Disneyland Photo Opp Photo by Elise Thompson
Here are some fun and family-friendly Halloween happening. But they aren’t just for little ones! Lots of fun for big kids too!
BOB BAKER’S HALLOWE’EN COSTUME BALL
Saturday, October 28th, 8pm – Midnight / Los Angeles / $125 and up
The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is holding its First Annual Costume Ball on Saturday, October 28th. This is your only chance to see the Hallowe’en Spooktacular, because the immensely popular show is already completely sold out. After the special performance of Hallowe’en Spooktacular, there will be a costume contest hosted by Pickle, Drag Queen Laureate of West Hollywood and a dance party hosted by DJ SuperBee with tarot readings with Ingrid M. Calderón-Collins. All attendees receive two complimentary drinks, as well as bar service throughout the night courtesy Cobblestone Wine.
Tickets begin at $125. Proceeds directly benefit Bob Baker Marionette Theater.
BONEY ISLAND AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Thursdays-Sundays 6pm – 10pm / Exposition Park / $25
We are so excited that this amazing, homemade family-friendly attraction has found a new home at The Natural History Museum (NHM)! The Nature Gardens will be transformed into the lighted skeleton extravaganza with familiar magicians, shadow puppets, the often-featured characters and “carickytures.” “NHM will put its own spin on the event with artistic performances, real fossils, live animal presentations, trick-or-treating, and other ghoulishly glowing installations.”
Producer of The Simpsons, Rick Polizzi, created Boney Island in his yard in 1998 to provide a non-scary, whimsical display. Boney Island was shut down at its original home location in Sherman Oaks by the City of Los Angeles due to the traffic issues that plagued the highly popular attraction. He sold off all of the displays, which he had to re-create in 2019 when the attraction was invited to set up in Griffith Park in conjunction with the Steamer Trains. Covid shut down that incarnation, now, hopefully, its third location will be permanent.
Thursday through Sunday nights, after museum hours, through Halloween (including October 30 and 31) from 6 pm to 10 pm, with additional hours added on certain nights. Tickets are $25 per person. Advanced reservations are encouraged as the event is expected to sell out, but limited tickets will be available onsite during museum hours and at the gate on event night.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Griffith Park / Free with Zoo Admission
The LA Zoo’s Boo at The Zoo celebrates Halloween with two weekends of trick-or-treating stations, animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, story readings, and an extinct animal graveyard. Pumpkin feedings, including jaguars, howler monkeys and snow leopards will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Costumes for both adults and kids are encouraged, but no full face masks. Make sure to bring your own bag for trick-or-treating.
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 11 AM to 5 PM / DTLA / FREE
The 5th annual Boonion Station will be taking over Union Station with a frightfully fun family-friendly Halloween haunt. Activities include face painting, dancing, crafts, and a one-of-a-kind trick-or-treating experience. Costumes are encouraged. Boonion Station will award prizes for the Most Original, Funniest, Spookiest and Best Group/Family costumes. Tickets are not required – the one-day only event is free to the public. All ages are welcome.
6:00–10pm / La Canada Flintridge / $35–$45
This October, Descanso Gardens will be aglow once again when “Carved” shows off hundreds of expertly carved pumpkins. It is an easy one-mile walk through the Camellia Forest and Oak Grove. Carved is a family-friendly event for all ages. You can also enjoy seasonal snacks, live carving demonstrations, oversized sculptures made of natural materials, and an expanded “Rhizome” installation by Belgian artists Tom and Lien Dekyver. The enormous site-specific artwork connects works with neon rope.
Carved will run through October 29, 2023 from 6:00–10pm. Tickets are selling out fast and must be purchased beforehand. No tickets at the door.
8 AM – Midnight / Anaheim / $ 104 – $154 for one park
Disneyland goes all out with the Halloween decorations in both parks, with specialty treats like Mickey Marshmallow Mummy Pops and Pumpkin Blooderscotch Cannolis. In Disneyland, Main Street will feature a pumpkin festival, plus, strolling characters are dressed in costumes. The best seasonal experience is the Haunted mansion, which is temporarily reconfigured into a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. After dark, you can enjoy “Scream,” soaring flames, projections of rising ghosts and classic Disney villains like Maleficent and Ursula the Sea Witch, along with Halloween-inspired songs. Select nights will include fireworks.
In California Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy will morph into “Monsters after Dark. Try to rescue Groot amongst menacing beasts and monsters. The beasts and loud noises may scare children. You can dance at Luigi’s Honkin’ Halloween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree in Cars Land.
To enter a theme park, Guests (ages 3 and older) will need a valid ticket and a theme park reservation for the same day and same park they want to visit.
FALL FESTIVAL AT THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET
SAT OCT 21, 2023, 11AM – SUN OCT 22, 2023, 7PM / Fairfax District / FREE
Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22, LA’s favorite harvest festival at the OG Farmer’s Market will feature a pumpkin patch, farm animals, fall themed games, live music, kids crafts, photo opps and family fun! Bands include The Long Shadows, Lil Sue & the Cowtippers. Paul Val, and Big Sandy & his Fly-Rite Boys. Schedule.
Wednesdays – Sundays / South El Monte /
The Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns in Los Angeles, California delights all ages on a glowing trail of thousands of magnificent, hand-carved pumpkins at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in LA. All ages will enjoy this glowing trail of thousands of magnificent, hand-carved pumpkins. Larger-than-life displays include a nautical sea-scape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, and dragons. Ticket pricing is dynamic and will vary based on the day and time attending and will increase the closer it gets to the event date. $19.99 and up.
Nightly through Oct 31st / Dusk / Calabasas / $29.99 – $49.99
Nights of the Jack is a family-friendly Halloween Jack O’ Lantern experience. Thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins are spread along 3/4-mile trail on King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. Some displays are larger-than-life, whereas other pumpkins are finely detailed. Most visits last from 45 minutes to an hour, but feel free to wander at your own pace. There will also be food trucks and vendors. Comfortable shoes are recommended. The event will take place very night the week. Tickets are sold in 30-minute intervals. Advanced ticket purchase is required.
MORE EVENTS
