Snoopy and his ensemble of elves are gliding onto the ice for Snoopy's Night Before Christmas. Photo courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Merry Farm, CicLAvia x Stranger Things, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend
Stroll through vibrant foliage and gardens. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens
What's Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles? Places Open for Family Fun
Dine in or take out some of the best turkey in Tinseltown. Photo courtesy of the Huckleberry Cafe
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow makes a festive family evening. Photo by Jamie Pham
10 Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles to Book Now!
LA Zoo Lights dazzle. Photo by Jamie Pham
16 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
Photo courtesy of Surfing Santa Contest via Facebook
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families
Ventura Botanical Gardens photo by Gina Ragland
GUIDE
Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families
Holiday lights glow bright at the Mission Inn Hotel. Photo courtesy of the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Christmas Towns & Festive Hotels Near LA That Will Blow Your Mind
Raise your hands if you want to have fun in Big Bear. Photo courtesy of bigbearguide.com
Best Things To Do in Big Bear, CA with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide for Every Season
Nothing says fall like apple picking, and believe it or not, there's great apple picking near LA!
Apple Picking near Los Angeles: Best Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids
Dig in to slime-making! Sloomoo Institute LA photo by Chelsie Hill, courtesy of BFA
21 Trending and Out-of-the-Box Activities for Kids in Los Angeles
Photo by Bill Soistmann
GUIDE
Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families
There is so much free fun to be had at places in LA like LACMA. Photo by Joey Zanotti via Flickr 2.0
100 Fun Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Dive into tons of fun in Long Beach. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific
39 Things to Do With Kids in Long Beach
Embrace the mess! Sloomoo Institute photo by Kylie Williams
NEW Sloomoo Institute Opens in Los Angeles for Kids to Enjoy Slime Fun
Dive into fun at the Cayton Children's Museum. Photo by Matthew Tucciarone
Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County
This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Everything at the Cayton has been carefully crafted with one goal in mind: to help create a better world through the power of play.
Guide to the Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica–A Parent Review
Imaginative play for preschoolers is music to our ears. Photo courtesy of Pretend City
39 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Los Angeles Before They Turn 5
Visit LACMA's Levitated Mass. Photo by Joey Zanetti
100 Things To Do in Los Angeles Before Kids Grow Up

25 Best Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids October 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

No tricks, just treats at Boo at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Zoo
No tricks, just treats at Boo at the LA Zoo. Photo by Jamie Pham courtesy of the Zoo
9/28/25 - By Toby B

There are tons of things to do in Los Angeles for ghouls and gals, but Halloween is the name of the game in October. Los Angeles comes alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and, of course, trick-or-treating—so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

Major treats are in store for families looking for things to do in Los Angeles this October. The sky's the limit at the Pacific Airshow as high-flyers, including the US Air Force Thunderbirds, take to the air over Huntington Beach. DTLA's major cultural institutions open their doors with free performances and interactive activities at Grand Ave Arts: All Access, and dearly departed loved ones are remembered and honored at Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street.

Favorite frightful Halloween activities include the chance to Boo at the LA Zoo, find the STEM in the pumpkin at Battleship IOWA Halloween STEMebration, and Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OC, wander through the Carved jack-o-lanterns in La Canada-Flintridge, watch wheeled gourds speed to the finish line at Manhattan Beach's Pumpkin Race Festival, and so much more.   

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles in October—we're adding more events to the Los Angeles Family Event Calendar daily. Keep reading for the very best things to do in Los Angeles this October, and don't forget to check back weekly for our picks for the best things to do in Los Angeles each weekend. 

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Treats await at Carved. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens
Treats await at Carved. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens

The Best Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids in October 2025

Carved

La Canada-Flintridge
Opens Friday, October 3, 2025
Carved is a family-friendly Halloween event for all ages; visitors can enjoy a mile-long walk through Descanso's beautiful gardens and woods, viewing hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns carved from real pumpkins along the trail. There's a new route to try this year!  READ MORE

Pacific Airshow

Huntington Beach
Friday - Sunday, October 3 - 5, 2025
UPDATE: Due to the government shutdown,  U.S. military assets will not be able to participate in this year’s event.  The show will go on, with the continued participation of Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Royal Air Force Falcons (UK), Aaron Fitzgerald flying the Red Bull BO-105, the historic B-29 “Doc,” Emma McDonald (Australia), Luke Czepiela, and many others. READ MORE

Reyes Adobe Days

Agoura Hills
Saturday - Sunday, October 3 - 5, 2025
Reyes Adobe Days returns! The weekend-long celebration of California's heritage doesn't scrimp on the fun, with a parade, pony rides, and a petting zoo. READ MORE

Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OC

Santa Ana
Saturdays & Sundays, October 4 - 26, 2025
Discovery Cube OC has a real treat this Halloween: Pumpkin Palooza, a seasonal festival of science fun. Kids can come in costume to enjoy two floors of freaky fun, an interactive dance party, bumper cars, life-size corn mazes, and trick or treating.  New this year: the Pumpkin Paths maze. Guests can journey through interactive spaces with a special pumpkin device to learn about composting and more. READ MORE

ArtNight Pasadena

Pasadena - FREE
Friday, October 10, 2025
Select museums and institutions in Pasadena open their doors for ArtNight, a free semi-annual event. READ MORE

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Brentwood - FREE
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Guests can learn about Southern California's vibrant Native American cultures at the Getty's 4th annual event celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. The theme this year celebrates libraries and storytelling, with activities sharing traditional and contemporary Indigenous perspectives and narratives. READ MORE

Disney and Pixar's Toy Story Live-To-Film Concert

Northridge
Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12, 2025
Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story comes to life on stage at The Soraya, featuring the Oscar- and GRAMMY Award-winning music of Randy Newman. The whole family can celebrate the 30th anniversary of this heartwarming tale of friendship with a large-screen presentation accompanied by live music. The CSUN Symphony Orchestra brings the beloved score to life. READ MORE

