Additional Fright Venues

Halloween has become big business in Southern California. Some other major happenings:

Knott’s “Scary” Farm, the granddaddy of all Halloween extravaganzas, returns with the 27th annual Halloween Haunt. Two of the 10 mazes are new, Elvira’s Nightmare and the Crypt Keeper’s Tales From the Inquisition. The park’s transformation into Knott’s “Scary” Farm reveals some of the most popular rides as fright-themed adventures. Seven live shows are planned and more than 1,000 ghoulish creatures will lurk about in the foggy darkness. Pre-sale tickets are $35; day of event, $40 at the gate or through Ticketmaster. Open: today-Sunday and Oct. 22-25 and 28-31. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. (714) 220-5200.

Because Knott’s Scary Farm is way too intense for young children (and weak-kneed adults), Camp Spooky will be open to young goblins ages 3 to 11 for daytime trick-or-treating, costume contests other nonscary activities. Camp Snoopy section of Knott’s Berry Farm. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 23-24 and 29-31. Adults $29; ages 3 to 11, $13 (discounts available through Kmart, $23; $4.95).

Alice Cooper has a hand in a new 12-room maze called Brutal Planet at the Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest. Other attractions include a haunted house, live shows, monster mazes and plenty of ghouls and goblins. For kids, Looney Tunes Spooky Town is open 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. During Fright Fest, the Colossus roller coaster will run backward and Batman the Ride in total darkness. Open: Friday-Sunday and Oct. 22-24 and 29-31. Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. $39; children, $19.50. (661) 255-4849.

Shipwreck ’99 transforms the Queen Mary into a ship of horrors, utilizing the cavernous decks of the historic ship for the Haunted Hull of Horror, Londontowne of Terror and Decks of the Dead, to name a few. 6:30 p.m.-midnight, Friday-Sunday and Oct. 22-24 and 27-31. $20. Not recommended for children under 13. (888) ETM-TIXS.

Haunt ’99 is open this weekend, then nightly Oct. 22-31 at Scandia Amusement Park, off I-15 at the Jurupa exit, Ontario. $7.50; $5.95 for 54 inches and under. (909) 390-3091.

The Haunted Castle at Medieval Times runs nightly Friday through Oct. 31. The cobwebbed fortress includes a dungeon of torture and deeds of terror from centuries past, followed by a four-course dinner and jousting show. $35.95; ages 12 and under, $23.95. 7662 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Reservations required: (714) 521-4740.