Cinematic Los Angeles loves the theatricality of Halloween so much that the city celebrates the ghoulish holiday pretty much all month. Events have a very broad spectrum of appeal, from kids' storytelling meet-ups and haunted houses to all-night-long DJ dance parties and concerts--from Hollywood to Long Beach and everywhere in between. Here is a short list of Halloween events in Los Angeles to whet your appetite for the macabre and monstrous.
Kinetic Theory Circus: Halloween Parent's Night Out!
When: Oct. 19, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Kinetic Theory Circus Arts, 3604 Holdrege Ave. in Baldwin Hills
What: The Kinetic Theory Circus Arts Troupe will perform a special Halloween show for kids aged 6-10. The evening includes circus activities, a pizza dinner, take-home pumpkin decorating, spooky games and a viewing of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The Man Who Created Halloween Book Discussion and Signing
When: Oct. 27, 6 p.m.
Where: Book Soup, W. Hollywood
What: American horror film producer and distributor Irwin Yablans discusses and signs his book The Man Who Created Halloween.
Monster Massive
When: Oct. 27
Where: Los Angeles Center Studios, Downtown
What: “The Monster Mash” is a bit too retro. Thankfully, the Monster Massive has picked up the pace on that old track. The mega-event boasts marquee dance and electronic DJ names from around the globe and caters to the costume-clad and clubby.
Spooktacular Carnival and Pumpkin Dash
When: Oct. 20-21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Lanai Road Elementary Encino 4241 Lanai Road, Encino
What: Spirited family fun comes at no price at this free Halloween event. It features rides, an obstacle course, climbing wall, haunted house, games, eats and treats and a costume parade. Call 818-788-1590 for more information.
Nightmare City: A Video Nasties Celebration
When: Throughout October
Where: Silent Movie Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
What: The series' presenters are billing it as: "30 midnights in a row of toolbox murdering, driller killing, blood feasting, evilspeaking and Mardi Gras massacring." They're also offering prizes to the person/people who can sit through the most video nasties in October.
Masquerade: A Halloween Costume Ball & Dance Party for KCRW
When: Oct. 27, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Park Plaza Hotel, McCarthur Park
What: KCRW DJs will spin under ghoulish aliases at the grand classic LA venue of the Park Plaza complete with four stages.Z-Trip and Mexican Institute of Sound are also set to perform, along with vaudeville circus troupe Lucent Dossier. Sure to be one of the "it" events of the night.
LACMA Muse Costume Ball
When: Oct. 31, 8 p.m.
Where: LACMA, Mid-Wilshire
What: One of LA Halloween's hot tickets, the LACMA Muse Costume Ball attracts over 1,000 art enthusiasts and their friends to the museum for an evening of music, video projections, food and drinks. Performers include Daedelus featuring Archimedes, Sypher Art Studios, Astra Dance Company, and more. Tickets: $75 (Muse members), $100 (general public).
West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval
When: Oct. 31, 6-11 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood
What: No one does Halloween as well as the City of West Hollywood. This local tradition consists of a mad and fabulous frolic through We-Ho. Each year over 500,000 people hit the streets of Santa Monica Blvd. to catch spirited live entertainment, costumes galore and of course the Queen of the Carnaval. In addition there are other related events in the area on the days leading up to this infamous annual street romp.
AMP Radio's Halloween Masquerade
When: Oct. 20
Where: House of Blues Sunset Strip, W. Hollywood
What: Ellie Goulding, PSY, and Rita Ora make HOB Sunset Strip the place to celebrate the Halloween season. Tickets are $12.40 general admission (18 and over).
Halloween Horror Nights
When: Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, 25-28, 31
Where: Universal Studios, Universal City
What: Sometimes a studio back lot can be scarier than a graveyard. Check out the horror of Hollywood at this annual Halloween themed month-long series, taking place from 7 p.m. onwards. Features include terror trams, mazes, shows and rides.
