The Los Angeles area goes all out for Halloween and since it’s the home of movies and celebrities, kookiness and fun are on over-drive. Our weather is temperate and as a Los Angeleno, I can tell you that October in Los Angeles is one of the best times to visit. It’s still warm enough to wear summer-like clothes but not so hot it’s stifling. We don’t have to worry about snow or even rain ruining the festivities.
During October in Los Angeles, there are several fright-filled Halloween events you may get a kick out of. Some are grand-kid appropriate and others are definitely adults only.
Celebrate and honor the Dead
The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead takes place throughout the city on multiple days during late October through early November. One of the best places to experience it is at the Día de Los Muertos Festival on Olvera Street in Downtown LA. Families gather together to pay tribute to their loved ones wearing intricate makeup and elaborate costumes. You can have your face painted by expert face painters, enjoy authentic Mexican food, entertainment, blessings, and ceremonies.
Watch movies in the dark at the graveyard to the stars
Hollywood Forever Cemetery has outdoor movie nights all year long but on Halloween, they show the scariest ones. The cemetery is the final resting place of many celebrities including Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Cecil B. DeMille, Mel Blanc, and Hattie McDaniel. It’s located directly behind Paramount Studios. What a perfectly morbid place to watch John Carpenter’s Halloween or Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein.
Other scary movie theaters that will make your hair stand up
October in Los Angeles is the time when scary movies are shown all over the city. To find where they are playing, click here.
Party with the ghostly crowd
Frightening apparitions, bloody monsters, and every sort of goblin appear from the ether and dance the night away at vintage Los Angeles hotels, nightclubs, and theaters. Don’t miss “The Witching Hour” at the Black Rabbit Rose, which is a historic building in Hollywood built in 1917. Conjurers will hold you spellbound as they reveal the supernatural secrets of Old Hollywood. An occasional spirit may even show up to make your spine tingle.
The Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles hosts a vampire-themed Halloween ball each year at their Spanish Gothic-style Theatre. And in Hollywood, the famous Egyptian Theatre also puts on an annual Halloween themed event. (Find this event and other LA Halloween parties here)
Join a devilish block party at Haunted Little Tokyo. Enjoy music, food, and entertainment between Central and San Pedro St. It’s a free event. Walk through the pumpkin patch, play games, watch blood-spilling movies, take a haunted walking tour and trick or treat.
Another annual Halloween party hot spot is at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd. Each Halloween they host a party with a different theme. Click here for all their current events. Hollywood Blvd goes bonkers during Halloween and parking is at a premium so you may want to stay at the hotel or one that’s within walking distance if you’re here for a visit.
The largest Halloween street party in the world takes place at the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval. The costumes are mind-blowing. Be prepared to dance, drink and definitely walk on the wild side.
Attend a creepy funeral
Heritage Square Museum does an annual Halloween Mourning Tour. – You will join a funeral party to see how Edwardians grieved their dead. Heritage Square is a cluster of eight old Victorian homes that have been restored. They have a variety of events and programs throughout the year.
Jump out of your skin with zoo animals
The Los Angeles Zoo hosts Boo at the Zoo – I wrote a while back about Zoo Lights, which takes place during the winter holidays, but in October you can enjoy spooktacular fun that includes live shows, special animal feedings, and themed photo ops on the weekend. Don’t forget your costume.
Walk among zombies in the park
Each year, Griffith Park sets up the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride at the Old Zoo. As you walk through the gate Purgatory you will enter the haunted village. There you can take part in interactive shows and take a ride on undead horses at the Scary-Go-Round. There are psychic shops, otherworldly boutiques, a terrifying House of Shadows and trick or treats.
See stranger things at movie studios
Universal Studios Hollywood’s celebrates Halloween Horror Nights where you can get lost in blood-curdling mazes, take horrifying rides, and visit creepy attractions. While you’re at it, hang out and have dinner at Citywalk. Warner Bros Studios will have you howling with fear at their Horror Made Here – a Festival of Frights. And don’t miss Paramount Studios After Dark Tour – Tales of the Other Side.
October in Los Angeles is lots of fun but no matter what you want to do in the city, at any time of year, you can always get up-to-date information by visiting DiscoverLosAngeles.com
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