50 Fantastic Things to Do in Los Angeles in October
It’s officially Fall, and I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the change. Here is a list of the best things to do in Los Angeles in October that will have you breaking out the cozy sweaters and crunching through invisible piles of golden leaves. Be sure to scroll to the end for the spooky fall feels happening all month long for Halloween!
*This piece contains affiliate links to help you make the most out of October while benefiting the blog simultaneously. Thank you for considering the click.
October 1st – 6th
National Taco Day used to be October 4th, but they’ve moved it all the way to the start of the month so that it may fall on Taco Tuesday on October 1st. Follow the National Taco Day post to learn mas.
Some places like Broken Yolk Cafe will still honor the old date with offers like a buy one, get one 50% offer on Baja Breakfast Tacos on Friday, Oct. 4th. So you can celebrate all week.
Tuesday, October 1st, is also National Escape Game Day. The Escape Game is partnering with Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, among others, to give away FREE TICKETS to all their 44 locations. Visit NationalEscapeGameDay.com to see partners and play to win!
October 1st is also, International Coffee Day, and one of my favorite roasters from the Inland Empire has a new blend. Empire, from Klatch Coffee, features notes of chocolate, vanilla cola, and blackberry that you can smell as you grind the beans. It’s available to purchase on their website and in stores in honor of the holiday.
October 1st to the 6th are the last few performances of Mrs. Doubtfire at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Get tickets as low as $30 with this link.
Wednesday, October 2nd, starts the run of Green Day’s American Idiot at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets begin at $40 with this link.
Wednesday, October 2nd, kicks off the 90-day pop-up for Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Beverly Hills at the SLS Beverly Hills. The 17-course omakase is limited to 10 guests per seating and is $182 a person. Reserve on Tock.
Wednesday, October 2nd, is also the first night of Rosh Hashanah, and A.O.C. will be celebrating with a dinner on Thursday, October 3, 2024, with cookbook author Amelia Saltzman. Tickets are $85 on OpenTable.
Friday, October 4th, and subsequent Fridays, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will continue Free Jazz Fridays at 6 p.m. through October. Check the calendar for your favorites.
Friday, October 4th, is the start of Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairgrounds, taking place the first three weekends in October. It’s a combination brewfest and boofest for the 21 and older audience, but you can also just stick to German beers and sausages if that’s your preference. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m., and tickets begin at $14.
Saturday, October 5th, is the 12th annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fundraise and fight against childhood cancer. It’s a foodie event not to be missed for a great cause. Get tickets here.
Saturday, October 5th, is Strong Words, a spoken word event at 7:30 p.m. at Socalo in Santa Monica. Tickets are only $10 on OpenTable, and pre-cocktails are encouraged :).
October 5th and 6th is Japan Family Day. The largest Japanese family festival in Southern California. Taking place at Santa Anita Park, tickets are just $5-$10 for a full day of fun. Doors open at 11 a.m.
October 7th – 13th
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and if you treat yourself with a manicure at the Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, a portion of your proceeds will benefit Providence St. John’s Foundation for Breast Cancer. Those who make a donation of $5 or more will receive a custom Zoya trio box with a pink polish, ultra glossy topcoat, and base coat. It’s a win, win.
Tuesday, October 8th, is the start of a super fun collaboration to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob Square Pants – and one that might get your kids excited to go out to dinner with you :). BOA Steakhouse will serve a limited edition Krabby Patty Burger from October 8th to the 27th at their Sunset Blvd, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach locations for $24.
Head to The Hollywood Bowl for a concert with The National on October 9th. Discounted tickets in the link.
Wednesday, October 9th, and subsequent Wednesdays through Thanksgiving, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood will host movie nights on the i|O Rooftop. The event is open to non-hotel guests and requires a $40 minimum on food and drinks, but valet parking is FREE! The first film is Nightmare on Elm Street. No reservations are necessary.
Thursday, October 10th, is National Apple Cider Donut Day, and this holiday was created by the local Underground Donut Tour, which is based in Santa Monica. I just love the hustle of someone creating their own holiday – so it is a must on this list. Check them out here.
Thursday, October 10th, is also the Platinum Anniversary of El Torito, which turns 70 this year! Celebrate with them by enjoying $7 Platinum Drink Specials with top-shelf tequila, $3 Tacos, and Happy Hour beginning at 3 p.m. There will also be giveaways throughout the event.
On Friday, October 11th, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will continue their Free Jazz Fridays at 6 p.m. Check the calendar for your favorites.
