Shaqtoberfest Is Back For Another Year, And It's Better Than Ever
Shaqtoberfest is an underrated haunt you’re going to want to add to your calendar. Born from Shaquille O’Neal’s love of Halloween, Shaqtoberfest is a Halloween festival featuring haunted trails, live entertainment, themed bars and lounges, carnival rides, and more. It takes place at - and on - The Queen Mary, a famously haunted ship.
You enter Shaqtoberfest through a shipwreck graveyard, where within the fog, you will find animatronic ghosts and monsters, haunted ship captains, and a host of fun photo ops. The evening begins with "The Witching Hour," a message from Shaq at the LVCRFT Block Party Stage, which sets all of his monsters loose to run out into the park. DJ Reaper and Skeleton Sam can be found on that stage throughout the night, where you can also see different performances, like fire spinners.
There are plenty of fun bars throughout Shaqtoberfest, like Tiki Terror, a festive shipwreck by the Queen Mary, and The Homecourt Bar that’s at the center of all of the Block Party action. There is also Looney’s Libations, the carnival-themed bar, if the Midway Madness maze is your favorite, and Diesel’s Boathouse, which offers craft beers and cornhole. VIPs also gain access to Captain Shaq’s Secret Bar inside Pirate’s Cove, and the VIP Slam Dunk Bar & Lounge, which has fun decorations, cute photo ops, and happens to be on the T-bridge alongside the Queen Mary.
If all that weren’t enough, there are also carnival rides (included with VIP Slam Dunk Admission, an upcharge otherwise) like a Carousel, the Wacky Shack Funhouse, and Bumper Cars. You can find plenty of festival food favorites in this area as well, like funnel cake and popcorn. There are carts all over the park with different types of treats, ranging from pizza slices and Pink’s hotdogs to warm apple cider. Also expect an abundance of Shaq-related puns, like "The Merchandise Shaq," and hilarious Halloween decor in Shaq’s likeness throughout the event.
Fans of Dark Harbor, the Halloween event that used to take place there, will love the energy of Shaqtoberfest, with its many bars, and this year even a maze that has you walking around the ship itself. The Grey Ghost, new for this year, was definitely my favorite maze. Not only do you get to go on The Queen Mary, but it skillfully incorporates the ship’s spooky history while offering plenty of jump scares.
There’s just an energy you feel when you’re walking into the depths of the ship. There is also a VIP experience that allows you to do self-guided tours of the engine room. Because of its location, with Shaqtoberfest, you can get spooky fun with a side of history.
The Grey Ghost
What Shaqtoberfest says: The RMS Queen Mary was originally designed as a luxury cruiseliner, but during WWII she was tasked with carrying troops to battle. For this, her exterior was repainted battleship gray, making her impossible to spot in the mist, and earning her the nickname the “Grey Ghost.”
After being permanently docked in Long Beach in 1967, she became a hotel and tourist attraction until 2020 where she sat vacant for three years, allowing the spirits of those who have perished onboard to become louder and stronger than ever. As part of the 2023 reopening of the Queen Mary, we’d like to invite you back into the belly of the ship to see what spirits lurk in the dark damp corridors.
My thoughts: Absolutely my favorite trail. The Queen Mary is just such a perfect location for this kind of event, since it is so naturally spooky, with the history to back it up. The Grey Ghost puts all of that to good use, with scareactors enhancing the unique experience of walking the depths of such a storied ship. This is a trail I could happily walk through over and over again. This is really not one you want to miss.
Deadman’s Wharf
What Shaqtoberfest says: Loud claps of thunder and bolts of lightning roll onto the shore hitting what was once a peaceful Fishing town. The storm seems mysteriously strong. Is there something besides a warm front behind this? Escape the reaching tentacles of large sea creatures who have made their way onto the wharf shore as you navigate the storm through a maze of rusted vessels and withering cargo shrouded in fog. Even if you manage to escape the fog’s grip, you might find yourself surrounded by dangerous, undead seafaring creatures surfacing from their watery graves.
