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As we creep towards the spookiest weekend of the year, how is your week shaping up?
From October 23-27 in Los Angeles, you’ll find AFI Fest, Lucha VaVOOM Halloween Show, the Bride of Frankenstein at Ace, Day of the Dead at El Pueblo, Danny Elfman at the Hollywood Bowl, a Fall Festival in San Gabriel, and more! Our full list starts below.
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Things To Do This Week
M = Less than .5 miles from an L.A. Metro Station, FA = Free Admission, TP = Top Pick
Downtown Día de los Muertos – M FA > Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos welcomes parkgoers to contribute to a community altar and to stroll through the park to view 19 altars created by professional artists and local community organizations. Free to visit daily from now until November 2. Get more info here.
Spooky Movies & Popcorn at Long Beach Beer Lab -> Monday’s are dedicated to Spooky Movies & Popcorn at Long Beach Beer Lab. This week they’re screening The Craft at 1 and 7 p.m. A basket of popcorn is just $6. More info here.
Carved at Descanso Gardens – TP > Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved turns the beautiful garden into a glowing pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, hundreds of carved pumpkins and kid-friendly activities. The experience runs Monday through Sunday nightly now until October 29. Tickets run $30-$40 for non-members. Get more info here.
Nights of the Jack -> The annual 1-mile trail of Halloween lights and jack o’lanterns at King Gillette Ranch continues this week on Monday through Sunday, and continues on select dates through Halloween night. In addition to the signature walk, expect live pumpkin carving demos, face painting, a souvenir shop, and a “spookeasy” offering adult beverages for sale. Admission runs $29.99-$44.99 depending on which day of the week you attend. Get more info here.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch – > Culver City’s favorite pumpkin village is open daily through October 29. Mr. Bones 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. Tickets cost $10 to $30 depending on date and tickets for activities begin at $1 each. More info here.
Day of the Dead at El Pueblo – M FA > Starting this Wednesday, in celebration of Día de Muertos, the Olvera Street Plaza will be decorated with altars for the public to view October 25 – November 2, along with nightly processions. Starting October 28, there will be an outdoor altar display accompanied by daytime and evening entertainment on select days. Get more info here.
AFI Fest – M > This Wednesday through Sunday the American Film Institute’s annual celebration will host multi day screenings at TCL Chinese Theatre and the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. This year’s lineup includes over 140 films from 49 countries, including 18 Best International Feature Oscar submissions. Tickets start at $18 per feature film screening, $10 for shorts programs, or $100 for a 6-ticket bundle. Get more info here.
Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar – M > The touring, immersive Halloween pop-up bar Black Lagoon continues to take over Lost Property Bar in Hollywood for a month-long residency of themed cocktails in a spooky atmosphere filled with dark and eerie things. Los Angeles residents can look forward to an array of entertainment on Sundays and Tuesdays, including diabolical drag performances to macabre magic and boo-lesque (ticketed events cost $25). Additionally, every Wednesday, the pop-up venue will host a Night of The Cry Dead Emo Spook-tacular, featuring a variety of DJs (tickets cost $10). For all other nights, admission to the pop-up is free.
The Sorting Room -> The Sorting Room nightclub housed within the Wallis Center’s Lovelace Theatre presents a new season of unpredictable performances from a variety of musicians, comedians and more in a variety of genres alongside craft cocktails, beer and wine from The Briskin Bar. Shows this weekend run Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets range from $10 to $35. More info here.
Knott’s Scary Farm -> Knott’s Scary Farm returns Wednesday through Sunday with their signature lineup of haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living daylight out of you and your crew. Tickets cost $85 a per person. More info here.
Lucha VaVOOM Halloween Show -> Lucha VaVOOM, the iconic Mexican masked wrestling, burlesque, and comedy extravaganza, is back for its annual two-night Halloween event, “Area 51,” on Thursday and Friday. Tickets start at $53. More info here.
Boney Island – M TP > Boney Island has moved its annual Halloween haunt from the confines of Griffith Park to a new home at the Nature Gardens of Natural History Museum Los Angeles. Attendees can expect an array of glowing installations, spooky skeletons, and shadow puppetry interlaced with artistic performances, real fossils from the museum’s collection, live animal presentations, and plenty of trick-or-treating opportunities for the little ones. Boney Island runs Thursday to Sunday through the end of the month, plus October 30-31. Tickets are $25. More info here.
Reign of Terror Haunted House -> This award-winning haunted house and walkthrough experience located in Thousand Oaks is now in its 25th season. The 2023 edition features 138 rooms in 10 different, inter-connected sections within 28,000 square feet of floor space. Standards tickets are $35. Available on select Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 4. More info here.
Gabba Gallery’s Wishlist 11 -> Gabba Gallery’s 11th edition of their affordable art show is on view and available to purchase on the spot now until Nov. 11. Curated by Jason Ostro and Elena Jacobson the show highlights the talents of over 75 artists from around the world and allows art enthusiasts to build their art collection in a more approachable way. The gallery is open open Thursday through Saturday More info here.
Halloween Horror Nights – M > Thursday through Sunday, Universal Studios’ fall horror takeover continues, featuring the signature Terror Tram, plus a litany of scare zones, lives shows, and a bevy of different haunted houses, including The Exorcist: Believer and Universal Monsters: Unmasked. GA tickets start at $74, but VIP and express packages can push the price point well over $300 depending on the offer. Get more info here.
