Fall is here, and October is jam- packed with fun events and activities so everyone can have a ghoulishly good time this month. Whether you’re looking for haunted libraries, spine-tingling mazes, carnivals with rides and scary delicious treats or spooky ghost stories, local organizations and businesses are bringing the scares to Westchester/Playa.
Here are our top 10 picks for local Halloween fun.
Haunting of Hannon X | Friday, October 21st Saturday, October 22nd at 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The stacks are haunted at LMU’s 10th Annual Haunting of Hannon Library! Attendees are promised chills and thrills courtesy of LMU’s Theater Arts program, as they make their way through the labyrinth of books!
This year’s theme is “Widdershins” to correspond with the library’s special collection exhibit on fairies. Audiences will walk widdershins (counter clockwise) through Hannon “until they open the gates of the Fae and then the scary stuff really starts!”
This event is not suitable for children or the faint of heart. There will not be a family-friendly version of the event this year. Tours for the Haunting leave every 10 minutes beginning at 8 p.m. each night, with the last tour at 11 p.m. Sign-ups start at the library at 7:30 p.m. on each night and are first-come, first serve. Space is limited, so arrive early to ensure your spot!
For more info and to RSVP, visit cal.lmu.edu/haunting_of_hannon_x.
Carnival in the NINE double oh FOUR FIVE | Friday, October 21st through Sunday, October 23rd, Various times
For more than 50 years, Visitation has been hosting its every-other-year carnival and the beloved community tradition is back this month for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. In addition to regular carnival fare, like rides and games, there’s also a prize room, live music, two beer & wine gardens, raffles, a book walk, tons of food, a bake sale and more!
Visitation is located at 8740 Emerson Ave. in Westchester. Discounted presale tickets are available through October 14 at e.givesmart.com/events/sCp.
Halloween Spooktacular at the Westchester Family Y | Friday, October 28th from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Westchester Family YMCA is batty about providing fun, family-friendly activities for the community, and they’re excited to host this year’s Halloween Spooktacular, complete with a “Creepy Crawlers” theme!
Attendees will have the chance to enjoy a haunted maze, carnival games, face painting, a magician, costume parade, food trucks, and lots of treats! For teens, the Y will screen “A Quiet Place” from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more info and to RSVP, click HERE. The Westchester Family YMCA is located at 8015 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester.
Halloween Scary Story Contest at The Book Jewel | Friday, October 28th at 6 p.m. and Saturday, October 29th at 12 p.m.
Have the writing skills to craft the next great horror story that would make Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker proud? Westchester’s favorite independent bookstore, The Book Jewel, is inviting the community to participate in numerous Halloween-themed contests this month, geared toward all age groups.
The Halloween Picture Contest is open to those 4 to 6. Kids are invited to create their best frightening piece of artwork on paper and submit it to the shop by Friday, October 21st at 8 p.m. Three winning artists will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.
For aspiring writers, The Book Jewel is looking for the best original creepy tale. Stories must be submitted to the shop by Friday, October 21 at 8 p.m. on paper and include the writer’s name, age and contact information. Stories should be scary, yet family-appropriate, and be five minutes or less when read aloud. Participants must be available to share their creative fiction at The Book Jewel on October 28 at 6 p.m. or Saturday, October 29 at noon depending on the category.
Two authors in each age group (seven to 12; 13 to 18 and adult) will receive a $25 gift card and one grand prize story winner will receive a $50 gift card to The Book Jewel.
The shop is located at 6259 W. 87th St. in Westchester. For more info, please visit thebookjewel.com.
Trunk or Treat with LAPD | Friday, October 28th from 5 to 8 p.m.
Join the Airport Police and the LAPD Youth Cadet Program for their Third Annual Trunk or Treat celebration.
Stop by during the event to check out the food trucks, music & dancing, car decor competition, enjoy an outdoor movie, 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.
Open Fall Festival | Saturday, October 29th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After a two-year hiatus, Open Magnet Charter School’s Fall Festival is back this month. Expect lots of family- friendly activities like a tour through the magical Fairyland, craft booths, pumpkin decorating, a bake sale, face painting, games, food and music. For those looking for a scare, there’s also a Haunted House!
Visit opencharter.org to purchase discounted tickets before the event. Open Charter School is located at 5540 W. 77th St. in Westchester.
Halloween Fall Fest at the Farmers’ Market | Sunday, October 30th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween a day early at the Westchester Farmers’ Market! Stop by the market on October 30th for special festivities including a pumpkin patch, lots of community booths, Halloween story time with The Book Jewel at 11:30 a.m., and maybe even some treats! The farmers’ market is located in the 6200 block of 87th St. (between Coffee Co. and Truxton’s).
Follow them on social media @westchesterfarmersmarket for more details as they get announced.
Annual Monster Dash 5K on Sunday, October 30th at 10 a.m.
Prepare for all the Halloween candy you’ll be eating by signing up for the Third Annual Monster Dash in Playa Vista. Grab your friends and your best costumes to participate in this devilishly fun run/walk that will take place along Bluff Creek Dr.
The cost to register is $50 for adults and $30 for children 15 and under (plus fees). Local vendors, goodie bags and custom medals for runners round out the event.
For more info and to RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/monsterdash2022.
Howl’oween Costume Contest & Pawrade | Sunday, October 23rd from 11:00am to 1:00pm & Halloween Bash at Runway | Sunday, October 30th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Runway Playa Vista is hosting some great Halloween fun this month. Get creative and get ready to strut your pup down the Runway for a Howl’oween Costume Contest! Check in between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to receive your badge/number. The parade and judging will take place at 11:30 a.m. The contest winners will be announced at 12:45 p.m. in categories like Best Overall, Spookiest, Most Festive, Cutest and more.
Register to participate at runwayplayavista.com/events2/howloween-2022.
Visit RUNWAY Playa Vista for a family-friendly outdoor experience that is sure to scare up some fun!
Rsvp at www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-bash-tickets-429956530557.
RUNWAY is located at 12775 W. Millennium Drive in Playa Vista.
Westchester Recreation Center’s Halloween Zone | October 31st from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stop by Westchester Park for a wicked good time on Halloween!
Attendees will enjoy lots of candy, a moon bounce, costume contest, games, face painting and more!
Tickets are $2 each and food and snacks are available for purchase.
For more info and to RSVP, visit laparks.org/reccenter/Westchester.
The park is also hosting a haunted house with the theme “Rebirth: Park of Pain.” Tickets are $5. The haunted house will run Friday, October 28 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, October 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 30 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday, October 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Food and snacks will be available for purchase on Halloween.
For more info on both events and to RSVP, visit laparks.org/reccenter/Westchester.
Is your group or organization holding a Halloween event this month? Email us at westchesterhometown@yahoo.com to be added to our list!