From Los Angeles and Las Vegas, to New York City and Orlando—Halloween is in full force across the country, and it isn’t even October yet.
It’s haunt season, ghouls! While Disney Parks and Universal Studios HHN have already been operating their parties and haunts for a couple weeks, now it’s time for the immersive horror and macabre storytellers to shine. In Los Angeles Delusion returns with a greatest-hits performance of sorts for this year’s interactive play. New on the scene is Angel of Light at a historic Los Angeles theater, which possesses the landmark cinema with a terrifying tale you get to take part in—and survive, if you’re lucky. In NYC, immersive originators Sleep No More debut a new show, Hypnotique, and announce a Halloween side-quest event. And in Las Vegas, you can venture into the world of Stephen King’s It and the recent Warner Bros. film adaptations in escape room attraction Escape It.
If you’re not here for the Halloween events, we also have news from Meow Wolf, as well as Bluey getting an immersive experience at Camp locations.
Click through the gallery for the spooky latest on cinematic experiences, Disney Parks, Universal Studios, and other fan-tastical destinations!
This event roundup, which includes activations for major studio projects, was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of writers and actors currently on strike, the films and TV covered here wouldn’t exist.
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In Las Vegas, Escape It boasts two escape rooms inspired by the recent It films. Aptly named Chapter 1 and 2, the rooms lure you into an expansive world filled with the horrors of Derry as experienced by the Losers Club. There’s also props on display, merch, and midway games to enjoy. The experience is open Wednesday to Sunday with reservations required; for more into check out the official site.
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LA’s immersive theater vanguard returns with rooms inspired by its run of shows so far, all tied together in a new tale you get to be a part of. For tickets visit the official site—but act fast, because this one always sells out.
4 / 20
Punchdrunk and Emursive’s Sleep No More is a New York City-immersive theater OG, offering a haunting take on Shakespeare’s tragic “Scottish Play” as it unfolds at the McKittrick Hotel. There’s no better time to experience this year-round theatrical production (it’s one you may very well get lost in) than in the fall. Also, for a darkly seductive digestif, there’s a new nighttime show, Hypnotique. Both productions are very under wraps as you’re not allowed to record or be on your phone during either. For more info visit here.
5 / 20
Inside a historic movie palace, spirits rise to haunt the hallowed halls in Angel of Light, a new immersive horror experience in Los Angeles. I’ve been to a staging of the Carrie musical here, and at the time, I thought it would awesome to stage a haunt in the French-Baroque movie palace. Now, some creative minds have done just that. Check out tickets here.
6 / 20
The originators of West Coast haunts celebrate 50 years scaring Southern California starting this week, boasting mazes that evoke both its legacy and future with immersive new elements and interactive fun. Book your tickets here.
7 / 20
After a slight delay, Six Flags locations (including Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA) are debuting Conjuring Universe-inspired mazes this week. For more info visit here.
8 / 20
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is back for campy Halloween fun filled with monsters, ghosts, and ghouls. The SoCal staple carries guests on a bay bed through a haunt that happens all around you with some not-to-be missed entertainment. For anyone who just loves original spirited Halloween fun without any particular relationship to any IP, this one is for you.
9 / 20
This NYC pop-up activation is inspired by The Continental: From The World Of John Wick, the prequel series spin-off exploring the origins of the notorious hotel-for-assassins featured in the John Wick movies. Traverse through 1970s Manhattan as “assassin guests,” discovering “decadent cocktails and live, interactive storylines with in-world characters and photo ops—all with a killer twist.” The immersive event (for fans 21 and over only) is produced by Fever and runs select dates through October 8 in NYC’s Financial District; tickets are available here.
10 / 20
And now for something completely different! Fans of Bluey can take part in a new family-friendly immersive experience that will take you into the world of the hit television show among the littles and no-so-littles. Starting November 4, families visit Bluey’s house in the real life at Bluey X Camp in Los Angeles. The experience is created in collaboration with BBC.
Here’s some of the fun in store:
Tickets are now on sale for the limited time pop-up at the Camp store in Los Angeles’ Westfield Century City.
11 / 20
The newest location of tactile and transformative portals known as Meow Wolf in Texas will soon be open for 21+ special nighttime events. No kids allowed!
12 / 20
In Colorado, Convergence Station is making a spooky stop. Check out its Halloween Adulti-Verse event here.
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More Disney treats at Walt Disney World!
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Even more for Walt Disney World (stares in Disneyland resort).
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I would buy these posters, they’re so good!
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Avengers campus has a new shopping HQ for superhero goods and MCU collectible replicas.
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Watch the The Last of Us video game and show creator go through the horrors of his own making.
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Watch the whole Behind the Fears roundtable here; it features the incredibly talented and collaborative group that’s brought us a slate of diverse haunted houses—from IP to their own mythology—discussing the work that goes into bringing HHN East to life.
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Danny Elfman is back as Jack Skellington in these stage-to screen performances with a live orchestra and special guests celebrating the Tim Burton holiday classic. Get tickets here.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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Source: Gizmodo