The Forgotten Circus at Not Shockboxx: Hermosa Beach’s Artist-Built Haunted Gallery for Halloween 2026
The Forgotten Circus Comes to Hermosa Beach This October
Looking for a Halloween event in the South Bay that skips the chainsaws and fake blood? The Forgotten Circus, an immersive haunted gallery experience at Not Shockboxx in Hermosa Beach, opens every Friday night in October from 6 to 9 p.m. The gallery is being transformed into an abandoned circus world, built entirely by local artists, builders, and performers.
This is not a traditional haunted house. Think of it as walking through a piece of moving art: eerie, theatrical, and strange in the best way. It is a great pick for anyone who loves Halloween atmosphere but would rather be unsettled than terrified.
What Is The Forgotten Circus?
The Forgotten Circus is an immersive, artist-built haunted gallery presented by Not Shockboxx. Guests move through a series of original scenes populated by abandoned performers, eerie environments, and fragments of a circus that, as the organizers put it, should probably have stayed forgotten.
Beyond the entrance, the remnants of an old circus wait in the dark. Faded music drifts through the air, shadows move behind threadbare curtains, and forgotten performers linger where the spotlight once found them, still looking for one last audience. Guests make their way through a twisted gallery maze that pulls them deeper into a decaying big top, where the line between spectacle and nightmare slowly disappears.
The experience is designed to be creepy and atmospheric without leaning on excessive blood or gore. Instead, it blends installation art, theatrical storytelling, and live performance to create a world that keeps visitors looking over their shoulders.
Sideshow Fun Next Door at The Studio
The night does not end at the maze exit. Guests who find their way out can continue next door at The Studio, where games, strange diversions, and other sideshow fun keep the circus atmosphere going.
“We wanted to create something that feels more like walking into a piece of moving art than entering a traditional haunted house,” said Jessica Accamando, co-owner of Not Shockboxx. “It’s imaginative, theatrical and deeply weird in the best possible way. Our artists and volunteers are building an entire world inside the gallery.”
A Haunted Experience Built by the South Bay Creative Community
The production is a true community effort. Volunteer builders, scene artists, performers, and scare actors from across the South Bay creative community are all helping bring the circus to life. Every scene guests walk through was made locally.
The Forgotten Circus 2026 Dates and Hours
The Forgotten Circus is open on 5 Friday nights in October 2026:
- Friday, October 2
- Friday, October 9
- Friday, October 16
- Friday, October 23
- Friday, October 30
The maze is open from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening, but this is not a 3 hour event. It is a walk-through experience, and ticket holders can arrive anytime during that window on the Friday they purchased admission for.
Tickets and Age Policy
Tickets are $15 per person for 1 selected night. Get tickets on Partiful, and find more information on the Not Shockboxx website. Be sure to pick the specific Friday you plan to attend, since admission is good for that night only.
Children are welcome, but all guests age 15 and younger must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are responsible for deciding whether the experience is right for their kids. Since it focuses on atmosphere rather than gore, it can work well for older kids and teens who enjoy a good scare.
Tips for Your Visit
- Buy tickets ahead of time for the specific Friday you want, especially October 30 right before Halloween weekend.
- Arrive anytime between 6 and 9 p.m. There is no set entry time, so you can work it around dinner plans.
- Save time to explore The Studio next door after the maze.
- Wear comfortable shoes, since guests walk through the scenes.
- Plan dinner or dessert nearby to turn the night into a full evening out in Hermosa Beach.
The Halloween Night Party on October 31
The Forgotten Circus makes its final appearance on Saturday, October 31, with a Halloween party featuring the full installation, music from a live DJ, and one final night inside the strange world the artists have created. The party is ticketed separately from the Friday night maze, so a Friday ticket does not include Halloween night. Check the Not Shockboxx website for party times and tickets.
For South Bay locals still deciding on Halloween night plans, this is a creative alternative to the usual bar crawl or costume party.
Who Is Behind The Forgotten Circus?
The Forgotten Circus is creatively directed by Mark “Debo” DiBenedetto and produced in collaboration with Boomz Pharm and Geist Monster Media. The experience is curated by artists Joel Geist and Claudia Berman, whose combined vision brings together installation art, theatrical storytelling, and live performance.
