VICTORIAN EERIENESS
Angelino Heights, Carroll Avenue, Los Angeles; (213) 430-4219
Saturday, October 3, 2009 (and November 7, 2009 and every first Saturday of the month)
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 adults; $5 kids 12 and under; $5 members
Website
We can’t quite put a (severed) finger on what exactly it is about Victorian architecture and houses that make them seem so beautifully spooky and conducive to hauntings, but if you’d like to judge the freakiness factor for yourself, take a tour of the Los Angeles Angelino Heights historic district with the Los Angeles Conservancy. The tour will take you to the neighborhood that has been dubbed by one journalist as L.A.’s “Haunted House District.” The tour is actually about history and architecture and takes place during the day, so this is an activity appropriate for all ages. The main part of the tour explores Carroll Avenue, a street lined with Victorian homes from the late nineteenth century, nearly all of which have been fully restored. Carroll Avenue is a National Register Historic District, and in 1983 was designated as the first historic district (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone) in the City of Los Angeles. The neighborhood has been featured in dozens of films, TV shows, and commercials.
Los Angeles Conservancy
Check website or call for more information on meeting location
Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $35/person; $25 Conservancy members
Heritage Square Museum
3800 Homer Street, Los Angeles, 90031; (323) 225-2700
Saturday and Sunday, October 24 & 25, 2009
Noon – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $10 adults; $5 children ages 6-12; FREE under age 6
Website
If the Victorian Era Funeral and its death and mourning etiquette are a bit too creepy of a subject matter for your little ones, take them to day two of the Festival on October 25 where kids age 2 – 12 are encouraged to come in costume, play period games, make 19th century harvest crafts and choose a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. The Heritage Square Museum is a living-history museum reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California from the Civil War to the early 20th century. On Oct. 24 and 25, from noon to 4 p.m., learn all about death and mourning etiquette during the Victorian era and participate in a funeral inside one of the museum’s historic homes.
Heritage Square Museum
3800 Homer Street, Los Angeles, 90031; (323) 225-2700
Saturday, October 31, 2009
4p.m.—7:30 pm.
Ages: 1-12 with parent
Cost: $5 for Adults and $2 for children 6 to 12. Children under 6 are free of charge.
Website
Bring your kids for more treats on Halloween inside the safe confines of the museum grounds. Children 1 to 12 years of age, with parent accompaniment, may come in costume and receive sweet treats from our costumed interpreters stationed at each building. Halloween treats will be available from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission price is $5 for Adults and $2 for children 6 to 12. Children under 6 are free of charge.
FREAKY SONG AND DANCE
L.A. Live!
777 Chick Hearn Ct., Los Angeles, 90015; (213) 763-6020
Saturday, October 24, 2009
5:30 p.m.
Ages: ALL to watch; 6 and up to participate (must register beforehand to participate)
Cost: FREE
Website
Your kids may be chronologically too young to personally know about the Michael Jackson Thriller video, but if your recent, frequent personal tribute to the king of pop with song and dance now has them intimately familiar with his work, they will get a kick out of watching the Thrill the World Thriller public group dance that hopes to break the Guinness Book of World Record for the most number of participants. The Thrill the World group performance will take place on Saturday, October 24. Register yourself and your kids ages 6 years and up if you dare take part, but even if you’re more of the spectator kind, you’ll have many chances to see zombies of all ages perfect their moves at the Thriller dance practice rehearsals around town. Check the website for all the latest details and to register!
Music Center Plaza
Grand Ave. between First Street and Temple Street, Los Angeles, 90014; (213) 972-3660
Friday, October 30, 2009
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (Tickets required for the show. Tickets will be distributed 45 minutes prior to start of event – one ticket per person to those waiting in line. Capacity is limited. First come first served.)
Website
Does the excitement of Halloween makes you want to break out into song? Then do it with hundreds of people at a public Sing-a-long with the most kooky, spooky and ghoulish tunes at the Active Arts Halloween Sing-a-long at the Music Center in Downtown L.A. Accompanied by live musicians and lyric sheets will be provided. No experience necessary. Parking under the music center for $8 for up to 3 hours.
