Nights of the Jack Halloween Event in Calabasas, California (2023)
Want to know about Nights of the Jack, the best Halloween event in Calabasas? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
We’ve been visiting Nights of the Jack since 2019 and it’s one of our favorite Halloween events to go to each year.
This year’s event has some new offerings including psychic readings, new themes in the pumpkin trail, and an interactive scavenger hunt.
With a variety of food trucks and a “spookeasy”, this is also a great event for a late night dinner.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Nights Of The Jack Tickets Today!
Nights of the Jack Halloween Event In Calabasas
As part of our Fall Festivities Series, we are excited to share with you, Nights of the Jack.
Nights of the Jack is a Halloween event in Calabasas, California that is a cannot miss event in Southern California.
From photo ops, to the pumpkin trail, to food trucks, to the “Spookeasy”, this is an event everyone in the family will enjoy.
You may even see some celebrities and their families.
It’s that popular!
As they like to say, this experience is “spooky, not scary”.
It’s 100% kid friendly and family friendly.
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✅ About Nights of the Jack
Nights of the Jack takes place at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, California.
This year, the event is running from September 29th – October 31st on most nights from 6 pm – 10 pm.
The only nights Nights of the Jack is not open are October 2nd, 3rd, and 17th.
Activities available at this event include the immersive walking trail, a souvenir shop, a live pumpkin carver, a “spookeasy”, food trucks, face painting, and a psychic reading.
Psychic readings can include anything from palm readings, tarot readings, energy readings, and even love and compatibility readings.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Nights Of The Jack Tickets Today!
✅ Nights of the Jack Pumpkin Trail
Now for the main event, the highlight of Nights of the Jack.
Just past the Spookeasy is the entrance to the pumpkin trail.
This is a 2/3 mile walking trail around King Gillette Ranch.
As you go along the trail, there are different themed areas, many of which are quite immersive.
During our visit there were sugar skulls, dinosaurs, turtles, a graveyard, the Hollywood Sign, and even Bikini Bottom from Spongebob Squarepants!
Each year is a little different, but below are some photos from the 2019 pumpkin trail.
If you watch the YouTube video at the top of this post, you’ll see more of the trail, including some talking pumpkins!
A newer element to the pumpkin trail is this LED cube that plays a variety of Halloween themed songs throughout the night, synced with a field of lights.
✅ Entrance Photo Ops
Let’s start with the entrance.
When you first enter there are lots of photo ops and props.
New this year includes AR selfies and digital carnival games in this area.
Sometimes there were some long lines for some of the photos, but since you have to exit the same way, you can come back any time to get those photos.
✅ Nights of the Jack Spookeasy
Once you make it past the main entrance, you’ll see the “Spookeasy” bar area, which is so cute.
It’s pretty cold here in the evenings, so a warm spiked apple cider is perfect.
There are plenty of other options for craft beer, wine, and spirits.
In the picnic area you can also enjoy your food and snacks from the food trucks.
✅ Food Trucks
The food trucks here cover almost every food type.
There’s pizza, burgers, tacos, burritos, lobster rolls, desserts, noodle bowls, and more.
✅ New Nights Of The Jack Experiences This Year
There are two new lantern art scenes themed to Dia De Los Muertos and The Enchanted Forest that are a must see.
There are also new photo ops with lantern art and pumpkin art.
An interactive AR scavenger hunt comes with a reward if you can find all 10 items.
As you enter the pumpkin trail, there is a QR code you can scan that will lead you to this interactive scavenger hunt.
King Gillette Ranch has free public wifi you can use while you do the scavenger hunt.
Your phone will give you hints on where to scan pumpkins throughout the trail to find what you’re looking for in the scavenger hunt.
I couldn’t get it to scan anything on my phone, but maybe they’ve worked out some bugs since opening night.
✅ Nights of the Jack Tickets
Tickets go on sale on August 14th, 2023!
Admission times are chosen in 30 minute increments from 6:30 – 8:30 and you can arrive up to 30 minutes prior to your allotted time.
Ticket prices range start at $29.99 and go up depending on the night you attend.
Children 2 and under are always free!
Side Note – This is a place that is quite chilly in the evenings.
So you’ll want to dress warm.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Nights Of The Jack Tickets Today!
✅ Know Before You Go
First things first, you need a ticket in advance.
This event will pretty much always sell out.
Additionally, the pumpkin trail entrance closes by 9:30 to give you enough time to see the trail before the event ends at 10:00 pm.
Entrance to the parking lot closes at 9:15 pm, so don’t arrive late, because you’ll be turned away.
Additionally, parking is $9.99 per vehicle and will be purchased in advance with your admission tickets.
They recommend to plan to spend at least 1 – 1 1/2 hours to enjoy all the event offerings.
If you have trouble finding the venue, enter: 26800 Mulholland Hwy
Calabasas, CA 91302 into your GPS.
The parking lot is at the intersection of Mulholland and Wickland Road.
You can take all the pictures and videos you’d like while you’re here, but you can’t bring in any professional equipment or large backpacks.
Be sure to tag @nightsofthejack when you post your pictures and videos on Instagram!
For more of the nitty gritty details, check out their Frequently Asked Questions page.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Nights Of The Jack Tickets Today!
More Fun Things To Do Near Calabasas In The Fall
Since Nights of the Jack is a nighttime event, here are some activities you can do during the day while you’re in the local area.
✅ Small Group Malibu Wine Hike
This is a 2 mile loop hike where you get to enjoy the scenery at your own pace.
Explore the private vineyard, find old cave paintings by the local Chumash people, and check out the vineyard’s organic garden.
Best of all, you get a bottle of wine to go at the end!
👉 Click Here To Book Your Malibu Wine Hike Now!
✅ VW Bus Wine Tour
If you’d rather ride around in style, I recommend the VW Bus Wine Tour.
This tour accommodates up to 6 people, so it’s best for small groups.
This 3 hour tour will take you around to local wineries!
👉 Click Here To Book Your VW Bus Wine Tour Now!
More Local Halloween Events
If you’re looking for more places to explore throughout the Halloween season, there is plenty to do in Southern California!
✅ Carved at Descanso Gardens
This night time event is hosted in La Canada Flintridge, in the area surrounding Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank.
Though they are most known for their Christmas lights, they are also delving into Halloween lights now too.
✅ Best Things To Do In Southern California This Fall
This all inclusive post lists 50+ activities, events, and festivals going on throughout the entire Fall and Halloween season in all of Southern California.
Conclusion: Nights of the Jack
Each year, Nights of the Jack is a little different.
So if you’re semi-local and you’ve been in the past, it’s worth checking out again, especially with new activities this year.
