The short answer
LA fall 2026 in one line: pumpkin patches and corn mazes at Cal Poly Pomona (Oct 10 to 31), a new Sinners-themed maze at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, a walkthrough of hundreds of live spiders at the Natural History Museum (Sept 20 to Dec 6), and a seafood festival at Santa Monica Pier tied to Route 66's 100th birthday (Oct 11), all before the holiday season takes over.
Two genuinely 2026-specific hooks this year. Route 66's 100th anniversary lands squarely in fall 2026 (the route was completed in 1926), and the Off the Hook Seafood Festival at Santa Monica Pier, the route's western terminus, is leaning into that tie-in for its October 11 event. And Universal confirmed in May 2026 that Ryan Coogler's 2025 hit Sinners is becoming a Halloween Horror Nights maze, the most talked-about announcement for LA's fall horror season this year.
We also swapped two entries that didn't hold up: the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice pop-up experience appears to have wrapped (no tickets available, not on its venue's current calendar), and LA Opera's "Spanish Dracula" was a one-off 2024 event that never recurred. In their place: Knott's Scary Farm, the 45-plus-year SoCal Halloween institution, and Hercules vs Vampires, LA Opera's own live-orchestra-plus-cult-horror-film Halloween tradition. Several venues hadn't posted exact 2026 dates as of late July, normal for this time of year, we've noted where to expect an update.
01Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios Hollywood
$$ · separate ticketNew for 2026Confirmed continuing
Universal confirmed in May 2026 that a haunted house based on the 2025 hit film Sinners is joining the lineup, the most talked-about announcement for this year's fright season. Full Hollywood dates and the complete house roster typically post in August, check closer to the season for the exact calendar.
Good to knowSkip the lines with an Express Pass if you're going on a weekend, this event sells out its most popular nights.
02Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest
Cal Poly Pomona campus
$ · $5 Fridays33rd annualWeekends only
LA's biggest pumpkin patch, running weekends October 10 through 31, 2026 for its 33rd year. Corn mazes, sunflower fields, antique tractor rides, and bluegrass jams turn the college grounds into a full autumn playground.
Good to know2026 pricing wasn't posted as of late July, the venue typically confirms closer to the season, but past years have run $5 Fridays.
03Knott's Scary Farm
Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park
$$ · separate ticket45+ years runningMajor SoCal institution
A decades-running, unambiguously major Southern California Halloween institution, the safer, higher-authority swap for a rotating pop-up experience. 2026 dates and pricing weren't confirmed as of this writing, they're normally live by August.
Good to knowCheck knotts.com directly closer to the season for exact 2026 dates and mazes.
04Hercules vs Vampires
United Theater on Broadway, Downtown LA
$$ · live orchestraLA Opera Off GrandOct 30-31, 2026
LA Opera's own long-running Halloween tradition, fusing a cult horror film with a live orchestra score, the same format that made the previous Spanish Dracula screening a highlight before it turned out to be a one-off. This year's edition runs October 30 and 31, 2026.
Good to knowConfirm venue and pricing details directly with LA Opera before buying, exact listing wasn't fully live as of this research.
05Dia De Los Muertos Art Festival
Downey Theatre
FreeFree admissionNov 1, 2026
A full day of festivities from 11am to 8pm at the Downey Theatre, confirmed for Sunday, November 1, 2026. Face-painting, traditional Folklorico dances, a beer and wine garden, and over 200 local and regional artists.
Good to knowDon't miss the Car Altar Display, artists transform vehicles into tributes to those they've lost.
06Natural History Museum's Spider Pavilion
Natural History Museum of LA County
$ · members freeSept 20 to Dec 6, 2026Member preview Sept 18-19
An open-air walkthrough with hundreds of live spiders across roughly 10 to 15 species, confirmed for September 20 through December 6, 2026, with a members-only preview September 18 and 19. Museum educators are on hand to answer questions and point out active web-building.
Good to knowGeneral ticket pricing goes on sale mid-August 2026, members get in free.
