Take a frightening tour to a place where witches converge to form a powerful coven whose dark rituals threaten humanity at this year’s “Terror Vault: Hexed” happening in S.F. through Nov. 1.
Jeremy Gable
If you’re looking to test your nerves this Halloween season, run through some of the Bay Area’s wickedly fun haunted attractions.
Here is the Chronicle’s guide to a frightfully good time near you.
Haunted Dollhouse Soirée and Tea Party
Embark on an intimate, paranormal adventure with creepy, themed rooms, eerie activities, sinister clown dolls and real haunted dolls. Conclude the evening with a cleansing tea party, where the spirits may join the party and are asked not to leave with attendees.
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Noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Oct. 12, 19 and 26; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30. $115. Gregangelo Museum, 225 San Leandro Way, S.F. 415-664-0095. www.gregangelomuseum.com
S.F. Ghost Hunt Walking Tours
Join actor-magician Christian Cagigal as he hosts a lantern-lit walk into San Francisco’s ghostly past, visiting notorious haunted places around the historic Pacific Heights neighborhood including the Chambers Mansion and the haunted Hotel Majestic.
8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; additional 5 p.m. tours on Oct. 30-31. Through Oct. 31. $39.99, reservations required. Meet in front of the Healing Arts Center, 1801 Bush St., S.F. 415-754-8209. www.sfghosthunt.com
Christian Cagigal leads a past San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.
Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle
The Black Cat Haunted Hotel Experience
A fully immersive, walk-through theatrical event. Guests drift through jazz parlors, banquet halls and haunted hotel rooms, uncovering secrets through whispered confessions, ominous encounters and the ever-present shadow of the venue’s infamous Black Cat.
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7 p.m. Oct. 15-16 and 28-29; 6 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 31 and Nov. 1. $49-$89. The Palace Theater, 644 Broadway, S.F. www.blackcathotelsf.com
Fear Overload Scream Park Bay Area
Head out to Newark’s Newpark Mall for the long-running, award-winning annual haunted attraction. Guests can experience two different horror shows — “Geargrind Labyrinth” and “Ravenwood Sanitorium” — featuring live actors amidst the terrifying backdrops.
See website for schedule. Through Nov. 2. $20-$58. 2086 Newpark Mall, Newark. 510-730-2221. www.fearoverload.com
Take a frightening tour to a place where witches converge to form a powerful coven whose dark rituals threaten humanity at this year’s “Terror Vault: Hexed” happening in S.F. through Nov. 1.
Jeremy Gable
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Fright Fest
Dare to enter the amusement park as it is all decked out for spooky season. There will be live entertainment, a family-friendly Kids Boo Fest during the day, and more thrilling fright zones including jump scares and spine-tingling interaction for older and braver folks after the sun goes down.
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See website for schedule. Through Nov. 2. $55-$105. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo. 707-644-4000. www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
Winchester Mystery House: ‘Festival Fright Nights’
Encounter terrifying scenes as twisted tales and secrets of the famously haunted, Italianate-style historical property are revealed with a chilling new twist.
The “Fright Nights” event includes three new haunted attractions, “The Masquerade of Shadows,” “The Root of All Evil” and “The Final Descent” which present scares inside, in the gardens and in a forbidden wing where seances pull back a supernatural veil and lingering shadow haunt the halls. Guests can sink their teeth into a variety of treats, while those 21 and over can sip on spirits. Ticket add-on options include axe throwing, hidden speakeasies and immersive VIP experiences.
Thursdays-Sundays. Through Nov. 1. See website for schedule. $75-$97. Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408-247-2000. www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
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Encounter terrifying scenes at the famously haunted, Italianate-style Winchester Mystery House for its “Fright Nights” Halloween event happening through Nov. 1.
Winchester Mystery House
Blind Scream Haunted House: ‘Scream Your Head Off’
Behind tattered tents and rusted rides, under the flickering lights of a rotting carnival midway lurk a family of twisted carnies who never left when the show shut down. Even more terrifying ‘Blackout’ options are available.
