As everyone in Buffy the Vampire Slayer knows, Halloween is the one night of the year when monsters and ghouls take a break and relax. Fortunately for all supernatural beings, Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, leaving the weekend beforehand totally open. Here are 24 Halloween shindigs where you can show off your costume and do the Monster Mash.
The Groundlings Halloween Show
If you want to laugh more than scream, the Groundlings have been hosting a Halloween-themed sketch show during October that features spooky effects, gore, "unconscionable wig use" and maybe a few clowns. Catch their final performances this weekend. The show runs just under two hours and is directed by Deanna Oliver with stars Lauren Burns, Chris Eckert, Laird MacIntosh, Ariane Price, Eliot Schwartz, Lyric Lewis, Michael Churven and Greg Worswick. Suitable for ages 16+.
WHERE: Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., Fairfax
WHEN: October 26 & 27, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
COST: $18-22
Disco Dining Club's The Flowering of the Strange Orchid
Based on the H.G. Wells' botanical horror short of the same name, this lavish and intimate dinner party will be set in an eerie greenhouse behind a private Pico-Union residence. Guests will enjoy a 7-course meal made by chef Laurent Quenioux. It's paired cocktails and free-flowing wine, optional insect dishes, dessert, tea and coffee. Mingle with characters and creatures as you enjoy performances all night long -- and watch out for the creeping plants around the grounds.
WHERE: Private address revealed to ticket holders.
WHEN: October 26-28
COST: $300
Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club screens several creepy movies this month in two venues: Neuehouse in Hollywood and LEVEL in DTLA. Guests can lounge in deckchairs with wireless headphones, ensuring they can experience every slow, orchestral swell and jump scare in comfor. Tickets are still available for the following screenings:
Oct. 26
The Silence of the Lambs, 7:30 p.m., LEVEL
The Witches, 10 p.m., NeueHouse
Oct. 27
Poltergeist (1982), 7:30 p.m., LEVEL
Oct. 28
The Sixth Sense, 7:30 p.m., NeueHouse
WHERE: NeueHouse, 6121 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood & LEVEL, 888 Olive St., DTLA
COST: $17 and up
Paranormal Karen at Flappers
Flappers in Burbank has booked comic and ghost hunter Karen Rontowski, host of the Paranormal Karen podcast/web series, to share ghost stories and supernatural tales with humor. She'll even offer live tarot readings to lucky audience members. Lamont Ferguson will also perform.
WHERE: Flappers, 102 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
WHEN: Oct. 26 & 27, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
COST: $20
Halloweenie
The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles returns with their "(Friday the) 13th" annual Halloween fundraiser. Expect lots of dancing, photo ops, possible celebrity sightings and awesome costumes. All proceeds will benefit GMCLA's youth programs.
WHERE: October 26, 8 p.m.
WHEN: Belasco Theater, 1030 S. Hill St., DTLA
COST: $95 and up
The Cramps Halloween Party
Before the death of lead singer Lux Interior in 2009, one could count on The Cramps to deliver the perfect Halloween set. This year, Pure Trash and gallery Lethal Amounts host a party in remembrance of those days, featuring Cramps tribute act Teenage Werewolves, with support from Motorchrist and DJ sets from Rose Knows and Danny Fuentes. Find it next-door to Lethal Amounts at Monty Bar.
WHERE: Monty Bar, 1222 W. 7th St., Westlake
WHEN: October 26, 9 p.m.
COST: $10
The Nightmare Before Christmas with Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman returns to The Hollywood Bowl to play Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, in a live performance and screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas. He'll be joined by original cast members Catherine O'Hara and Ken Page, while audiences will be immersed in the film via projections that appear around the venue.
WHERE: The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles
WHEN: Oct. 26-28
COST: $37 and up
'Vampyr' and Fanged Fête
Ace Hotel has a host of vampire-themed entertainment planned. It begins with a screening of Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1932 horror film Vampyr, with a new score, composed by Joby Talbot, that'll be performed live. After, guests can head to the Fanged Fête, featuring themed drinks, performances and DJs from Restless Nites. Vampire attire is encouraged. Want a free thrill and some vampire protection? Head to Upstairs at the Ace for a "baptism" in the rooftop pool, courtesy of a fake priest.
