LA's Most Spooktacular Halloween Drive-Thru Events

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health hasn’t cancelled Halloween, but they are recommending that door-to-door trick or treating “not happen” and prohibiting most festivities—both inside and out—because of the pandemic. Fear not, though! LA’s top impresarios have come up with a solution: spooktacular drive-thru Halloween experiences. So get dressed in full costume, hop in the car, buckle up and get ready for a scary-good time!

photo: Courtesy of Hauntoween LA

Hauntoween

What do you do when your daughter turns 5 on Halloween, but trick or treating and other in-person fun is off limits? If you're Jasen Smith, the COO of Experiential Supply, you create a massive drive-thru Halloween celebration that's fun for all ages. For three weeks, Experiential Supply will host the first ever Hauntoween, a 20-25-minute experience that includes pumpkin picking, "door-to-door" trick or treating (with plenty of candy, of course), costumed actors, musical performances and a jack-o-lantern tunnel—all to be enjoyed from the safety of your car.

Cost: $70 per vehicle

Dates: Fri., Oct. 9- Sun., Oct. 31

6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills
Online: hauntoweenla.com

photo: Courtesy of Nights of the Jack

Nights of the Jack Drive-Thru

Discover a Halloween wonderland filled with larger-than-life pumpkin creations and gourd-geous depictions of your favorite movie stars, sports heroes and animated characters. You'll cruise by thousands of hand-carved Jack O’ Lanterns and have a chance to immerse yourself in what's sure to be one of the year's most Instagrammable Halloween experiences.

Dates: Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 1-Oct. 25; daily, Oct. 26-Nov. 1

Cost: $69 per vehicle

King Gillette Ranch
26800 Mulholland Hwy.
Calabasas
Online: nightsofthejack.com

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A post shared by The Gentle Barn CA (@thegentlebarn) on Sep 8, 2020 at 3:54pm PDT

A Gentle Halloween Drive-Thru

Little ones can get dressed up and head to the Gentle Barn for a behind-the-scenes tour of the animal sanctuary, that includes plenty of Halloween-themed decor, plus a chance to "trick or treat," drive-thru-style.

Dates: Sundays, Sept. 27-Nov. 1

Cost: $28 per person (two person minimum per car)

15825 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita
Online: gentlebarn.org

photo: Cocoparisienne via Pixabay

Haunted Highway

Hosted by the city of Santa Clarita, this free family-friendly experience (taking place just two days in October) allows you to celebrate all the tricks and treats of Halloween from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle. You will start with a drive through Scarecrow Alley before arriving at Haunted Highway. As you make your way down the spooky stretch, the story will come to life through set pieces, props, live actors, lighting, sound and visual effects. And for an extra treat? Each vehicle will receive a single goodie bag with candy, crafts, and more at the end of the drive-thru.

Cost: Free (tickets must be reserved in advance)

Dates: Thurs., Oct. 29 & Fri., Oct. 30 (Friday's event is currently sold-out)

George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex Gymnasium
20870 Centre Pointe Parkway
Santa Clarita
Online: eventbrite.com

photo: NeONBRAND via Unsplash

Urban Legends of Southern California

WARNING: This drive-thru is truly terrifying and not recommended for kids under 13. But if you have older children (or just love a good scare yourself), Urban Legends is a must. The 45-minute drive-thru haunt experience is taking over the parking lot of the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Be sure to roll up your windows and lock your doors... mwahahahaha!

Cost: starting at $60 per car

Dates: Wed.-Sun.; Oct. 1-Nov. 1.

88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa
Online: urbanlegendshaunt.com

–Shannan Rouss

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