Hi friends,
Our neighbors are rolling out the fog machines again, and this week I'm spotlighting six free home haunts that are worth adding to your October plans.
Damian's Not-So-Haunted House
If your little one loves Halloween but isn't ready for jump scares, start here. It opens this weekend. Local mom Brittany Markham is a theme park designer, and her son Damian is fighting a rare disease called acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), sometimes called "Baby Alzheimer's." Her family turned their garage into a walk-through made for the youngest trick-or-treaters, starring "Count Mickey," "Madame Minnie" and the rest of the gang. It's 0% scary and 100% Halloween fun, with a trick-or-treat door, photo ops and a bake sale. Costumes are encouraged! It's free to visit, and bake sale proceeds go to the Please Save Damian campaign to develop a treatment for ASMD.
When: Oct. 16-17, 22-24 and 27-31, 5-8 p.m. (opens Friday, Oct. 16)
Where: 24709 Airville Avenue
Learn more:
savedamian.com and @pleasesavedamian
Cemetery of the Arachnid's Curse
This local favorite in Valencia is known for its elaborate, spider-filled setup. If your crew likes their Halloween with a few more creepy-crawlies, head over to Tampico Drive. It's a free neighborhood yard display, and the full effects come alive after dark.
When: Select nights in October, generally 6:30-10 p.m.
Where: 26013 Tampico Drive, Valencia
Shadows of Endor
Calling all young Jedi! This Star Wars yard display shows the aftermath of the Battle of Endor, where the forest comes alive at night. Look for an Ewok perched in a tree, a crashed TIE fighter, a stormtrooper helmet, R2-D2, a whole crew of Ewoks and even a skeleton version of Cad Bane. It's listed for all ages and is back for its second year.
When: Oct. 10-Nov. 2, 6-10 p.m. nightly
Where: 27883 Wellston Drive, Saugus
Follow: @stevieslakey
Hallow Rising
Witchy vibes abound at this yard display, which mixes new and classic spooky characters. It's listed for all ages and is back for its second year, open every night through Halloween.
When: Oct. 3-31, 7-10 p.m. nightly
Where: 22263 Barbacoa Drive, Saugus
Nightmare on Linda Vista Street
Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers and other horror legends take over this front yard, with creepy creatures and chilling surprises around every corner. It's listed for all ages, but little ones who scare easily may want to hold a grown-up's hand. Now in its fifth year, it's a longtime local favorite, featured alongside Beware the Dark Realm in a haunt-tracking site's 2024 Halloween night tour of Santa Clarita walk-throughs.
When: Now through Oct. 31, 7-9 p.m. nightly
Where: 28343 Linda Vista Street, Canyon Country
Follow: @mujeresmacabre
Santa Clarita Saw Haunt
Southern California's only Saw-inspired haunt is back with a completely redesigned walk-through: rusted industrial corridors, grimy bathrooms, flickering security monitors and movie-quality sets. It's an intense, actor-driven experience recommended for teens and adults, so leave the little ones home for this one. Admission is always free, and donations help the crew expand it each year. It's only open four nights, so plan ahead!
When: Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 7-9:30 p.m.
Where: 24044 Via Vizcaya, Valencia
Follow: @scvhauntbros
Bring a flashlight, arrive early to beat the lines, and if you see a donation jar, toss in a few dollars. These haunts are labors of love, and our neighbors pour their hearts into them.
