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Fun & Free Things to Do Dia de los Muertos Weekend with LA Kids

10/31/13 - By Toby B

As I write this, Halloween is before us. We're still putting the finishing touches on our costumes and greedily anticipating the bounty of treats that await us. It's the one night of the year when we let our kids take candy from strangers, and might even grab a few pieces for ourselves.

Some weekends might have a hard time living up to such a world-class Thursday, but not November 2-3, 2013, nosirree.  Because this weekend is a holiday in its own right: Dia de los Muertos. Count on us to clue you in to the best celebrations throughout the Southland.

And as if two holidays in close succession weren't enough, this weekend even has a gift that everyone can appreciate: an extra hour of sleep. It’s the end of Daylight Savings Time for 2013, so in the wee hours of  November 3 the clock “falls back” an hour. Make sure to reset your clocks (and it’s a good time to check the batteries in your smoke alarm, as well).

Keep reading for our favorite picks for the upcoming weekend...

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 31: HALLOWEEN
Halloween Party for Downtown LA Kids - Downtown
Downtown kids can celebrate Halloween with a bouncy house, video game truck, cotton candy and popcorn machines, face painting and crafts, balloon animals and jugglers, and marionettes.

Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton - Downtown
The ooky-spooky music of Danny Elfman gives Tim Burton films their signature sound. The Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and the Page LA Choir perform with none other than Danny Elfman himself, who performs his songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Speaking of which…

Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) - Hollywood
…What better night to watch the Pumpkin King’s exploits? 

LEGO Halloween Treat Multiple Locations
It’s no trick! The LEGO Store has a free LEGO Monster Fighters: The Monster keychain for costumed trick-or-treaters.

Krispy "Skremes" Mulitple Locations
Come in costume, get a free Krispy Kreme donut. That’s my kind of treat.
 
Trick or Treat Free Kids Smoothie - Multiple Locations
Kids 8 and under score a free kids smoothie at participating Jamba Juice locations.

Circus Vargas - Thousand Oaks
The animal-free, family friendly circus sets up its tent at Westfield Valencia Town Center.

Amoeba Halloween Party - Hollywood
Amoeba Records throws a Halloween bash with DJs, a doggie costume party, and trick-or-treating.

Halloween on Main Street - Huntington Beach
Main Street shuts down for this Halloween party, complete with bouncy house, pony rides, and costume contest.

Halloween at One Colorado - Pasadena
Halloween fun includes trick-or-treating at One Colorado stores and restaurants, free family portraits, and movies in the courtyard.

PAL-loween Carnival - Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Police Activities League holds its annual indoor Halloween celebration at the Santa Monica Airport, hosting families for trick-or-treating, a fun house, a costume contest, games, and a photo booth.
 
Halloween Silent Film: The Phantom of the Opera - Downtown
If trick-or-treating’s not in your plans, why not celebrate with a classic chiller: the silent version of Phantom of the Opera shown with live accompaniment from the Walt Disney Concert Hall pipe organ.

Good Old-Fashioned Trick or Treating - Your Neighborhood
Kids receive treats from their friends and neighbors. Mommas sneak out the good stuff after the kids have gone to bed.

ALL WEEKEND
Stan Lee's Comikaze 2013 - Downtown
LA’s pop culture expo features cosplay, gaming, panels with comic book creators, actors and artists, and unique collectable.

The Intergalactic Nemesis: Book One - Target Earth - Westwood
The Intergalactic Nemesis live-action graphic novel is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that mashes up radio drama with comic books.

Fiesta de Muertos - Downtown
Olvera Street hosts its annual celebration of the festive Mexican holiday with face painting, street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, art workshops, puppets, ballet folklorico, and piñatas.


Bob Baker’s Halloween Hoop-Dee-Do - Downtown
This is the last weekend to catch the classic Marionette Theater’s Halloween show.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2

Thanks-Gibbon Fundraiser - Santa Clarita
Families can have a “howling” good time brunching among the gibbons and enjoying face painting, music, silent auction, gift shop, kid activities, and tours of the Gibbon Conservation Center
 
Pumpkin Launch - Fullerton
You know those pumpkins aren’t long for this earth; why not send ‘em off with a bang?

Home Depot Kids Workshops - Multiple Locations
Kids can build a tabletop ship at this month’s free workshop.

Downtown Dia De Los Muertos - Downtown
Grand Park celebrates Dia de Los Muertos, with altars, food trucks, free face-painting, awesome bands, and a full bar.

The Princess Show - Santa Monica
Princess Jasmine, Ariel, Cinderella and Princess Taisie along with Prince Charming and a few other characters, return to the Promenade Playhouse for a fun interactive show.
 
TSFY: 10th Anniversary Celebration - Making Music -Downtown
The first Toyota Symphony For Youth concert of the season explores the connection between music and architecture.
 
Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever - Hollywood
The annual Dia de Los Muertos event at Los Angeles’s oldest memorial park celebrates the memories of the departed among some of the city's most famous departed.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3
 
Canoga Park Dia De Los Muertos Festival - Canoga Park
Canoga Park's 13th annual Dia De Los Muertos Festival fills Sherman Way between Canoga and Vassar Avenues with all manner of Day of the Dead entertainment.
 
Club MomMe Family Fall Fest - Pacific Palisades
It’s Club MomMe’s greatest hits! Mamas (and Papas!) are invited to hear celebrity experts, learn about the hottest products, and snag awesome giveaways.
 
LA Preschool Fair - West LA
The Parents Education League helps families find the right preschool for their kids, with representatives from more tan 40 preschools in one fair.

Day of the Dead Family Festival - Santa Ana
Families can spend a special day of celebration and remembrance exploring the art and traditions of Mexico at the Bowers Museum.
 
Free Day at the La Habra Children's Museum - La Habra
Kids can enjoy a Mini Monster Mash at the Children's Museum at La Habra, with a yummy edible craft, not-so-spooky stories, games especially for little hands, a visit with some critter friends, and a march through the Museum in the annual costume parade. 
 
Peter Alsop - Santa Monica
Peter' Alsop performs at McCabe's Guitar Shop, with songs that help families discuss sensitive issues.
 
Andell Family Sundays - Animals in Japanese Art - Mid-Wilshire
In this month’s family program at LACMA,  visitors can discover the animals represented in LACMA's Japanese art collection then create scrolls, screens, and more, using images of animals in Japanese art.
 
American Indian Culture Day for Families - Griffith Park
Families can view “things made from plants,” make an acorn necklace, and enjoy music and storytelling in the monthly program at the Autry.

Target Sundays at CAAM: Defending Liberty: Our Ancestors and Veterans - Exposition Park
The California African American Museum celebrates the contributions and sacrifices made by our ancestors and veterans in defending our liberty.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar.   Whatever you choose to do, have a safe and wonderful weekend!