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Halloween week has officially begun. And we’re here to point to toward a spooky good time in the Southalnd.
In view this October 26-30 in Los Angeles, you’ll find the MoMA Contenders series at The Hammer, Mariachi de Uclatlán at Fowler Out Loud, a Fall Fun Festival in San Gabriel, Fright Dive at AoP, Horror Nights at The Ford, and more.
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 > Continuing this week, 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. Altars remain on display through November 2. Admission is free. Get more info here.
The BINGE Fringe Festival of Free Theatre – FA > The 11th annual Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre (The BFF) continues all this week 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. Shows continue through November 20. More info here.
Carved at Descanso Gardens -> Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved is open daily now through November 1. Expect 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.
Sketch Party: Halloween Edition – FA > Artists of all skill levels can grab a drink and draw on paper-covered tables during the Halloween Edition of Sketch Party at Benny Boy Brewing this Tuesday. The free, twice-monthly meet-up supplies pens, pencils, and markers alongside food truck bites. Admission is free. 21+ only. Costumes encouraged! More info here.
Trans Mutual Aid Mixer and Clothing Swap – FA > This Tuesday, Oxy Arts hosts Mix and Swap: Trans Mutual Aid Mixer and Clothing Swap as part of One Institute’s Circa: Queer Histories Festival. Facilitated by Provvidenza Catalano, the event combines mutual aid “speed dating” activities with a gender-affirming clothing swap organized by Occidental College’s Touchdown Thrift. Admission is free with RSVP. Starts at 7 p.m. More info here.
Spooky Movie Nights at RUNWAY – FA > RUNWAY Playa Vista hosts outdoor Spooky Movie Nights on the turf every Tuesday in October. The series features Halloween family favorites, including a screening of Coco this week. Attendees can enjoy free popcorn while supplies last, along with food and drinks from nearby eateries. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Admission is free. Starts at 6:30 p.m. More info here.
CAAM Cinema: A Huey P. Newton Story – M FA > This Wednesday, the California African American Museum hosts a 25th-anniversary screening of A Huey P. Newton Story (2001), Spike Lee’s film adaptation of Roger Guenveur Smith’s solo theatrical production on the Black Panther Party co-founder. The screening is followed by a live Q&A with Smith alongside producers Bob Johnson and Steven Adams to commemorate the film’s milestone and the 60th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. Admission is free with RSVP. Event begins at 7 p.m. More info here.
Fowler Out Loud – FA > This Wednesday, enjoy an evening of Mexican music under the stars as Fowler Out Loud presents Mariachi de Uclatlán at the Fowler Museum at UCLA. Directed by Grammy Award winner Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán, the university ensemble performs classic works by influential composers in the outdoor amphitheater. Admission is free, with grass seating available for blankets and chairs. Runs 6 to 8 p.m. More info here.
MoMA Contenders 2026 -> Beginning this Thursday, the Hammer Museum hosts MoMA Contenders 2026 at the Billy Wilder Theater, showcasing notable and influential films from the past year. Screening highlights include Coyote vs. Acme, I Want Your Sex, Obsession, Project Hail Mary, and All of a Sudden, with select dates featuring Q&A discussions alongside filmmakers and directors. General admission tickets are $20, with $10 tickets available for Hammer members. More info here.
Fall Fun Festival – FA > This Friday, 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.
Bachata Nights at Corteza -> Corteza brings the dancing spirit of Latin culture to Friday nights with an evening of bachata. The experience opens with a welcome cocktail before experienced instructors lead guests through an engaging lesson. Elegant Halloween and Día de los Muertos-inspired costumes are encouraged. Stick around for dinner after the dancing. Tickets are $30, welcome cocktail included. Kicks off at 7 p.m.
Horror Nights at The Ford – TP > Street Food Cinema and The Ford partner for Horror Nights at The Ford, featuring a 30th-anniversary screening of From Dusk Till Dawn on Friday hosted by Jenna Nickerson followed by an interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday with a live shadowcast performance by Sins O’ The Flesh. Both events begin at 8 p.m. More info here.
Urban Death: Tour of Terror at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre -> Zombie Joe’s annual tradition of Urban Death is back for 2026 with a brand new series of terrifying vignettes, bookended by walks through a creepy maze. The series wraps this weekend with performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are $24 online, or it’s $28 at door. Get more info here.
Fright Dive at AoP -> On Friday, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosts Fright Dive, an adults-only (18+) Halloween night filled with live music, art, and gallery DJs. Guests can rock out to Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas and Salton City Surf Club, enjoy themed cocktails, and grab eerie bites at Café Scuba. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $54.95 for general admission and $49.95 for members. Runs 7:30 to 11 p.m. More info here.
Dining & Drinking
(picks by Christina Champlin)
Tiki Night at Pez Coastal (October 29) -> Pez Coastal in Pasadena goes full tiki this Thursday with a one-night dinner built for sharing. For $85 per person, the evening builds from a Pu Pu Platter of Okinawa Potato Skins, Mini Loco Moco, and Coconut Shrimp through Cured Ahi Tuna Poke and a Lump Crab Fritter before landing on the main event: a Red Curry Tiki Boil “Mojecate” loaded with Smoked Pork Ribs, Pork Katsu, Pineapple, and Steamed Rice. Signature Tiki Cocktails created just for the evening run $18 each. A proper island feast. More info here.
Halloween at Fuegos (October 29) -> Fuegos LA celebrates Halloween with a Pink Spooky Night of live fire, music, food, and drinks. The grill fires up outside with empanadas and Argentine beef, costumes are encouraged, and a costume contest with prizes crowns the evening. A festive way to kick off Halloween week. More info here.
Chocolate Master Class at Corteza (October 31) -> Halloween has never looked this elegant. While the rest of the city is handing out candy, The Ritz-Carlton is hosting an intimate chocolate master class led by award-winning Pastry Chef and Master Chocolatier François Behuet. The hands-on experience pulls back the curtain on how Chef François sculpts and decorates the showstopping chocolate pieces created for holidays and award season, and then puts the tools in your hands. Every guest leaves with their own chocolate showpiece, a commemorative Sendero apron, and a glass of sparkling wine to toast the occasion. Class begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $180. More info here.
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