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Need to-dos for the spookiest month of the year? You’ve come to the right place.
In view this October in Los Angeles you’ll find the annual slew of Halloween haunts and experiences, the Muertos Artwalk on Olvera Street, Pasadena ArtNight, CicLAvia: Heart of LA, Fall Exhibitions Celebration at the Skirball, Taste of Soul, Beverly Hills Art Show, Dogtoberfest at South Coast Botanic Garden, Night Out at Discovery Cube LA, Taste of Soul, South Pasadena Arts Crawl, and more.
Things To Do This October
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch (October 2-31) -> Culver City’s favorite pumpkin village offers plenty of family fun, including photo ops in front of giant pumpkin installations, a straw maze, a super slide, petting zoo, giant rocking horses, and pumpkin decorating sessions. General admission cost between $10 to $20 depending on date and tickets for activities need to be purchased online ahead of time. More info here.
Free Family Day at the Skirball (October 4) – FA > KCRW and the Skirball Cultural Center team up for a free, interactive family day featuring live music, hands-on workshops, and gallery access designed for kids and caregivers. The lineup includes rhythm sessions with Silverlake Conservatory of Music, songwriting with 826LA, bell wand crafting with Rediscover Center, Dance Church movement, and DJ sets from KCRW’s Tana Yonas, plus food at Judy’s Counter and Zeidler’s Cafe and first-come, first-served admission to Noah’s Ark. Family Day activities run 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Oktoberfest at Fairplex (October 2-17) -> The Fairplex transform into a fantastical Bavarian Oktoberfest every Friday and Saturday with live oompah bands, DJs and plenty of German food and beers to go around. Advanced tickets start at $17. Runs 6 to 11 p.m. each night. 21+ only. More info here.
Carved at Descanso Gardens (October 2 – November 1) -> Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved returns with a pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, an illuminated railroad, whimsical wood spirits, hundreds of carved pumpkins and kid-friendly activities. Adult tickets run $29-$52 for non-members. Get more info here.
The Long Beach Open Studio Tour (Every Weekend Through October 25) –FA> The Long Beach Open Studio Tour opens the doors to over 80 studios and 120 artists across multiple neighborhoods every Saturday and Sunday through October 25. Free, self-guided, and entirely at your own pace. A great excuse to explore Long Beach one weekend at a time. More info here.
10th annual Scaredown in Downtown (October 3) –FA > Old Torrance kicks off spooky season with the 10th Annual Scaredown in Downtown, a free Halloween celebration running from 4 to 9 p.m. Expect magic, games, contests, live music, crafts, tarot, and a themed marketplace. More info here.
Muertos Artwalk (October 3) – M FA > Olvera Street’s Muertos Artwalk is a family-friendly outdoor marketplace celebrating local artists and traditional culture. Over 35 Los Angeles artisans showcase original artwork, handmade jewelry, clothing, and face painting alongside the street’s historic merchants. The event features a full lineup of live entertainment, including Xipe Totec Aztec Dancers, Ballet Folklorico Mi Lindo Mexico, and regional musical groups. Admission is free. Runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. More info here.
Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana at Tito’s Tacos (October 4) -> Tito’s Tacos hosts the ninth annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana, celebrating food, music, and community while raising funds for the Culver City Arts Foundation. The event features live performances by Mariachi Sol de México, Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, and cumbia group El Conjunto Nueva Ola, alongside folklórico dancers and tacos paired with vodka cocktails. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $20 for non-alcohol passes. Runs 3 to 8 p.m. More info here.
Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome (October 4) -> Mount Wilson Observatory hosts another edition of Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome this October featuring piano quartets by Mahler and Brahms (Op. 60 in C minor). Artistic Director and cellist Cécilia Tsan performs alongside pianist David Kaplan, violinist Ambroise Aubrun, and violist Ariana Solotoff inside the iconic 100-inch telescope dome. Tickets are $65. More info here.
The Oddities Flea Market (October 4) – > The Oddities Flea Market takes over the Globe Theatre for a day of off-beat shopping where you’ll find one-of-a-kind curiosities from over 70 vendors. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets range $28 to $55. More info here.
