Top Halloween events in San Francisco
Haunted Art House and Haunted Victorian Mansion: San Francisco's Top Two Immersive October Experiences
October in San Francisco is officially the high holy season of immersive performance, living history, and paranormal art. Defying cookie-cutter commercial attractions, two of the city's most celebrated historic landmark and legacy properties are opening their doors for two completely distinct Halloween productions.
Conceived and led by world-renowned artistic director Gregangelo, a native San Franciscan, these twin productions transform the only two historic landmark homes open for public programming into mind-bending worlds of mystery.
Independent San Francisco Artists Making History Alongside Historic Preservation and Adaptation
What makes these productions so extraordinary is that they are 100 percent self-produced by local working San Francisco artists. Operating with no corporate sponsorship, no grant funding, and no private donors, these shows are powered entirely by independent culture workers under the creative vision of Gregangelo. The Gregangelo Museum, Velocity Circus, and Velocity Arts and Entertainment are all one and the same creative family, delivering distinct artistic services to keep the cultural heartbeat of San Francisco vibrant and thriving. This has been our sustainable business model for years, and we are thrilled to serve our city every single day.
October truly is a sacred month in San Francisco when the veil between worlds is lifted, and through these interactive shows, we lift it even higher.
This magic is made possible through an extraordinary partnership with San Francisco Heritage, the dedicated visionary stewards of the Haas-Lilienthal House. By co-presenting House of Weird, San Francisco Heritage joins forces with our artist collective to prove that historic preservation and adaptive performing arts can work hand in hand to keep San Francisco creative, vibrant, and cool. Every ticket purchased directly sustains local working artists and supports the ongoing preservation of our city's architectural treasures.
"San Francisco has always been a sanctuary for true eccentricity, deep history, and groundbreaking performing arts," says artistic director Gregangelo.
"By transforming the city's two most iconic historic landmark homes into completely opposite, high-art immersive worlds, we are giving people an unforgettable, strictly local Halloween experience that simply cannot exist anywhere else."
More Than Skeletons and Jump Scares: Where San Francisco Comes Together
Most commercial haunted house attractions push you through dark hallways in single-file lines while strangers scream in the back of your neck. These two historic settings are engineered for true social connection, uncanny humor, and unexpected surprise. They are bizarre, only-in-San Francisco encounters, each designed with a completely opposite ethos.
Whether you bring a date, come with a crew of friends and family or step inside entirely solo, both experiences bring people together. As two of the Top Halloween Events in San Francisco, they offer more than scares; they create opportunities for connection. In fact, couples have visited on their wedding days to celebrate, having originally met years prior inside one of these very shows. From first dates to spark-filled encounters with fellow guests, these living history experiences prove that shared laughter through screaming, surprise, and a little dark Victorian suspense are the ultimate matchmakers.
Experience 1:
House of Weird at The Haas-Lilienthal House
"A true mirror of the soul of San Francisco." — SFGate
High-Energy Haunted Mansion Thrills and Victorian Dark Corridors for Groups, Families, and Dates
Presented in Pacific Heights at San Francisco's iconic 1886 Queen Anne Victorian time capsule in partnership with San Francisco Heritage, Velocity Arts and Entertainment, and Velocity Circus, House of Weird turns historic preservation into a sensory world of laughter through screaming.
Designed to scale up for larger groups, up to 20 guests at a time depart every 30 minutes. Your journey begins in the grand ballroom over magical elixirs before you ascend through the dark, secret chambers of a house that survived the Great Quake of 1906. It may have survived, but will you survive as we shake you up?!
Located near the bustling Polk Street and Van Ness dining corridors, it is an unexpected, highly social, and thrillingly fun night out for friends, family, corporate team outings, or a memorable date night.
Venue: The Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin Street, San Francisco
Audience: Recommended for ages 8 and older (Max 20 guests per group)
Vibe: High-energy, sensory-rich, interactive Victorian thrills
Schedule: October 16 to 17, October 22 to 24, and October 29 to 31
Time Slots: Timed entries depart every 30 minutes between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM
Tickets: $66 per guest (1 hour plus total experience)
Food and Drink: Spirit Lounge bar with potion drinks and snacks available for purchase on site.
Direct Booking: Reserve House of Weird Tickets on Eventbrite
Experience 2:
The Haunted Doll House at The Gregangelo Museum
Listed as one of the "12 coolest Bay Area things you didn't know you could do." — The Mercury News
An Intimate Paranormal Haunting and Adult Playground (Ages 16+)
Tucked away in the off-the-beaten-path Balboa Terrace neighborhood inside San Francisco Historic Landmark #318, The Haunted Dollhouse offers an uncanny, deeply personal encounter tailored specifically for mature audiences seeking an eccentric playdate.
Conceived, directed by, and starring former Ringling Brothers arena clown Michelle Musser, this experience is strictly capped at just 8 guests per group.
Guests are handed a flashlight and a doll companion as they playfully navigate themed rooms, solve a house-wide treasure hunt, and confront authentic San Francisco ghost lore.
The two-hour journey culminates in an interactive sit-down Haunted Tea Party. Hosted by the Dolls themselves, guests learn proper etiquette while enjoying hand-baked Pagan Pizza hand pies, Raspberry Blood Bites, signature tea, and sweets. It is the ultimate intimate date night, private group buyout, or provocative gathering for adult culture seekers.
Venue: The Gregangelo Museum, 225 San Leandro Way, San Francisco
Audience: Mature audiences (Ages 16 and older only | Strictly capped at 8 guests per slot)
Vibe: Intimate, metaphysical, highly interactive, adult paranormal theater
Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays throughout October
Tickets: $115 per guest (2-hour immersive experience)
Food and Drink: Includes interactive tea party treats and sweets (not a full meal)
Direct Booking: Reserve Haunted Dollhouse Tickets on Eventbrite
Side-by-Side Comparison:
Which Experience is Right For You?
Feature | House of Weird | The Haunted Doll House |
Location | Haas-Lilienthal House (Pacific Heights) | The Gregangelo Museum (Balboa Terrace) |
Capacity | Up to 20 guests per slot (Departs every 30 min) | Strictly limited to 8 guests per slot |
Age Limit | Ages 8+ (Great for families, groups, and dates) | Ages 16+ (Strictly for mature and adult audiences) |
Duration | 1 Hour plus | 2 Hours (Includes sit-down Tea Party) |
Pricing | $66 per guest | $115 per guest |
Production Model | 100% self-produced by local SF artists | 100% self-produced by local SF artists |
Together, they offer two of the Top Halloween Events in San Francisco for guests looking for an unforgettable way to experience the season.
Shared Booking and Venue Policies
Both independent productions strictly require advance timed tickets as capacity is strictly capped. All ticket sales for both venues are final with no refunds or exchanges. Both experiences are conducted in English for mixed groups, and neither venue permits pets or personal bags on tour routes.
