Halloween in Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Hotel way

If a crowd is where you’d rather be, this is your scene. Just a short hop east from The Beverly Hills Hotel, West Hollywood turns Santa Monica Boulevard into one of the world's biggest Halloween street parties. Expect live stages, DJs, and some of the most jaw-dropping costumes you'll ever see (this is LA, after all). The dress code? Whatever you dare.

October 31

The tamest on our scary list, but don't let that fool you. Universal's haunted houses (including a walk through the Psycho house), mazes and well-timed jump scares make you feel like you've stumbled onto a film set – because you have. With rides across the whole park, you’ll find thrills of all kinds. Under 13s aren't admitted, but it's a hit with teenagers.

Selected nights, September 3 to November 1

A step up on the scream scale (and not for young children). Step back to the 1980s in the fictional town of Midnight Falls, where the hayride is just the beginning. You’ll find mini escape games, a Scary-Go-Round complete with skeleton horses, and a whole haunted town to wander as fog creeps across the ground and the surrounding woods cast long shadows.

Want maximum fear factor? Sit at the front of the hayride, closest to the jump scares. And if that's not enough, the mazes turn things up a notch.

Selected nights, September 18 to November 1

If you like your fear dialled all the way up to 11, there's only one place to be. Dark Harbor is set in and around the historic RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, a ship rumoured to be home to some very real residents of the spectral kind. One of the staterooms is so haunted that it was locked for nearly 30 years, phantom children are said to leave wet footprints behind, and ghost-hunters keep watch for the crew members who never quite left.

Around the ship, a sprawling carnival of horror takes over the harbourside: haunted mazes, terrifyingly dressed live actors, and disorienting sensory scares, from sudden bursts of smoke to industrial clanks in the dark. Brave souls only.

Selected nights, September 18 to November 1

Our sister property, Hotel Bel-Air, turns its Front Lawn into an open-air cinema for spooky season, with twinkling lights strung through the gardens. This year's line-up is all about magical connections and unlikely pairings: Practical Magic (1998), Hocus Pocus (1993), You've Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally. Feeling jumpy? A handful of buttery popcorn and a themed cocktail work wonders.

October 27 to 30

Fright nights get a gentle glow-up. Descanso Gardens fills with luminous jack-o'-lanterns, giant hand-carved pumpkins and immersive light sculptures from artists including Helsinki-based Alexander Reichstein. Made for families, it’s an enchanting evening stroll whatever your age.

October 2 to November 1

Some neighbourhoods really go all out. Toluca Lake, Brentwood Glen (head for Church and Beloit streets) and Santa Monica's 16th and Georgina streets are the most festive spots come Halloween night, with elaborate decorations and plenty of candy to go around. Dress up and join the fun.

This city is built on the art of transformation – so you're spoiled for choice. For Halloween costumes with a little Hollywood glamour, these are the places locals turn to.

A favourite with the film world, with a huge selection of wigs, props and accessories. It's right on Hollywood Boulevard (and unofficial king of Halloween, Tim Burton, has his star just outside the door!) 20 minutes’ drive from The Beverly Hills Hotel.

6600 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028

An entertainment industry institution, dressing Los Angeles since 1945. There are plenty of options for adults and children, to buy or rent. Fun fact: it's also the biggest supplier of custom-made Santa suits in the US, so it's worth remembering come December. 30 minutes’ drive from The Beverly Hills Hotel.

5034 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Open year-round, because in Burbank, Halloween never really ends. Its sister store just down the block is themed like a haunted house – almost a destination in itself. 30 minutes’ drive from The Beverly Hills Hotel.

3021 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505

The most exclusive side of costuming in town. Think custom wardrobing, authentic vintage pieces and thousands of costumes from major films, all available to rent. It's by appointment only, and our concierge will happily arrange yours. 30 minutes’ drive from The Beverly Hills Hotel.

11041 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood, CA 91605