Shaqtoberfest – M > If NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is going to stamp his name on a Halloween haunt, it better be big, right? Well, this year’s edition of Shaqtoberfest is back at the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, offering evenings of live entertainment, themed bars and lounges, carnival rides, plus a brand new “Gray Ghost” haunted trail that takes guests deep into the depths of the historic luxury liner. Shaqtoberfest runs Thursdays to Sundays, and continues on select dates through October 31. There will also be family-friendly hours with trick-or-treating during the last three Sundays in October. GA tickets start at $29.99. More info here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas at The Bowl -> Danny Elfman returns to the Hollywood Bowl for a three-night musical performance of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in concert, backed by conductor John Mauceri with a full orchestra and a few special surprise guests. There will also be a costume contest and a pre-concert trick-or-treat activation for kids. Tickets for Friday through Sunday shows start as low as $39.50. Get more info here.
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Bride of Frankenstein -> Watch the 1935 horror classic Bride of Frankenstein on screen of The Theatre at Ace Hotel accompanied by LA Opera’s live orchestra conducted by Jenny Wong, performing Franz Waxman’s original soundtrack. The show runs Friday and Saturday. Tickets start at $29. More info here.
Yappy Hour at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows -> Get ready for a howling good time this Thursday as Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica hosts a Yappy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Join fellow Angelenos and their furry companions in the Miramar Garden for a Halloween-themed celebration featuring cocktails, live music, and a doggy costume contest with a special prize from Healthy Spot. Local nonprofit, Wags & Walks will also set up an adoption and donation table at the event.
How Does Confronting our History Build a Better Future? – M FA > How Does Confronting our History Build a Better Future? is the newest live panel talk hosted at Zócalo Public Square. Guests for this Friday’s event include environmental activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (Xochimilco), L.A. LGBT Center communications officer and former editor-in-chief of Out magazine Phillip Picardi, and founder, executive producer, and host of “On Being” Krista Tippett. Stick around for a reception with complimentary food, drinks, and a performance by the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arktet. It all starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free. More info here.
Haunting of Hawthorne at Common Space Brewery – FA > Head to Common Space Brewery’s “Haunting of Hawthorne” this Friday for a Halloween costume party featuring creepy beer cocktails, a costume contest, caricature drawings by Scott Gross from That Drawing Show, and hip-hop beats spun by DJ V from Stones Throw. More info here.
Fall Fun Festival in San Gabriel – FA > The City of San Gabriel’s annual Fall Fun Festival pops up in the Mission District on Friday offering a range of family-friendly Halloween activities for all ages. Runs 5 to 9 p.m. More info here.
Urban Death Tour of Terror – > 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. Performances run on Fridays and Saturdays through October 28, with three bonus shows on Sunday, October 29, Monday October 30 and Halloween Tuesday. Advance tickets are $22 per person. More info here.
San Fernando Brewing Company Halloween Party – FA > Stop by the brewery between 6 to 10 p.m. this Friday for an early Halloween party. There will be a DJ, photo booth and a tarot card reader. Come in costume (optional) and receive a free giveaway. More info here.
La Cage -> Experience the electric La Cage live show at Hollywood’s Roosevelt’s secret theatre this Friday. Inspired by the golden age of supper clubs and the iconic La Cage Aux Folles nightclub, the evening includes live vocals, dazzling dance, and a live band, all paying tribute to drag culture pioneers with emcee Tommi Rose and surprise celebrity guests like Cheyenne Jackson and Ada Vox. Audiences can also sip on classic cocktails and dine on Cinegrill Theatre’s supper club inspired menu. La Cage shows run on select Friday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets for the show start at $55. More info here.
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Movie Night at Ovation Hollywood – M FA > Ovation Hollywood’s monthly movie night continues with a screening of Ghostbusters in the Center Courtyard this Friday. Get free popcorn and discounted treats from the TCL Chinese Theatre Concessions Stand. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Connie & Ted’s New W.T.F. ‘Happy Hour & A Half’ Menu -> Connie & Ted’s new ‘Happy Hour & A Half,’ is available from Wednesday to Friday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the bar. The menu offers half-sized seafood classics like half dozen oysters ($14), mini lobster roll ($16), and a Hook Burger Slider ($7). Draft beers, including the limited-time Craftsman ♥ Connie English Style Golden Ale is $6 during this time and craft cocktails and wines are $8.
$1 Plates at El Cholo -> El Cholo, L.A.’s oldest Mexican restaurant, marks its 100th birthday with a special treat. On Tuesday, October 24, all El Cholo locations in California will serve their popular combination plate, featuring a cheese enchilada, rolled beef taco, and rice and beans, for just $1. Don’t miss this celebration, available for dine-in customers only. More info here.
Superfine Playa Halloween Happy Hour -> This week join Superfine Playa for a spooky themed happy hour running October 27-29 from 3 to 5 p.m. Dive into their sinister menu featuring Blood Red Beet Arancinis ($7), Black Squid Ink Fried Squid Heads with spicy tomato dipping sauce ($9) or Roasted Tomato “eyeballs” with mozzarella and salt-cured olive ($7). Pair the frightful bites with $11 themed cocktails, including The Great Pumpkin, a pumpkin latte cocktail and the Vampirina, a blood orange martini. Both can also be made zero-proof.
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