Halloween Spooktacular at One Colorado (October 4) M FA -> Bob Baker Marionette Theater returns to One Colorado in Old Pasadena with its signature Hallowe’en Spooktacular. The family-friendly, 25-minute boo-sical revue features spirited performances from Dracula, witches, and the Purple People Eater, capped off by a puppet meet-and-greet. Tickets cost $10 for two guests. Shows take place at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. More info here.
James Beard Foundation’s Taste America (October 6) -> The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America returns to Los Angeles for an evening celebrating the city’s most exciting independent restaurants at The LINE Hotel. Hosted by Anna Sonenshein and Niki Vahle of Little Fish, recently named to the Foundation’s prestigious 2026–2027 TasteTwenty, the night brings together over 10 standout restaurants including Linden, Bridgetown Roti, Komal, KI, RasaRumah, Camélia, Maydan LA, Azizam, and Betsy for signature bites, beverages, and sponsor activations. Proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation’s mission to champion independent restaurants nationwide. General admission is $175, premier tickets are $225. More info here.
Screamfest (October 6-15) -> TCL Chinese 6 Theatres hosts the 26th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival, presenting ten days of independent horror cinema, world premieres, retrospectives, and black carpet events. Opening night kicks off with the world premiere of the thriller The Night Driver followed by an after-party. Full festival badges are available for $300 alongside single-day pass options. More info here.
The 48Hr Halloween Puppet Film Project (October 8) -> The Bob Baker Marionette Theater hosts a screening of spooky short films from Handmade Puppet Dreams and the 48Hr Puppet Film Project, celebrating the irreplaceable magic of physical storytelling on screen. The program includes films made earlier that week for the 48Hr Halloween Puppet Film Project 2026, followed by a filmmaker talkback for a peek behind the curtain. Tickets are $23. More info here.
Urban Death at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre (October 9 through November 1) -> Zombie Joe’s annual tradition of Urban Death is back with a brand new series of terrifying vignettes, bookended by walks through a creepy maze. Runs on Fridays and Saturdays (and a few Sundays) with multiple performances each night. Advance tickets are $24 online, or it’s $28 at door. Get more info here.
Pasadena’s biannual ArtNight (October 9) – M FA TP-> ArtNight Pasadena returns for the fall, offering free evening admission to 20+ participating museums, galleries, and performance spaces. Highlights include live dance and musical performances, hands-on art workshops, ghost stories, and special exhibitions at institutions like the Armory Center for the Arts, USC Pacific Asia Museum, and The Gamble House. Runs 6 to 10 p.m..More info here.
Fall Exhibition Celebration at The Hammer (October 10) – FA > The Hammer Museum’s slate of fall exhibitions includes retrospectives of abstract artists Huguette Caland and Mavis Pusey alongside new Hammer Projects installations. For opening night, guests can explore the galleries late into the evening while enjoying music from DJ Shay Elys in the courtyard alongside food and drinks available for purchase. Museum members receive priority entry beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is free. Runs 8 to 10:30 p.m. More info here.
Dogtoberfest at South Coast Botanic Garden (October 10 – November 1) -> South Coast Botanic Garden’s Dogtoberfest returns for 2026, bringing dogs and owners together for an Oktoberfest celebration every Saturday and Sunday from October 10 to November 1. The festival features live oompah music, dog races, stein-holding contests, a Pup Crawl, and Bavarian food at Dottie’s at the Koi Pond. VIP passes add beer tastings and splash pools. Tickets are $18 for adults and $7 per dog, while garden members receive free general admission. More info here.
Bacchus Uncorked: Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt at Getty Villa (October 10)-> Beer has been around for more than 5,000 years, and the Getty Villa is celebrating that legacy in style. Archaeologist Tate Paulette draws on ancient evidence from Mesopotamia and Egypt to illuminate the world of early brewing, sharing his own experiences recreating it. He is joined by classicist and beer historian Travis Rupp, who explores the flavor profiles of the earliest brewing traditions before introducing modern brews inspired by ancient practices. Tickets are $110 and include a thematic beer selection, hearty appetizers, and conversation. More info here.
