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Free in October: 25 Totally Free Things To Do with Kids in Los Angeles this Month

Acorn Day photo courtesy of OC Parks
Acorn Day photo courtesy of OC Parks
10/1/19 - By Brian Steele

October sees the arrival of spooky season here in Los Angeles, which means you're already committed to spending on costumes and candy. If you don't have a lot of spare cash to spend beyond the trick-or-teating, no problem; there's still plenty of free fun to be had by the whole family. From Halloween happenings to sweater weather shenanigans, you can hit the town without hitting the bank. Here are just a few of the free events happening this month—look for more free fun on our ultimate Halloween event list.

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Free Events in LA this Month

Carousel Unicorn Unveiling

Friday 10/04/2019
Care to take a spin on a unicorn? Irvine Spectrum Center unveils the newest creature on its Carousel. Guests are invited to celebrate with free carousel rides from 10am - Noon.     READ MORE

Acorn Day

Saturday 10/05/2019
Acorn Day is a free, family-friendly day under the oaks at O’Neill Regional Park, full of  activities for every age. READ MORE

Ticket to the Twenties

Saturday 10/05/2019 & Sunday 10/6/2019
The Homestead Museum's annual festival celebrates the Roaring 20s in a weekend filled with music, dancing, silent films, crafts, historic house tours, games, demonstrations, and more. READ MORE

Learn & Grow Health, Education, and Special Needs Expo

Saturday 10/5/2019
Learn & Grow Expo is a free family event at which families can find over 60 exhibitors focusing on health, education, and special needs. Attendees can take advantage of free health screenings.  READ MORE

Say NO Bullying Festival

Saturday 10/5/2019
The 9th annual Say NO Bullying Festival brings together kids, teens, and adults for an outdoor extravaganza that features empowerment messages from anti-bullying activists,  musical talent, resource booths, free food, and a massive group of supporters who together say no to bullying. READ MORE

CicLAvia - Heart of LA

Sunday 10/06/2019
CicLAvia revisits its Heart of LA route. The 7.5-mile route connects Boyle Heights, Chinatown, Downtown, Echo Park, and Little Tokyo. Highlights along the way include the 6th Street Viaduct, Echo Park Lake, and the Historic Core of DTLA.   READ MORE

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sea Fair + Jane Goodall Screening

Sunday 10/06/2019
The annual celebration of the sea at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers ocean-related activities throughout the day. After the Sea Fair, guests are invited to a free screening of Jane Goodall's film The Hope. Highlights include face-painting and ocean-themed crafts and activities; guests can learn how to cast a fishing rod. READ MORE

Feria de los Moles

Sunday 10/06/2019
Gloria Molina Grand Park welcomes La Feria de los Moles, the largest annual Mexican food festival in the US. For the 16th year, Angelenos have the chance to taste the different flavors of Mexico.  READ MORE

Sunset Walk & Talk

Wednesday 10/09/2019
Each month the Griffith Observatory offers a sunset hike led by a park ranger and museum guide. The hike starts on the Observatory West Terrace, proceeds up the Charlie Turner trail to the Berlin Forest on the hill just north of the Observatory, and then returns to the West Terrace. READ MORE

Reyes Adobe Days

Thursday 10/10/2019 through Sunday 10/13/2019
Reyes Adobe Days returns! The weekend-long celebration of California's heritage doesn't scrimp on the fun, with a parade, pony rides, and a petting zoo. READ MORE

ArtNight Pasadena

Friday 10/11/2019
Pasadena's Art Night is once again a go! Select museums and institutions in Pasadena, (including the Pasadena Museum of History, Gamble House, and Armory Center for the Arts) open their doors for this free semi-annual event. READ MORE

Fall Festival (Original Farmers Market)

Saturday 10/12/2019
Kids can enjoy the wonders of a country fair in the middle of the city. The Original Farmers Market on Fairfax plays host to the Fall Festival, featuring such family-friendly attractions as a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, fall-themed games, kids crafts, photo ops, and live entertainment.  READ MORE

Prehistoric OC

Saturday 10/12/2019
The OC goes way back.... Prehistoric OC is a free family-friendly event exploring the natural and cultural history of Orange County. Guests can enjoy fun and educational activities presented by OC Parks archaeologists and paleontologists along with exhibitors from local cultural, paleontological and geological organizations. READ MORE

Depot Day 2024

Sunday 10/13/2019
Depot Day is Travel Town's annual celebration and open house. Details of this year's event are TBA, but typically, highlights include performances by local high school bands, a giant indoor & outdoor train displays, tours of historic railway passenger cars, woodcarver and blacksmith demonstrations, and the chance to see restoration work in progress! READ MORE

Free Day at the Arboretum

Tuesday 10/15/2019
Free Day at the Arboretum has become so popular that tickets must now be booked in advance.  READ MORE

Cinemalibu

Saturday 10/19/2019
Cowabunga! Cinemalibu closes out the summer with a screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Malibu Bluffs Park. READ MORE

Water Harvest Festival

Saturday 10/26/2019 10:00
The Water Harvest Festival is back as an in-person event, held at the front parking lot of the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility. This year's event welcomes community members to enjoy a day of free family-friendly activities including: tours of the water recycling facility, stage shows, interactive water education booths, games, kids’ costume contests, and opportunity drawings. READ MORE

Bounce-A-Mania

Saturday 10/26/2019
Reed Park turns into a “Bounce-A-Mania” Park as the grass area is transformed into a Bounce House fun zone. READ MORE

Marina Spooktacular

Saturday-Sunday October 26-27, 2019
Marina del Rey's Halloween Spooktacular is appropriate for all ages, but the scares get scarier as darkness falls. Celebrants can experience thrills and chills navigating the Blackout Maze, embarking on graveyard treasure hunts, playing carnival games and braving the giant slide and inflatable maze. READ MORE

Pumpkin Race Festival

Sunday 10/27/2019
The city of Manhattan Beach holds its annual Pumpkin Race on the pier. Families are encouraged to attend in costume and create their own crazy pumpkin race cars at the pier's colorful Pumpkin Race Land. READ MORE

Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade

Sunday 10/27/2019
The parade for animal charities features more than 500 dogs in colorful costumes.​ Even for folks who don't normally venture down Long Beach way, some of these canine costumes really are worth the drive. The Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade claims to be the "World's Largest Halloween Pet Event."  This year's event is held at the former Belmont Pool grassy area and paths. READ MORE

Growl-o-ween

Sunday 10/27/2019
The Dog Bakery hosts its annual Growl-o-ween event, inviting Pasadena pooches to don costumes and strut their puppy stuff. Dogs (and their creative owners) parade down Mills Alley and along Colorado Blvd., followed by a costume contest back at the store. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Multiple Hubs, including Mariachi Plaza
Multiple Venues in Pasadena
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility