Ready to scare up some fun this month? Check out our round up of spooky family-friendly Halloween happenings that you’re sure to go batty for!
Runway Movie Night: The Nightmare Before Christmas & Hocus Pocus
October 19 and October 26 | 6:30 pm
Join Runway Playa Vista for its new fall series of “Movie Under the Stars!“
On select Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., the turf at Runway transforms into a cozy open-air cinema where they’ll be screening Halloween classics this month. Before the movie enjoy a stop at the concession stand, and then grab your headphones to enjoy the show!
This month’s Halloween-themed movies include:
- The Nightmare Before Christmas on October 19
- Hocus Pocus on October 26
Runway Playa Vista is located at 12775 W. Millennium in Playa Vista. Learn more at https://www.runwayplayavista.com/events.
Haunting of Hannon Library XI
October 20 & 21 | 8 pm
LMU’s library is once again being taken over by ghosts and ghouls for the Annual Haunting of Hannon! The Theater Arts department promises to offer thrills and chills while taking guests on a tour of the stacks that they’ll never forget!
Evening tours are geared toward adults and run approximately 45 minutes. A limited number of reservations are available at cal.lmu.edu/event/the_haunting_of_hannon_xi. Otherwise, guests can sign-up at the library’s entrance at 7:50 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
A family-friendly version of the event, featuring notable characters from children’s literature, will take place on Saturday, October 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
LMU is located at 1 LMU Drive in Westchester.
Scary Story Contest at The Book Jewel
Stories due October 21 | Story readings October 28
Have a creepy crawly story you’re dying to share? Westchester’s favorite independent bookstore, The Book Jewel, is holding its annual Scary Story Contest for kids seven to 12, teens and adults this month! Submit your original story to the Book Jewel by October 21 and get ready to read your Edgar Allan Poe-worthy tale to a haunted audience on October 28. Stories should be five minutes or less and while scary, should be family-appropriate.
For kids four to six, the store is hosting a Halloween Picture Contest with drawings due on October 21.
Winners in each age group will be awarded a gift card to the store. Get the full details on participating in the contests at thebookjewel.com. The shop is located at 6259 W. 87th St. in Westchester.
Haunting of Hannon Library-Family Friendly Tour
October 21 | 2 to 3:30 pm
LMU’s library is once again being taken over by ghosts and ghouls for the Annual Haunting of Hannon! The Theater Arts department promises to offer thrills and chills while taking guests on a tour of the stacks that they’ll never forget!
A family-friendly version of the event, featuring notable characters from children’s literature, will take place on Saturday, October 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
A limited number of reservations are available at cal.lmu.edu/event/the_haunting_of_hannon_xi. Otherwise, guests can sign-up at the library’s entrance at 1:50 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Tours last 35-45 minutes.
LAPD Pacific Cadets Trunk or Treat
October 21 from 5 to 8 pm
Join the Airport Police and the LAPD Youth Cadet Program for their Fourth Annual Trunk or Treat celebration.
Stop by during the event to check out the games, pumpkin decorating, food trucks, car decor competition, and of course, fill up on candy!
The Trunk or Treat is held at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center, located at 5651 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester.
Howl’O Ween Costume Contest and Parade
October 22 | 1 to 3 pm
Join Runway Playa Vista for their 4th Annual Howl-O-Ween Costume & Pawrade!
Get creative with a costume for your pooch and have fun participating in the pup parade! Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in the categories of Spookiest Costume, Most Creative DIY Costume, Best Cartoon Character, Best Dog & Owner Costume Duo and more!
Runway Playa Vista is located at 12775 W. Millennium in Playa Vista.
Event entry is free and the contest entry is $15 with a percentage of proceeds going to Baja Paws Rescue.
Learn more at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/howl-o-ween-costume-contest-pawrade-tickets-708356542487.
Halloween Spooktacular at the YMCA
October 27 | 6 to 9 pm
The Westchester Family YMCA is planning a monstrously good time for the community at its annual Halloween Spooktacular!
Bring the whole family to enjoy a wicked good evening full of haunted mazes, carnival-style games, a costume parade, face painting, activities and lots of treats! This year’s theme is “Monster Mash!” Make sure to RSVP for this graveyard smash ASAP because space is limited!
The Westchester Family YMCA is located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. Major sponsors of this event include Lulu’s Place, the Westin LAX, SoCalGas, Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, Councilwoman Traci Park and LAWA.
Click here to RSVP: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ymcala/activity/search/detail/252982
Trunk or Treat at St. Jerome
October 27 | 5 to 8 pm
Head to St. Jerome School on Friday, October 27 for a Trunk or Treat event featuring a haunted house, prizes, music, food and candy!
Trunk or Treating is free and tickets to the haunted house are available for $1 or $5 for unlimited entries.
St. Jerome School is located at 5580 Thornburn St. in Westchester.
Westchester Recreation Center’s 40th Anniversary Haunted House
October 27, 28, 30 & 31 | 7 to 11 pm
There’s no more blood-curdling place to be on Halloween weekend than Westchester Recreation Center’s annual Haunted House!
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the self-guided maze is promising to be bigger and better than ever before!
This hair-raising event is recommended for those 12 and up, and the cost to participate is $10.
For all-ages fun, the park is hosting a Halloween Kid Zone on Halloween from 3 to 7 p.m. with an Addams Family-theme. Activities include games, a costume contest, moon bounce and more! The event is free, but guests must pre-register. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Register for both events, if you dare, at laparks.org/reccenter/westchester!
Westchester Park is located at 7000 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester.
Open Magnet Charter School’s Fall Festival
October 28 | 11 am to 4 pm
The community is invited to have a terrifyingly good time at Open Magnet Charter School’s Fall Festival!
Activities include a magical Fairyland, games, a bake sale, face painting, food, music and more! For those looking for a scare, there’s also a haunted house.
Visit the website before October 25 at 10 p.m. to purchase discounted tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the event. The Fall Festival is located on the school’s campus at 5540 W. 77th St. in Westchester.
Get more info and early bird tickets here: https://openmerch.company.site/products/Tickets-and-Swag-c157567501.
WLS Fall Fun Fair
October 28 | 11 am to 4 pm
Join Westchester Lutheran for a Fall Fun Fair on October 28!
Guests can enjoy a pumpkin patch, costume parade, carnival games, photo booth, pie eating contest, face painting and more!
Tickets are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door. Parents’ admission is free.
Learn more at wlcs.org. Westchester Lutheran is located at 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester.
Playa Vista Monster Dash 5K 2023
October 29 | 9:30 to 11:30 am
The Playa Vista Monster Dash 5K is an annual Halloween-themed fun run for all ages. This festive event features ghoulish goodies, prizes, a costume contest, and spooktacular activities for all to enjoy. After the race, stick around for a Halloween-themed bash with a live DJ, vendors, booths & more!
The 5K starts at Randy Johnson Bluff Creek Park in Playa Vista.
RSVP and learn more at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-playa-vista-monster-dash-5k-tickets-687465496807.
Runway Halloween Bash
October 29 | 11 am to 4 pm
Get ready for Runway Playa Vista’s annual Halloween Bash! This family-friendly event is sure to scare up a good time thanks to crafts, a photo booth, spooky characters, a petting zoo, games and more! Don’t forget your costumes!
Trick-or-treating at Runway businesses will also take place from 2:30 to 3 p.m. More details are coming soon!
Runway Playa Vista is located at 12775 W Millennium in Playa Vista.
Learn more at runwayplayavista.com/events.
Halloween Kid Zone at Westchester Park
October 31 | 3 to 7 p.m.
For all-ages fun, Westchester Park is hosting a Halloween Kid Zone on Halloween from 3 to 7 p.m. with an Addams Family-theme. Activities include games, a costume contest, moon bounce and more! The event is free, but guests must pre-register. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Get more info and register here: https://www.laparks.org/activity-details?activity_id=636261302.
St. Jerome Church Fall Carnival
Join St. Jerome Church for their fall Parish Carnival on November 3, 4 and 5!
Stop by for food, carnival rides, raffle prizes and games. There will also be live entertainment and a silent auction!
The carnival will run:
- Friday, November 3 from 5 to 10 pm
- Saturday, November 4 from 3 to 10 p.m.
- and Sunday, November 5 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
St. Jerome Church is located at 5550 Thornburn St. in Westchester.
Hosting a Halloween or fall event? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com to share the details!