34 Frights and Delights for Halloween Los Angeles 2023
Happy Halloween, Los Angeles! Start celebrating now THROUGH October 31st with 31 Halloween ideas happening all over the city. Spooky Treats, Crafty Cocktails, All Night Fiestas, and Plump Pumpkins – this list has everything you need to enjoy all the frightening feels at any age.
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Enjoy Killer Confections
Available October 13th through Halloween, Primo’s Donuts will have Halloween-themed donuts at both the Westwood Village and Sawtelle locations. The variety includes black and orange donuts with seasonal sprinkles in addition to a line of pumpkin-spice cake donuts.
Also on the menu at Dunkin’ Donuts is the return of their famed Spider Donut on October 11th. They’ve even got a matching lawn inflatable available for purchase on the website if that’s your thing. Rewards members can also take advantage of Free Medium Hot or Iced Coffee on Mondays with purchase – which is the perfect day to offer this kind of treat.
Stay Spooktacularly Safe
The annual Montrose Halloween Spooktacular is probably the safest way to take kids trick-or-treating. All the shops on Honolulu Avenue in Montrose open up to give away free candy from 5 to 7 p.m. on October 31st. There’s also nothing scarier than going to a big event with no parking, but this stretch of the 2200 to 2400 blocks of Honolulu Ave. has tons of free spaces if you get there early. Make sure to visit Sage Fitness at 2321 Honolulu for a special Train or Treat promotion.
Also perfect for the little ones is the 16th Annual DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids, brought to you by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. There will be trick-or-treating, magic shows, a craft station, and some serious costumes brought on by the FIDM crowd.
Tickets are $10 pre-sale on Eventbrite or $13 at the door. The event is from 5 to 8 p.m. on October 31st.
Lastly, for El Monte residents, the Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns event brings together carved pumpkins and light installations, and on Halloween night, they will be offering Safe Candy Stations for the little ones and Beverages for 21 and older. The event begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets start at $19.99.
Climb Aboard Haunted Hayride
The Haunted Hayride is riding again at Griffith Park for Halloween Los Angeles 2023 through October 31st. Tickets begin at $29.99. Expect timed Hayrides plus add-ons like the Midnight Mortuary and Hellbilly Halloween. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. most days, and tickets are still available for Halloween night. Get yours here.
Toddler Tip: Don’t bring them!!! 12 and older is what’s recommended.
Ride the Waves in the Witches Paddle
Do you feel like Halloween should be more athletic? Well, then, this is the event for you! The 4th Annual Witches Paddle is happening on Sunday, October 29th, where witches and warlocks paddle their surfboards to shore in the South Bay. The event begins at 9 a.m. and is FREE to enter, you just have to register.
Attend a Hallo-Wine Party
Grab your goblet and head to Esters Wine Shop & Bar in Santa Monica for a “Hallo-Wine Party” on Saturday, October 28th, beginning at 6 p.m. Expect a night of dancing with themed cocktails. Costumes are highly encouraged.
Tickets can be purchased via Resy for $25 and include snacks plus one drink ticket.
Eat at the Midnight Diner
Fans of the popular Netflix series Midnight Diner from Japan will get a kick out of the transformation that Izakaya restaurant OTOTO will be undergoing just for Halloween night.
Expect the restaurant staff to be donning blue samue and serving dishes seen in the series, like Tonjiru (pork and vegetable miso soup), Ham Katsu, Curry Ramen, and Yakisoba Dog, among others.
“Bring your most trivial problems for the Masters to weave into poignant life lessons” for one night only. There are no reservations and doors open at 5 p.m.
Brains over Boos
Roguelike Tavern in Burbank is famed for its trivia events, and Halloween is no exception. Visit them on Monday, October 30th, at 6 p.m. for Drink and Draw the Halloween Edition and Tuesday, October 31st for Halloween-themed Trivia at 8 p.m. The winner gets a $50 bar tab, and the team with the best name will win a round of mystery shots. There is no cover.
Get your Pick of the Patch
The options are endless when it comes to spooky pumpkin patches, but some are kid-friendly too.
- The 89th Annual Fall Festival is on at The Original Farmers Market on October 21st and 22nd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Featured offerings include Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch and the Tucker Petting Zoo. It’s free to enter.
- Nights of the Jack at Gilette Ranch in Calabasas offers acres of Jack-o-Lantern fun for all ages from now until October 31st. The walking trail is 2/3 of a mile and includes a “Spookeasy Bar” for adults. The price begins at $29.99 per person, and kids under 2 are FREE.
- Visit Mr. Bones for pumpkins, slides, and a petting zoo in Culver City. Tickets are $10. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days.
- Now until October 31st, visit Whittier Narrows Park in El Monte 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 $19.99 for children and $24.99 for adults.
- Tanaka Farms will be open for a U-pick Pumpkin Experience from now until October 31st. Online reservations and parking passes are required. The cost is $20 to enter, and that includes wagon rides, a corn maze, and more. Kids under 2 are free.
Delight and Discover at Descanso Gardens
If you have little ones, then this is a must-visit spot in La Cañada Flintridge for Halloween. The gardens are decked out from now until October 29th in true pumpkin patch fashion for their Carved event.
