The Forgotten Circus Haunted Art Maze in Hermosa Beach

Most haunted attractions lean on gore. The Forgotten Circus goes for atmosphere instead. Every Friday night in October, Not Shockboxx, an artist-forward gallery in Hermosa Beach's Cypress Arts District, turns into a twisted gallery maze built around the remnants of an abandoned big top. If you are scanning for things to do in Los Angeles this Halloween season and want something more handmade than a corporate scare park, this South Bay stop is worth the drive.

When: Fridays in October, 6 to 9 PM, with a separately ticketed Halloween party on Saturday, October 31 Where: Not Shockboxx, 636 Cypress Ave, Hermosa Beach Cost: $15 per the listing

What to expect

Guests wander through a maze of original installations, sinister performers and circus wreckage, all created by local artists, builders and scare actors from the South Bay creative community. The tone is creepy, theatrical and moody without piling on blood. That makes it a fit for date nights, friend groups, and older kids and teens who want a Halloween outing that is spooky but not extreme.

You do not need to commit to a three hour block. Ticket holders can arrive any time during the 6 to 9 PM window on the Friday they pick, because the maze is a walk-through experience. When you come out the other end, the evening continues next door at The Studio, where there are games, strange diversions and more sideshow fun.

The people behind it

The project is creatively directed by Mark "Debo" DiBenedetto, produced with Boomz Pharm and Geist Monster Media, and curated by artists Joel Geist and Claudia Berman. Community sponsors named on the listing include Patrick Molloy's, Poney, Hermosa Brewing Company, Dunn-Edwards Paints and Creamy Boys Ice Cream.

The Halloween finale

The run closes on Saturday, October 31 with a separately ticketed Halloween party. The full installation stays open and a live DJ takes over the night. If you want the maze plus a costume-friendly crowd, that is the date to circle.

Practical info

Pick your Friday when you buy, and arrive anywhere inside the 6 to 9 PM window. The event page lists the start date as October 2, and the series repeats weekly through the end of the month, so check the listing for the Friday you want. Schedules can change, so confirm details with the venue before you go. Hermosa Beach parking near the Cypress Arts District can fill up on weekend evenings, so build in a few minutes to find a spot or rideshare in.

Browsing upcoming events in Los Angeles for the rest of October? The wider South Bay is full of Halloween programming, and this one is a good anchor for an evening out. Find more picks on our arts and culture page.