Out and About
Fifth Annual Haunted Little Tokyo. After your night in, surely it’s time to get out of the house. How about going on a Halloween adventure in Tokyo? Little Tokyo, that is. Hold on to your witchy hats because the Fifth year of Haunted Little Tokyo has been confirmed! Presented by Little Tokyo Ghost Club, the downtown LA community has scheduled three frightfully festive events, offering something for ghosts and ghouls of all ages. The Haunted Little Tokyo Pumpkin Patch will be free to all in the Japanese Village Plaza on October 16-17 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition to everything pumpkin, there will be Photo Opportunities and a Coloring Contest.

Haunting Scavenger Hunt. Return on October 30 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. to combine Trick-or-Treating with the Haunting Scavenger Hunt. Map in hand (or hook, claw, or paw as the case may be), explore Little Tokyo, picking up treats along the way. There’s a chance for a special prize if you complete the whole map. Then, after all the family-friendly treats, take the little ones home and return for a 21+ Haunted Block Party from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight. DJs will provide the tunes while you eat, drink and make scary. There’s even a Costume Contest. Additional information is available at http://www.golittletokyo.com/haunted/.

Beverly Hills Pumpkin Patch. Not wanting to be outdone by Little Tokyo, the undead in Beverly Hills would just love to taste…oops!...that is, see you at the Beverly Center for the second annual family-friendly Pumpkin Patch. They’ll have pumpkin carving demos, live music, and social media-worthy photo ops. But that’s not all. This year, they’re offering a special Fall-Themed Photo Moment in the Grand Court. This event runs through October 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day except Sunday when they close at 6:00 p.m.

Haunted Halloween Photo Shoots. For the social media stars out there craving something spooktacular to make their fiendish friends scream from envy, Wild Artistry Photography in Los Angeles has you covered. They’re offering Haunted Halloween Photo Shoots. Fly solo or bring your whole coven, and enter the world of the Siren Skull, Wiccan Witch, or Autumn Scarecrow. You provide your own outfit or costume but the topper could be a professional make-up package that is available for purchase. For details on package options and to book your appointment go to https://wildartistryevententertainment.com/halloween2.

Road Trippin’
Pumpkins in the Pines. Looking for something a bit further off the usual path…way, way off? How about a day trip to Pumpkins in the Pines at SkyPark’s Santa’s Village. Don’t be afraid: Santa won’t add you to the naughty list for celebrating the season of haunt. In fact, he’s invited a cast of costumed friends to help with the festivities every Saturday and Sunday through October 31. They’ll greet you with a Monster Mash Light Show and escort you to choose a pumpkin from the patch, which you can paint in Santa’s workshop. After enjoying a day of cookie decorating, crafting, and feasting on seasonal goodies, a haunted hike through the Fantom Forest may scare away those extra calories, as will the Sleepy Hollow Puppet Show and Trick-or-Treating. For information and tickets, go to their website at https://skyparksantasvillage.com/pumpkins-in-the-pines-2021.

Halloween Rockin’
Oingo Boingo. Through some mysterious means, tickets are once again available for the Halloween Party with Oingo Boingo Former Members (basically the band minus Danny Elfman). Black Valentine and Tilli & The Coolers will get your blood flowing. Then rock out to hits like “Dead Man’s Party� and “Weird Science.� At The Canyon in Agoura Hills, this is one night only, October 31, doors open at 6:00 p.m. There’s a two-drink minimum. This show was previously listed as sold out, so grab seats while you can. Information is available at https://wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/events/oingo-boingo-former-members-agoura-hills-oct/.
Verdugo Moon Halloween Bash. This up-and-coming band featuring Mina Bloom takes the stage one-night only on Saturday, October 23 at the Topanga Canyon Bubble Bar, 7:00-9:00 p.m. For a full evening of music, dancing and a cash bar, go early to hear the Chester Copperpot Band from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Located at 127 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., in the main Courtyard across from the Topanga Creek General Store.

October 2021 has something for everyone from the tiniest fairies and pirates to the naughtiest nurses and grimmest reapers. This season’s lineup of events might just prove to be electrifying enough that the specter of last year’s “Halloween-that-Wasn’t� vanishes from our nightmares for good.

NOTE: For all events, check websites regularly for updates on COVID restrictions