Best of all, there are no scares here, so even your littlest goblin will have a good time. Costumes are encouraged all month. Tickets are discounted if you’re a member, so it might be a good time to join Descanso Gardens, since they’ve also got the Enchanted Forest Event that kicks off after Thanksgiving.
The pumpkins are on display all day, but they really come alive with lights after dark. Tickets for Carved begin at $35 and can be purchased here.
Toddler Tip: Kids under 2 are FREE!
Indulge in some Spooky Self Care
The Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION is your place for treats, not tricks, from October 13th through October 31st.
The Halloween Massage is designed to rejuvenate the body, restore inner balance, and relax the senses. The experience includes a Knesko face mask in black or green, Pumpkin Body Lotion application, and Frankincense Aromatherapy for relaxation. Lastly, you’ll be served a Wellness Shot in a mini cauldron and Candy. The price is $265 for 50 minutes or $365 for 80 minutes.
Face your Fears
Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park promises EVEN MORE FEAR this year! The entire theme park is transformed for Halloween with rides, mazes, and over 1000 scary creatures. Tickets are available for Halloween night, beginning at $59.99.
Toddler Tip: This event is not recommended for children under 13.
Also happening in Long Beach, climb aboard the Queen Mary with Shaq! Although I’ll never understand what basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has to do with Halloween, it’s clearly popular because Shaqtoberfest is back for its second annual ride. Expect haunted trails, live entertainment, rides, and themed bars and lounges from now until October 31st. Tickets begin at $29.99.
Toddler Tip: Some nights even have designated “Trick or Treat” early hours for the kiddos, beginning at 6 p.m.
Heap up some Horror
Universal Studios Hollywood is back with Halloween Horror Nights when the theme park becomes one big scare zone with live entertainment, mazes, rides, and more.
The most terrifying thing, though, just might be the price. Most tickets begin at $269 unless you’re coming at off hours when they can be as low as $77.
Toddler Tip: Kids under 13 are not encouraged.
Also, for the Horror Film lover, check out Icons of Darkness every day in October to get up close and personal with the film costumes of your favorite flicks. There are over 200 costumes and props on exhibition, and it includes a guided tour. Admission is $20, and the tickets are timed.
Party like a Poltergeist
The Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood is hosting a French Riviera Soiree on Saturday, October 28th, on the I|O Rooftop. Admission is FREE with RSVP, and table service is available. Expect a Spooky Screening, Specialty Drinks, Live DJs, and Mandatory Costumes. Doors open at 8 p.m. Get all the gruesome details here.
On Saturday, October 28th, Houston Hospitality presents The 8 Deadly Sins at Level 8 in the Sinners and Santos Space. Level 8 is one of the newest nightlife spaces in Los Angeles, located on the roof of the Moxy Hotel in DTLA. Tickets begin at $100 for General Admission, a 4-hour Premium Open Bar, and access to LEVEL 8 & Sinners y Santos Nightclub.
October 31st is The Deadly Doll Ball at The West Hollywood EDITION featuring DJ sets by by Shane Thomas, Avalon Lurks, and Violet Chacki plus live performances. Tickets begin at $25, and doors open at 8 p.m.
On Tuesday, October 31st, it’s house music all night long at Avalon Night Club. Tickets to Haunt Massive begin at $15, and doors open at 9 p.m. The party doesn’t end until deep into November 1st.
Pink Taco is dedicating October 31st to Dia De Los Muertos. Beginning at 6 p.m., you can enjoy an All Night Happy Hour with $8 Food and Drinks, Music, Face Painting, and a Costume Contest where three winners will receive a Pink Taco Gift Card. Be among the first 25 guests, and you can also treat yourself to a special bag of Pink Taco Swag.
Raise the Rooftop in DTLA at Broken Shaker at the Freehand Los Angeles October 31st. The party runs from 6 to 12 p.m. and features Live DJs and $12 Specialty Spooky Sips. Reservations can be made via OpenTable here.
Stop in for some Spooky Screenings
October 6th to the 19th is the 30th Anniversary of Hocus Pocus at the El Capitan Theatre, while October 20th to the 31st is for The Nightmare Before Christmas, also celebrating 30 big ones. Check the schedule for fan screenings with special guests.
Friday, October 20th, offers a screening of The Ring at L.A. Historic Park. Gates open at 5:45 p.m. for a 7:15 p.m. screening. Tickets are $20.
Saturday, October 21st, will have you seeing Wizards with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Tickets are $22, and picnics are encouraged. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7:15 p.m. show.
Also on Saturday is Halloweentown at Verdugo Park in Glendale at 8 p.m. This film event is designed for your littlest girls and ghouls. Tickets begin at $21 with this link.
October 28th offers a screening of Hocus Pocus under the stars at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. Tickets begin at $20 with this link, and children under 5 are free. The show starts at 8 p.m., but the grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for food truck fun.
Rosemary’s Baby at the Orpheum is sure to give your Halloween night some much-needed fright. Costumes are required, and the event includes a photo booth, bar, and live DJ. No one under 17 is admitted without a parent. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. for a 9 p.m. show on October 31st. Reserve here for $32 and up.
The Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood will also be hosting Halloween Movie Nights on their I|O Rooftop on select nights. Reserve tickets here.
Happy Halloween, Los Angeles!
So many fun events!
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