Halloween: the one day children, teenagers and adults alike don their favorite costumes for one glorious night. However, this year, COVID-19 has put an apparent halt to some of the most beloved Halloween traditions. Still, that does not mean you can’t have fun celebrating this spooky holiday. Here, we have compiled a list of ten safe activities in Santa Clarita and the Los Angeles region for you to do this Halloween! 

1. Drive-through haunted house

Miss the thrill of a good haunted house or maze? No need to fret! There are many Drive-through haunted houses this year, where you can experience ghosts and ghouls of all sorts from the safety of your car. Below we have listed a few drive-through haunted houses:

• Haunted Barnyard (local) Oct. 22, 23, 27 – 31, Nov. 5 & 6, 2020; $28/person 
• Los Angeles Haunted Hayride  select nights from Sept. 25 to Nov. 1, 2020; $50/car and $10 for extra person
• Stranger Things: The Drive-Into Experience Oct 28 2020-Mar 7 2021; $89/car

2. Drive-in movie theatre

Drive-In movie theatres are now making a great comeback. What better way to spend your Halloween than from the comfort of your car? All you have to do is sit back, recline your chair and enjoy a spooky classic on the big screens. Although there are currently no Drive-In movie theatres in Santa Clarita, there are several locations in Los Angeles. 

3. Movie night with friends

Zooming with friends is always a solid, hassle-free idea. Send the link, share your screen, and enjoy the night! Netflix Party is also always an excellent option!

4. Home Haunts 

Home Haunts are mostly free or donation-based “Home Haunted Houses” displayed in the front yards of residents. These are perfect if you are looking for those spooky vibes without the cost of a Drive-through Haunted House. These hidden gems can be found all across Santa Clarita. You can find the complete list and dates from the SoCal Haunt List here. 

5. Buy candy for yourself

Self-treating yourself to a whole bag of candy on Halloween while pairing it with either a scary movie or indoor fun with family and friends is sure to keep the spooky spirit alive.

6. Dress up for a solo photoshoot

The month of October on social media platforms like that of Instagram and TikTok is dominated by all things fall and spooky. With this month in particular usually showcasing the October spirit, a solo photoshoot is a perfect idea to spice up your feed. You can’t go wrong with a cool backdrop and lighting, following the latest trends like the Ghost challenge on TikTok. 

7. Drop off candy goodie bags at a friends house

Not being able to coordinate group trick or treating with friends or collect candy has been some tough news to hear for Halloween fanatics. However, exchanging candy goodie bags at each other’s doors makes for a better contactless alternative to satisfy everybody’s Halloween sweet tooth!

8. Trick or Treat for Unicef 

Upcoming October many of you may recognize the little orange Unicef box that pops up this time of year. Since going door-to-door to collect money isn’t recommended, Unicef has set up a complete virtual collection program. All you need to do is sign up, receive a virtual collection box and participate in various activities to collect coins. These coins add up and translate into real-time earnings going towards an organization of your choice. More details can be found here. 

9. Visit your local pumpkin patch and carve pumpkins

Roaming the pumpkin patch or choosing the perfect carvable pumpkin to display on your front porch is a perfect COVID-19-friendly activity sure to fill the Halloween-shaped hearts out there! Some hotspot destinations include Gilchrist Farms, Bennett’s Best Christmas Trees and Pumpkins, Seasonal Adventures and Nancy’s Ranch. 

10. Project a movie in your yard

If you are looking to invest in a projector, now is a perfect time! All you need to have your own Halloween cinema is a projector, a white sheet, snacks and a movie of your choice. Invite friends and family for a socially distanced movie night and enjoy the relaxed vibes!

   Although Halloween was among the many highly anticipated events victim to COVID-19 in 2020, there are many activities still out there to celebrate this beloved day. These safe activities are sure to find its place on Oct. 31 among West Ranch Students. Don’t forget to always wear your mask and social distance as much as possible to ensure a safe and fun environment for everybody to enjoy this October. It’s also a good idea to look over the CDC Halloween guidelines here. We hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!