Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Near Santa Monica 2026

39 unique & unusual Halloween events near Santa Monica.

Santa Monica's Halloween season features a parade in Marina del Rey, celebrating Dia de los Muertos.

For those seeking more distant experiences, consider the major entertainment expos in Burbank or the Dia de los Muertos events in Los Angeles proper, offering a different scale of celebration.

All Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Around Santa Monica

Illustration of a town street at twilight with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch on a broom by the moon (West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval)

West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval

West Hollywood 9 mi Free

Massive street celebration featuring live DJ sets, food trucks, and costumed crowds.

Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and a black cat among bare trees at twilight (LA Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour)

LA Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour

Los Angeles 11 mi

Explore the haunted history and restless spirits of Hollywood's darkest corners.

Illustration of a clay altar with candles and marigolds, skull decorations and small dancing figures under paper banners (Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever)

Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

Los Angeles 11 mi $$

The largest Day of the Dead celebration outside of Mexico.

Illustration of a boy holding a glowing lantern on a cobblestone street lined with lit houses, pumpkins and a full moon (The Ghosts of Hollywood Tour)

The Ghosts of Hollywood Tour

Los Angeles 10 mi $$

Family-friendly haunted history walking tour along Hollywood Boulevard.

Illustration of a Halloween town at dusk with glowing houses, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon (Los Angeles Ghost Tours: Terrors of Tinseltown)

Los Angeles Ghost Tours: Terrors of Tinseltown

Los Angeles 10 mi

Haunted Hollywood walking tour uncovering dark lore at famous landmarks.

Illustration of a smiling guide holding a glowing lantern on a cobblestone street with ghosts and pumpkins at dusk (The Sunset Strip: True Crime & Ghost Tour)

The Sunset Strip: True Crime & Ghost Tour

Los Angeles 9 mi $$$

Two-mile walking tour exploring Sunset Strip mobsters, murders, and historic venues.

Harvest Market

Glendale 20 mi

Outdoor farmers market with certified Southern California growers and fresh produce.

Illustration of friendly ghosts on small town rooftops with pumpkins and glowing windows as two witches fly past a full moon (Harvest Days at the Skirball)

Harvest Days at the Skirball

Los Angeles 7 mi

Celebrate the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot with seasonal activities.

The Vampire Slayers Escape Room

Torrance 17 mi

Travel back to 1728 to investigate missing vampire slayers.

Illustration of white ghosts floating over houses with glowing windows and pumpkins, with a witch flying past a full moon (SELF-GUIDED VIDEO GHOST TOUR)

SELF-GUIDED VIDEO GHOST TOUR

San Pedro 23 mi $$

Self-guided smartphone video ghost tour featuring eight historic waterfront stops.

Illustration of kids in costumes at a table with pumpkins, bowls of treats, and paper bats and bunting overhead (Ceramic Pumpkin Pottery Class - Beginner Ceramics Workshop)

Ceramic Pumpkin Pottery Class - Beginner Ceramics Workshop

West Hollywood 9 mi $$

Handbuild and glaze a custom ceramic pumpkin without using a pottery wheel.

Illustration of small purple clay characters carving glowing jack-o'-lanterns on a wooden table with candles and seeds (Master Class - Pumpkin Sculpting with Deane Arnold and Todd Tucker)

Master Class - Pumpkin Sculpting with Deane Arnold and Todd Tucker

Los Angeles 11 mi $$$

Advanced pumpkin carving class led by Food Network judges.

Illustration of a Halloween craft scene with clay kids, a friendly ghost, bats and glowing pumpkins under party bunting (Beach Pumpkins Paint and Sip with Nicole)

Beach Pumpkins Paint and Sip with Nicole

Los Angeles $$

Beginner painting class on a 16x20 canvas to take home.

Illustration of glowing jack-o'-lanterns, candles, pumpkin seeds and small figures on a wooden table under string lights (Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop)

Pumpkin Centerpiece Workshop

Los Angeles 8 mi $$$

Craft a floral arrangement inside a real pumpkin to take home.

Illustration of small clay figures in costumes and ghosts painting pumpkins at a long table under bunting at dusk (Pumpkin Spice Lake Paint and Sip with Nicole)

Pumpkin Spice Lake Paint and Sip with Nicole

Los Angeles 10 mi $$

Beginners painting class creating a fall canvas to take home.

Illustration of glowing jack-o'-lanterns, candles and scattered seeds on a wooden table under string lights at dusk (Pumpkin Sculpting for Beginners)

Pumpkin Sculpting for Beginners

Los Angeles 11 mi $$$

Learn knife-free pumpkin sculpting alongside Food Network carving judges.

Illustration of a Halloween town at night with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon (Halloween EMOJI WORKSHOP)

Halloween EMOJI WORKSHOP

Los Angeles 14 mi $$

Decorate three breads with custom emoji designs using provided supplies.

Illustration of a young guide holding a lantern on a cobblestone street with ghosts in house windows under a full moon (DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour)

DTLA Murder Mystery Ghost Tour

Los Angeles 10 mi $$$

True crime walking tour visiting historic downtown crime scenes and haunted bars.

Illustration of a guide with a lantern and a small ghost on a cobblestone street with pumpkins and ghosts at dusk (LA Ghosts: Terrors of Tinseltown Tour)

LA Ghosts: Terrors of Tinseltown Tour

Los Angeles 10 mi

Nightly walking tour exploring the tragic history and haunted landmarks of Hollywood.

Spookeasy

Long Beach 25 mi $$

Haunted tales, ship tour, and speakeasy readings aboard the Queen Mary.

Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon (Enchanted Autumn Forest (15+))

Enchanted Autumn Forest (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step guided canvas painting class for ages 15 and up.