Crafting Memories: Gamble House Family Day

Pasadena - FREE
Sunday, October 12, 2025
The Gamble House and Pasadena Museum of History welcome guests of all ages for a free day of architecture, art, and exploration.   A variety of activities are offered at each location, such as self-guided tours, crafts, storytimes, and silent film screenings. READ MORE

Depot Day 2025

Griffith Park
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Depot Day is Travel Town's annual celebration and open house. Train lovers of all ages can enjoy  performances by local high school bands, a giant indoor & outdoor train displays, tours of historic railway passenger cars, and more. READ MORE

Skirball Opening Celebration - Fall 2025

Brentwood - FREE
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Admission is free as the Skirball celebrates the opening day of three new exhibitions. Guests can take spotlight tours with artists and curators, visit the Skirball Sukkah, and more. Exhibitions on view include the new Draw Them In, Paint Them Out: Trenton Doyle Hancock Confronts Philip Guston; Glass Sukkah: This Home Is Not a House; and TORN Project by Susan; as well as the previously opened Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity. READ MORE

Scarium Family Night

Long Beach
Friday, October 17, 2025
Scarium, the Aquarium of the Pacific's annual Halloween celebration, is once again presented as a nighttime event. Guests can don costumes to explore the Aquarium’s animal exhibits at night, including the shark, ray, and sea jelly touch tanks, and go trick-or-treating with provided goodie bags. Event highlights include a costume contest, a vampire magician, a DJ spinning tunes, photo booths, and kids' activity booths. READ MORE

Culver City Art Walk & Roll Festival 2025

Culver City - FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Culver City turns up the volume with this year’s rockin’ Art Walk and Roll Festival. The festival features artists, live music, eclectic food trucks, wine and beer gardens, tastings, fun kid’s activities, and interactive art experiences. READ MORE

Spooky Science Night

Downey
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Columbia Memorial Space Center hosts a spooky-themed night of science! A variety of hands-on activities, such as a spooky robotics lab and super slime, are available for all ages. READ MORE

Battleship IOWA Halloween STEMebration

San Pedro - FREE
Saturday, October 18, 2025
This Halloween season, Battleship IOWA welcomes guests on board to enjoy STEM stations, craft stations, a spooky reading corner, and games. Treats can be gathered at six candy stations and Trunk-Or-Treating with first responders. READ MORE

Fall Festival (Original Farmers Market)

Fairfax - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2025
Kids can enjoy the wonders of a country fair in the middle of the city. The Original Farmers Market on Fairfax plays host to the Fall Festival, featuring such family-friendly attractions as a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, fall-themed games, kids crafts, photo ops, and live entertainment.  READ MORE

Boo at the LA Zoo

Griffith Park
Saturday & Sunday, October 18- 26, 2025
A trip to the LA Zoo is always a treat, but the last two weekends of October are especially sweet: this year's Boo at the Zoo includes trick-or-treat stations with wildlife-friendly candies made with sustainable ingredients.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Race Festival

Manhattan Beach - FREE
Sunday, October 19, 2025
The city of Manhattan Beach holds its annual Pumpkin Race on the pier. Families are encouraged to attend in costume and create their own crazy pumpkin race cars at the pier's colorful Pumpkin Race Land. READ MORE

Grand Ave Arts: All Access

DTLA - FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Grand Avenue Arts: All Access showcases major cultural institutions in DTLA. The free one-day event features performances, exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive family-friendly activities. The festival invites Angelenos of all ages to craft their own arts adventure while exploring DTLA’s cultural corridor to the fullest. READ MORE

Long Beach Airport Festival of Flight 2025

Long Beach - FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
The popular Festival of Flight returns to Long Beach Airport. The free event features aircrafts on static display, live music, food and beer trucks, and activities for kids.  READ MORE

Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street

DTLA - FREE
Daily, October 25 - November 2, 2025
Olvera Street hosts its annual celebration of the festive Mexican holiday when families remember their ancestors and the continuity of life. READ MORE

Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Anaheim - FREE
Saturday, October 25, 2025
  Time to switch things up!  As the Anaheim's Fall Festival starts its second century, it moves to a new location: Center Greens, a beautiful new city park next to Anaheim City Hall and the Downtown Anaheim Community Center. Plus, returning for the first time since 1957: the Anaheim Fall Festival Classic Car Show. READ MORE

Marina Spooktacular

Marina del Rey - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2025
Marina del Rey's Halloween Spooktacular is appropriate for all ages, but the scares get scarier as darkness falls. Celebrants can experience thrills and chills navigating the kids giant grid maze, embarking on graveyard treasure hunts, playing carnival games and braving the giant slide, buccaneer pirate ship, fun house obstacle course, and inflatable maze. READ MORE

Family Days: Día de los Muertos

DTLA - FREE
Sunday, October 26, 2025
The dead come to life at LA Plaza! Guests can explore the historical and cultural significance of Day of the Dead traditions at this annual event READ MORE

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert with Danny Elfman

Hollywood Hills
Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2025
What's this? What's this?  There's people singing songs... Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas screens at the Hollywood Bowl with the music performed live to screen, with special guests sure to give you chills. READ MORE

DTLA Halloween Festival for Kids

DTLA
Friday, October 31, 2025
Downtown families can celebrate Halloween at this fun kid-friendly party right in their own backyard. Activities include a trick-or-treat trail, character meet-and-greets, hands-on arts & crafts, a dance party, yummy snacks, and puppet and magic shows. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Multiple Venues in Pasadena
Numerous Venues along Grand Avenue, including: The Broad Museum