2026 Halloween Guide in the Inland Empire
By Mia Rotell
Attention, Inland Empire residents! Something creepy, spooky and scary has overtaken our region! Ghosts, goblins and ghouls roam our streets, and pumpkins are everywhere! The world is slowly turning different shades of orange and brown — but what could this mean?
It means it’s finally Falloween time!
Lake Elsinore
Family Fun Fest
Enjoy three frightfully fun nights of a haunted carnival, watch outdoor movies, bring the kids or embrace your inner child at the foam party! There are even wrestling matches! Attend — but only if you dare!
Dates: Oct. 23-25
Time: 4-10 p.m.; event and show times vary.
Admission: $5 per person; parking is free.
Address: 17600 Collier Ave., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
For more information: Call (951) 526-4553.
Corona
The Pumpkin Factory
Step into a pumpkin patch-meets-carnival experience with mechanical rides, inflatable slides and even a petting zoo. Pick the perfect pumpkin, and don’t forget to get some funnel cake while you’re there! Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Dates: Oct. 2-31
Time: Wednesday-Sunday; opening and closing times vary by day.
Admission: Free Wednesday and Thursday; $5 per person Friday-Sunday.
Address: 1545 Circle City Drive, Corona, CA 92879
For more information: Email info@thepumpkinfactory.com.
Nightmare Rising Presents: Pandemic Z
Chaos and danger have overtaken the streets. The calm, organized world as we know it is gone. The new way to live? Fight. Run. Survive. Participants must read and sign a waiver before entering. . . . The safe word is “mercy.”
Dates: Oct. 2-31, Friday-Sunday
Time: Varies by day and ticket.
Admission: Starts at $59.99 per ticket; parking is $10.
Address: 8900 McCarty Road, Corona, CA 92880
For more information contact@nightmarerisinghaunt.com
Eastvale
Eek! Vale Halloween Fest
Arrive at this spooky festival dressed in your best costume for a chance to take home first place! Pick out a pumpkin, explore a haunted maze, grab a bite from the food trucks and much more, all while live entertainment sets the tone throughout the event.
Date: Oct. 17
Time: 4-10 p.m.; haunted maze tours are 7:30-10 p.m.
Admission: Free; parking is free.
Address: 13200 Citrus St., Eastvale, CA
For more information: Email info@eastvaleca.gov.
Moreno Valley
Viejitos Trunk-or-Treat Car Show
Cool costumes, even cooler cars and a whole truckload of candy — who could ask for a better Halloween event? The Viejitos Trunk-or-Treat Car Show combines cars with a trunk-or-treat and even holds a costume contest. Adults can also win prizes for their costumes!
Date: Oct. 17
Time: 4-9 p.m.
Admission: Free; participation is free.
Address: R Burgers, 23750 Alessandro Blvd., Suite B, Moreno Valley
For more information: Text or call (951) 333-5043 or (714) 644-1592.
Perris
Halloween Harvest Festival
Calling all ghouls and goblins! Bring your best pumpkin to enter the jack-o’-lantern contest, win treats at the costume contest, enjoy live entertainment and so much more!
Date: Oct. 16
Time: 5-9 p.m.; trunk-or-treat is 5-7 p.m.
Admission: Free; participation is free.
Address: The main location is City Hall Campus, 101 N. D St., Perris, CA 92570. The trunk-or-treat is at Foss Field Park, 138 N. Perris Blvd.
For more information: Email specialevents@cityofperris.org.
Autumn Harvey’s Victorian Tea
Experience an autumnally charming, old-fashioned spot of tea filled with elegant touches and delicious treats. Slow down, dress up and enjoy a delightful fall afternoon steeped in timeless charm. Presented by the Harvey Girls Historical Society.
Date: Oct. 31
Time: Train and trolley rides are 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; teatime is 1-4 p.m.
Admission: $50 per person.
Address: 2201 S. A St., Perris, CA 92570
For more information: Call (951) 943-3020.
Menifee
Dog Daze
Watch dogs transform into pirates, lions and hippies — oh my! Visit vendors, enter the raffles and join the fun-filled costume contest at this tail-wagging event.