Burk's Halloween Kitty (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step family painting session on canvas with candle-making add-on options.

Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon (Vibrant Autumn Sunflowers (15+))

Vibrant Autumn Sunflowers (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step instructor-led autumn sunflower painting session for painters 15 and up.

Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon (Halloween Cuties - Set (Pick One)(6+))

Halloween Cuties - Set (Pick One)(6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step Halloween painting class for all ages on canvas.

Illustration of a Halloween town at dusk with glowing houses, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon (*BLACKLIGHT* A Hill Haunting (15+))

BLACKLIGHT A Hill Haunting (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$$

Step-by-step blacklight painting session on canvas for ages 15 and up.

Illustration of a town street at twilight with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch on a broom by the moon (Little Spooky Monsters - Pumpkin (6+))

Little Spooky Monsters - Pumpkin (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step guided family painting session with take-home canvas artwork.

Illustration of a town street at twilight with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch on a broom by the moon (Autumn Cherry Blossoms (6+))

Autumn Cherry Blossoms (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step canvas painting session with optional DIY soy candle making.

Illustration of white ghosts floating over houses with glowing windows and pumpkins, with a witch flying past a full moon (Autumn Rustic Friends - Pick One (12+))

Autumn Rustic Friends - Pick One (12+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$$

Guided step-by-step painting session on a 10x30 canvas.

Illustration of friendly ghosts on small town rooftops with pumpkins and glowing windows as two witches fly past a full moon (Squishy Animals - Pick One Halloween Kitty (6+))

Squishy Animals - Pick One Halloween Kitty (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Paint a custom Halloween kitty canvas with step-by-step artist instruction.

Starlight Pumpkins (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step artist-guided pumpkin canvas painting class for all ages.

Illustration of a Halloween town at night with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon (Pumpkin 'n' a Bat-sket (15+))

Pumpkin 'n' a Bat-sket (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step painting class with optional DIY candle-making for ages 15+.

A Little Lonely Ghost (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step family painting session creating a custom ghost canvas.

Illustration of a town street at twilight with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch on a broom by the moon (*BLACKLIGHT* #SpookyCoupleGoals - Set (15+))

BLACKLIGHT #SpookyCoupleGoals - Set (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$$

Step-by-step glowing blacklight canvas painting session for ages 15 and up.

Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon (Sketch and Paint: Autumn Landscapes at Adkins Arboretum)

Sketch and Paint: Autumn Landscapes at Adkins Arboretum

Inglewood 27 mi $$$

Combine pencil, ink, brush pens, and watercolor in nature.

Haunted Night (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step guided evening painting session for painters aged 15 and up.

Monster Mash - Set (6+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step guided family painting session with optional DIY candle making.

Pumpkin Path (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step guided painting class with canvas and wood plank options.

The Starlight Witch (15+)

Santa Clarita 28 mi $$

Step-by-step guided painting class on canvas or wood plank board.

Illustration of three hooded ghost hunters with flashlights and a camera on a tripod near a small ghost among pumpkins (NoHo Ghosts: Hauntings of North Hollywood LA)

NoHo Ghosts: Hauntings of North Hollywood LA

North Hollywood 13 mi $$

Interactive ghost hunting tour with professional tools

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Illustration of two small costumed children and a witch among pumpkins, hay bales and autumn trees on a sunny lawn

Family-Friendly Fall Activities

1 of 20 Absolutely Halloween! Santa Monica

Heartwarming musical family theatre production about saving the Halloween World.

See all 20 family events →

Illustration of a Halloween party at dusk with a ghost above string lights, two witches by a table, and glowing pumpkins

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 25 Santa Monica Halloween Bar Crawl Santa Monica

Self-guided bar crawl across Santa Monica with drink vouchers and after-party.

See all 25 parties & tastings →

Illustration of a small haunted cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, pumpkins and a black cat under a big pale moon

Haunted Experiences

1 of 15 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood Universal City

Features eight haunted houses, the Terror Tram, and scare zones.

See all 15 haunted attractions →

Illustration of a small ghost and a jack-o'-lantern performing on a stage with red curtains, watched by a crowd at dusk

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 17 The Dollface Dames Halloween Spooktacular Santa Monica

Burlesque and variety show featuring aerial, fire, and blacklight acts.

See all 17 shows & screenings →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are ghost tours in Santa Monica worth it for skeptics?

The good ones are history tours wearing a cape: crime, fire, plague, and architecture stories you'd never get on a daytime walk, delivered theatrically after dark. Skeptics should pick tours marketed on history and storytelling over ones selling ghost-hunting equipment sessions. Read recent reviews for the guide's name, since the teller makes or breaks it, and go in for the stories.

What does a full Halloween season in Santa Monica cost, and how do we cap it?

The quiet total, farm day, haunt night, party, tour, costumes, candy, easily clears several hundred dollars per household. Cap it by picking one paid anchor per category you actually care about, filling the rest with free community events, and setting costume budgets before inspiration strikes. Early-bird tickets and weeknight pricing trim 20-30 percent off the same experiences.

What's the etiquette for cemetery tours around Santa Monica?

You're a guest in an active memorial space: stay on paths, never touch or lean on monuments, keep voices low, and give any funeral or visiting family wide berth. Photography of headstones is usually fine on official tours, but follow the guide's guidance. Ghost-story framing doesn't suspend the respect rules, and daytime historical tours cover the same ground with better sightlines.

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All Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Around Santa Monica

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Family-Friendly Fall Activities

Food, Drink, and Parties

Haunted Experiences

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

Find Unique & Unusual Halloween Events on Our Map!

Frequently Asked Questions