It's always the same. You dress up the kids, take them to a safe neighborhood for trick-or-treating, and end up on the couch watching the same horror movies and eating too much candy year after year. Luckily for residents of Los Angeles, there is an abundance of activities to celebrate Halloween, many of which are healthier and more fun than indulging your chocolate addiction on the living room sofa.
Historic Dances
For an inexpensive ticket, you can dance Halloween night away at one of Los Angeles's many historic dances. Choose from 1920s-, nineteenth century, or old Hollywood era-themed dances or a traditional autumn ball, such as the Sleepy-Hollow-themed Van Tassel Ball in Glendora or the Annual Harvest Ball in Riverside, where guests enjoy a sumptuous harvest feast. Formal wear is required, and period costumes are recommended but optional. Autumn dinners are served in lieu of the usual Halloween candy and there is plenty of dancing, providing the opportunity to be active for once. Balls, dinners, and themes tend to change annually, but the Annual Harvest Ball is a recurring event.
Annual Harvest Ball
Janet Goeske Center
5257 Sierra Street
Riverside, CA 92504
Englishcountrydancing.org
Take a Spooky Tour
Visit a historic museum, such as the Heritage or the Grier Musser Museums in L.A. or a cemetery, such as the Long Beach Municipal & Sunnyside Cemeteries, done up with a spooky makeover for guided tours in the spirit of Halloween. Tours will provide interesting information about our heritage, the history of Halloween, antiques and art, the lives of the famous dead, and more, while kids can enjoy a variety of activities such as playing period games, decorating or carving pumpkins, decorating sugar skulls just like children in Mexico do on Dia de los Muertos. There are many museums and cemeteries in the Los Angeles area that you can choose from. Such a tour can prove to be enlightening as well as a great excuse to get out and about.
Heritage Square Halloween and Mourning Tours
3800 Homer Street
L.A., CA 90031
323-225-2700
www.heritagesquare.org/events.htm
Grier Musser Museum
403 South Bonnie Brae St.
L.A., CA 90057
213-413-1814
www.griermussermuseum.com
Long Beach Municipal & Sunnyside Cemeteries
1095 E. Willow St.
Long Beach, CA 90806
562-424-2220
http://historicalsocietylb.org
Amusement Park Halloween Makeover
Amusement parks these days, of which there are many in the Los Angeles area, are making themselves over for Halloween, creating a scary theme in the evenings for adults and some spooky attractions for younger ones during the day. Check out Halloween Time at Disneyland or Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Hitting an amusement park is a great way for kids to unwind, run around, and have some fun--a step up from the usual activity of door-to-door trick-or-treating. You can contact amusement parks in the area and find out what they're doing to celebrate this October.
Disneyland
Guest Relations
1313 Harbor Blvd. P.O. Box 3232
Anaheim, CA 92803-6161
714-781-4569
www.disneyland.com
Six Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-4100
www.sixflags.com
Celebrate with the Pets
Halloween isn't just for humans anymore these days, and more and more opportunities emerge in the Los Angeles area for you to bring your favorite four-legged friends with you to celebrate. Choose from dog shows, pet Halloween costume contests, and even a 5K race. The Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade and Canine Costume Contest has been around since 2001 and The Rescue Train Rescue Race since 2006. Surf City Surf Dog Competition, Woofin' Walk, Look-a-like, costume contest, Hot Diggigy Dog Expo There's no reason why Fido has to stay in this Halloween; let him get out of the house and have some fun, too.
The Rescue Train Rescue Race
323-899-5640
www.rescuetrain.org
Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade and Canine Costume Contest
Livingston Park
4900 E. Livingston Dr.
Long Beach, CA 90803
www.hautedogs.org
Annual Downtown Dog Parade
Downtown Burbank
AMC Walkway at San Fernando Boulevard and Palm Avenue
818-238-5180
www.burbankwire.com
Run a Halloween Race
You can choose from several races this Halloween in the Los Angeles area. You'll be able to find a pet-friendly race, a 1K race for kids, or a 5-10K race for yourself. After running 5K, you won't feel so bad enjoying some Halloween candy this year.
The Pumpkin 5K Run and Kids 1K Spooky Fun Run
Lake Balboa Park
6300 Balboa Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
323-491-0917
www.tryusevents.com
E-mail: TryUsEvents@gmail.com
The 13th Annual LA Cancer Challenge 5K/10K Run
& Walk with Kids Can Cure Fun Run
Contact:
Phillip Kim, W2 Promotions
310-828-4123
E-mail: phillip@pancreatic.org
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