The Forgotten Circus Haunted Gallery in Hermosa Beach

The Forgotten Circus takes over Not Shockboxx, an artist-forward gallery in Hermosa Beach's Cypress Arts District, and turns it into a haunted art experience. It runs every Friday night in October, which makes it an easy pick when you are scanning things to do in Los Angeles for a Halloween outing that is more theater than jump scare.

When: Friday, October 9, 2026, 6 to 9 PM (arrive anytime in the window) Where: Not Shockboxx, Hermosa Beach Price: Ticketed, see the event page for current pricing

What to expect

Guests wander a twisted gallery maze filled with original installations, sinister performers and the remnants of an abandoned big top. Local artists, builders and scare actors from across the South Bay creative community built the whole thing. The tone is creepy, theatrical and atmospheric without leaning on heavy blood or gore, so it suits date nights, friend groups and older kids and teens.

Because it is a walk-through maze rather than a three-hour show, ticket holders can show up whenever they like between 6 and 9 PM on their chosen Friday. Plan for a relaxed pace rather than a fixed start time.

After the maze, the evening continues next door at The Studio with games, strange diversions and other sideshow fun. It is a good excuse to linger, compare notes on the scariest corner, and make a night of it.

The people behind it

The Forgotten Circus is creatively directed by Mark "Debo" DiBenedetto and produced with Boomz Pharm and Geist Monster Media. Artists Joel Geist and Claudia Berman curated the installations. The run wraps up with a separately ticketed Halloween party on Saturday, October 31, featuring the full installation and a live DJ.

Practical info

The October 9 date is one of several Fridays, so it is worth checking the list of LA events this weekend if your plans are flexible. Tickets are sold through the event page linked above, and the host asks guests to confirm details before heading out since schedules can change. Hermosa Beach is a South Bay beach town, so allow extra drive time from the rest of the county on a Friday evening, and look for parking around the Cypress Avenue area.

Looking for more ideas nearby? Browse our arts and culture events or see what else is happening around Los Angeles.