The LA Haunted Hayride is back for 2026 running select nights now through November 1. Featuring three haunted mazes, the hayride itself, a number of optional up charge experiences including axe throwing, a zombie shooting gallery, this event is bringing a distinctively rustic vibe to Halloween.
Set in the cursed town of Midnight Falls, LA Haunted Hayride takes us to a cursed town where it is Halloween every day. (I’m not exactly sure how that is a curse. ;) ) We enter the iconic pumpkin tunnel and are smack dab in the middle of town square. Off in the distance is the stage for the Monte Revolta Show, to the right is the Haunted Hayride, and further to the right are all three mazes including Fallen Angel, Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhyem, and Hellbilly Halloween. Just beyond the Monte Revolta stage to the left are the food, and some of the add-on experiences.
Just say LAHH
Located, once again, in Griffith Park, the production seems to have found an operational groove. Parking and shuttles ran smoothly, security was efficient, and entry was relatively easy. But for all the technical polish, that punchy LA Haunted Hayride charm seemed to be missing.
Here we will give you our thoughts on the event, our advice on tickets, and how to have the most fun at LA Haunted Hayride. We also note the things we feel are a DO NOT MISS.
Monte Revolta – DO NOT MISS
Included with admission is the wildly entertaining Monte Revolta show. Situated at the heart of Midnight Falls, Revolta and his band of musical monsters never fail to deliver a hilarious, high-energy show. Make sure the check the show times and catch one.
MAZES
This year we have two returning mazes with Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem and Hellbilly Halloween and one “new” maze, Fallen Angel. One surprised us, one disappointed us, and one just held its ground.
Hellbilly Halloween – DO NOT MISS
Hellbilly Halloween has been at LA Haunted Hayride in some way, shape, or form since 2023. It is exactly what it sounds like. It’s Halloween, and we are guests at at the home of a mysterious, reclusive family in Midnight falls. What’s more, they are rumored to be cannibals.
I have never really been a fan of this maze, but this year it’s the best thing at Hayride.
Fallen Angel
The brilliant Monae manor is no more. In its place we have what amounts to a repurposing of the sets for a confusing head scratcher. The set up is that fans have sneaked into an abandoned venue to play the final recording from the band, Fallen Angel, whose final concert ended in a disastrous fire. Playing the recording, however, revives the band and raises the dead. Soon fans and rockers, both dead and alive are around every corner and on the attack.
There is a fun, hair-band vibe that the designers were going for and I really liked that idea. But the execution is just bad. That’s not to mention the lazy use AI to create music and visuals throughout. The result is a maze in an uncanny valley where we are asked to ignore the familiar sets and endure the low-effort reinvention.
For newcomers, this might be a good time. For returning guests, this will be a tough tune to stomach.
Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem
Back for a second year is the entertaining Elvira’s Trick or Treat Mayhem. A reinvention of the original Trick or Treat maze, this is reimagining done right. Here we visit Elvira’s home, catch some Movie Macabre, and head out into the neighborhood for some trick or treating. This returning maze is nearly identical to last year’s version but somehow seemed slightly better for me in our two trips through.
Haunted Hayride
Last year it seemed that the producers of LA Haunted Hayride had finally figured out how to make they Hayride fun. This year they seem to have hit another speed bump. It’s not the worst, not by a long shot. But there are some pacing and a minor story note that keep this from being what it was. All of these are easy fixes too.
If you have never been on a haunted hayride let me explain. It’s a very different type of haunted attraction for Southern California. Large groups of guests pile into a trailer slowly pulled by a tractor. From our trailer we are pulled through scary moments and scenes that make little to no sense aside from knowing that at some point, the demons, clowns, aliens, or zombies will ultimately attack the trailer and terrorize the group. It’s a nostalgic way to enjoy Halloween and one that we rarely get in this part of the country. for that it’s worth a ride.
This year, as I said, the experience is good, but has just a few issues. A quick pre-show moment warns us that we need to beware of the witch. Okay, fair enough. Then we are off. We see a series of scares, and are still warned not to go see this witch. We build to the moment and, there is an admittedly cool, if poorly executed scene with witches on their brooms. Then, poof, we move on to another few scenes and we are done. Why were we told to be afraid of the witch again? Either build to it and deliver or just cut that through line. Just my thoughts.
Other Offerings
There is an assortment of additional offerings that you can purchase ala carte. Here’s what they have.
Madam Aurora’s Seance Theatre – $11.25
Venture into the circus tent and witness Madame Aurora’s outreach to the other side. Here we learn more about the curse on Midnight falls and how Monte Revolta is involved in the town’s demise.While technically interesting, the show suffers from a number of things. Sound bleed from outside makes any of the quiet moments awkward. The story is bland, not the least bit scary, and features a lack of creativity. from In a word, this show is bad. Skip it.
Zombie Splat – Gellyball Experience – $11.25
Like shooting Zombies? Well step right up and grab a gellyball gun.
Midnight Falls Axe Throwing – $9.21
Axe throwing is surprisingly cathartic and, at $9.21 for 5 throws, it’s not a bad deal. If you wonder how you might be with an axe, give this a try.
Scary-Go-Round – $6.14
The Scary-Go-Round is better decoration than it is an actual ride. Still it is a lot of fun to take a spin.
Mini Escape Games – $9.21
In between the Axe throwing and the seance are the mini escape rooms. We did not experience these, but if you like escape games, consider this.
Costume Drive Donation
Tickets
BUY YOUR TICKETS AHEAD ONLINE. There is no other way to properly stress this enough. Now as for what ticket to buy you have a few options. The baseline ticket ranges from $42.99-$52.99 depending on the night that you choose and gets you admission into Midnight Falls and entitles you to a ride on the Haunted Hayride. If you want to check out the mazes too, those tickets range from $52.99-$72.99. Parking is free, but if you purchase online ahead of time you can reserve a spot. You can buy premium parking that is the closest lot to the event at $35.
THE VERDICT
LA Haunted Hayride 2026 is fine this year, but it doesn’t compare to what it was two years prior. The ticketing change is a lot easier to understand, and as I said before, the operation seems smoother. A few easy adjustments could improve this haunt very quickly for the most part. If you really want to check it out, pick a weeknight, try to aim for a night that is slightly chilly, put on some flannel, and get ready for a cozy night of fun at Midnight Falls.
