I’ve seen scores and scores of Halloween lists floating around the internet and popping up in my inbox, so I decided to throw my two cents into the mix and create a specially curated
#WilsonsGuide Top 10 list of Halloween activities in the Los Angeles area.
From theme parks to festive parades and drink specials, there’s surely something to satisfy everyone, whether you feel like dressing up, dressing down, going hard or taking the more chill option.
Read on to see what’s happening in the city!
10. Halloween Horror Nights @ Universal Studios
The Merriment: Seven mazes, five scare zones and a Terror Tram, all within an area of some of the most recognizable sets from the most beloved movies
The Location: The Valley
The Vibes: Frightening, terrifying, spectacular
Good for: Groups of friends; must be 13+
When-To-Go: now until Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. nightly
The $ Factor: $62 - $219, depending on type of ticket purchased; options include GA, Day/Night Combo, Front of Line Pass and VIP Experience
Parking Situation: A parking lot that's $16 - $35 per car
The 4-1-1: Sure, Universal Studios is where movies are made, but on Halloween, it’s where terror reigns rampant. Arguably the theme park with the best Halloween attractions, the Studios transforms into a playground of abmoninations. There’s creepy mazes filled with unexpected twists and turns, scare zones, the Terror Tram, and of course “scareactors” all over the place, ready to scare the living daylights out of you at any given moment. Everyone should experience Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studios at least once!
For more information: Website
9. Booritos @ Chipotle
The Eats: $3 "boorritos," bowls, salads, tacos and/or kids meals for anyone dressed in costume
The Location: Multiple Locations
The Vibes: Casual
When-To-Go: Friday, Oct. 31, 5 pm. – close
The 4-1-1: On the day of Halloween, Chipotle is continuing its annual fundraiser for its Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, helping to raise funds that will go towards sustainable food initiatives—to add to the more than $2 million that's already been raised. Chipotle burritos are already mad crazy delicious in general, and at this price, it just makes sense to satisfy any pre- or post-Halloween festivities hunger pains here.
For more information: Website
The Merriment: Blocks upon blocks of live entertainment, food vendors and the best costumes in the city
The Location: West Hollywood
The Vibes: Creative and fun
Good for: All ages
When-To-Go: Friday, Oct. 31, 6 – 11 p.m.
The $ Factor: FREE
Parking Situation: Several nearby parking structures offer parking; street parking extremely limited and far away.
The 4-1-1: Probably one of the liveliest and largest Halloween celebration in the city, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival brings out some of the most entertaining and amusing costumes ever. Take, for example, the one pictured above, where my friends and I met two guys dressed as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz—if she hadn’t made it out of Kansas. You can literally spend hours simply ogling over all of the different costumes. But, aside from people-watching, there are tons of activities throughout the night: a costume contest, live music and many of the nearby bars and restaurants are great to check out, and there will be food trucks stationed around.
For more information: Website
7. The Spirit and Voodoo of New Orleans @ Sassafras
The Merriment: A splendidly Southern saloon with live music
The Location: Hollywood
The Vibes: Charming, intimate, genteel
Good for: 21+ guests
When-To-Go: Friday, Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Parking Situation: Street parking
The 4-1-1: Stepping into Sassafras on any given day is literally like stepping into a different era and location; it literally feels as if you’ve gone back to the 19th century, to a Southern state like Georgia or Louisiana. And on Halloween, this Hollywood bar is kicking up the ante by ushering in the “spirit and voodoo of New Orleans.” The band Reverend Tall Tree will play live blues and there will be a tarot card reader and a fortune teller. Aside from libations and Voodoo Punch, there’s also a costume contest with prizes given to the three best dressed.
For more information: Website
6. The Hobgoblin @ The Raymond/1886
The Drinks: Creatively designed libations with fantastic, one-of-a-kind names and eclectic flavors
The Location: Pasadena
The Vibes: Vintage, cozy, nostalgic
Good for: Small groups
When-To-Go: Friday – Sunday, beginning at 5 p.m.
The $ Factor: $8 - $14 per cocktail
Parking Situation: Valet parking
The 4-1-1: Already a #WilsonsGuide favorite, this former hotel-turned-drinking parlor and restaurant has a hauntingly intriguing past that includes decadent wealth lost during the Great Depression, destructive fires and alleged ghosts that still visit the property. So, it’s the perfect location to partake in a more leisurely subdued Halloween, sipping hand-crafted cocktails, like the special for the weekend, the Hobgoblin. Pictured above, this cocktail is a blend of Applejack brandy, house-made pumpkin syrup, cinnamon and other ingredients, all garnished by a chocolate spider web. A food menu is also available.