WHERE: Ace Hotel
WHEN: October 27
COST: Vampyr, $35 and up, includes access to The Fanged Féte. Tickets to the party only start at $25.
Minimal Effort: All Hallow's Eve
Minimal Effort parties only pop up around Halloween and on New Year's Eve. This year, they take over the Belasco Theater, offering multiple stages with house and techno DJs including Boys Noize, Kill Frenzy and Christian Martin. For those of you who don't turn into a pumpkin -- or is it a jack o'latern? -- at midnight, this one goes until 4 a.m.
WHERE: The Belasco Theater, 1050 S. Hill St., DTLA
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: $49 and up
Nightmare on Vine Street
Trance master Paul Oakenfold headlines this dance party, with supporting acts including Varun and Alexander Dark. Costumes are welcome. Fun fact: Some believe the Avalon, which opened as a theater in 1927, is haunted. Rumored paranormal happenings include a ghostly pianist who plays late-night jazz tunes, disembodied footsteps and whiffs of perfume, a crying woman in a lobby bathroom and a tuxedo-wearing apparition.
WHERE: Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Vine St., Hollywood
WHEN: October 27, 10 p.m.
COST: $25 and up
KCRW's Halloween Ball
KCRW's annual masquerade is one of the most anticipated events of the spooky season. This year, it heads to the historic Los Angeles Theatre with live music from White Denim, Cherry Glazerr, Shannon Shaw and Wajatta. It also features circus performances from Lucent Dossier and DJ sets by Santigold, DaM-FunK, Brothers Griin and KCRW DJs. Dress to impress as there will be a costume contest and photo ops throughout the venue. Bring cash for food trucks and the bar. Feel like getting pumped early? Here's KCRW's Masquerade Spotify playlist.
WHERE: Los Angeles Theater, 615 S. Broadway, DTLA
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: $89.90 and up
Haunted Little Tokyo
This family-friendly block party has live music, food trucks and vendors as well as a costume contest for all ages -- although adults may prefer the beer garden. The party caps off a month of spooky events in Little Tokyo, including ghost tours and horror film screenings. Families are welcome to come back on Oct. 31 for trick-or-treating in the Plaza.
WHERE: 2nd St. between Central and San Pedro, Little Tokyo
WHEN: October 27, 6 p.m. to midnight
COST: Free
Brennan's Unholy Masquerade Ball
Brennan's is famous for its turtle races but for Halloween, they're throwing a party with themed cocktails, a photo booth and a costume contest. No turtle races are planned but since Brennan's recently completed a remodel and menu update, you can peep at the turtles through the window of their habitat from the outdoor patio.
WHERE: Brennan's, 4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina Del Rey
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: Free
Underworld Carnival
E.P. & L.P.'s rooftop will be turned into a dark Underworld Carnival with roaming vaudeville performances and music from DJs Aaron Colbert and Audimoe. Guests are encouraged to dress up and may enjoy an open bar and passed small bites from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: E.P. & L.P. Rooftop Deck, 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
WHEN: October 27, 8 p.m.
COST: $65 and up
Fleetmac Wood's Rhiannon's Revenge
Fleetmac Wood are a DJ duo that remixes Fleetwood Mac's tracks into a continuous dance party. If you want to know what that sounds like, find their 2017 Burning Man set here. For Halloween, they'll do it again under the theme 'Rhiannon's Revenge' at Union Nightclub. "Horrifically inspiring and otherworldly" costumes are encouraged.
WHERE: Union, 4067 Pico Blvd., Mid-City
WHEN: October 27, 10 p.m.
COST: $20
NoHo Monster Bash
Event organizers were tired of leaving the Valley in search of a killer Halloween party only to be disappointed by run-of-the-mill club nights. So the NoHo Monster Bash will deliver performances every 30 minutes as well as DJs, dances and prizes for best costumes. Instead of a formal contest, party hosts will choose their favorite ensembles and present the wearers with gift cards, valued anywhere from $10 to $100. This year's theme is Pirates of the Caribbean. While you don't have to don a pirate get-up, costumes are required for entry.