CREEPY, CRAWLY, CUDDLY, SLIMY CREATURES
Page Museum and La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036; (323) 934-PAGE (7243)
Friday-Saturday, October 30-31, 2009
Ages: 5 and up (One adult required for every three children)
Cost: $45/person ($40/person museum members) Registration required, call (213) 763-3536 to register
Natural History Museum Grounds
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007; (213) 763-DINO
Daily, Now – November 8, 2009
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, and $1 for children (Timed admission tickets; last tickets sold at 4:30 p.m.)
Website
The Natural History Museum’s Spider Pavilion hopes to dispel common myths and assuage fears about these crawly arachnids, but since it’s the Halloween season, we say go ahead and plunge right into the adrenaline pumping fear that these free roaming creepy crawlers will elicit! Go face to face with them as they feed and check out their webs up close. There are hundreds of species of spiders. On Saturdays, October 10 and 17, then Friday, October 30, tour the Spider Pavilion after dark, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm., take a special flashlight tour of the Spider Pavilion for an even scarier view when the spiders are at their most active! Free flashlights while supplies last.
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Saturday, October 31, 2009 & Sunday, November 1, 2009
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adults: $5.00 suggested, $2.00 minimum; Children age 12 and under: FREE with a paying adult; Group Rates: Contact the Aquarium at (310) 393-6149
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, 90007; (213) 763-DINO
Saturday, October 17, 2009
11a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Museum Admission ($9 adults; $6.50 children; $2 Children 5-12; FREE children under 5)
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, 90802; (562) 590-3100
Saturday and Sunday, October 24 & 25, 2009
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with general admission. FREE for members. Members’ guests receive 20% off admission. Adult: $23.95; Child (3-11): $11.95; Senior (62+): $20.95.
Website
Discover creatures lurking in the depths of the Pacific Ocean at the Scarium of the Pacific. Enjoy special Halloween programs, including the annual children’s costume contest, the creepy coloring contest, magic shows, spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, eerie animals in the Great Hall, and much more.
In addition, take part in a movement to lower carbon emissions by joining the Aquarium and 350.org in celebrating the International Day of Climate Action. Learn about the significance of the number 350 as it relates to carbon emissions throughout the weekend festival. A new special prize category for costumes made with recycled materials has been added this year to show that even goblins can be green.
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027; (323) 644-4200
Saturdays and Sundays, October 24, 25, 31, 2009 and November 1, 2009
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with admission (Adults ages 13+ $13; Seniors $10; Children ages 2 -12 $8; Children under 2 FREE)
Website
Watch the zoo animals devouring their pumpkin treats at this annual Halloween event. Have a safe and spooky Halloween during Boo at the L.A. Zoo, where you’ll find fun festivities—pumpkin patches, jack-o-lantern carving, photo opportunities, eerie crafts— throughout the Zoo. The Freaky Fun House will feature Halloween entertainment, tasty treats, face painting, wacky mirrors, and an amusement zone filled with games. The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, located in Griffith Park, transforms into themed areas and welcomes trick-or-treaters to this annual Halloween event. Boo at the Zoo offers pumpkin carving, treats, crafts, music and performances.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, 90802; (562) 590-3100
Friday, October 23, 2009
5 p.m. – 7 a.m. next morning
Ages: 5+ with adult chaperone
Cost: $60 per person; $50 per Aquarium member
Website
Want to try a fun and exciting way to experience the Aquarium with your family? Join this spooky sleepover adventure for Halloween. This brand new program features:
• Shark Lagoon and tidepool touch time
• Creepy crawly animal interactions
• Pumpkin decorating
• Fish feeding
• Freaky flashlight tour
• 3-D Movie
• Crafts
Included in your sleepover:
• Aquarium t-shirt
• Halloween treat bag
• Pizza and salad dinner, snacks, and a cereal breakfast
The Aquarium encourages family friendly costumes. Families are welcome to stay for events the next day. There will be a Kids Activity Morning followed by our Scarium of the Pacific Festival.
