As America Gears Up For Spooky Season, Shaquille O’Neal Fuses Hip-Hop and Horror In Scary Return to Historic Haunted Grounds

Move over Kalabar, Halloween has a new mayor and he’s bigger and badder. Shaquille O’Neal is cementing his persona as a curator of all things spectacular with ‘Shaqtoberfest.’ No, he’s not taking over Oktoberfest. This is his annual Halloween extravaganza and it’s returned for the second time. Ghoul maniacs have already explored Big Diesel’s spook world to share a glimpse of what’s to offer.

In true DJ Diesel style, Shaqtoberfest has a touch of music and dance in a bewitching fashion. It also pays homage to a historic venue visited by Halloweeners for decades.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Halloween festivities kick-off

After a successful 2022 launch, Shaqtoberfest is back from September 28 to October 31. The Shaquille O’Neal-themed and curated event is at the grounds of Queen Mary in Long Beach. The RMS Queen Mary vessel and its surrounding grounds are a historical landmark and a must-visit during the Halloween season.

It didn’t host any events and visitors during the pandemic, but Shaq brought the Queen Mary back on the map with Shaqtoberfest. Topping last year’s maze, 2023 Shaqtoberfest visitors have a lot more on offer than just jump-scares.

The haunted trails that begin by entering a bigger-than-Big-Aristotle likeness have been extended. Instead of blood and gore, Shaq has emphasized on fun and entertainment mixed with horror.

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Through your walk through this ghoulish town, you’re likely to come across a few zombies in rotten uniforms of the Queen Mary era. These zombie marching bands perform head-banging music on random disfigured surfaces like a kitchen sink. Some of the animatronic displays also move to an EDM-esque hip-hop tune.

Besides walk-thru haunts and mazes, the month-long fair has carnival rides, themed bars, and entertaining cuisine options. The highlight of the ominous aesthetic is the live DJ event. No word on whether DJ Diesel will stop by anytime soon.

Shaqtober is a busy period for the man in question and it’s not just because he has to continue his reign as the big goon of the night. Shaq has more than a few parties to throw this month.

Shaquille O’Neal has a cross-country Halloween

The Los Angeles Lakers legend just wrapped a work trip filled with touristy fun in China after a back-to-back music festival run. In October, Las Vegas residents can expect him to pop up any day.

Shaq hosts his annual fundraising concert, The Event, to support the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation’s work for children. This year, he’s brought on Grammy-grade talent and Vegas-approved comedy for the gala. He’s also going to be present for the opening of Shaq’s Fantasy Labs, a multimedia visual feast curated by the king of parties.

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Shaqtoberfest only proves Shaq is the best party planner there. While keeping it family-friendly, the scare level has been upped for this event. There are more trails to choose from, but if you’re not in the mood for a nightmare, Big Aristotle has catered to that too. Visitors can also access additional avenues of entertainment, lounges, and bars simply for the party vibe. Are you ready for Shaqtoberfest?