15th Annual El Velorio Cultural Celebration (October 10) – > Plaza de la Raza hosts El Velorio, a 21+ cultural celebration marking its 16th anniversary. The evening features main stage performances by Sonido Dolores Y Su Conjunto and Mariachi Ascencio, a Rock en Español stage, a lowrider show, and live painting. An art exhibition with over 200 artists benefits the National Tattoo Museum alongside skull painting, catrinas, food, and drinks. GA tickets start at $15. More info here.
L.A. Archives Bazaar (October 10) – M FA > Attention SoCal history hounds! L.A. as Subject’s Los Angeles Archives Bazaar returns this October, offering its annual treasure trove of historical treasures to explore as you engage with experts from dozens of institutions and archives. The 2056event takes place at Golden Eagle Ballroom at Cal State University Los Angeles and is free and open to the public. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Barks & Boos (October 10) -> The L.A. Arboretum hosts a day of fun for dogs, craft beers and food trucks for humans and pet adoption education for those considering rescuing a dog in need of a home. Coordinate costumes with your pup, and participate in a dog costume contest at 2:30 p.m. Admission for dogs cost $10 and will benefit the Pasadena Humane Society and LA Arboretum Foundation. GA tickets to the arboretum cost $18. More info here.
Culver City Art Walk and Roll Festival (October 10) – M FA > A a four-block stretch of Washington Blvd will close to traffic for a day-long event featuring gallery visits, artists, live music, wine and beer gardens, a kids zone, interactive art experiences, and more. Free and open to the public. Runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More info here.
CicLAvia Heart of LA (October 11) – M FA > CicLAvia—Heart of LA brings a 6.5-mile course of open streets to Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Boyle Heights, and Echo Park this October. Participants of all ages are invited to walk, bike, skate, and explore the neighborhood public space at their own pace. Admission is free. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
The BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre (October 13 through November 20) -> The 11th annual Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre (The BFF) runs from October 13 to November 20 in Santa Monica. The festival features a wide range of free performances—from comedy and Shakespeare to slam poetry and improv—all by local L.A. artists. Best part? All tickets are FREE, but be sure to make reservations for in-person events. More info here.
Public Domain presents Videodrome at La Línea (October 16) – FA > Independent community film series Public Domain brings David Cronenberg’s Videodrome to La Línea, a South Gate barbershop and community arts space, for a free screening at 7:30 p.m. This is part of Public Domain’s ongoing effort to bring repertory and unconventional cinema into neighborhood spaces across Southeast LA, creating social film events well outside the traditional theater circuit. More info here.
Night Out at The Cube (October 17) -> Discovery Cube Los Angeles hosts Night Out at the Cube, an after-hours 21+ evening featuring interactive exhibits, live DJ sets, and hands-on science challenges. Guests can solve a “Mystery at the Cube” potion station, create bat origami, enter costume contests, ride the carousel, and take photos at a 360 booth. General admission includes two drink tickets, while VIP upgrades offer catered food and private lounge access. GA tickets start at $32. Runs 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. More info here.
Halloween Party at The Autry ( October 17) -> The Autry Museum of the American West hosts a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring trick-or-treating through the backlot garden, a Bob Baker Marionettes puppet show, a spooky maze, a bounce house, craft stations, and a gallery scavenger hunt. The evening also offers a live DJ, food trucks, a cash bar, and free parking on site. Tickets are $20 for adults, $9 for children ages 12 and under, $5 for Autry members, and $2.50 for member children. Runs 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Family Festival The Getty: L.A. and Mexico in Focus (October 17) – FA M > Celebrate Mexican culture and L.A.’s Chicano heritage at the Getty Center’s Family Festival: LA and Mexico in Focus. Drawing inspiration from museum photography exhibitions, the daylong event fills the campus with ballet folklórico, live sets from El Santo Golpe and Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, bilingual storytelling, and roaming bolero serenades. Hands-on workshops invite visitors of all ages to try Mexican sign painting, lotería hat crafting, and family printmaking. Festival admission is free, though timed-entry reservations are required and parking carries a fee. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info here.
