Halloween in LA {Top 5 Picks}

Your annual excuse to dress-like-a-harlot-and-get-away-with-it has arrived.  Halloween has descended upon LA.  Whether you’re trying to find a place to show off your creative costume…or not, I’ve compiled a list of Halloween activities ranging from the ordinary to the extra-way-out-there.

Here are some quick categories if you already know what you want:

Old Skool Ghouls
Hipster Haunts
Family Friendly
Doggy Dress Up
Popcorn Shockers

Old Skool Ghouls

Haunted Hay Ride (Thursdays-Sundays in October)

The Los Angeles Haunted Hay Ride has a trifecta of ghoulish counterparts besides the literal hay ride into the terrifying woods.  Yes, not only is there hay, but also, a maze populated with demons and maniacs and a “Human Menagerie” Sideshow.  See their website for details and their hours of operation.

West Hollywood Costume Parade (Oct 31)

Obviously, the old skool of old skool, this parade has been happening forever.  If you have never been, you must go once, but please wear a costume – DON’T be a Halloween tourist.  Admission is free and the event starts at 6 PM and runs until 11 PM.  Check their website for tips on parking and a map of the route.

Hipster Haunts

Lucha Vavoom Halloween Spectacular (Oct 26 & 27) – luchavavoom.com

For some adult tricks and treats, make your way to Lucha Vavoom.  Their motto of mas sexo y violencia delivers classic burlesque and luchadore wrestling.  You will fit in with your sleeve tattoo or Betty Paige haircut.  No costume required but also not frowned upon.  I’ve been to Lucha too many times to count… with pictures to prove it.

Long Beach Zombie Walk IV

For all the Living Dead afficionados, there is the annual Long Beach Zombie Walk, going 4 years strong.  Like the zombie flash mobs of San Francisco, Paris or New York, this one features the same mixture of fake blood and catatonic stares.  Starting on 3rd Street and Pine Avenue in Long Beach, the Zombie Walk features “zombie makeovers,” “zombie themed food,” and a screening of Shaun of the Dead.

Family Friendly

Pumpkin Festivals abound.  Perfect for the little ones, there are petting zoos & horse rides, the requisite pumpkin patch and of course, arts & crafts.  Where else are you going to get your face painted and learn how to carve a pumpkin with those ridiculous knives that can’t cut anything but pumpkin?

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (Oct 15-16)
Pomona Pumpkin Festival (Oct 15-16)

Doggy Dress Up

Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade (Oct 30)

Maybe you don’t have a kid to take to the pumpkin patch, but you do have your four legged friend.  So, rather than brave the throngs of thongs on Santa Monica Blvd, why don’t you see a different costume parade.  This costume parade, doggy-style,  features a pet adoption fair  and the entry fees raise thousands for spay/neuter programs, rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws and other Long Beach service projects.  Check out their website for entry fees and event information.

Popcorn Shockers

ScreamFest Horror Film Festival (Oct 14-23)

For all the Horror Film buffs, there is a cornucopia of celluloid scares.  Held at the Grauman’s Chinese 6, the festival promises horror/sci-fi to the max.  Check their website for screening times and tickets.

Map of Halloween Events

Click on each marker for directions