Spooky Season: Halloween Events Around LA
Halloween is creeping near. So what are you going to do this year? Residents of THEA have everything to fear – from fiendish festivals to ghoulish ghost tours, a scary cocktail soirée, and even a haunted hayride – welcome to Spooky Season! Looking for costume ideas? Why not try your hand at creative face painting. Party City carries a great selection of make up kits. Ready to go full on? The go-to for movie studios, tourists and locals for over 50 years, Hollywood Toys & Costumes offers an extensive inventory of costumes, masks, jewelry, make up, and novelties. So now that you’re all tricked out, it’s time for a treat!
Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Oct 22 – Nov 2 Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos honors people, places and ideas that merit reverence and commemoration. Día de los Muertos is a community-oriented space inviting park-goers to contribute to the community altar, ideated by artist and educator Consuelo Flores, and to stroll through the park viewing numerous altars made by professional artists and local organizations. Opening day programs include poetry reading by Women Who Submit and Luis Rodriguez, musical performance by Las Catrinas Mariachi Band, dance performance by Grupo Folklorico Huitzillin with Teatro Aztlan, sugar skull decorating with East Los Sweets, and colorful chalk art with KDaze Art.
Frankenstein with Live Orchestra The Theatre at Ace Hotel 929 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015
Oct 28 & 29 LA Opera is back for their hugely popular annual Halloween mash-up of film and opera at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. This time you’ll see the Boris Karloff shocker Frankenstein on the big screen, complete with mad scientist, bumbling henchman, and mob of torch-bearing villagers. This 1931 masterpiece of horror was originally released without a musical score, which inspired composer Michael Shapiro to fill in the void by creating an original new soundtrack. As the classic film plays on the big screen, he’ll conduct his gorgeous and atmospheric score, performed live by the LA Opera Orchestra, making this the ultimate audience experience for a truly iconic film.
Carved Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Descanso Gardens is aglow with festive pumpkins this fall. For three weeks in October, hundreds of carved pumpkins line the Camellia Forest. This year’s event is bigger and better than before, with all kinds of new activities. Along with the pumpkins, the ever-popular pumpkin house, hay maze, and holiday-themed food and beverages return. Guests can also enjoy UV “black light” experiences, artists sculpting pumpkins, and a special Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) installation at the Amphitheater.
Nights of the Jack King Gillette Ranch 26800 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302
Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. This season, Nights of the Jack is back and brighter than ever. You’ll discover Jack o’ lanterns from every mystical sphere and a spook-tacular illuminated light show under the autumn sky. It’s not just an illusion, it’s an experience. Brace yourself with a hot cider or seasonal cocktail from the Spookeasy bar, and fortify yourself with some festive fall treats. Follow the 2/3 mile trail at King Gillette Ranch, glimmering at every turn with blazing gourds around every corner. Be sure to have your cameras ready and enjoy!
Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608
Summon your scream squad to Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights with 8 haunted houses, the Terror Tram, scare zones, a live show and exhilarating attractions. Enter haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in fear. You’re never quite sure if your spine is tingling with dread or sheer excitement.. Whether you’re a superfan, here for the snacks or selfies, scared of everything, or skeptical of everyone, remember, never go alone.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Griffith Park 730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027
Experience the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride – Los Angeles’ ultimate halloween event. The Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town of Midnight Falls. The Town Square of Midnight Falls is the epicenter of the festivities. While guests walk around between attractions or hang out to soak in the atmosFEAR, various townsfolk from the Midnight Falls community roam the space interacting with guests and attending to their local business. The Spirit of Halloween comes to life surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board The Hayride.
House of Spirits: Vaughan Hall Casa Vertigo 1828 Oak St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Oct 15 – 31 House of Spirits: Vaughan Hall Is an immersive theatrical cocktail soirée, where adults do Halloween in a haunted venue. Located in the heart of downtown LA, near LA Live and the LA Convention Center, Casa Vertigo is a historic landmark that was originally completed in 1926. Boasting over 88,000 square feet with four floors and three mezzanines, guests will be transported into Lady Medb’s haunting tale through the legend of Vaughan Hall. As you freely roam the house, you’ll find tarot readings, strange roaming specters, secret games, and so much more.
Haunted Little Tokyo Brunswig Square 360 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Oct 29 Just in time for spooky season, Haunted Little Tokyo is back. This year, the “Block Party” will be held at their favorite “secret” location in Little Tokyo. The event will include all the favorites from previous block parties including DJs, drinks, food, and a costume contest. The secret location will be shared upon check-in at Brunswig Square. Admission is free with advance RSVP.
Boo at the Zoo LA Zoo 5333 Zoo Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027
The Halloween spirit is in full swing for 31 frightfully fun days at the L.A. Zoo, where guests can enjoy spooktacular sights daily. Weekends are even sweeter, with treats like open-air live shows, animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, education stations, and much more. On the last two weekends of the month (October 22/23 and 29/30), enjoy trick or treating stations featuring candies courtesy of their proud partner, Mars. Costumes are encouraged!
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Descanso Gardens
Photo #2: Grand Park
Photo #3: LA Opera
Photo #4: Descanso Gardens
Photo #5: Nights of the Jack
Photo #6: Universal Studios Hollywood
Photo #7: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Photo #8: House of Spirits
Photo #9: Haunted Little Tokyo
Photo #10: LA Zoo