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Pub crawls, pumpkin patches and parties: 8 ways to celebrate Halloween
People dressed up as zombies during a Halloween Eve Party in Belgrade on October 30, 2011. Halloween is based on the Celtic festival of Samhain and the ancient Celts believed the border between this world and the otherworld became thin on that night, allowing spirits to pass through.
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ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images
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Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird listen to performances at the Drag Hotel of Horrors, the main stage which features a rock and roll drag show.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Gracia Martin of San Pedro dances at the Turntable of Terror Stage. The annual carnival was held from 6 – 11 p.m.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Gerry Regan, left, and Denny Gerber dance during the start of the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval on Santa Monica Boulevard on Wednesday night.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Los Angeles doesn't disappoint when it comes to Halloween. In a town full of hipsters and hams, there's so much to do, it's frightening. We've compiled a list of the best parties, pumpkin patches, and pub crawls — some rated R, some PG-13 — in the ultimate countdown to this horrifying holiday.
Here's everything you need to know:
1. Drinks on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
What's scarier than a group of drunk people? Zombies decked in leotards and Miley Cyrus look-a-likes posing with gigantic life-sized teddy bears. Show-off your costumes and spend a night out in town with the gals and guys near the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Buy an all-day pass at Outpost Hollywood and catch happy hour specials in Hollywood: $2 for draft beers, and $4 for shots.
When: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct. 31
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Where: Outpost Hollywood | MAP
Price: $20 and up | Purchase tickets here
2. What's lurking in the basement?
Be careful what you might find lurking in the basement of the old Union Savings Bank Building in Pasadena. There's no guarantee you'll come out alive, but if you do — it will be worth the scare. Encounter skulls, zombies and other creatures from the dead as you navigate through cages and brick walls. Don't miss the last year of Pasadena's historical haunted house. Ticket proceeds will benefit a non-profit in the community.
Where: Union Savings Bank Building | MAP
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When: Oct. 25, 26, 27, 30, 31 | Check here for times
Price: $17.00 general admission; $22 for VIP tickets.
3. Scream your heart out, support a cause
Prepare to be scared during a night of dead ends and perplexing mazes at the annual Sherwood Scare. Legend has it that 64 children at Camp Sherwood went missing in 1975. The camp was later shut down. But now, it's back up and running for brave souls ready to solve the mystery and navigate through perilous routes. Here's the promo video. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Big Worm's CF Foundation — an organization that assists and supports cystic fibrosis patients.
Where: Camp Sherwood | MAP
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When: 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25 through 27; 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Oct. 31
Price: Donations accepted
4. Learn the history of death and bob for apples | Saturday and Sunday
(Photo: Tod Kurt/Flickr)
Join Heritage Square Museum for its 10th annual Halloween and Mourning tours — an historic journey complete with a funeral procession to an eerie gravesite. Transport yourself to the Victorian era and get your fortune read with psychics. On Sunday, bob for apples and enroll your kids in a special storytelling and harvest craft session.
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When: Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 26 and Oct. 27
Where: Heritage Square Museum | MAP
Price: $20 for Adults; $10 for Seniors over 65; $7 for Children 6 to 12 years; free for Children under 6.
5. Listen to mythical monsters take over — all over again
It's been nearly eight decades since the 1938 airing of "War of the Worlds" when CBS panicked millions of listeners into believing martians were actually invading the town of Grover's Mill, N.J. This Wednesday, KPCC will turn the lights down and play the original broadcast all over again. Afterwards, Off Ramp host John Rabe and Orson Welles expert R.H. Greene will tell the backstory and play clips from Greene’s new radio documentary "War of the Welles."
Orson Welles apologizes for 'War of the Worlds' broadcast
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30
Where: KPCC's Crawford Family Forum | MAP
Price: Free
6. 6th annual Halloween party for Downtown LA kids
(Photo: Abegail Baguio / @AtwaterGurrrlll)
Inflatable bouncy houses, hot dog stands and fun zombie face painting sessions. It's all happening during the 6th annual Halloween party for Downtown LA Kids. Buy your favorite balloon animals and come dressed in spooky garb.
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: Downtown Center Business Improvement District | MAP
Price: $5; children under 2 are free | Register here
7. Pick out a pumpkin and become a clever carving hack
We suggest you head out to Orange County and hit up one of its awesome pumpkin patches. Located just behind the train station, Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch offers lots of activities including bike and paddle boat rentals. At Tanaka Farms — also in Irvine — you can pick vegetables and pumpkins seven days a week. Plus, there is a corn maze, wagon rides and a petting zoo.
How to cleverly carve your pumpkin
Where: Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch | MAP
When: Opens 9 a.m. Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 | 10 a.m. daily
Price: Free admission
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Where: Tanaka Farms | MAP
When: 9 to 6 p.m. daily
Price: Free admission
8. Join the fun at the largest Halloween street party in WeHo
Bring your crazy costumes and join one of the largest Halloween street parties in WeHo. Celebrate with confetti, loud music and nearly 50 live performances to go with this year's theme, "One Noir Night." Expect to see performances from LGBT musical Behind Closed Doors and 50s-inspired noir jazz music at the Speakeasy Stage. (See photos from last year's celebration in the slideshow above.)
When: Thursday, October 31st; 6-11 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Boulevard | List of stages
Price: Free
9. Makeup Mayhem with the kids | Sorry folks, this event is over
(Photo: brittanylaurenmua.tumblr.com)
Get a crash course on the art of face painting monsters, goblins and other creatures with professional make-up artist Brittany Lauren Woodside. She's worked with celebrities from horror films, including Derek Mears from "Friday the 13th" and Renae Geerlings from "Halloween II." Catch her Monsters & Mayhem tumblr for a rundown on her latest makeup artistry projects.
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26
Where: Hollywood Youth Theatre | MAP
Price: $10 | Register here
10. Zombinata party at a comic store | Sorry folks, this event is over
Take the kids to a Zombinata party at the comic store and listen to the eerie tale of Bucky, a kid plagued with cavities and a dreaded dentist appointment. Dress in your best costume during the party hosted by Boom! Studios. You might just win a $100 gift certificate to Meltdown Comics & Collectibles and score tons of free candy and comics. Graphic novel writer Yehudi Mercado will also be there.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 26
Where: Meltdown Comics & Collectibles | MAP
Price: Free
Did we miss something? Share your plans in comments, on Facebook or tweet us your plans @KPCC.
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