About Not Shockboxx
Not Shockboxx is an artist-forward contemporary gallery in Hermosa Beach’s Cypress Arts District. The woman- and queer-owned gallery is known for ambitious exhibitions, unconventional ideas, and a strong commitment to working artists. It creates space for art that is thoughtful, strange, urgent, beautiful, and difficult to ignore.
About The Studio
The Studio is a creative flex space and live performance venue, also in the Cypress Arts District. The woman- and queer-owned venue hosts music, comedy, art, wellness experiences, private events, and community gatherings designed to bring people together in unexpected ways.
Community Sponsors
The Forgotten Circus is made possible in part through the support of local sponsors including Patrick Molloy’s, Poney, Hermosa Brewing Company, Dunn-Edwards Paints, and Creamy Boys Ice Cream.
Location and Parking
Not Shockboxx is located at 636 Cypress Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, in the Cypress Arts District. The Studio is right next door. The district sits a few blocks inland from Pier Avenue and the Strand.
Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood, and Hermosa Beach’s downtown public lots are a short walk away. Friday nights in Hermosa can get busy, so arriving a little early or using a rideshare is a smart move.
Why South Bay Locals Should Go
There are plenty of Halloween events across the South Bay this October, but The Forgotten Circus stands out for a few reasons:
- It is made by local artists. Every scene is original and built by members of the South Bay creative community.
- It is affordable. At $15 per person, it is one of the most budget-friendly Halloween experiences in the area.
- It is creepy without the gore. A good fit for date nights, friend groups, teens, and anyone who prefers atmosphere over jump scares.
- It supports a local, independent gallery. Every ticket helps keep spaces like Not Shockboxx thriving in Hermosa Beach.
Pair it with a pint at Hermosa Brewing Company or a scoop from Creamy Boys Ice Cream and you have an easy, very South Bay Friday night.
Get Your Tickets
The Forgotten Circus runs only 5 Fridays plus a separately ticketed Halloween party, so plan ahead. Get your tickets here, and find more information on the Not Shockboxx website.
Looking for more spooky season ideas? Check out Local Anchor’s guide to Halloween events in the South Bay and subscribe to the weekly newsletter for the latest local events.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Forgotten Circus in Hermosa Beach?
The Forgotten Circus is an immersive haunted gallery experience at Not Shockboxx in Hermosa Beach. Guests walk through original circus-themed scenes created by local artists, builders, and performers.
When is The Forgotten Circus open in 2026?
It is open every Friday in October 2026: October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. A Halloween party follows on Saturday, October 31.
How much are tickets to The Forgotten Circus?
Tickets are $15 per person for 1 selected Friday night and can be purchased here on Partiful.
How long does The Forgotten Circus take?
It is a walk-through experience, not a 3 hour event. The maze is open from 6 to 9 p.m., and ticket holders can arrive anytime during that window on their selected Friday.
Is there anything to do after the maze?
Yes. Guests can head next door to The Studio for games, strange diversions, and other sideshow fun.
Is The Forgotten Circus scary?
It is designed to be creepy, atmospheric, and strange, but it does not rely on excessive blood or gore. It feels more like walking through moving art than a traditional haunted house.
Can kids go to The Forgotten Circus?
Yes, but guests age 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents should decide based on how their kids handle spooky content.
Where is Not Shockboxx located?
Not Shockboxx is in Hermosa Beach’s Cypress Arts District at 636 Cypress Avenue, a few blocks inland from Pier Avenue.
What happens on Halloween night at The Forgotten Circus?
On Saturday, October 31, Not Shockboxx hosts a separately ticketed Halloween party with the full Forgotten Circus installation and music from a live DJ.
Who created The Forgotten Circus?
It is creatively directed by Mark “Debo” DiBenedetto, produced with Boomz Pharm and Geist Monster Media, and curated by artists Joel Geist and Claudia Berman, with help from volunteers across the South Bay creative community.
Is there parking near The Forgotten Circus?
Street parking is available around the Cypress Arts District, and Hermosa Beach’s downtown public lots are within walking distance. Rideshare is a good option on busy Friday nights.
What are other Halloween events in the South Bay?
The South Bay hosts haunted houses, pumpkin patches, trunk-or-treats, and costume parties throughout October. Local Anchor’s Halloween events guide rounds up the best options in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, and beyond.
DISCLOSURE: Event schedules are subject to change. Please contact the event host or venue to confirm event details.