My thoughts: With the massive sea creatures and spooky cool animatronics, this Haunted Trail does kind of remind you of The Depths from Knott's Scary Farm - which is not a bad thing. They really play up the storm element, which creates a fun, charged energy that makes the scares all the more effective. Like the other Haunted Trails, Deadman's Wharf fits into its area so well, and feels like a fitting extension of the Shipwreck Graveyard. There you will find fun photo ops, including a massive, glowing green sign letting you know what event you have just entered. There is also Diesel's Boathouse, where you can grab a drink and laugh at other attendees getting scared.
Pirate’s Cove
What Shaqtoberfest says: On the hunt for buried treasure, pirates have invaded the local shores and caves searching for riches. Step aboard Deepsea Davey’s pirate ship and make your way through the dark, narrow passageways as you search for your own piece of the treasure. Along the way, you may stumble upon “Captain Shaq’s Hideaway” where you can grab a shot of rum punch and, toast to the pirate’s life!
My thoughts: Who doesn't love pirates? They are an obvious choice, especially when your attraction happens to be held at a world-famous ship. The fog and lighting choices are brilliant, and the set design could not be more fun. The doorway you exit the trail out of is literally a coffin, and my only regret about this is that we didn't get more fun pictures with it. I also love the inclusion of the "secret bar," not unlike Dark Harbor's past, where you can do a shot of rum punch before moving along for more frights.
Midway Madness
What Shaqtoberfest says: Loopey Looney and her loyal Clown Crew have taken over the carnival and turned the fun house into the fear house. Between the giant ferris wheel, bumper cars, and concessions, make sure you look up, look down, you never know where you might spy a creepy clown! Be Careful or you might end up as the next sideshow act.
My thoughts: There is just such a fun energy to this maze. There are bright colors and wild animatronics, like a giant snake head that pops out of the wall. Clowns are always a haunt staple because so many people are already afraid of them. And the scareactors at Shaqtoberfest know how to play that up to send shivers down your spine. You really feel you are somewhat blindly moving through a truly cursed carnival.
Diesel’s Pumpkin Patch
What Shaqtoberfest says: Here lies a small town of folk who are eerily anxious for autumn each year. They come together to grow, sell and celebrate all things pumpkin. While they seem to be very welcoming, sometimes their smiles turn to devilish grins as they display their gory gourds. Visitors come from afar to this Halloween party. Will you leave with a souvenir or will you join the Cult of the Calabaza?
This one of a kind walk-through experience features a traditional hay bale maze mixed with larger than life inflatables and animations, sinister scares and an over-the-top light show mixing Halloween with a special set by DJ Diesel himself.
My thoughts: TBH this maze makes me want to join the Cult of the Calabaza. Those people know how to party - Halloween style. Diesel's Pumpkin Patch is so much fun because it's just like heading to your local pumpkin patch, only if it were overrun by terrifying creatures. There is plenty of hay, like you would expect in a traditional maze, with bouncy inflatables, giant slides, and the added bonus of monsters that look like they jumped right out of your favorite horror movie (if your favorite movie happens to be You're Next or Saw). This is Halloween in a single Haunted Trail, which is why we made sure to hit it second, after my top choice, The Grey Ghost.
Shaqtoberfest tickets begin at at $29.99 for general admission, depending on the night. For $44.99, you get expedited access to the event and the haunted Trails. The previously-mentioned VIP Slam Dunk Experience is $89.99. Find more details, and get your tickets here.
Shaqtoberfest is really focused on fun for all ages, and so on certain Sundays in October (10/15, 10/22, 10/29) the Haunted Trails become Trick-or-Treating Trails. All of the fun of Shaqtoberfest is available to the kiddies in a more tame, family friendly version of the haunt. The event runs from 6pm to 8:30pm, when "The Witching Hour" signals time for the adult fun to begin.
Shaqtoberfest is open Thursday - Sunday, now through October 31, 2023.
