54 Fantastic Things to Do in Los Angeles in October
It’s officially fall, and I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the change. Here is a list of the best things to do in Los Angeles in October that will have you breaking out the cozy sweaters and crunching through invisible piles of golden leaves. Be sure to scroll to the end for the spooky fall feels happening all month long for Halloween!
*This piece contains affiliate links to help you make the most out of October while benefiting the blog simultaneously. Thank you for considering the click.
October 1st – 5th
If you’re reading this in early October, then be sure to snag some $25 tickets to dozens of live theatre shows in the L.A. and O.C. as part of L.A. Theatre Week on TodaysTix. Performances take place at theaters like the Pasadena Playhouse, the Geffen Playhouse, the Kirk Douglas Theater, and many more – so these are hot tickets!
Fresh on the art scene is In Bloom: Flowers in Contemporary Art at Forest Lawn Glendale. The museum is open to the public and FREE to visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Thursday, October 2nd, is a Capicu Puerto Rican food pop-up by the Not So Starving Artist, Carmen DeLeon. This week, it takes place at Gold Line in Highland Park, but follow her on Instagram to see where she’ll be serving Empanadillas, Yuca en Escabeche, and Sandwichitos de Mezcla next. There are multiple dates in October.
Thursday, October 2nd, is also Proper Presents, which, along with SoundCloud, has partnered to present intimate DJ sets on the Downtown LA Proper’s Cara Cara Rooftop. Music begins at 5 p.m. and it’s FREE!
Friday, October 3rd, and subsequent Fridays, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will continue Free Jazz Fridays at 6 p.m. through October. Check the calendar for your favorites.
Friday, October 3rd, is also Free First Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. They are celebrating 50 years of Norton Simon this year.
Friday, October 3rd, marks the start of Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairgrounds, which takes place over the first three weekends in October. It’s a combination brewfest and boofest for the 21 and older audience, but you can also just stick to German beers and sausages if that’s your preference. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m., and tickets begin at $16.
October 4th and 5th are the last few performances of West Side Story presented by The LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Get your discounted tickets here. You’ve never seen this Broadway classic quite like this.
Saturday, October 4th, is the 13th annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fundraise and fight against childhood cancer. It’s a foodie event not to be missed for a great cause. Get tickets here.
Saturday, October 4th, is the start of the Wicked Witches Afternoon Tea at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. This year’s theme is based on the Wicked: For Good film and features themed Tea Sandwiches, “Not So Wicked” Pastries and Cakes, and a “Defying Gravity” Elphaba Cocktail. Make your reservations via OpenTable for Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 5th, is World Sake Day and the annual Sake Fest at OTOTO in Echo Park from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Experience over 50 Sake Tastings along with light bites from Tsubaki and OTOTO. Tickets are $75.
October 6th – 12th
National Taco Day used to be October 4th, but they’ve moved it to October 7th so it can fall on a Tuesday. Follow the National Taco Day post to learn mas.
October 8th is National Salmon Day – which I normally wouldn’t cover – except that Yama Sushi Marketplace is celebrating with a truly unique Salmon Sushi Stack. It’s inspired by the French Mille Feuille and features fresh salmon belly, ikura, shiso leaves, avocado, masago, tamago, and salmon sashimi, stacked with sushi rice. This limited-time offer will be available from 10/6-10/9 at all locations from Koreatown to West LA ($14.95).
October 8th, 11th, and 12th are the LAST performances of West Side Story presented by The LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Get your discounted tickets here.
Thursday, October 9th, is Proper Presents, which, along with SoundCloud, has partnered to present intimate DJ sets on the Downtown L.A Proper’s Cara Cara Rooftop. Music begins at 5 p.m. and it’s FREE!
Friday, October 10th, is National Apple Cider Donut Day; a holiday created by the local Underground Donut Tour, which is based in Santa Monica. I just love the hustle of someone creating their own holiday – so it is a must on this list. Check them out here.