PLENTIFUL PUMPKINS
702 North Doheny Drive, West Hollywood, 90069
October 3 – 30, 2009
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE admission
Website
This pumpkin patch in West Hollywood seems to be where all the celebrities take their kids, or at least where all of the paparazzi is shooting photos of the celebs taking their kids out for some (pseudo) normal pumpkin patch picking experience. An annual event, Mr. Bones and the Halloween giants the jumpin’ pumpkin are back this year for the kids to enjoy at this family-owned pumpkin patch. Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is an annual offers the latest and best Halloween merchandise, farm fresh goods and holiday fun. Select a pumpkin, gourd or squash and carve or paint it at the patch. There’s also, straw maze and face painting.
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
15501 East Arroy Highway Drive, Irwindale, 91706
Saturdays and Sundays in October
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE entrance; $10 vehicle parking fee
Website
There are farm-grown pumpkins, a harrowing haunted house, ghoulish games for the kids, a bounce house, a super slide, fall hay rides, creepy carriage rides, even a mini haunted house for the little ones! Of course, there will also be plenty of our unique multi-passenger cycles, paddle boats and kayaks available to rent at special prices. Bring your camera because there are several spots setup for photo opportunities. If you get hungry, the best carnival food will be only steps away, including candy apples and ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth, juicy cheeseburgers, All Beef Hot Dogs and refreshing drinks to wash it all down! Guaranteed fun for the whole group.
Culver City
5750 Mesmer Avenue.
Opening Saturday, October 10, 2009
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Santa Monica
2300 Wilshire Blvd, corner of 23rd Street
Opening Wednesday, October 14, 2009
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Ages: All
Cost: FREE entrance
Website
Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch brings you two locations to choose from in the heart of the cities of Culver City and Santa Monica in case you don’t want to travel too far away. Straw bales, corn stalks, mountains of pumpkins, gourds, and more, will give you a little bit of the country feel. Moon bouncers, ball house, face painting and guaranteed fun for the whole family! At the Culver City location: Ponies and petting zoo, from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM on Mondays through Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Train rides, bouncer, slide, straw maze – all day, every day! At the Santa Monica location: Petting zoo, bouncer, Ball house and small kids play area.
Plummer Park West Hollywood – Fiesta Hall
7377 Santa Monica Boulevard
City of West Hollywood
Thursday, October 22, 2009
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE — Spaces limited. Sign up now at the park or call (323) 848-6530
Website
No need to bring a pumpkin to this event, just your creativity and carving skills! A great activity for the entire family, but sign up soon because spaces are limited. Compete for best in show and stay for raffle prizes! Admission is free.
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Road Moorpark, 93021
Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2009
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Music 10 – 5:30)
Ages: All
Cost: $10 General Admission; Children under 2 FREE; Free Parking
Website
Get out of the city and head to a real farm for the Underwood Family Farms Folk Festival this weekend, as part of their 12th Annual Harvest Festival going on throughout the month of October. Hear entertainment from an amazing lineup of artists at the Folk Festival Main Stage beginning at 10am until 5:30 pm. If you play an instrument, come on down to the farm, join a group and jam! Especially for kids this weekend, a morning matinee with SoCal’s best children’s music group The Hollow Trees!
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103
Saturday and Sunday, October 3 & 4. 2009
9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE admission
Website
The Annual Pumpkin Festival is a must-see for kids and families in Pasadena and beyond. Two full days of live music and stage performances, carnival games, a petting zoo and pony rides, awesome bouncers for both toddlers and youth, seasonal crafts, a pumpkin patch amd more! The best part: ADMISSION IS FREE! Check the website for a complete entertainment lineup. Food by In-N-Out, Rubio’s, Garlic Jims, The Ice Cream Shop, Teri & Yaki and The Coffee Gallery.
The Original L.A. Farmers Market
6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles; (323) 933-9211
Friday – Sunday, October 16-18, 2009
Friday 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday Noon – 10 p.m.
Sunday Noon – 7 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Juan Bautista de Anza Park
3701 Lost Hills Rd., Calabasas, California
Saturday & Sunday. October 17 & 18, 2009
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE Admission (Rides and Food Fees Apply)
William S. Hart Park
24151 Newhall Avenue, Newhall, 91321
Saturday, October 24, 2009
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 91011 (818) 949-4200
Saturday & Sunday, October 24 & 25, 2009
10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE with Garden Admission (General $8; Senior/Students $6; Children 5 to 12 years) $3; Children under 5 FREE)
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
6338 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90042; (323) 255-2786
Saturday, October 24, 2009
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages: All
danCe and Shoppe
377 W. 7th St., San Pedro, 90731; (310) 272-0767
Saturday, October 24 2009
11 a.m. – 1p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $15/person
Old LA Farmer’s Market
Ave. 58 and N. Figueroa Blvd. in Highland Park
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
STAR ECO Station
10101 W. Jefferson Blvd. Culver City, 90232; (310) 842-8060
Friday and Saturday, October 30 & 31, 2009
Friday: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Adults $8, seniors $7; One child free per paying adult. Each additional child $6.
