Before our visit, I shared a sneak peek of what we were looking forward to at The Hollow Awakens, from the haunted worlds to the interactive Halloween adventures. If you missed it, be sure to check out my original announcement about The Hollow Awakens at Imaginarium Lakewood to see what first caught our attention!
Now, let me tell you how the actual experience compared to our expectations!
If you’re looking for Halloween fun in Los Angeles or Orange County that the whole family can enjoy, let me tell you about our recent adventure at The Hollow Awakens by Imaginarium in Lakewood, California! This year, we were invited by Imaginarium to celebrate Joy’s birthday at The Hollow Awakens, and let me tell you, they really outdid themselves!
We’ve attended Imaginarium’s Christmas experiences before, so I was already familiar with their beautiful displays and imaginative environments. However, 2026 marks the first year of The Hollow Awakens, their brand-new Halloween attraction, and I have to say I enjoyed this experience even more than their previous Christmas events!
Here’s why.
First Impressions: Imaginarium Took Halloween to Another Level!
One of the biggest differences between this event and the Imaginarium experiences we’ve attended previously was the setup.
Rather than having the majority of attractions outdoors, The Hollow Awakens features over 100,000 square feet of spooky adventures, themed environments, and interactive activities, with much of the experience taking place indoors. And considering it was raining during our visit, I couldn’t have been happier!
Right from the beginning, I noticed something else that impressed me: the staff. Everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming. In fact, I personally felt the staff was friendlier than the team we encountered during our previous Imaginarium visit.
The Haunted Worlds Were Absolutely Amazing!
The moment we entered, we were captivated! The different themes, creative displays, spooky decorations, and interactive elements made each area feel like its own little Halloween adventure. Before our visit, a friend mentioned that she wasn’t particularly impressed with the attraction. However, this friend enjoys really intense, gory horror movies. And that’s where I think it’s important to understand what The Hollow Awakens actually offers.
This isn’t an attraction designed to be gruesome or filled with gore. Instead, Imaginarium has done a magnificent job creating a truly family-friendly Halloween experience. You still get spooky surprises, creepy environments, haunted displays, and some genuinely scary moments. But it’s presented in a way that families can enjoy together. There aren’t enough Halloween attractions that allow families with different age groups to have fun together without everything being terrifying.
What impressed me was how the creative team could make an environment feel spooky without relying on actors constantly chasing visitors or jumping out from every corner. Sometimes, the decorations, lighting, sounds, and atmosphere are enough to create suspense. And Imaginarium understood that!
Joy and Her Friends Had an Amazing Birthday Adventure!
Now, here’s the part that made this visit especially memorable for me. When I asked Joy what she thought about celebrating her birthday at The Hollow Awakens, she said it was one of the best birthday experiences she could have had with her friends! As a mom, hearing that made my day.
What Joy loved most wasn’t necessarily one particular haunted maze or decoration. It was all the interactive Halloween games and activities she could experience with her friends. And let me tell you, there were plenty! Throughout the attraction, visitors can participate in hands-on experiences involving movement, interactive displays, and games. It’s difficult to describe every activity because there’s so much happening as you make your way through the different themed areas. But that’s part of what makes it fun! You’re not just walking through looking at decorations. You’re participating in the experience.
And the pictures! Oh my goodness, those kids took so many pictures! It seemed like every time we turned around, there was another themed display or photo opportunity they wanted to stop at. They had a wonderful time creating memories together. If you’re looking for a birthday activity for your teenager, I would absolutely recommend bringing a group of friends. And if you’re a parent who loves getting involved, playing games, and having fun alongside your kids, this is a wonderful fall outing to consider.
The Scavenger Hunt Was a Huge Hit!
One of the activities the kids especially enjoyed was the scavenger hunt. When you begin your adventure, you receive a mission map that you carry throughout the different haunted worlds. Your goal is to locate characters hidden throughout the attraction and collect stamps as you find them. And let me tell you, this isn’t some little five-minute scavenger hunt! From what I remember, there were at least 12 characters the kids had to look for. They really had to pay attention as they explored each themed area. I thought this was such a clever idea because it gave them something to work toward instead of simply walking through the exhibits.
Once the kids completed their scavenger hunt, they received a little toy as a prize! Was it some extravagant prize? No, but it didn’t need to be. When you consider that an attraction like this welcomes thousands of visitors, I think the little toy was an appropriate reward for completing the activity. More importantly, our kids liked it! Sometimes, it’s not about how much a prize costs. It’s the excitement of completing a challenge and having something to take home afterward. I thought it was a nice touch, and I’d love to see Imaginarium incorporate more activities like this into their future events.
The Egyptian Tunnel Gave Everyone a Good Scare!