Friday, October 11th, is a fan screening of Frankenweenie at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40, including popcorn, a drink, and a souvenir. Additional screening dates are also available.
October 11th and 12th is Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairgrounds. It’s a combination brewfest and boofest for the 21 and older audience, but you can also just stick to German beers and sausages if that’s your preference. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
Head to Heritage Square in Pasadena for four nights of SFC Presents: Boo-ze, Bites & Frights as part of Street Food Cinema. October 11th and 12th are the first nights. The 21-and-over event features drinks, adult trick-or-treating, and screenings of spooky Halloween films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Pearl. Early bird ticketing is $35, while GA is $40. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. event. Get more details on all four nights on their website.
October 11th and 12th are also the dates of the Manhattan Beach Food and Wine Festival. With names like Susanne Goin, Jackson Kalb, David Lefevre, and even Dominque Crenn, it’s sure to be the event of the month. Secure tickets here.
October 11th is also the start of the Fall Prix Fixe Menus at Eataly in Century City. Think two courses for just $25 across all their outlets, including Terra. This promotion runs through October 27th.
October 12th is The Music Center Presents: The Chapter House Indigenous Peoples’ Day Party, a marketplace with Performances and visual artwork promoting the cultural expressions of the indigenous communities in Los Angeles. Hours are 2 to 6 p.m. at the Jerry Moss Plaza at the Music Center in DTLA. The event is FREE.
Oktoberfest at Santa Anita Racetrack takes place October 12th to 13th. Tickets begin at $38 for steins, pours, betting vouchers, and more. Get $10 off when you sign up on their website.
Sunday, October 13th, is the OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival on the Santa Monica Pier, celebrating National Seafood Month! Tastings include The Lobster, Blue Plate Oysterette, Michael’s Santa Monica, The Surfing Fox, and many more. Most importantly, the event benefits Heal the Bay and is free of single-use plastics. Tickets begin at $85 for all-you-can-eat tastings.
October 14th – 20th
Thursday, October 17th, is the opening night for Diane von Furstenberg: Woman Before Fashion, which explores the extraordinary career of fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg at the Skirball Cultural Center. Tickets are $18 per adult, and the museum is FREE on Thursdays. Reserve here.
Beginning October 17th until the 30th, you can shop both sustainably and globally at The Folklore Residency Pop-Up Shop on Western Avenue. Details here.
Friday, October 18th, is a fan event screening of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in 4D at 7:30 p.m. Events include a live drawing demo with George McClements and a special introduction by Don Hahn. Tickets are $65 and include popcorn, a fountain beverage, a Scary Teddy Popcorn bucket, plus a bonus souvenir.
Also, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will continue its Free Jazz Fridays at 6 p.m. through October. Check the calendar for your favorites.
Saturday, October 19th, is Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA in Santa Monica. The show runs through January. You can get your tickets for half off when you pre-order with this link.
Head to Heritage Square in Pasadena for four nights of SFC Presents: Boo-ze, Bites & Frights as part of Street Food Cinema. October 18th and 19th are the last two nights. The 21-and-over event features drinks, adult trick-or-treating, and screenings of spooky Halloween films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Pearl. Early bird ticketing is $35, while GA is $40. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. event. Get more details on all four nights on their website.
October 18th and 19th is Oktoberfest at the Pomona Fairgrounds. It’s a combination brewfest and boofest for the 21 and older audience, but you can also just stick to German beers and sausages if that’s your preference. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
Also beginning October 19th and running until November 2nd, is Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park between Grand Ave. and Hill St. Stroll through the park to view 20 altars made by professional artists. This coincides with Grand Ave Arts: All Access which is an afternoon of free arts, entertainment, and more – including many major institutions opening their doors for free access from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make your free reservation on the website.
Oktoberfest at Santa Anita Racetrack takes place on October 19th and 20th. Tickets begin at $38 for Steins, Pours, Betting Vouchers, and more. Get $10 off when you book on their website. The same weekend is also the start of the Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch for your little ones. More details in this link: presale ends October 4th. Starter pack pricing begins at $20 and includes a pumpkin, roller skating, a giant slide, and a trackless train ride.
One of the hottest tickets this season at The Hollywood Bowl has to be Joni Mitchell & The Joni Jam on October 19th and 20th. Discounted tickets for this rare event are in the dates.