WHERE: The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., NoHo
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: $30 and up
5th Annual Haunted Hotel
Matchmaking company Three Day Rule transforms Santa Monica's Viceroy hotel into a creepier venue for this Halloween party. Guests can enjoy multiple dance floors and bars, psychic readings and a costume contest.
WHERE: Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica
WHEN: October 27, 8 p.m.
COST: $30-85
Boo at the L.A. Zoo Overnight
A family-friendly, overnight camping trip at the L.A. Zoo sounds like a seriously good time. Guests will make s'mores, gather round for ghost stories, take a nighttime tour of the zoo and learn about the animals and the history of Griffith Park. Plus, the idea of snuggling in your sleeping bag at the zoo is pretty exciting. Admission includes dinner, snacks and a continental breakfast.
WHERE: The L.A. Zoo,
WHEN: October 27, 6 p.m. to Oct. 28, 10 a.m.
COST: $100/person
10th Annual King Tut's Tomb Halloween Party
This one's an ancient Egypt-themed party at a historic theater which, in 1922, hosted Hollywood's first premiere. Guests will enjoy multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, bars and dance floors staffed by costumed bartenders. There will be a costume contest with cash prizes. VIP ticket holders enjoy an open bar for five hours.
WHERE: The Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: $25 and up. VIP tickets start at $69.
Carnal Carnival
Those looking to clown around can head to Hollywood for the TAO Group's Carnal Carnival, spread between two venues near Hollywood's Dream hotel. On the hotel rooftop at Highlight Room, guests will find a Freak Show theme with midway games and DJs. Meanwhile, nearby nightclub Avenue is home to the Old Hollywood Insane Asylum, where Wiz Khalifa is scheduled to headline.
WHERE: TAO Group, 6417 Selma Ave., Hollywood
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: $100 and up
Super Heroes Vs. Villains
If you take a shot for every Harley Quinn you see at this themed costume ball, you'll probably be hung over through next week. Try your luck on the multiple dance floors -- EDM/house in the ballroom and top 40 hip-hop at the poolside Tropicana Bar. VIP ticket holders will gain access to old-school hip-hop at Teddy's as well as a two-hour open bar.
WHERE: Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
WHEN: October 27, 8 p.m.
COST: $79 and up
Hollywood Monster Night
Le Jardin nightclub in Hollywood is expecting more than 1,000 guests at their Hollywood Monster Night party. If that doesn't frighten you, pull together your best best costume for their contest and dance to four DJs spinning hop-hop, house, Top 40 and mashups.
WHERE: 1430 N Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood
WHEN: October 27, 9 p.m.
COST: $45 and up
Boo-nion Station
Union Station hosts a family-friendly, two-day Halloween party on the south patio, featuring a hay maze, trick-or-treating, crafts, dancing, food trucks, face painting, performances, a craft beer garden and more. Pets are welcome and may participate in the 3 p.m. pet parade and contest. That fact alone may make this the best party of the season.
WHERE: Union Station, 800 N Alameda St., DTLA
WHEN: October 27 & 28, noon to 6 p.m.
COST: Free
Monsters & Mai Tais VII
Not only is it the 7th anniversary of Tonga Hut's Monsters and Mai Tais Halloween party, it's also the 60th anniversary of this Valley tiki favorite. Starting at noon, visitors can peruse a giant parking lot sale and art show, where two dozen vendors including Tiki Tiki Monster, Jungle Modern Ceramics, Raw Formed Jewelry and Spring Candles will show off their wares. At 6 p.m., DJs Lady Mo and Stevie Mitch will start pumping out the seasonally appropriate jams. Costumes are encouraged and there will be a contest. Although Tonga Hut doesn't serve food, Durangos Tacos will be on hand for all your taco and burrito needs.
WHERE: Tonga Hut, 12808 Victory Blvd., NoHo
WHEN: October 28, noon to 10 p.m.
COST: Free
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