Now, let’s talk about one of the funniest and scariest moments of our evening. Although The Hollow Awakens isn’t packed with actors jumping out everywhere, that doesn’t mean you won’t get scared! One of the most memorable moments happened when we entered a spooky Egyptian-themed tunnel. It was dark, creepy, and filled with enough atmosphere to scare our group! Joy and her friends were practically clinging to one another while holding tightly onto my husband’s arm as they made their way through. For families with younger children, I appreciated that guests were warned before entering this area so they could decide whether it was appropriate for their child.
The Illuminated Pole Maze Was Another Favorite!
One of the attractions that really stood out to me was an interactive maze filled with illuminated poles! Imagine walking into a space with what seemed like 100’s of glowing poles, all lit up and arranged in different directions. As you make your way through, you have to figure out how to navigate between them to reach the other side. It wasn’t your traditional maze with walls or mirrors. Instead, the illuminated poles created a maze-like experience that was visually fascinating, a little challenging, and a lot of fun!
But here’s something that really caught my attention. The pathways were spacious enough for someone using a walker or a family pushing a stroller to navigate through the attraction. And I absolutely appreciated that! When you’re planning a family outing, especially with grandparents, young children, or loved ones who use mobility equipment, accessibility makes a difference.
What I liked about this particular attraction was that it offered a fun, interactive challenge without requiring everyone to squeeze through narrow spaces or climb over obstacles. It was wonderful seeing an activity that could accommodate different generations of family members.
Of course, visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility equipment should contact Imaginarium beforehand to confirm accessibility throughout the entire event.
Places to Sit and Rest
Here’s another detail I think deserves recognition. Throughout the attraction, I noticed designated seating areas where guests could stop and rest. And I’m not talking about the seating used for pictures. There were actual places where visitors could take a break before continuing through the experience. I thought this was wonderful! Think about grandparents who want to take their grandchildren out for an evening or families with someone who gets tired more easily. Having opportunities to sit down and rest makes an extended outing much more enjoyable.
Instead of feeling like you have to rush through everything, you can take a break and continue when you’re ready.
The Hollow Awakens Is Also a Fun Halloween Date-Night Idea!
Now, here’s something else I noticed during our visit. There were quite a few couples enjoying The Hollow Awakens together!
And I can absolutely see why. If you and your significant other enjoy creative displays, Halloween decorations, and simply walking around exploring something different, this could be a really fun date-night activity. It’s not one of those haunted attractions where you’re constantly being chased around by scary characters. Instead, you can take your time admiring the decorations and appreciating the creativity and attention to detail that went into each themed world.
For couples looking for something different to do in Los Angeles or Orange County, I think this would be a fun experience after dinner. Grab something to eat, head over to The Hollow Awakens, take some pictures together, explore the displays, and enjoy the evening. I’d imagine most couples could enjoy the attraction in approximately an hour to an hour and a half, depending on how much time they spend exploring.
Of course, that’s just my estimate!
Our family spent a good three hours or more because the kids wanted to participate in practically everything!
What About the Outdoor Halloween Attractions?
Now, let’s talk about the outdoor section. One thing I’ve always enjoyed about Imaginarium is their entertainment and live performances. This year, they positioned the entertainment outdoors, along with several additional activities. There was a row of themed photo booths where visitors could go inside and take pictures. Of course, Joy and her friends wanted to explore every one!
They also had an area where children could create their own Halloween masks. The kids really enjoyed this activity, and it was a fun way for them to spend time together toward the end of our visit.
There was also a ball pit, but it was closed due to rain. Which also affected the outdoor entertainment, so we weren’t able to see the show. That was a little disappointing because Imaginarium’s performances have always been interesting and entertaining.
However, it certainly didn’t ruin the experience.
We spent approximately two and a half hours enjoying the indoor attractions, followed by another 30 to 40 minutes exploring the outdoor area.
Why Lakewood Is Such a Great Location
Another thing I appreciated was the location. The Hollow Awakens is located at Lakewood Center, making it convenient for families traveling from Los Angeles and Orange County.
And here’s something I always think about when planning a family outing: Where are we going to eat afterward? There are several restaurants nearby, including Chili’s, making it easy to turn your Halloween adventure into a complete evening. You can enjoy the attractions, take your pictures, have some laughs, and then head out for dinner.
I think choosing this location was a smart decision by Imaginarium.
Why I Enjoyed The Hollow Awakens More Than Previous Imaginarium Events
Now, I want to make something clear. Imaginarium has been known for its beautiful Christmas attractions and illuminated displays, and we’ve enjoyed those experiences in the past. I remember attending one of their Christmas events that featured a light maze and some absolutely beautiful decorations. I really enjoyed it! However, after attending their previous events, I didn’t necessarily feel like I had to return the following year.
The Hollow Awakens changed that for me.