Date: Oct. 3
Time: 9 a.m.
Admission: Free.
Address: 28688 Aldergate Drive, Menifee, CA 92584
For more information: Call (951) 694-1505.
Wickerd Farm
Country living, fall fun and farm-fresh experiences come together at this charming little family fun farm. From picking pumpkins to enjoying festive activities, there’s something here for everyone!
Date: Opens Sept. 25
Time: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Admission: Free.
Address: 26852 Scott Road, Menifee, CA 92584
For more information: Call (951) 672-3020.
Temecula
Headless Horseman Carriage Ride
There’s nothing like a carriage ride through wine country — especially during fall. Enjoy the crisp autumn air, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves, the beautiful scenery and — wait, where’s the coachman’s head?!
Date: Select October nights beginning Oct. 10
Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Admission: $15 for a 20-minute ride. Reservations are required in advance.
Address: 40001 Berenda Road, Temecula, CA 92591
For more information: Call (844) 369-1852.
Mansion of Lost Souls
No one knows what really happened at the town doctor’s family home. The only thing people have to grasp onto are the screams reaching out from deep within its walls. Want to know what happened so long ago? Find out for yourself. . . . Only for ages 12 and older.
Date: Opens Oct. 2
Time: Thursday and Sunday, 7-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7-10 p.m.
Admission: $22; front-of-line pass is $11.
Address: 40820 Winchester Road, Temecula, CA 92591
For more information: Email mansionoflostsouls@gmail.com.
Pumpkinland
Watch family fun and seasonal magic come together among a sea of pumpkins! Enjoy photo-worthy moments, let the kiddos have fun on inflatable slides, sip a warm coffee and take in the aroma of hay under the glow of the lights.
Date: Opens Sept. 25; open seven days a week.
Time: Varies by day.
Admission: Free; tickets cost $1.50 each or $30 for a 20-ticket pack.
Address: 40820 Winchester Road, Temecula, CA 92591
For more information: Fill out the “Contact Us” form under the Hours and Location tab on the website.
Murrieta
Dark in the Park
Bring the whole family to this Halloween celebration filled with eerie fun, festive activities and plenty of thrills! Get into the Halloween spirit by wearing your best costume and boogieing to the Monster Mash House Band!
Date: Oct. 23
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
Admission: Free.
Address: Town Square Park & Amphitheater, 11 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562
For more information: Call (951) 304-7275.
Bennett’s Best Christmas Trees and Pumpkin Patch
Explore rows of pumpkins, festive decorations and plenty of opportunities for the cutest Instagram or photo-album pictures. It’s the perfect seasonal stop for families looking to pick the perfect pumpkin and enjoy the harvest season!
Date: Opens Oct. 9 and remains open seven days a week through Oct. 31
Time: Varies by day.
Admission: Free.
Address: 40727 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta, CA 92562
For more information: Call (661) 255-2277.
Family Movie Night
Grab a blanket, some snacks and your cutest fall sweats, then snuggle up and enjoy a cozy family movie night!
Dates: Sept. 5-Nov. 28
Time: 2-4 p.m. every Saturday
Admission: Free.
Address: 8 Town Square, Murrieta, CA 92562
For more information: Call (951) 304-3000.
Riverside
Day of the Dead
Día de los Muertos welcomes a vibrant celebration honoring loved ones who have passed while embracing the beauty and traditions of the holiday. With colorful art, music, cultural traditions and community festivities, it honors life in a vibrant way!
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8
Time: 1-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free.
Address: Historic Downtown Riverside on Market Street, between University Avenue and 14th Street
For more information: Call (951) 965-4392.
Castle Dark
Something sinister has overcome Castle Park! The once fun and lighthearted space has turned into a much creepier land filled with spooky adventures, eerie entertainment, haunting sights and Halloween thrills! Enter. . . if you are brave enough.
Dates: Sept. 25-Nov. 1
Time: 7 p.m.-midnight
Admission: $49.99 for general entry; other ticket types and packages are available.
Address: 3500 Polk St., Riverside, CA 92505
For more information: Call (951) 785-3000.
For More Halloween Visit www.zapinin.com