Los Angeles County Arboretum
Ayres Hall
301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, 91007; (626) 821-3222
Saturday, October 31, 2009
9 a.m. – 1p.m.
Ages: up to age 10
Cost: Arboretum members’ children are invited to participate at no charge. Regular Arboretum admission fees apply for non-members, plus $10 per child for the event. No pre-registration
Grand Hope Memorial Park
9th Street and Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90014
Saturday, October 31, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (also free food, water and candy sponsored by Ralphs Fresh Fare)
Promenade adjacent to Harbor Boulevard, between 3rd Street and 5th Street, in San Pedro.
Saturday, October 31 2009
Noon – 3 p.m. (Children’s Halloween costume parade at 12:30 p.m.)
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
HALLOWEEN DRAMA AND LITERATURE
Greystone Mansion
905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210
Tuesday, October 27 – Saturday, October 31, 2009
Curtain at 7 p.m.
Ages: All (best for older kids because of the theme and the moving around)
Cost: $45
Website
Three classic tales of terror will be staged inside the historic Greystone Mansion and outside on the grounds. Be prepared to follow the actors in real time as they move through the location throughout the play. Share in the experience and the mystery. By the end of the night you will have experienced three different stories in a unique way. Plays performed include: The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving; Pigeons from Hell by Robert E. Howard.
Los Angeles Central Library – KLOS Theatre
630 West 5th Street, Los Angeles, 90071; (210) 228-7000
Saturday, October 31, 2009
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Vroman’s Bookstore Hastings Ranch
3729 E Foothill Dr., Pasadena, 91107
Friday, October 30, 2009
7 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Vroman’s Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 91101
Saturday, October 31, 2009
10 a.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
Sherman Oaks Branch Library
14245 Moorpark St., Sherman Oaks, 91423; (818) 205-9716
Saturday, October 31, 2009
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: FREE
HALLOWEEN TRAIN ADVENTURES
Los Angeles Live Steamers
Griffith Park
5202 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, California 90027; (323) 662-8030
October 16, 17, 18; 23, 24, 25; 29, 30, 31
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ages: All (but children must be at least 34″ tall to ride train)
Cost: Donation based – $5 suggested per person
Fillmore & Western Railway Co.
351 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, 93015; 805.524.2546
Ongoing Each Friday and Sunday October 9 – 30, 2009 (No show October 11)
6:45pm-10:15pm
Ages: All
Cost: Adults $45;; Children 4-12 $30; Children 1-3 $22; Infants on lap FREE
Fillmore & Western Railway Co.
351 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, 93015; 805.524.2546; 800.773.8724
Ongoing Each Saturday and Sunday October 3 – 25, 2009 (10 a.m.; Noon; 2 p.m. departures)
Ages: All
Cost: Adults $17; Children 4-12 $10; Children 1-3 $8; Infants on lap FREE
So you can’t afford a trip around the world right now. You can still learn a little about international cultures and be surrounded by worldly handmade wares at the Craft and Folk Art Museum’s Global Bazaar on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Located in CAFAM’s intimate courtyard, you will discover pit and horse hair fired ceramics by local artisan Chad Steel; delicious teas from China’s Pu-erh regions by Bana Tea Company; handmade jewelry by Karen Young and much more. And of course, CAFAM’s Museum Shop–recently voted by L.A. Weekly as Best of L.A. Gift Shop–will be open with a further array of worldly treasures. Music and refreshments will keep the festive energy flowing! If you want to wow your friends and family this holiday season with unique, handmade gifts from around the world, check out this Global Bazaar. The Bazaar will feature 20 local and global vendors that offer the best in handmade, fair trade, and artisan-produced items. Creativity with a conscience, 
what’s not to love?