Escape Halloween will be back at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino on Oct. 27-28, offering a total of five immersive and spine-chilling stages, as well as performances by Amin van Buuren, Zedd, Kaskade, Three 6 Mafia, Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Zomboy and more.

“This is our largest Escape Halloween ever, and one of the most exciting things his year is the addition of the brand new fifth stage, Wicked Woods,” Mike Fatone of festival promoter Insomniac Events said during a recent phone interview. “There’s a ton of spooky surprises in store.”

Cropping up in 2011, the event, previously known as Escape From Wonderland and Escape: Psycho Circus, has gone on to become Southern California’s biggest Halloween music bash that attracts around 50,000 attendees. The brand also expanded into Seoul, South Korea in 2019 with support from acts like Kaskade, Jauz and Slushii.

Fatone said that one of the best aspects of producing an event like Escape Halloween for the Insomniac team is seeing all of the costumes that fans come up with — everything from killer clowns to those showing up dressed as killer icons like Michael Myers.

“Festival goers always go the distance each year,” he said. “From Transformers, Teletubbies to Freddy Krueger and other SFX characters, we love seeing all of the amazing costumes.”

This year, the two-day fest will feature more than 95 acts performing throughout the world of Crazy Town, where stages and eerie activations reside during the weekend. Fans can also explore enchanted storefronts and art installations such as the magical Poison Ivy Shop, the Fire Organ and even a stroll through Crazy Town’s cemetery.

As for the stages, each will hold a distinct sound and feel. Fatone said that the themes this year were inspired by some of Insomniac’s favorite horror movies and icons that add to the holiday cheer.

“The Voodoo stage was inspired by the introduction of The Witch Doctor, the evil eater of souls, whose character debuted back in 2019,” Fantone said. “Though the Psycho Circus is not specifically a stage, but rather an interactive experience area, it’s a traveling freakshow based upon the burlesque show and theater experience that the team designed this area around.”

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Each night, trance and house artists will take the stage at the voodoo-themed area, known as The Grimm, hosting acts like Above & Beyond, DJ Snake, Amin Van Buuren, Zedd, Kaskade, William Black and others. The Feeding Grounds stage, where fans can trek through layers of cobwebs, will host Atliens, Deathpact, Emo Nite, Three 6 Mafia, Zomboy and more.

The Sanitarium stage is run by a mad surgeon, where fans can expect hard dance sets by Lauren Lane, Max Styler, Discovery Project, Keltek, Lady Faith and more. Insomniac’s underground techno brand Factory 93 will be ushering the Sewer District stage, featuring Chelina Manuhutu, Hot Since 82, Jamie Jones, Lilly Palmer, Patrick Topping and Roby Balliet.

The Wicked Woods stage will be the official home of the Escape after parties.

“(It’s) for those who want to keep the Halloween party going,” Fatone said. These events require a separate ticket and will take place on nights during the witching hours of 2-6 a.m. with night one featuring techno music from Slander Presents: Before Dawn alongside Charles D and Shmitty. Night two will include turns from Malaa, Matroda and Tobehonest.

Insomniac’s Escape Halloween

When: 4 p.m.-6 a.m. on Oct. 27-28

Where: NOS Events Center, 689 South E Street, San Bernardino

Tickets: General admission starts at $219.95; General admission plus starts at $279.95; VIP passes start at $329.95. After party tickets start at $49.95. Parking is included with the price of admission. All passes are available at escapehalloween.com/tickets.