07Los Angeles Fall Fair
LA Prada Event Plaza, South El Monte
$ · $5 admission46th annual (est.)2026 dates pending
12 acres of amusement rides, live music, carnival games, and artisan crafts. The 2025 run charged $5 admission (free for kids under 8 and seniors 65 and up) with free parking, 2026 would be the 46th annual, exact dates weren't posted as of late July.
Good to knowAdmission is separate from ride costs, consider an Unlimited Ride Wristband if the kids want to ride more than once or twice.
08Oktoberfest at Fairplex
Fairplex, Pomona
$ · $16-25 (2025 pricing)Fridays + Saturdays2026 dates pending
Oompah bands, overflowing steins, and enough bratwurst for a full chicken-dance marathon. The 2025 run charged $16 to $25 for Friday and Saturday nights October 2 through 17, 2026 dates weren't posted as of late July.
Good to knowSheraton Fairplex, right on the grounds, has run a special Oktoberfest package in past years, worth checking if you want to stay over.
09Off the Hook Seafood Festival
Santa Monica Pier
$$ · VIP availableConfirmed Oct 11, 2026Benefits Heal the Bay
A foodie fundraiser bringing together LA's best chefs and restaurants for oysters, lobster rolls, and inventive seafood dishes, confirmed for Sunday, October 11, 2026. Every dollar benefits Heal the Bay, and 2026 doubles as a nod to Route 66's 100th anniversary since the historic highway ends right at the pier.
Good to knowGo VIP for lounge access, premium eats and drinks, and a Ferris wheel ride included.
10The Original Farmers Market Fall Festival
3rd and Fairfax
FreeConfirmed Oct 17-18, 202692nd anniversary
Two days of a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, live music, and family-friendly fun across Gilmore Lane, the Plaza, and West Patio, confirmed for October 17 and 18, 2026. The market opened in 1934, making this its 92nd fall season.
Good to knowGet 90 minutes of free parking with a merchant purchase validation.
A few more worth knowing
- Route 66's 100th anniversary lands in fall 2026, the Off the Hook Seafood Festival at Santa Monica Pier, the route's western terminus, is leaning into the tie-in.
- Several venues hadn't posted exact 2026 dates as of late July (Fairplex Oktoberfest, LA Fall Fair, full Halloween Horror Nights calendar), normal timing, check back in August for the confirmed schedule.
Frequently asked
What are the best fall activities in LA in 2026?
Top picks span horror (Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, with a new Sinners maze), harvest fun (Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest, Original Farmers Market Fall Festival), and culture (Natural History Museum's Spider Pavilion, LA Opera's Hercules vs Vampires). Most run weekends from late September through early November.
When do pumpkin patches open in LA?
Cal Poly Pomona's Pumpkin Fest, the region's best-known patch and corn maze event, runs weekends October 10 through 31, 2026 for its 33rd year. The Original Farmers Market's smaller pumpkin patch and petting zoo runs its two-day Fall Festival October 17 and 18, 2026.
Is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood happening in 2026?
Yes, Universal confirmed in May 2026 that a haunted house based on the 2025 hit film Sinners is joining the lineup. Full Hollywood dates and the complete house roster typically post in August, check closer to the season for the exact calendar.
What free fall events are there in LA?
The Original Farmers Market Fall Festival (October 17 and 18, 2026) and the Dia de los Muertos Art Festival at Downey Theatre (November 1, 2026, 11am to 8pm) are both no-cost to attend, though on-site food, rides, and vendor purchases cost extra.
What's a good LA fall food festival?
The Off the Hook Seafood Festival returns to Santa Monica Pier on October 11, 2026, pairing top LA chefs' seafood dishes with a Heal the Bay fundraiser, and this year it doubles as a nod to Route 66's 100th anniversary, since the historic highway ends right at the pier.
Where can I see spiders or Halloween exhibits at a museum in LA?
The Natural History Museum's Spider Pavilion returns September 20 through December 6, 2026, an open-air walkthrough with hundreds of live spiders across roughly 10 to 15 species, staffed by museum educators.
