Last year, COVID disrupted everyone’s Halloween plans, leaving haunts scrambling for ideas that would allow them to stay open for the season. A handful of haunts opted for a drive-through event, with varying levels of success. One of the more successful car-based events of last year was definitely the LA Haunted Hayride, which offered a fun and innovative “drive-up” experience that even managed to be a bit scary, making it the best value of the season.
But what is haunted hayride without an actual hayride? Fortunately, the LA Haunted Hayride is back in full force this year, with a complete return to form. The event returns to Griffith Park once again for 2021 and will include the traditional hayride, the Midnight Falls scare zone, and three haunted mazes, one of which is brand new for this year. Read on for all the details!
Attractions
The Hayride: Spirit of Halloween
Within the foothills of Midnight Falls, The Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town. Out in the darkness, a portal has opened spilling hideous creatures from its rotted mouth. The spirit of Halloween comes to life surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board The Hayride.
With summer’s end, as the leaves turn brown it is said the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The witch of the woods has cast her spell to summon the spirits of the underworld to cross over and assimilate into form using various objects found among town including decorations used for celebrating Halloween. Dazed within the spell cast upon them, the Witch commands her army of crops and flesh to seek revenge on the people that have casted her out.
Mazes
Trick or Treat
The neighborhood of Midnight Falls has sprung to life with the magic of Halloween. The various creatures and monsters have decorated their houses for trick or treaters while the mischievous little ghouls lurk in the shadows waiting to give a fright.
Midnight Mortuary
Dying to drum up more business, the local Mortuary is hosting an open house where guests can tour the property to see what offerings await their demise. Guests separated from their tour risk becoming the next customer of the sinister funeral home.
Dead End Diner (New for 2021!)
Replacing Road Kill Ranch is the new maze “Dead End Diner.” Although no description or details are available yet, we think the name pretty much says it all, as it conjures up images of a dilapidated diner and its patrons. We think this theme will fit right into the town of Midnight Falls.
Scare Zone: Midnight Falls
Midnight Falls is proudly hosting its 13th annual Halloween Festival for 1985. However, this strange town is always celebrating Halloween and it’s always 1985. But that doesn’t stop the citizens from enjoying the festival’s bizarre celebratory offerings. Visiting the Midnight Falls residents in the town square, neighborhoods and exploring the local establishments reveal more of the strange and sinister secrets behind this eerie town.
The Town Square of Midnight Falls is the epicenter of the festivities. While guests walk around between attractions or hang out to soak in the atmosFEAR various townsfolk from the Midnight Falls community roam the space interacting with guests and attending to their local business.
We’re so excited to check out the return of the Hayride. This event is one of the most popular Halloween attractions in Los Angeles, and we expect that it will be especially popular this year, given that it is largely outdoors, making it a relatively safe haunt option during the ongoing COVID pandemic.
We definitely suggest buying your tickets early. In fact, a ticket presale begins August 25 and will offer admission starting at only $24.99, which is a really good deal. For that price, you get a voucher that can be redeemed on any day of the season (you can decide your date at a later time). After the presale, ticket prices will go up considerably and likely vary based on date.
For more information and to sign up for their mailing list and presale, visit the LA Haunted Hayride website.
