Oktoberfest at Westwood Village
German-inspired food, beer, live music, and vendors at Broxton Plaza.
28 Halloween food, drink, and parties in Sawtelle and nearby.
Sawtelle hosts over 30 Halloween events, from major costume parties like the Upside Down Halloween Eve Costume Party to neighborhood bar crawls. For a different experience, consider the Haunted Blood Vessel cruise departing from Marina del Rey. This collection features ticketed parties, some in neighboring cities like Santa Monica, and includes food and drink specials.
Family-friendly pumpkin patch featuring a straw maze, slides, and petting zoo.
Features eight haunted houses, the Terror Tram, and scare zones.
Interactive screening featuring live shadow cast Sins O' The Flesh.
Massive street celebration featuring live DJ sets, food trucks, and costumed crowds.
See all Halloween parties, events, and celebrations in your area.
Judges reward recognition-plus-craft: a concept the room gets in two seconds, executed with visible effort. Group and couples themes outscore solo store kits, movement gags and lights win crowd votes, and puns split the room but stick in memory. Practically: confirm entry time and format at arrival, be near the stage before judging, and build a costume you can dance in.
These are ticketed, seated productions, murder mysteries, monster-themed tasting menus, cabaret dinners, so treat them like theater: book weeks ahead for October Saturdays, note the prix-fixe price usually excludes drinks and tip, and flag dietary needs at booking, not at the table. Confirm the costume expectation, since some dinners are full-dress affairs while others just want festive attire.
Read the listing: "costumes encouraged" means half the room dresses up and nobody cares, while "costume required" events can refuse the door or charge extra without one, especially themed balls. Peak Saturday, you'll feel more out of place without a costume than in one. The minimum viable move: one strong accessory, hat, cape, face paint, that reads as participation.