Escape the Petersen: After-Hours Escape Game

Museums look different once the daytime crowds leave. On Friday, October 30, 2026, the Petersen Automotive Museum turns its galleries into a puzzle course for Escape the Petersen, an after-hours game built around the museum itself. It is a good pick if you are sorting through things to do in Los Angeles the night before Halloween and want something more active than a costume party.

When: Friday, October 30, 2026, 7 to 10 PM Where: Petersen Automotive Museum, Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles Price: $45-$50 Ages: 18 and up

What the night involves

Teams get exactly 45 minutes to solve puzzles, decode clues and finish a quest before time runs out. This year there are seven all-new, immersive missions, and each one has its own story. Your crew might break a legendary curse, track down a phantom driver, recover stolen Hollywood riches, debunk a museum haunting, infiltrate a secret order, crack a cold case file or try to escape the 1980s. Pick the mystery that sounds most like your group.

The organizers say the game suits both returning players who tackled last year's challenge and first-time sleuths. Light refreshments are included to keep your detective energy up, and the evening is set up so you can stay for the party afterward if you want to keep the night going.

Who it suits

This is an adults-only event, so it fits a date night, a friend group or a work-free team outing better than a family outing with young children. If you are scanning LA events this weekend for something to do with a small group, the mission format works best with a crew of friends who like to talk through a problem together. Everyone is solving the same clock, so expect noise, arguing over clues and a fair amount of laughter.

Getting there and planning

The Petersen sits on Wilshire Boulevard at the edge of the Miracle Mile, close to the other museums on the stretch. Event nights in this part of town tend to be busy, so allow extra time for parking or use a rideshare if you plan to enjoy the party afterward. Arrive a little before your start so you can check in without eating into your 45 minutes.

Check the listing for the current ticket options before you go. The price is shown as a range of $45 to $50, and the source does not say which tickets cost what, so confirm the exact amount when you buy. For more nearby ideas, browse the family events section, or see the wider neighborhoods guide.

Pick a mission, bring a sharp team and watch the clock. Details and tickets are on the Discover Los Angeles listing.