BLOCtober at The Bloc (October 17) – M FA > The Bloc hosts BLOCtober, a free community Halloween celebration on its downtown plaza level. Bring the kids and leashed pets for retailer trick-or-treating, face painting, crafts, a live DJ, photo ops, and a pumpkin patch featuring free pumpkins for rewards app members. The first 200 guests receive light-up buckets before an outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Programming runs 5 to 8:30 p.m. More info here.
Last Remains (October 17) – M > The Halloween season edition of Last Remaining Seats at the historic Million Dollar Theater features screenings of Clue at 1 p.m. and The Shining at 7 p.m.. GA tickets start at $25. More info here.
Taste of Soul (October 17) – M FA > Experience the flavors and culture of South Los Angeles at Taste of Soul. This free family festival on Crenshaw Blvd. between Barack Obama Blvd. and Stocker Avenue draws over 350,000 attendees, showcasing the neighborhood’s best with 150+ vendors. Enjoy soulful cuisine, live performances, and community all in one day. More info here.
South Pasadena Arts Crawl (October 17) -> The City of South Pasadena hosts the Fall Arts Crawl, an “Oktober-Fiesta” neighborhood celebration stretching along Mission Street and surrounding blocks. Expect over 20 participating local merchants offering special events and discounts alongside artisan pop-ups, live music, a beverage garden, art exhibits, and hands-on workshops. Admission is free. The Arts Crawl runs from 3 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Fall Festival at the Original Farmers Market (October 17-18) – FA > The annual Fall Festival at the Original Farmers Market offers two days of a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, fall-themed games, live music, kids crafts, and photo opps. Free to attend. Starts at 11 a.m. both days. More info here.
Beverly Hills Art Show (October 17-18) – FA > The fall edition of the bi-annual Beverly Hills Art Show comes to Beverly Gardens Park this October with over 200 artists expected to participate, showcasing work in painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, mixed media, ceramics, glass, jewelry, drawing and printmaking. Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Free to attend. More info here.
Sherman Oaks Street Fair (October 18) – FA >The Sherman Oaks Street Fair brings a day of live performance, carnival games, and vendors to a half-mile stretch of Venture Blvd from Van Nuys to Kester. It’s once again expected to be one of the largest events held in the San Fernando Valley, as it annually draws more than 100,000 attendees. Free to attend. More info here.
Mahjong at The Huntington (October 18) -> The Huntington invites guests of all skill levels to play mahjong inside Liu Fang Yuan, the stunning Garden of Flowing Fragrance. Community-focused organization East Never Loses hosts two open play sessions with instructors on hand to guide new players. A beautiful setting for a beloved game. Tickets are $45. More info here.
Fall Exhibitions Opening at the Skirball (October 22) – FA > Celebrate the opening of three new exhibitions at the Skirball Cultural Center highlighting dynamic works by Judy Baca (The 1960s—A Generation on Fire), Jenny Yurshansky (What We Carry), and Patrisse Cullors (Wishes Made Material). The evening features live music from a DJ set, opportunities to mingle with artists and curators, signature drinks, and complimentary spiced pumpkin-filled shortbread while supplies last. Guests can also tour Inventing America: The Comic Book Revolution, Adam Silverman’s Common Ground, and permanent galleries throughout the night. Admission is free. Celebration runs 7 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Grand Ave Arts: All-Access (October 24) – M FA TP > Dive into L.A.’s arts and culture scene when Grand Ave Arts: All Access returns to Downtown Los Angeles. Now in its tenth year, this free community event invites Angelenos to explore DTLA’s cultural corridor and enjoy performances, workshops, and activities provided by 14 iconic L.A. cultural institutions. The event is free to attend, but visitors are encouraged to RSVP. Runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
Japan Family Day (October 24-25) -> One of the largest Japanese Family Festivals in SoCal, Japan Family Day brings two days of Japanese culture, entertainment, and food to Santa Anita Park. Fun for the entire family the festival runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both dates, and attendees can also catch the G3 Tokyo City Cup at the race track on Sunday. Tickets cost $5 and after October 18 they go up to $10. More info here.
7th Annual Disability Pride Parade & Festival (October 24) – FA > The 8th Annual Disability Pride Parade & Festival returns to the East L.A. Civic Center. This event is open to the general public welcoming allies and supporters for a day of solidarity. Expect live entertainment, activities and opportunities to connect with local resources. More info here.