7-10 p.m. Oct. 16, 19, 23 and 26; 7-11 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 24-25, 30-31 and Nov. 1. Through Nov. 1. $25-$50. 98 Santa Rosa Plaza, Santa Rosa. 707-953-3909. www.blindscream.com
Pirates of Emerson Haunted Theme Park
The Alameda County Fairgrounds will once again host a seriously frightening walk-through experience featuring costumed actors, live music, games, a virtual reality scare ride, large-scale sets and scenes with plenty of heart-pounding scares throughout its four unique haunted houses.
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7 p.m. Oct. 16-19, 23-26, 30-31 and Nov. 1-2. Through Nov. 2. $45-$125; under 16 requires adult supervision, reservations required. Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2100 Valley Ave., Pleasanton. www.piratesofemerson.com
Choose VIP ticketing options for access to additional scare areas including a private coven experience at “Terror Vault: Hexed” happening at the S.F. Mint through Nov. 1.
Jeremy Gable
Terror Vault: ‘Hexed’
From the twisted minds of Peaches Christ, David Flower Productions and Non Plus Ultra comes a new, immersive theater experience that takes audiences on a frightening tour where a global group of witches converge to form a powerful coven whose dark rituals threaten humanity. A group of experts seek to recruit brave event attendees to help stop the coven and save the world from eternal darkness.
Visit the ’80s new wave/goth vampire-themed Fang Bang bar, tour its creepy collectible museum featuring elaborate installations created by talented Bay Area artists and browse for trinkets at the gift shop.
Go for the VIP ticket option and get a glow necklace to opt-in for upgraded character interactivity, access to additional scare areas including a private coven experience.
See website for schedule. Through Nov. 1. $75–$140. 18 and older. San Francisco Mint, 88 Fifth St., S.F. www.terrorvault.com
Encounter terrifying scenes at the famously haunted, Italianate-style Winchester Mystery House for its “Fright Nights” Halloween event happening through Nov. 1.
David Swann/Winchester Mystery House
‘Beyond the Veil’ Tour at Meek Mansion
Visit a historic property for spooky stories rooted in truth, old tales and traditions. Learn about paranormal events and sightings during guided one-hour tours through the Meek Mansion. For more timid attendees, book the earliest tours (6:15 p.m.) as they are less scary.
6:15, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 17-18. $25-$30, reservations required; 14 and older. Meek Mansion, 17365 Boston Road, Hayward. 510-581-0223. www.haywardareahistory.org
Grimm’s Hollow: ‘Curse of the Pirate Coast’ and ‘The Depths’
Enter the “Pirate Coast” during the less scary first part of the evening and navigate the experience with help from friendly, spooky characters. Later on, try to escape Davy Jones’ locker in the scarier after-hours version, “The Depths,” where attendees enter and try to find a way out while dodging frightening characters. The schedule includes family-friendly games, a pumpkin patch, live entertainment and more from 5 p.m. and during the main event each evening.
Pirate Coast: 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 24 and 31; 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 18-19 and 25-26. The Depths: 9-10 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 24-25, 31 and Nov. 1. $15. Moreland Woods, 4835 Doyle Road, San Jose. www.grimmshollow.com
Check out “The Haunt’s” “Corridor of Horror” as part of an artist-made haunted house installed at YBCA through Nov. 1.
Bat Witch Ghost
The Haunt: An Artistically-Twisted Haunted House
Enjoy an artist-made haunted house from Bat Witch Ghost at YBCA. The annual event brings American haunted house traditions to life with spirit and resourcefulness from San Francisco’s creative underworld.
Enter a labyrinth built from salvaged materials, and mingle outside of the maze in a spooky graveyard, with drinks, a dance floor, merch vendors and otherworldly options. Afternoon shows are family-friendly, while the evening installations are recommended for 13 and older. Costumes are encouraged.
7-10 p.m. Oct. 25, 29-31 and Nov. 1; 3-6 p.m. Oct. 26; 3-5 p.m. Oct. 31; 2-5 p.m. Nov. 1. $15-$25, under age 13 free. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum, 701 Mission St., S.F. 415-978-2700 www.ybca.org
Christian Cagigal leads a past San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.
Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle