The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride opened its gates in 2009 and has become one of the most recognized and beloved Halloween traditions in Southern California. Set in the town of Midnight Falls, the LA Haunted Hayride delivers the perfect amount of fearful fun. Attractions include the event's namesake, the Haunted Hayride, and three haunted mazes: Trick or Treat, Hellbilly Halloween, and new to the lineup this year, Monáe Manor.
As you step through the pumpkin arch and enter Midnight Falls, a cast of characters will greet you. Meet the residents, it's part of the fun! You'll also have the opportunity to catch a live musical performance by the town's self-appointed mayor, Monte Revolta. Now, onto the haunts!
First up, the titular Haunted Hayride brings a taste of East Coast Autumn to Southern California. Guests will pile into a wagon pulled by a tractor for a traditional hayride experience. In previous years, guests would hunker down on a bed of hay. This time around, the wagons are outfitted with wooden benches lining either side with bails of hay positioned down the middle. The Hayride excels at employing large animatronics through various themed sections.
Live actors are intermixed with the large set pieces and animatronics, often coming out of nowhere and scaring the absolute hell out of the wagon's passengers. In a particularly surprising moment, a chainsaw revved behind me in the dark and I launched myself forward onto a bale of hay. Luckily, the passengers seated on the bale were my friends, or else I would have lunged into the laps of complete strangers. Some of the scare actors are rigged on bungees and swoop frighteningly close to the guests. A particular highlight involves an aerial stunt where the performer does a full circle above the wagon.
As guests chug through Midnight Falls, they'll encounter chainsaws, aliens, clowns, and underwater creatures. This is a great introduction to haunts for folks unsure whether they're ready for the full haunt experience. Removing the element of maneuvering through the mazes and having the option to hunker down on the middle hay bales, away from the edges, is a good way to dip your toes in for a spooky evening without fully committing to possibly having to sprint away from chainsaws.
The Haunted Hayride also features three mazes you'll experience the traditional way – sans tractor. New this year is a partnership with Janelle Monáe (pictured above) to bring Monáe Manor to life. The facade feels like an old gothic haunted house. Inside the house, video screens display images of the recording artist, and you may even run into a Monáe lookalike or two. Monáe Manor brings a creative, campy, and creepy air to Midnight Falls.
Two returning mazes are also featured this year with some slight changes. In previous years, the Trick or Treat maze allowed guests to step into a true Halloween town inhabited by our favorite monsters, ring the doorbell, and receive a treat. This year, there's no trick or treating involved, and instead of whimsical, the maze takes on a more traditional horror feel.
Hellbilly Halloween invites guests to step into a cannibalistic nightmare, complete with body parts strewn about and chainsaws revving at high speed. It's gory and grotesque, as you'd expect a cannibal abode to be. One unsuspecting guest exclaimed (“They crossed the line!”). Head over and take a peek for yourself. Beware: I thought I was safe once out of the maze, but suddenly a chainsaw revved up and I was precariously sprinting, bobbing, weaving, damn near pulling a muscle (damn near). I survived, but watch out for those chainsaw cannibals, they are sneaky as hell.
A new addition this year was Madame Aurora's Seance. It's a live show with an immersive, interactive element that felt like a fun and original offering in the Halloween event landscape. The show is equal parts funny and chilling. If you're asked to be a volunteer, trust me on this — say yes. You'll get the best seat in the house, and you will feel truly immersed.
The iconic carousel of Haunted Hayride's past was a staple to gawk at, but guests could not actually ride the impressive prop. This year, that all changes. Hop aboard for a ride on a skeletal steed.
There are a number of add-on opportunities this year, including the seance, carousel, ax throwing, and more. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is now open select nights through November 2. Get your tickets right here.
A big thanks to Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group and the Haunted Hayride for inviting us out.
