From landmark celebrations in DTLA to spooky Halloween festivities, here are the top LA weekend events for October 26-29.
EVENTS
Grand Central Market’s 100th Anniversary
Oct. 27. The granddaddy of U.S. food halls celebrates 100 years with a day full of activities and larger-than-life attractions. Festivities kick off with a 13,000 balloon installation by renowned LA artist Jihan Zencirli (Geronimo Balloons), alongside a 100-layer, one story tall birthday cake. During the evening, market vendors serve up specials inspired by the hall’s history and the number 100. Other entertainment includes music performances, a photo booth, costume contest and more. See website for full schedule. 317 S Broadway, downtown. grandcentralmarket.com
Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Oct. 28. Come dressed in your finest Calaca apparel to the 18th annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. The country’s largest Dia de los Muertos gathering will feature fine Mexican cuisine, Aztec Ritual Dancers, 100+ altars created by community members, musical performances by Grammy Award-winning artists, four stages of performances, a children’s arts area as well as arts and craft vendors. Noon-midnight. $20/pp, children 8 and under and Seniors 65+ free until 4 p.m. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. ladayofthedead.com
Dia de los Muertos Concert
Oct. 29. The Los Angeles Master Chorale will take the stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall to celebrate the dual themes of death and celebration in a spirited program. Guest conductor for the evening will be María Guinand, conductor for two of Venezuela’s most prestigious choirs. 7 p.m. $29+. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. lamasterchorale.org
Tailgating in the Sky: Nest at WP24
Oct. 27. Fans can fuel up before the Lakers v. Raptors game at this unique, one-time only tailgating experience 24 floors above downtown L.A. This sky-high pop up will feature several eatery stations include bites like Szechuan Smoked Suckling Pig, Chinese Steamed Buns and Mochi Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches. Beer and cocktails will also be on-hand. 5-8 p.m. $50. Reservations encouraged.The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, 900 W Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824. ritzcarlton.com
Contemporary Crafts Market
Oct. 27-29. It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping in Southern California. Find hand-crafted furnishings, ceramics, jewelry, metalwork, textiles, blown glass and more at this seasonal market that celebrates local, fine craft. F-Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8. Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green St., Pasadena. craftsource.org
Lit Crawl L.A.
Oct. 25. Fifth annual walkable event for book lovers finds 36+ restaurants, bars, galleries and theaters in North Hollywood playing host to over 40 literary happenings. Dine, explore the area and stroll while enjoying readings and performances. Check website for schedule. Free. NoHo Arts District, anchored by Lankershim and Magnolia boulevards, North Hollywood. litcrawlla.org
HALLOWEEN
4th Annual Haunted Hotel
Oct. 28. Head to the Westside for one of the city’s biggest and sexiest bashes as Viceroy Santa Monica transforms into a Halloween hub. Entertainment for the evening includes costume contests (prizes include in-home massages and trips to Las Vegas), a psychic, two dance floors and DJs spinning tunes late into the night. 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $20+. Viceroy Santa Monica 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. tdrhauntedhotel.com
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Through Oct. 30. A family-favorite since 1987, the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch returns to Culver City this fall season. Stroll through life-size pumpkin houses, navigate a straw maze or decorate a pumpkin of your choosing. Other kid-friendly activities include bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting and the Mr. Bones Super Slide. Mr. Bones will also host an exclusive patch at Platform LA, complete with a carefully curated Halloween boutique. F-Sa 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Su-Th 9 a.m.-8 p.m. See website for full schedule and pricing options; VIP options available. Main Patch: West LA College, 10100 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City; Boo-tique by Mr. Bones at Platform: 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City. mrbones.com
Spooktacular Flavors at Salt & Straw
Through Oct. 31. The family-run ice cream company brings a sweet twist to the Halloween season with its slate of spooktacular flavors. New variations for October include Creep Crawly Critters (grass-green matcha with real dark chocolate covered crickets and coconut toffee-brittle mealworms), Dracula’s Blood Pudding (a combo of warm spices, cream and blood pudding), The Great Candycopia (salted butterscotch ice cream loaded with homemade snickers, whoppers, heath bars and peanut butter cups), among others. Spooktacular flavors available at all five Los Angeles locations. saltandstraw.com
Dark Harbor at Queen Mary
Through Nov. 1. SoCal’s most haunted Halloween event returns this fall with more nights, monsters and mazes than ever before. Additions for 2017 include an all-new Feast maze, Ice Bar Experience and the Chef’s Feast Experience. Visit website for ticketing options. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach. queenmary.com
Halloween Horror Nights
Through Nov. 4. Immerse yourself in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror at Universal Studios. This year’s edition features a new Jabbawockeez live show, three new scare zones and eight terrifying experiences based on popular films (Jason Blum’s Happy Death Day) and TV shows (Stanely Kubrick’s The Shining and FX’s American Horror Story: Roanoke). See website for hours and ticket options. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800.864.8377. halloweenhorrornights.com
Pumpkin Rock Trail
Ongoing. There’s no better time of year to explore this 2.7 mile trail that leads to an epically large, bright orange pumpkin rock. Share your halloween moment with us on Instagram by using #LoveSoCal. Be sure to bring water and watch out for snakes. Free. Sixth St., Norco. alltrails.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
Benjamin Salons: Blowout Fundraiser for Puerto Rico
Oct. 29. Look good while doing good this Sunday at Benjamin Salons. Blowouts will be $35 and all proceeds go directly to San Juan’s Albizua University’s Go Fund Me campaign. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for appointments, 424.249.3296. West Hollywood: 8910 Melrose Ave. Arts District: 300 S Santa Fe Ave. benjaminsalon.com
Moleskine at Westfield Century City
Ongoing. The premium, Milan-born notebook brand has officially opened its doors in the City of Angels. Located at Westfield Century City—the newly renovated open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination—you’ll find Moleskine’s usual elegant, nomadic products alongside a dedicated table for the innovative M+ collection, which digitizes your notes in real time. M-Sa 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Century City, 424.245.4372. westfield.com
FOOD + DRINK
Una Notte Milanese at Estrella
Oct. 25. Join Italian restaurant Estrella for “One Night in Milan”, a special five-course menu featuring traditional North Italian cuisine by chef Mirko Paderno. Guests will also enjoy a welcome aperitivo, one grappa cocktail, one after-dinner digestif served with dessert and a small take home bottle of Gr’ait Grappa. 6:30 p.m. $75. Call 310.652.6613 and mention Una Notte Milanese for reservations. estrellasunset.com
Sunset Season
Ongoing. As summer fades into fall, the sun is making moves south to set over the ocean instead of behind the Santa Monica Mountains. Celebrate the fresh, awe-inspiring view with a signature sunset cocktail in hand at Hotel Casa del Mar or Shutters on the Beach. Hotel Casa del Mar: 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, hotelcasadelmar.com. Shutters on the Beach: 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica. shuttersonthebeach.com
Grand Central Market 100th Anniversary photo by Mike Baker. Día de los Muertos Concert photo by Arnaud Pyvka. Salt & Straw photo courtesy of Salt & Straw. Dark Harbor photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Queen Mary. Halloween Horror Nights courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood. Pumpkin Rock Trail photo by Christina Wiese.
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