museums, ghost tours and street events. October weekends are extremely crowded — book lodging early and consider taking the train from Boston.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

The Hudson Valley village made famous by Washington Irving’s 1820 story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and its Headless Horseman. Nearby historic sites and the region host lantern displays, readings and themed events through the fall.

New York City

The Village Halloween Parade, which began in 1974, fills Sixth Avenue in Manhattan on the evening of October 31 with giant puppets, bands and thousands of costumed marchers. Anyone in costume can usually join the parade.

Anoka, Minnesota

Calls itself the “Halloween Capital of the World,” based on its citywide celebration first held in 1920. Its parades and events run in the weeks around Halloween.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Famous for ghost and cemetery tours year-round, plus Halloween costume parties and parades in the French Quarter.

Tips for visiting haunted attractions

• Buy tickets online in advance — popular nights sell out, and weekday nights are often cheaper and less crowded.
• Check age recommendations. Many haunts are not suitable for young children.
• Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes. Costumes and masks are often not allowed for guests at scare events.
• Follow the rules: actors usually won’t touch you, and you should never touch them.
• Many attractions are weather-dependent — check social media for closures.
• Look for “no-scare” or “lights-on” hours at farms and haunts if you have little kids.