October Festivities Come to LA
October has arrived, Halloween is approaching, and Los Angeles is ready to celebrate the "spooktacular" holiday all month long. Whether it be heading to the closest theme park, a bone chilling maze, or a wildly themed-party each weekend, LA is sure to have something for everyone.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, wake up early and go to the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Halloween morning for their annual All You Can Carry Pumpkin Patch. The name says it all, pay only five dollars to head into a batch of pumpkins and leave with as many as you can possibly carry out.
Mr. Bones’ Pumpkin Patch is another option, just a few miles away in Culver City, this patch brings the farm experience to the city. The eye catching, interactive pumpkin patch was originally founded in 1987 and has become a hit, attracting thousands of people every year. Loaded with a variety fun activities like bouncy houses, pumpkin painting, live music on certain nights, and even a petting zoo. This patch will definitely get you, your friends, and family into the spirit.
Looking for something more mellow? LA has a couple of well known outdoor movie establishments like EatSeeHear and Street Food Cinema. They began in the summer, but have extended into the months of October, and are scattered all over LA taking place Saturday evenings. Front Porch Cinema is set up on the Santa Monica Pier. These free, month long screenings include outdoor movies with certain vendors and will have movies like Coco and The Addams Family.
Our neighbors at Will Rogers State Park in the Pacific Palisades will have a screening of classic horror-comedy Sean of The Dead with live music, and a variety of food trucks if you were looking to get a different environment from the pier. These events are well known throughout the city and have a lineup of well known food trucks you can eat at as well.
There are many events always occurring during this month besides movies and pumpkins. The German holiday usually starts in the last week of September, making its way through October, hence the name "Oktoberfest." Grab a few friends and family and venture out to certain restaurants or pubs throughout the city. Oktoberfest is taking place in Pershing Square in Downtown LA and as well as participating restaurants like Wurstkuche and Wirtshaus which all include live music, bratwursts, pretzels and beer.
The city of Angels and many others have embraced the vibrant Latin American tradition of Dia De Los Muertos. People gather together and dress up in festive clothing and create altars in honor of loved ones who have passed. The holiday is a celebration death rather than a time of mourning. Hollywood Forever Cemetery holds one of the biggest celebrations for this holiday each year - this year it takes place on October 27. Lady of The Dead brings in thousands of guests who are welcome to join and dress up, bringing their most eye catching looks for this all day celebration that has some of the most beautiful shows, altars and traditional food available in LA.
This October, LA is filled to bursting with festive seasonal activities. If you feel like you're missing out, want to save some cash or just want to try something different, go check out a few of these during the month.