October 21st – 27th
Tuesday, October 22nd, head to Yogurtland for a buy one Dirt Cup, get one FREE offer. This flavor blends chocolate frozen yogurt, crumbly cookies, and sour gummy worms. Be sure to redeem on Yogurtland’s website or mobile app using the code DIRTCUP2 at checkout and then pick it up in store.
Also, on Tuesday, October 22nd, it’s Postcards For Democracy at Zocalo Public Square as part of an event, “Will the Real Young Voters Please Stand Up” from ASU California Center Broadway. Postcards For Democracy is a project from musicians Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO) and Beatie Wolfe. The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. and offers a chance to make a postcard that will be displayed as part of a national exhibit expressing the power of voting rights with public art.
Friday, October 25th, is Free Jazz Fridays at LACMA. Check the calendar for your favorites.
October 25th to the 27th, The LA Opera is screening “Spanish Dracula” at the historic United Theater on Broadway (formerly The Theatre at Ace Hotel), with a world premiere score from Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla and a live orchestra. Get your tickets here.
Saturday, October 26th, is Hitchcock Night: Psycho & The Birds at The Autry Museum as part of Street Food Cinema. Advanced tickets begin at $22 for adults. Get more details here.
Saturday, October 26th, and Sunday, October 27th, is the second weekend of the Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch at Santa Anita Park. More details in this link: presale ends October 4th. Starter pack pricing begins at $20 and includes a pumpkin, roller skating, a giant slide, and a trackless train ride.
October 28th – 31st
Wednesday, October 30th, is a screening of “The Shining” at 8 p.m. at The Ford Theater in Hollywood. It’s one of the more spectacular spaces in this city and great place to watch a movie. Get tickets here.
October 31st is Halloween, and unless you live under a rock, you probably have been feeling the vibe all month long. The following section has everything you might want to consider – just don’t wait too late to book.
- October 31st is the annual Halloween Spooktacular in Montrose near Glendale from 5 to 7 p.m. The event offers a safe place for children to trick-or-treat from the storefronts that line Honolulu Avenue. Best of all, it’s free.
- If you’re in the Downtown Los Angeles area, bring the kids to Grand Hope Park for the 17th Annual DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $13 pre-sale or $15 at the door. Click here to purchase your tickets. The first 600 kids will get a pumpkin tote back plus there will be hot dogs from Shake Shake and Cookies from Capital One Cafe.
- October 31st, also offers a 50th anniversary screening of “Young Frankenstein” at 8 p.m. at The Ford. Get tickets here beginning at $22.
Spooky Fall Feels Happening All Month Long!
Now until November 2nd (on select nights), visit Whittier Narrows Park for Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns. Expect dozens of pumpkins decked out in lights, along with dazzling displays in the dark that all ages will enjoy. Tickets begin at $24.99 for adults.
October 4th through the 30th is Carved at Descanso Gardens. This stroll through the pumpkin patch offers lots of PG fun, including litters of jack-o-lanterns lighting your path and illuminated oaks. Tickets begin at $28 for members and $35 for non-members.
Nights Of The Jack Halloween Experience is once again bringing screams and smiles to Calabasas. Festivities include immersive scenes along a mile-long trail with games, selfie spots, and an adult “spookeasy.” Tickets begin at $29.99 for weeknights, and the event runs until November 2nd.
The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is riding again at Griffith Park. Tickets begin at $36.99 and run through November 2nd. Get yours here. This event is not recommended for children under 12.
Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park has been going strong since September and is the longest-running Halloween event. The theme park is transformed for Halloween with rides, mazes, and over 1000 scary creatures. Tickets as low as $59.99 on the website. This event is not recommended for children under 13. The event is from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
No Halloween is complete without a trip to Universal Studios Annual Halloween Horror Nights, but the most terrifying thing just might be the price! Most tickets begin at $269 unless you’re coming at off hours when they can be as low as $77. The event is on now until November 3rd.
Take your pick of the patch at Mr. Bones for pumpkins, slides, and a petting zoo in Culver City. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days, and the event runs from October 5th to the 31st. Check the website for pricing because it depends on when you go.
Also, in October…
October is National Pizza Month, and it offers a great chance to flex your sobriety muscles during Sober October. Get details on both of those below.
Looking forward to November
Bridgerton on Strings? Yes, please! Get tickets to Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings in Los Angeles on November 1st and 2nd and select dates in December beginning at $40. Upgrade your ticket for $10 and include a photo of you surrounded by candelight in the venue.
This is a good list. Do you have recommendations for November?
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