For years, The Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, was home to the annual Halloween event Dark Harbor. The event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not return in 2021. But on Tuesday, it was announced that Halloween would return to the ocean liner, this time as the first-ever “Shaqtoberfest,” named after the larger-than-life former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal.
The 15-time All-Star and basketball Hall of Famer and ABG Entertainment have teamed up with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the producers of world-class live events and location-based entertainment experiences, including L.A.’s Haunted Hayride, for the first-ever Shaqtoberfest Halloween event, taking place at the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, California this October.
“Halloween can’t come soon enough,” O’Neal shared. “Thirteenth Floor Entertainment and I have some tricks up our sleeves to make this the most spook-tacular Halloween event ever!”
Officially open to the public beginning late September through Halloween, the interactive experience will be the ultimate Halloween destination for family-friendly trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, delicious treats, specialty libations, frightfully fun nighttime haunted trails, and exciting live entertainment that encapsulates O’Neal’s playful personality.
Located alongside one of Los Angeles’ most haunted landmarks, Shaqtoberfest will include six thrilling Halloween-themed areas for guests to explore, each featuring Halloween trails, games, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, and more. O’Neal’s instantly recognizable voice will narrate the experience.
Each afternoon will provide family fun trick-or-treat offerings and entertainment for children of all ages who are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes. Come nighttime, the energetic lights and music turn on as the witching hour begins, unleashing O’Neal’s ghoulish minions into the haunted trails and midways as the spirits of Shaqtoberfest are brought to life.
“We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Shaq and ABG Entertainment for a truly unique Halloween experience coming this fall,” Chris Strafford, CEO and Founding Partner of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment, added. “Shaqtoberfest will be unlike any other Halloween attraction that we have ever produced, and we couldn’t be more excited to be launching it at one of the area’s most well-known locations and show our fans what we’ve created for them. Not to mention, we’re really excited to be able to produce an event in Long Beach, which has a long-running history of hosting amazing Halloween celebrations.”
For the latest details and to sign up for early access, visit shaqtoberfest.com.
