Briana Fonseca | Crimson Chronicle Reporter
Think you’re too old to dress up or knock on doors asking for candy? Don’t worry! Los Angeles has plenty of Halloween activities which don’t require you to squeeze into a superhero costume or sneak fun-sized Snickers from your little sibling’s bucket. From spine-tingling haunted attractions to spooky film festivals and even some music festivals, the city has something for every age (and bravery level). This Halloween proves that the spooky season isn’t just for kids, it’s a festivity for all.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
This unique yet terrifying Halloween event is located in Griffith Park. It offers those who are brave enough to enter a unique experience in which you sit inside a kart full of hay with other visitors. You then drive through sets of dark tunnels filled with lights and scare actors lurking in the dark, waiting to scare you. The story goes that visitors must brave a witch who has commanded her army of crops to come to life and seek revenge on those who have shunned her out. This event is recommended for those above 13 years old as there are bright strobing lights and some special effects which may be sensitive for some individuals.
Worried about the price? You’ll be glad to know that tickets go as low for $39.99 and select popular dates go up to around $50-$60.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets you can purchase, at The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride’s official website.
Screamfest LA
This horror filled film festival is hosted just up the block at the TCL Chinese Theater. Screamfest invites movie goers to experience twisted and terrifying horror films for a limited time on the big screen. It runs only from October 7-16 and plays a wide range of horror indie films and short movies. Some feature films which will be played here include Affection, Before the Fall and Dead by Dawn.
Showtimes began in the late afternoon into the midnight hour. If you are interested, you can directly purchase tickets on their official website. On their website you can find the calendar of what’s playing each day and from what time each film will play from.
Tickets for this event are around $17 before taxes for each screening.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
Looking for something that truly captures the spirit of Halloween? You should check out the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival this year. It’s one of the biggest and most creative Halloween celebrations in the world. It is a mile-long party on Santa Monica Boulevard filled with incredible costumes, music and that one-of-a-kind energy you can’t find anywhere else.
This event starts at 6-11 p.m. with bus shuttles available from the Highland and Hollywood Metro train station from 6 p.m. to midnight.. Street closures will occur on a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard.
This event includes activities such as photo ops, live and creative performances, with thousands of participants and spectators. This event is also absolutely free of charge to enter! All you need to do is show up in a spooky halloween costume and be ready for some halloween filled spirit!
If you would like to see rules or if you have any questions, you can visit their official website.
Cinespia
Ever wanted to watch a spooky movie in a cemetery? For the first time in 10 years, Cinespia is bringing back its one of a kind Halloween-night party right in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery!
This October, Cinespia is making that dream (or nightmare) come true with a special lineup. Celebrate Halloween season with classic favorites like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Craft, Paranorman, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. It will feature a screening of Scream on October 31.
If the film Scream isn’t your thing, you could visit their official website where you can view the calendar and pick from films like Paranorman and A Nightmare and Elm Street. Here, costumes are a must!
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This is just a portion of Halloween activities the Los Angeles area has to offer. Some activities are for those who are thrill-seekers or those who just want to enjoy a spooky movie with a large bowl of popcorn, or some Halloween candy!
However, there are still some activities you can do without leaving the comfort of your own home.
“I like to eat pumpkin pie, and I like to sometimes carve pumpkins,” said SAS senior Tiffany Lopreto, “It’s simple but I enjoy just spending time on Halloween with my family to make some unforgettable memories.”