Thursday, October 9th, is opening night of Tron:Ares in 3D at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $53, including a collectible popcorn tin, a drink, and a souvenir. Additional screening dates are also available.
On Friday, October 10th, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will continue their Free Jazz Fridays at 6 p.m. Check the calendar for your favorites.
October 10th and 11th is Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairgrounds. It’s a combination brewfest and boofest for the 21 and older audience, but you can also just stick to German beers and sausages if that’s your preference. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
October 10th and 11th, the L.A. Times Food Bowl is happening at City Market Social House. Any restaurant that’s ever been written about will be there! Tickets are available beginning at $142.
Friday, October 10th through the 12th, is the Be Proud Fest in Long Beach. See the link for the event schedule, which celebrates the spirit and community of the LGBTQ+ citizens of Long Beach.
October 11th and 12th mark the 9th Annual Festival Chapin de Los Angeles, the largest Guatemalan festival outside of Guatemala. It takes place in Lafayette Park from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Details here.
Oktoberfest at Santa Anita Racetrack takes place on October 11th and 12th. Tickets begin at $38 for steins, pours, betting vouchers, and more. Get $10 off when you sign up on their website.
October 13th – 19th
Head to Heritage Square in Pasadena for three nights of SFC Presents: Boo-ze, Bites & Frights as part of Street Food Cinema beginning October 16th. The 21-and-over event features drinks, adult trick-or-treating, and screenings of spooky Halloween films like American Psycho and Terrifier 2. Early bird ticketing is $42, while GA is $47. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for an 8 p.m. event. For more details on all the screenings, visit their website, which also features Halloween Films throughout October at other venues.
Thursday, October 16th, is Proper Presents, which, along with SoundCloud, has partnered to present intimate DJ sets on the Downtown L.A Proper’s Cara Cara Rooftop. Music begins at 5 p.m. and it’s FREE!
Also, on Friday, October 17th, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will continue its Free Jazz Fridays at 6 p.m. through October. Check the calendar for your favorites.
October 17th and 18th is Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairgrounds. It’s a combination brewfest and boofest for the 21 and older audience, but you can also just stick to German beers and sausages if that’s your preference. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
Oktoberfest at Santa Anita Racetrack takes place on October 18th and 19th. Tickets begin at $38 for Steins, Pours, Betting Vouchers, and more. Get $10 off when you book on their website.
Sunday, October 19th, is the Largest Dog Festival in North America, which happens to be in Santa Monica. The Day of the Dog is back from Noon to 5 p.m. on Main Street in Santa Monica. The event raises money for Just Love Animal Society and features a day of fun for Fido, shopping, and more. Get more info here.
Sunday, October 19th, is also an uber luxe BBQ Fundraiser benefiting No Kid Hungry at The Mayborne Hotel in Beverly Hills. Headlining chefs include Wolfgang Puck, Evan Funke, Nancy Silverton, and many more. Your $300 ticket will help eradicate child hunger in Los Angeles. The event begins at 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 19th, is the OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival on the Santa Monica Pier, celebrating National Seafood Month! Tastings include The Lobster, Blue Plate Oysterette, Michael’s Santa Monica, The Surfing Fox, and many more. Most importantly, the event benefits Heal the Bay and is free of single-use plastics. Tickets begin at $80 for all-you-can-eat tastings.
October 20th – 26th
Friday, October 24th, is Free Jazz Fridays at LACMA. Check the calendar for your favorites.
Beginning Saturday, October 25th, and running until November 2nd, is Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park between Grand Ave. and Hill St. Stroll through the park to view multiple altars made by professional artists. The festival will kick off on Saturday, October 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., as part of Grand Ave Arts: All Access, and November 1st is a special Family Day.
Saturday, October 25th, is the inaugural Taste LA event. This multi-course dinner benefits the non-profit Serve LA, which is dedicated to food rescue and food equity in Los Angeles. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. in Hollywood, and tickets are available for purchase for $250 here.