This is the first year of this new Halloween experience, and I personally feel they went above and beyond what we’ve seen from their previous events. I loved how much more interactive everything felt, from the activities the kids could complete throughout the attraction to the different haunted worlds that offered unique themes rather than simply being displays to walk past.
And I especially loved the indoor format! While I’ve enjoyed their outdoor events, I feel that bringing so much of this Halloween experience indoors allowed their creative team to do things that would have been much more difficult outdoors. The lighting, themed rooms, interactive displays, and atmosphere all worked together beautifully. To me, the experience also felt bigger and more immersive than the outdoor Imaginarium events we’ve attended.
I would love to see them carry some of these ideas into their Christmas attractions, especially the scavenger hunts and interactive games. And I hope they continue expanding on the Halloween themes in future years because there are so many creative possibilities!
Unlike some previous events that I enjoyed but didn’t necessarily feel the need to revisit, The Hollow Awakens is something I could absolutely see becoming an annual family tradition. It genuinely makes me excited to see what Imaginarium comes up with next.
Our Final Thoughts: Is The Hollow Awakens Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!
For our family, The Hollow Awakens was one of the highlights of Joy’s 13th birthday celebration. The kids had an amazing time exploring the haunted worlds, completing their scavenger hunt, taking pictures, and participating in the interactive games. And hearing Joy say that this was one of the best birthday experiences she could have shared with her friends made the evening even more special.
As a mom, those are the moments I treasure. What impressed me most was how Imaginarium managed to create something spooky, imaginative, and entertaining without making the entire experience overwhelmingly scary. It’s a wonderful option for families with older children, teenagers, groups of friends, and even couples looking for something different to do. And with affordable admission, interactive attractions, and plenty of opportunities to make memories, I think it’s a fantastic addition to Southern California’s Halloween entertainment options.
If you’re looking for Halloween events near Los Angeles or Orange County, I highly recommend checking out The Hollow Awakens in Lakewood!
Plan Your Visit to The Hollow Awakens in Lakewood, California
Before our visit, I shared a sneak peek of everything we were excited to experience. If you missed it, check out my original article about The Hollow Awakens at Imaginarium Lakewood to see what first caught our attention!
Ready to plan your own Halloween adventure? Here’s everything you need to know.
Where Is The Hollow Awakens Located?
Location: Lakewood Center
Address: 326 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood, CA 90712
Parking: Free
What Are The Hollow Awakens’ Hours of Operation?
Event dates: September 12 – November 1, 2026
- Wednesday–Thursday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday–Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Monday–Tuesday: Closed
How Much Are Tickets to The Hollow Awakens?
General admission ticket prices start at:
- Adults (ages 13+): $23
- Children (ages 3–12): $19
- Seniors (ages 62+): $19
- Military admission with valid ID: $17
- Children ages 2 and younger: Free
Ticket prices and promotional offers may change.
What Attractions Are Included?
The Hollow Awakens features:
- 10 uniquely themed haunted worlds
- Interactive scavenger hunts and mission maps
- Character searches and prize opportunities
- Interactive Halloween games and challenges
- Themed photo booths and photo opportunities
- Mirror rooms and immersive displays
- Optional haunted zones with jump-scare performers
- Trick-or-treating experiences
- Live circus entertainment
- Halloween arts and crafts
- An illuminated pumpkin patch
- Ball pit and inflatable obstacle course
- Outdoor entertainment and activities
Some outdoor attractions and performances are weather-dependent.
Is The Hollow Awakens Good for Younger Children?
The Hollow Awakens is designed for a variety of ages, but the indoor attractions are generally recommended for children ages 8 and older.
Certain areas include darkness, spooky sounds, fog, animatronics, flashing lights, and jump scares.
Two optional haunted areas feature stronger scares.
Parents should choose the activities that best suit their children’s comfort levels.
Is The Hollow Awakens Accessible?
Imaginarium offers accommodations for visitors with disabilities and encourages guests with specific accessibility needs to contact the team before visiting.
Wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $15.
Accessibility inquiries: imagine@imaginarium360.com
How Much Time Should You Allow?
The official suggested visit duration is approximately 90 minutes to two hours.
Our family spent approximately three hours enjoying the indoor and outdoor activities.
If you’re bringing kids who love taking pictures, completing games, and exploring every attraction, I recommend allowing extra time.
Where Can You Purchase Tickets?
Tickets are available online and may also be purchased at the entrance, subject to availability.
Purchase Tickets to The Hollow Awakens at Imaginarium Lakewood
Visit the official Imaginarium Lakewood website for additional details, availability, and updates.
Disclosure: Our family was invited by Imaginarium to experience The Hollow Awakens in celebration of Joy’s birthday. All experiences and opinions shared in this article are our own.
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