One Of The Biggest Halloween Events In America Is In Long Beach, California

If ringing in Halloween aboard a haunted ship floats your boat, then read on. When it comes to Halloween attractions, very few events can rival the eerie, scare-the-pants-off-you, fun experience of Dark Harbor in Long Beach, California. Held aboard the historic Queen Mary, Dark Harbor has become one of the most popular and iconic Halloween events in the United States, drawing over 100,000 thrill-seekers each year. This immersive haunted experience is known for its terrifying mazes, live entertainment, and ghostly encounters that take place on one of the most famous — and supposedly cursed — ships in the world.

The Queen Mary, permanently docked in Long Beach, is an ocean liner with a storied history. Launched in 1936, the ship was once a luxury cruise liner with a strange resemblance to the Titanic. However, it also served as a troop transport during World War II when it was painted grey and dubbed "Grey Ghost." Queen Mary sailed across the Atlantic Ocean 1,001 times until 1967, when it was converted into a floating haunted hotel at its forever dock in Long Beach. Needless to say, this ship has been through a lot.

Over the years, the Queen Mary has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the world, with many claiming to have witnessed ghostly apparitions and paranormal occurrences throughout the ship: screams, temperature changes, the smell of smoke, sightings, and the like. It is said that 150 different ghosts inhabit the ship. This haunted history provides the perfect backdrop for Dark Harbor, elevating the event beyond the typical haunted house experience. Whether you believe it or not, this already spooky environment will make you feel as if you are truly stepping into a supernatural realm. Newsflash: You are. 

Dark Harbor turns the Queen Mary into a massive Halloween festival. Its main highlight is the haunted mazes, each filled with horrifying twists, turns, and creatures. The escape-style mazes are carefully designed to tell a story, with each one centered around a character from Dark Harbor's spooky lore. These characters, including the Captain, Scary Mary, and the Ringmaster, are inspired by the Queen Mary's haunted past and some of its famous ghosts. 

While the haunted mazes are the main attraction, Dark Harbor offers much more than just scares. Throughout the event, you can enjoy live performances, from circus acts to fire dancing and sideshow spectacles. Themed bars are scattered around the grounds of the ship, offering a place to grab a drink and recover between frights. Secret speakeasies are located inside and around the mazes — though you'll have to get the right clues and figure out how to find them. Into the night, there are plenty of parties where you can dance away to music by resident DJs. VIP experiences are also available for those who want to skip the lines and get exclusive access to the Captain's Club and Observation Deck. 

What's extra special about the 2024 Dark Harbor is that this year marks its return after a long hiatus — the event hasn't been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's edition is eagerly awaited, especially after a massive renovation project of this nearly 100-year-old, 80,000-ton vessel. Tickets start at $39.99 and are only available online. The event is open during the evenings from 7 p.m. to past midnight on select days from September 20 to November 2. You can even spend the night at the haunted Queen Mary, if you dare.