October 25th and 26th is Japan Family Day. It’s the largest Japanese family festival in Southern California. Taking place at Santa Anita Park, tickets are just $5-$10 for a full day of fun, and if you see this before October 2nd, you can request FREE Tickets! Doors open at 11 a.m.
Saturday, October 25th, and Sunday, October 26th, is the Nightmare Before Christmas in concert at The Hollywood Bowl. Showtime is at 7 p.m. and you can get your tickets here.
October 27th – 31st
October 30th is a spooky screening of Get Out at The Ford Theater in Hollywood. It’s one of the more spectacular spaces in this city and a great place to watch a movie. Get tickets here.
October 31st is Halloween, and unless you live under a rock, you probably have been feeling the vibe all month long. The following section has everything you might want to consider – just don’t wait too late to book.
- October 31st is a screening of Scream, plus a Halloween Party at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7:15 p.m. show; costumes are required. Get tickets here.
- October 31st is Night of the Living Dead at The Ford Theater in Hollywood. Get tickets here.
- October 31st is the annual Halloween Spooktacular in Montrose near Glendale from 5 to 7 p.m. The event offers a safe place for children to trick-or-treat from the storefronts that line Honolulu Avenue. Best of all, it’s free.
- If you’re in the Downtown Los Angeles area, bring the kids to Grand Hope Park for the 18th Annual DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $13 pre-sale or $15 at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Spooky Fall Feels Happening All Month Long!
Now until November 2nd (on select nights), visit Whittier Narrows Park for Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns. Expect dozens of pumpkins decked out in lights, along with dazzling displays in the dark that all ages will enjoy. Tickets begin at $24.99 for adults.
The Obscure Distillery is decked out for Halloween, and it’s a great time to enjoy a trio of curated cocktails in a frightful environment. Get tickets here for Thursday through Sunday, including all taxes and tips. It’s a must for a death-defying date night.
October 4th through the 30th is Carved at Descanso Gardens. This stroll through the pumpkin patch offers lots of PG fun, including litters of jack-o-lanterns lighting your path and illuminated oaks. Tickets begin at $20 for members and $27 for non-members.
Nights Of The Jack Halloween Experience is once again bringing screams and smiles to Calabasas. Festivities include immersive scenes along a mile-long trail with games, selfie spots, and an adult “spookeasy.” Tickets begin at $29.35 for weeknights, and the event runs until November 2nd.
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is riding again at Griffith Park. This year features a partnership with the Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira (Cassandra Peterson). Tickets begin at $38.99, and the hayride runs through November 2nd. Get yours here.
Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns is at the South Coast Botanical Garden in Palos Verdes this year. Get details here. The lights stay on in this pumpkin patch until November 2nd. It’s a little more child-friendly than the Haunted Hayride.
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor: Summoned by the Seas sets sail in Long Beach. The world’s most haunted ship runs select nights through November 2nd, with tickets starting at $45.99.
Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park has been going strong since September and is the longest-running Halloween event. The theme park is transformed for Halloween with rides, mazes, and over 1000 scary creatures. Tickets as low as $64 on the website. This event is not recommended for children under 13. The event is from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
No Halloween is complete without a trip to Universal Studios Annual Halloween Horror Nights, but the most terrifying thing might be the price! Most tickets are more than $100 unless you’re coming at off hours, when they can be as low as $77. The event is on now until November 3rd.
Take your pick of the patch at Mr. Bones for pumpkins, slides, and a petting zoo in Culver City. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days, and the event runs from October 4th to the 31st. Check the website for pricing because it depends on when you go.
Also, in October…
Breakfast Republic’s Echo Park location is partnering with local nonprofit organization 826LA and giving 100% of the proceeds from their Churro Pancakes to the organization. Nothing is sweeter than helping students with your next meal.
October is National Pizza Month, and it offers a great chance to flex your sobriety muscles during Sober October. Get details on both of those below.
This is a good list. Do you have recommendations for November?
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