Boo At The Zoo (October 24-25 and October 31-November 1) -> Boo at the L.A. Zoo with back for 2026 with a family-friendly Halloween celebration spanning two spooky weekends. Festivities feature six trick-or-treating stations, animal pumpkin enrichment sessions, keeper talks, an inflatable corn maze, themed photo-ops, and a spooky conservation expo. Guests can also enjoy pumpkin painting, wandering costume characters, and live Bob Baker Marionette Theater shows. Included free with paid zoo admission or membership. More info here.
Downtown Día de los Muertos (October 24 to November 2) – M FA > Gloria Molina Grand Park presents Downtown Día de los Muertos transforms the civic park into an illuminated outdoor sanctuary and cultural exhibition. The 10-day community installation honors departed loved ones through a collection of community-crafted altars, visual art, live music, and public gatherings designed for collective healing and remembrance across Los Angeles. Admission is free. Get more info here.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater 4th Annual Hallowe’en Costume Ball (October 24) -> The Bob Baker Marionette Theater and The Elysian Theater co-present the 4th Annual Hallowe’en Costume Ball, a one-of-a-kind Halloween party with all proceeds benefiting the beloved nonprofit puppet theater. The evening features a special performance of Hallowe’en Spooktacular, a costume contest, dancing on the world-famous red carpet with DJ Kindness spinning, and a wine and cocktail bar. Standard tickets start at $60. More info here.
Day of the Dead at El Pueblo (October 25 – November 2) – M FA > Olvera Street’s annual Día de los Muertos Festival returns for a nine-day celebration honoring life and remembrance through community altars, live entertainment, and cultural traditions. Highlights include Teatro del Barrio’s nightly performance of La Danza de la Muerte, face painting, a 5K run, and the evening Novenario Procession featuring Aztec dancers, incense blessings, “Living Muertos” skeleton processionals, and free sweet bread at the Kiosko. Admission is free. Altars are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.. More info here.
Main Character Energy at The Ford (October 29) –TP> ARRAY transforms The Ford into a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience for one night only, curated and hosted by writer and director Ava DuVernay. Main Character Energy is a movie night that refuses to stay quiet. Clips from iconic films are paired with voices from today’s most captivating thought leaders, artists, and filmmakers, and talking back is not just allowed, it is the point. At times you will even step into the scene. This is community immersion at its most electric, a night where cinema connects us to the most defining issues of our time. Come ready to be heard. Tickets start at $23. More info here.
Fall Fun Festival (October 30) – FA > The City of San Gabriel hosts its annual Fall Fun Festival at Mission Playhouse Plaza in the Historic Mission District. Families and costumed kids can explore a haunted zone, join trunk-or-treating, play games, enter a costume contest, grab bites from local food trucks, and capture free family photos. Admission is free. Runs 5 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Boonian Station (October 31) – M FA > Los Angeles Union Station hosts the seventh annual Boonion Station, a family-friendly Halloween celebration on its South Patio. The afternoon festival features trick-or-treating, face painting, balloon artists, stilt walkers, live DJ sets, and an LAPD-judged costume contest. Kids can also craft custom creatures at a monster-making station and receive a personalized tale from LA Poet Laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace. Admission is free. Runs 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. More info here.
19th Annual DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids (October 31) – > The 19h Annual DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids returns to Grand Hope Park, offering a family-friendly environment with trick-or-treating, live puppet and magic shows, crafts, and food. GA tickets cost $15, kids under 3 are free.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval (October 31) – FA > The city of West Hollywood’s massive block-party style Halloween spectacle comes to a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Blvd between Doheny Dr and La Cienega Blvd. Expect DJ sets, food trucks and thousands of attendees dressed in their costumed best. Free to attend. Runs 6 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party (October 31) – M > One of Los Angeles’ most historic neighborhoods is throwing a 21+ block party for spooky season. The party will feature live music, a full bar, costume contest, special food vendors. The location is still listed as “secret” but you can RVSP to get more details as they are released. More info here.
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