Choose Howl-O-Scream for a full theme-park evening
Howl-O-Scream suits friends who want different experiences in one outing: haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment and selected rides. It runs on select nights from September 11 through October 31, 2026, at 500 SeaWorld Drive. The event starts at 7 p.m., with ticketed entry available from 6 p.m. Explore the official event.
Before your group books:
- Buy the correct admission. Howl-O-Scream is separately ticketed; regular park admission does not include it.
- Check the total. Single-night tickets were advertised from $45.99 when checked October 9. Parking, taxes and service fees are additional; your selected date determines the available price.
- Save costumes for later. Guests cannot wear costumes or face paint.
- Plan for an adult-oriented scare experience. SeaWorld describes intense adult content; this is not its daytime family Halloween event.
Our recommendation: choose this when the haunt itself is the main event. If you also want SideBar afterward, agree on a departure time before entering rather than trying to fit everything in before closing.
Choose The Haunted Trail for an outdoor group scare
The Haunted Trail combines the eXperiment Maze and a mile-long trail at Balboa Drive and Juniper Road in Balboa Park. Admission covers both attractions. See ticket options.
It is our pick for friends who want one shared walk-through outing before continuing their evening downtown.
- Book matching tickets. Timed general admission starts at $34.99 and Fast Pass at $49.99. Check your date and checkout total before paying.
- Understand the time slot. General admission gives you a 30-minute window to enter the main line, not a guarantee you will start the attraction immediately.
- Allow for queues. The operator estimates roughly 15 minutes or less in the maze and 20–30 minutes on the trail, excluding waiting time.
- Plan your outfit around walking. Costumes are permitted with restrictions; masks must come off inside the haunt, and props cannot go through with you.
- Check terrain needs. The outdoor route includes dirt, mulch, and uneven ground.
Review the Trail’s visitor policies and 2026 operating calendar.
For a larger group, ask about advance group tickets for 20 or more people. Blackout dates include October 30 and 31, so don’t build a Halloween-weekend budget around that discount. Group ticket details.
Is The Scream Zone an option this year?
No. The Scream Zone’s official website says it is taking a hiatus for 2026 and directs visitors to The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park. Leave it off this year’s itinerary rather than relying on older event listings. Read the official announcement.
Build one outing your whole group can enjoy
Before anyone buys tickets, agree on four things:
- Scare tolerance: make sure everyone wants an intense haunt. Friends who prefer music and costumes can meet the group later.
- Budget: include admission, transport, parking, food and any separate nightclub booking.
- Timing: choose an early available haunt slot and work backward from your confirmed SideBar arrival deadline.
- Clothing: leave time and a suitable place to change after Howl-O-Scream. Check each venue’s current costume and bag policies.
Buy haunt and nightclub admission separately. A ticket to one venue should never be treated as entry to the other.
Wrap up Halloween at SideBar
After the scares, bring the group together for a dance-floor finish at SideBar, 536 Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. Its Halloween 2026 lineup includes:
- Wednesday, October 28: Industry Halloween Party; guest list registration listed.
- Friday, October 30: BITTEN with Kevin Kon; ticket and table options listed.
- Saturday, October 31: BITTEN with DJ Crooked; ticket and table options listed.
Events are 21+ with valid identification required. Costumes and elevated Halloween attire are encouraged. Tickets and reservations are date-specific, and entry is subject to venue policies and capacity.
Confirm your arrival window before planning the transfer. For a VIP table, ask about the full cost, guest allowance and admission arrangements for your selected night.
Choose your Halloween night at SideBar and give your group a plan that starts with scares and ends with dancing.
