Discover the Ultimate Guide to October Adventures in Los Angeles!

Made in L.A. at The Hammer (through December 31) – Made in L.A. is The Hammer Museum’s biennial celebration of artists who work, live, and create in the city of Los Angeles. The opening night bash (Saturday, September 30) features live music from L.A. artist collective Mas Exitos, plus a cash bar and evening access to the museum galleries. The exhibition remains on view through December 31. Free to attend. More info here.

Boney Island at the Natural History Museum (through October 31) – The Nature Gardens of Natural History Museum Los Angeles is home to Boney Island. Expect an array of glowing installations, spooky skeletons, and shadow puppetry interlaced with artistic performances, real fossils from the museum’s collection, and plenty of trick-or-treating opportunities for the little ones. Boney Island runs Thursday to Sunday through the end of the month, plus October 30-31. Tickets are $25. More info here.

Halloween Horror Nights (through October 31) – Universal Studios’ fall horror takeover features the signature Terror Tram, plus a litany of scare zones, lives shows, and a bevy of different haunted houses, including The Exorcist: Believer and Universal Monsters: Unmasked. GA tickets start at $74, but VIP and express packages can push the price point well over $300 depending on the offer. Get more info here.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (through October 31) – The signature Halloween experience held in Griffith Park is back for 2023. The whole thing takes place in Midnight Falls, a fictional horror-town filled with roaming monsters. Check out the haunted mortuary and hop on the signature Hayride, this year the wagons get an update with built-in comfy seats. Tickets start at $29.99. More info here.

Bob Baker’s Halloween Spooktacular! (through November 5)- In Bob Baker’s Halloween Spooktacular!, over a hundred spirited puppets come to life, delivering an hour-long, family-friendly, captivating Halloween revue. Highlights include Frankenstein’s toe-tapping debut and a cabaret of glow-in-the-dark skeletons. More info here.

Knott’s Scary Farm (through October 31) – Knott’s Scary Farm returns with their signature lineup of haunted attractions, mazes and thousands of monsters ready to scare the living daylight out of you and your crew. More info here. 

Reign of Terror Haunted House (through November 4) – This award-winning haunted house and walkthrough experience located in Thousand Oaks is now in its 25th season. The 2023 edition features 138 rooms in 10 different, inter-connected sections within 28,000 square feet of floor space. Standards tickets are $35. Available on select dates through Nov. 4. More info here.

Shaqtoberfest (through October 31) – Prepare for a spine-tingling experience at Shaqtoberfest aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach. This haunting event offers new eerie experiences and multiple attractions that include a Shipwreck Graveyard, where undead sailors emerge from watery graves, to a dark carnival and a dangerous Pirate’s Cove. Tickets start at $29.99 on select nights.

Nights of the Jack (through October 31) – The annual 1-mile trail of Halloween lights and jack o’lanterns at King Gillette Ranch returns this month, and continues on select dates through Halloween night. In addition to the signature walk, expect live pumpkin carving demos, face painting, a souvenir shop, and a “spookeasy” offering adult beverages for sale. Admission runs $29.99-$44.99 depending on which day of the week you attend. Get more info here.

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch (October 5-29) – Culver City’s favorite pumpkin village offers plenty of family fun, including photo ops in front of giant pumpkin installations, a straw maze, a super slide, petting zoo, giant rocking horses, and pumpkin decorating sessions. Tickets cost $10 to $30 depending on date and tickets for activities begin at $1 each. More info here.

La Cage (October 5, 13, 20, 27) – Experience the electric La Cage live show at Hollywood’s Roosevelt’s Secret Theatre starting October 5. Inspired by the golden age of supper clubs and the iconic La Cage Aux Folles nightclub, it’s a glamorous journey all hidden behind a hotel bookcase. Enjoy live vocals, dazzling dance, and a live band, paying tribute to drag culture pioneers with emcee Tommi Rose and surprise celebrity guests like Cheyenne Jackson and Ada Vox. Audiences can also sip on classic cocktails and dine on Cinegrill Theatre’s supper club inspired menu. La Cage starts October 5, with shows on select Friday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets for the show start at $55. More info here.

Urban Death Tour of Terror (October 6- 31) – Zombie Joe’s annual tradition of Urban Death is back with a brand new series of terrifying vignettes, bookended by walks through a creepy maze. Performances run on Fridays and Saturdays through October 28, with three bonus shows on Sunday, October 29, Monday October 30 and Halloween Tuesday. Advance tickets are $22 per person. More info here.

Carved at Descanso Gardens (October 6-29) – Descanso Gardens’ family-friendly Carved returns with a pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, hundreds of carved pumpkins and kid-friendly activities. Tickets run $30-$40 for non-members. Get more info here.

Oktoberfest at Fairplex (October 6-21) – The Fairplex transform into a fantastical Bavarian Oktoberfest every Friday and Saturday with live oompah bands, DJs and plenty of German food and beers to go around. Tickets cost $12 – $22. This is a 21+ event. More info here.

Oktoberfest at Santa Anita Park (October 14-15 and 21-22) – Oktoberfest returns to Santa Anita Park for two weekends of Bavarian beer tastings, steins, live music, dancing, and all that comes with this German-themed celebration. Tickets start at $38. More info here.