SoCal Holiday Haunts 2019

Southern California

If you’re one of those people for whom Halloween is 365 days a year, or who just doesn’t like the cheery, wholesome, warm-spirited vibes of the Christmas holidays, and you just want to indulge in the dark, brooding tones that comes with the haunts of fall, then good news! This winter season, there are actually several haunted attractions opening special holidays runs this month! Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre, Reign of Terror, Twisted Minds Productions, and All Saints Lunatic Asylum are all running unique holiday haunts that are either yuletide versions of their regular haunts or special productions in their entirety! So if you want a break from holiday shopping or an escape from noel joy, check out these events in December!

Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater

The fun starts tonight at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater, with Church Discipline Christmas, a brand new holiday version of Zombie Joe’s recent and popular Church Discipline show. This show features a face-off between Santa Claus and the Krampus for the title of King of Christmas:

At the dawn of a new age, Kris Kringle is ready to name Santa as the new herald of Christmas during the "Coronation of the Claus", a holy North Pole ceremony where Elves and Reindeer pay tribute to the Spirit of Christmas and where Santa must defeat Krampus to claim the title of "Claus" and fulfill his Christmas destiny. Church Discipline: Christmas invites audiences into the ceremonial halls of the North Pole to join us for this off-the-cuff Christmas-time comedy show! Directed by Brandon Slezak and Produced by Zombie Joe. For Ages 16 and up.

It’s a twisted and hilarious example of Zombie Joe insanity, and it runs Sundays from Dec. 1st through the 22nd at 8:30pm! Tickets are $16 per person.

Image courtesy of Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre.

In addition to the holiday Church Discipline Zombie Joe’s is also bringing back a delightful favorite from the beginning of this year in the form of Dark Dark Ride Ride: Holiday Nightmare! We reviewed the original version back in February and absolutely loved it then. The Christmas version is sure to bring the same sort of giddy horror, excitement, and laughs.

Dark Dark Ride Ride: Holiday Nightmare runs Wednesday through Saturdays from Dec. 4th through the 21st, from 8:00pm through midnight (last ride at 11:45pm). Tickets are $35 for up to two riders, and a portion of proceeds go to charities benefitting the homeless!

Image courtesy of Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre.

Fans can purchase tickets to either or both attractions in advance here.

Reign of Terror

Meanwhile, over in Thousand Oaks, Reign of Terror is giving a special holiday version of its incredible haunted attraction for two nights only, Dec. 13th and 14th, from 7:00 - 11:00pm each night. Ho-Ho-HORROR at Reign of Terror will bring a terrifying winter wonderland featuring a sinister Jack Frost, Rudolph the Rotten Reindeer, and monstrous snow creatures. It’s a special Christmas-themed overlay through their nine-mazes-in-one layout that is tailor-made for the naught list and promises a scream!

Reign of Terror offers a special holiday haunt this year that should be devilishly dastardly!

Get your tickets or find out more information online here!

Twisted Minds Productions

Fresh off their fall production of Salem: Escape the Coven, Twisted Minds Productions presents Gremlins: A Fan Tribute Haunted House that gives homage to the classic 1984 film. Gremlins may not be an overt Christmas movie, but it does take place over the holiday season, so it definitely fits in the line-up here. The event runs Friday, Dec. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 22 and is free, but reservations can be made with an advanced donation. Twisted Minds Productions are typically laden with fantastic character actors and great storytelling, so this attraction is sure to be a fun hit!

The Coven has fled, but in its stead, Gremlins have reared their furry heads!

All Saints Lunatic Asylum

All the way up in Apple Valley, All Saints Lunatic Asylum is putting on a holiday version of their intense and intimate haunt as well. Featuring dark version of Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Krampus, and other holiday terrors, it’s another example of spooky, twisted, holiday frights!

All Saints Lunatic Asylum’s Christmas at the Asylum event runs two nights only—Dec. 13th and 14th, from 7:00 - 10:00pm. Admission is $13 per person.

Image courtesy of All Saints Lunatic Asylum.

Other Holiday Spookiness

In addition to the attractions above, Midsummer Scream is presenting their Season’s Screamings Dark Hoiday Pop-Up Market on Saturday, Dec. 7th in Hollywood. Find over 40 spooky vendors offering a selecting of creepy Christmas crafts and gift ideas. A donation of one unwrapped toy is recommended.

The Terror Trucks that have been featured in the Hall of Shadows in Midsummer Scream in the past have also launched a year-round haunt, and it’s already begun running with a Christmas version called Happy Horror Days, now through Dec. 23rd in Simi Valley. The haunt is open Mondays through Saturdays from 3:00 - 8:00pm and Sundays noon - 6:00pm.

So there are plenty of options for those craving opposite-of-Christmas vibes. For the rest of you, we’ll be covering more holiday attractions this month, including the Queen Mary Christmas event, which we’re visiting on Friday, plus the holidays at the Disneyland Resort. No matter how you like your festive winter season, get out there and have some holiday fun!