For more information: Website
5. The Purge: Breakout
The Merriment: A 30-minute interactive "game" where you must work with members of your team to escape before “the purge” begins
The Location: Mid-City
The Vibes: Suspenseful, psychologically thrilling
Good for: Groups up to six people; must be 18+
When-To-Go: Now until Sunday, Nov. 2, beginning in the afternoon, going until midnight
The $ Factor: $27.50 - $30 plus fees
The 4-1-1: Based on the action-horror film The Purge: Anarchy and made by the film’s producers, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse, this interactive maze is based on the movie and forces you to solve collaborative mind games together in order to move through its various levels and eventually escape it...just in time before "the purge" begins. Four semi-trucks are stationed on Beverly Blvd. Nondescript on the outside, they house cramped cages that will hold you and your group members, dilapidated living rooms, dark, narrow hallways and bloodcurdling surprises in the most unexpected places.
For more information: Website
4. Freaky Friday Halloween Party By The Sea @ Marina Seafood & Steakhouse Restaurant Waterfront
The Merriment: A costume party for the grown and sexy
The Location: Southbay
The Vibes: Lounge, restaurant
Good for: 21+ although 25+ is preferred
When-To-Go: Friday, Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
The $ Factor: $10 online or before 10:30 p.m.
The 4-1-1: It's a night of sultry R&B, rhythmic reggae and rare grooves. Music will be provided by DJ X-Treme, the self-proclaimed Original BasementSoul Disciple, and DJ Lady Jamar. There will also be a costume contest with a $500 prize. This event is hosted by Vince Gilbert of BlackStar Productions, Ricky Johnson of The Peepgame Group, Mark Bruce of Mark "The Man" Productions and a good friend of mine, Darryl Holmes of Southern Bot ENT.
For more information: Website
3. The Monster’s Ball @ Arena
The Merriment: The self-proclaimed “Sexiest Halloween Party Ever”
The Location: Hollywood
The Vibes: Club
Good for: 21+
When-To-Go: Friday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
The $ Factor: $15 - $20 plus service charge
Parking Situation: Onsite parking
The 4-1-1: With hosts Ronnie from New Edition/BBD and Shamari DeVoe and DJs EQUE, Mike Smoove and Tagg Team on the 1’s and 2’s, it’s bound to be a night of grooving to R&B, hip-hop and all the 90’s classics. There will be $1,000 costume contest, so be sure to dress for the occasion, and bottle service is available. This is brought to you by Ron & Shamari DeVoe, Diamond Productions, M.S. Entertainment, Doc & Disco, BlackNLA, Honey Collective, TG3 Ent. and Herb The Ent. Spec.
For more information: Website
2. 6th Annual Los Angeles Hayride @ The Old Zoo
The Merriment: Mazes, scare zones and an actual hayride
The Location: Griffith Park
The Vibes: Frightening, ghoulish, chilling
Good for: 8+
When-To-Go: Now until Friday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. until closing time
The $ Factor: Individual GA; $30 - $58; Season Pass $149; Private wagon for up to 30 people $1,395
The 4-1-1: The “Old Zoo” in Griffith Park has been transformed into a lair where it seriously seems as though the worst of what you could imagine about humanity exists. It’s literally like all of the devastating images from your worst nightmares and from horror movies are now in one location. Attractions include its namesake the Haunted Hayride, the Purgatory House of the Horseman, a Haunted Village, the In Between Dark Maze and the all new Seven Sins Sideshow. Expect not just creepy figures, but flying creatures, tons of special effects and, to even get a few liquids thrown on you.
For more information: Website
1. The 15th Annual Día De Los Muertos @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery
The Merriment: A spirited celebration of life and death within one of the most famous cemeteries in the city
The Location: Hollywood
The Vibes: Festive, colorful, inviting
Good for: All ages
When-To-Go: Saturday, Nov. 1, noon until midnight
The $ Factor: $20 for GA; free children under 4 and adults over 65
The 4-1-1: Day of the Dead—or Día de Los Muertos—is a Mexican holiday with origins in indigenous Aztec culture that’s widely commemorated here in Los Angeles. It pays joyous homage to loved ones who are no longer with us. While there are many Día de Los Muertos celebrations throughout the city, the one at Hollywood Forever is a force to be reckoned with, as it takes place in an actual cemetery, where many Día de Los Muertos celebrations have occured traditionally. There will be live music and performances, more than 100 decorated altars, Aztec dancers, a Cathedral art exhibit and much more. Guests are also highly encouraged—and do—dress in the Calaca tradition, painting their faces as skulls and wearing traditional garb.
For more information: Website
Where will you end up? Let me know in the comments below. See you at one of these places soon!
Great list!! Where's the picture from the year you dressed up as a Gold Digger?!
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