Local happenings and haunts are plentiful this weekend! As we gear up for an exciting end of October, check out all the fun in your neighborhood. From Día de Los Muertos to Boo at the Zoo and more, we have you covered! Don’t miss out on the top events happening October 23 through October 25.
Los Angeles Weekend Events | October 23 – October 25
Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever
When: October 24
Where: Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Hollywood
What: Celebrate the beauty and traditions of Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Day of the Dead Festival, one of California’s largest celebrations honoring loved ones who have passed. The cemetery transforms into a vibrant gathering filled with elaborate community altars, traditional dance performances, colorful costumes, arts and crafts, and authentic Mexican cuisine. This year’s festivities also feature live music from DannyLux, Trish Toledo, Tropa Magica, and Los Shadows, with illuminated altars creating a particularly memorable atmosphere after sunset.
Boo at the L.A. Zoo
When: October 24 – November 1
Where: Griffith Park | Los Angeles
What: Celebrate Halloween with a wild twist at Boo at the L.A. Zoo, returning for two weekends of family-friendly festivities. The annual celebration features spooky decorations, trick-or-treating, Halloween storytime, interactive educational stations, slime activities from the Sloomoo Institute, and festive photo opportunities. Visitors can also get an up-close look at some of the zoo’s creepiest creatures and watch as resident animals enjoy special pumpkin feedings throughout the day.
Haunted Little Tokyo
When: October 24 – October 31
Where: Little Tokyo | DTLA
What: Every year, Haunted Little Tokyo turns the area into a ghoulish maze of Halloween-themed pop-ups, walking tours, and performances. On October 24, you can set out on a free, family-friendly scavenger hunt hosted by the Terasaki Budokan (11am–2pm) or explore the haunted history of 1st Street on a ghoulish ghost tour (5pm, tickets $25). On Halloween night, dance the evening away at a 21+ block party with music, a costume contest, and a full bar (4pm–midnight). RSVP online for the secret Little Tokyo location.
Westside & Beach Communities Weekend Events | October 23 – October 25
L.A. Times Food Bowl
When: October 23 – October 24
Where: Santa Monica
What: Savor the best of Los Angeles dining at the L.A. Times Food Bowl, a weekend-long culinary celebration at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The festivities kick off Friday with the highly anticipated reveal of the L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants guide, accompanied by unlimited tastings and drinks from acclaimed local restaurants including Baroo, Dunsmoor, Holbox, and Saffy’s. Saturday’s “Saturday Night Flavor” continues the celebration with culinary demonstrations, comedy, and appearances by Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, and chef Roy Choi.
Dark Harbor
When: Until November 1
Where: Long Beach
What: Brave one of Southern California’s most atmospheric Halloween attractions when Dark Harbor returns to the historic RMS Queen Mary for its 13th anniversary. The haunted experience transforms the ship and surrounding grounds with eerie mazes, roaming monsters, fog-filled corridors, carnival rides, secret speakeasies, and live entertainment. New this year is the “Shipwrecked: Brace for Impact” maze, joining reimagined attractions inspired by the ocean liner’s storied past.
MOLAA’s Dia de los Muertos Festival
When: October 25
Where: Long Beach
What: Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach with a free, family-friendly afternoon honoring Mexican culture and tradition. The festivities feature live performances, food, colorful decorations, and hands-on activities including poetry writing, face painting, and sugar skull decorating. Guests are also encouraged to dress in their finest Catrina-inspired attire for a festive costume contest. While visiting, explore the museum’s latest exhibitions, with complimentary admission offered every Sunday.
San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | October 23 – October 25
Halloween Horror Nights
When: Until November 1
Where: Universal City
What: Spooky season officially arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood with the return of Halloween Horror Nights. This year’s after-dark event features terrifying haunted houses inspired by Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn, Ozzy Osbourne, and Sinners, plus sinister scare zones and the park’s infamous Terror Tram. Running on select nights from September 3 through November 1, it’s a fright-filled kickoff to Halloween season for horror fans.
Haunted Soirée: The Hex Hollow Murder
When: Until October 31
Where: Glendale
What: Focus Features brings its annual FocusFest celebration back to the Universal Studios lot for a special showcase of beloved films and upcoming releases. The event features screenings of favorites like Pride & Prejudice and The Holdovers, alongside new titles including Sense and Sensibility and Elsinore. Horror fans can also catch a special presentation of Obsession, featuring appearances by Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson. Each ticket includes access to the screenings, themed photo opportunities, complimentary concessions, and a drink voucher for a memorable moviegoing experience.
Urban Death: Tour of Terror Ultra
When: Until November 1
Where: North Hollywood
What: Test your nerves at Urban Death: Tour of Terror, the chilling Halloween experience from Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group in North Hollywood. Combining immersive haunted house thrills with a series of unsettling theatrical vignettes, this 40-minute adventure leads guests through a dark labyrinth armed with little more than a flashlight. Recognized as one of Yelp’s top 10 scariest haunts in the country, the production has been terrifying audiences for over two decades and promises an even more intense experience this year.
Conejo Valley Weekend Events | October 23 – October 24
Night of the Jack
When: Until November 1
Where: Santa Monica Mountains
What: Stroll through a glowing wonderland of thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns as Night of the Jack returns to King Gillette Ranch. The family-friendly Halloween experience features a reimagined mile-long illuminated trail filled with elaborate pumpkin displays, lantern art, projection mapping, and seasonal photo opportunities. New for 2026, Jack’s Carnival adds kid-friendly rides and games, while food trucks and the Spookeasy offer plenty of treats along the way.
Spooktacular Bash at Camarillo Community Center
When: October 23
Where: 1605 Burnley St, Camarillo
What: Put on your favorite Halloween costume and hit the dance floor at the Spooktacular Bash, a festive evening of music, dining, and socializing for adults ages 50 and older. Guests can enjoy live entertainment from Seniors of Note, a delicious dinner, and plenty of dancing while connecting with friends old and new. Admission is just $5, with advance registration required to join the Halloween festivities.
Halloween Haunt in the Park in Oxnard
When: October 24
Where: Plaza Park, 500 S C St, Oxnard
What: Celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of family-friendly fun at Halloween Haunt in the Park, returning to Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard on October 24. The event is hosted by the Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association. Likewise, it is a festive community gathering featuring trick-or-treat booths, a costume contest, and bounce houses. Additionally, there will be face painting, crafts, games, and live music. Taking place from 4 to 7 p.m., the event offers plenty of spooky fun for little ghosts and goblins in the heart of downtown.