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Things To Do in LA this Weekend: Boo at the Zoo, Children's Book Fest, Mark in the Park

Make Your Mark in the Park. Photo by Debra Morrison courtesy of The Big Draw LA
Make Your Mark in the Park. Photo by Debra Morrison courtesy of The Big Draw LA
10/3/19 - By Toby B

It's beginning to look a lot like pumpkins, everywhere I go. And so it begins! The Harvest. The Corn Mazes. The Patches. We are on a crazed, giddy run to the end of the month.

But don't get spooked! Yes, there are scary things afoot. Yes, you can choose the dark and shadowy path. But you can also choose to welcome the season with laughs (and science!). You can fear the night or you can get in on the fun. Halloween is what you make it, and LA makes it easy to choose family-friendly. Or not.

Public service announcement for purists who wait to celebrate Halloween until, well, Halloween: There's still lots to do! This weekend sees festivals Greek and Southeast Asian, Manhattan Beachian and Encinoish. You can buy a ticket to the 20s, catch a plane, train, or (very small) automobile. The streets of Los Angeles are open wide, and you can make your mark in Grand Park. So go out there and scare up some fun.

Keep reading for our favorite treats for this weekend, no trick!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Learn from the pros at the LA Zoo's pumpkin carving stations. Photo by Jamie Pham
Learn from the pros at the LA Zoo's pumpkin carving stations. Photo by Jamie Pham

Things To Do All Weekend

Boo at the LA Zoo

Griffith Park
A trip to the LA Zoo is always a treat, but the last two weekends of October are especially sweet: this year's Boo at the Zoo includes trick-or-treat stations with Mars candies.  READ MORE

Annual Pumpkin Festival Cal Poly Pomona

Pomona
The Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest returns for its 31st year. Favorite fall activities return this year at a month-long celebration—the huge pumpkin patch, a petting farm, hayrides, corn and sunflower mazes, a cow train, and duck races. READ MORE

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

Manhattan Beach
The Hometown Fair celebrates its 52nd year! This Manhattan Beach favorite offers up live entertainment on multiple stages, arts & crafts vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, inflatables, entertainment, and a showcase of community art. READ MORE

Ticket to the Twenties

City of Industry
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

Los Angeles Greek Festival

Pico-Union
Update: This event is not being held in 2022. The LA Greek Fest is the largest Greek food and wine festival in Los Angeles. More than 15,000 attendees are expected for a three-day weekend of Greek food, wine, traditional Greek dancing, and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences. READ MORE

27th Annual Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Farms

Moorpark
Underwood Family Farms' annual Fall Harvest Festival features pig races, animal shows, a corn maze and gourd tunnel, a combine slide, tractor rides, Farmer Craig’s Chicken Show, hay pyramids, and animals to feed, as well as a gigantic pumpkin patch. READ MORE

Spooky Science (LA)

Hansen Dam; also Santa Ana
Discovery Cube's Spooky Science rings in the Halloween season. This year’s edition of Spooky Science features a Pumpkin Composting Catapults station, where kids can launch faux pumpkins through the air-straight into composting bins. Dia de los Muertos is represented with a beautifully crafted ofrenda where visitors can honor loved ones. Other fun includes photo ops, tractor rides for toddlers, a hay bale maze, and trick-or-treat stations.  READ MORE

Classic Horror Films at Old Town Music Hall

El Segundo
The Old Town Music Hall's October movies feature monstrously big stars, including Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Phantom of the Opera. These films offer Halloween scares (and some giggles) with a classic edge, as well as some more recent chillers. READ MORE

Hocus Pocus (PG)

Hollywood
Amok! Amok! Amok! Hocus Pocus returns for its annual spellbinding engagement at the El Capitan, starting with a special opening night Fan Event. READ MORE

Kiddee Matinees

Hollywood: The Monster Squad
On Saturdays and Sundays, families can catch a matinee screening of a kid-friendly movie at the New Beverly Cinema.   READ MORE

Broad Museum Family Weekend Workshops

Downtown
The Broad Museum’s Family Weekend Workshops take place four times a year and offer activities and workshops to engage children with the art and architecture of The Broad .  READ MORE

Nick Jr. Live! Move To The Music (Dolby)

Hollywood
Favorite characters from Bubble Guppies, PAW Patrol, Dora The Explorer, Shimmer and Shine, Blue’s Clues and You, Blaze and the Monster Machines and Top Wing appear live on stage at the Dolby Theatre. READ MORE
Hot Wheels Garage. Photo courtesy of Automobile Driving Museum
Hot Wheels Garage. Photo courtesy of Automobile Driving Museum

Things To Do Saturday, October 6

Acorn Day

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

Say NO Bullying Festival

Griffith Park
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

Home Depot Kids Workshops

Multiple Locations
Home Depot offers a free monthly workshop for kids ages 5 - 12. The workshops teach basic DIY skills and tool safety. Kids go home with their craft and a free Kids Workshop apron, commemorative pin, and certificate of achievement.    Kits are available first come first serve.  READ MORE

Harkins Sensory Friendly Screenings

Cerritos
One Saturday each month, select Harkins locations present a family-friendly film in an auditorium dedicated to guests affected by autism and sensory processing disorders. These screenings feature: Brightened Light Levels Reduced Sound Volume Room For Guest Interaction Outside Snacks Permitted Upcoming Films: July 1: Elemental (PG) August 5: Indiana Jones 5 (PG-13) The participating local theatre is the Cerritos 16,  (Another So Cal location is the Mountain Grove 16 in Redlands).   READ MORE

Hot Wheels Garage

El Segundo
Small car, big fun. The Automobile Driving Museum hosts another Hot Wheels Garage event. READ MORE

Planes of Fame Hangar Talk and Flying Demo

Chino
The featured plane in January is the Curtiss P-40N Warhawk. READ MORE

Learn & Grow Health, Education, and Special Needs Expo

Santa Ana
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

Oxnard Multicultural Festival

Oxnard
The City of Oxnard's 26th annual Multicultural Festival celebrates the rich cultural diversity of its residents and the city’s history. The fun in Plaza Park includes a variety of performing groups, live music, food trucks, exhibitors, demonstrations and hands-on activities for the entire family READ MORE

Saturday Morning Stories and More

West LA
Erin go bookstore! Luke Robertson visits Children's Book World for a St. Patrick's Day storytime. Every Saturday morning Children's Book World offers free children's entertainment March 2020 schedule:      March 7: Andrew & Polly Mini-Concert (all ages) March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Storytime with Luke Robertson (ages 4 – 7) March 21: Kevin Noble Maillard Storytime & Signing (ages 3 – 7) March 28: Roda Ahmed Launch Party & Signing (ages 4 –... READ MORE

Autumn Harvest Festival

Lake Forest
Heritage Hill Historical Park hosts its annual Autumn Harvest Festival. The park is transformed into a fun-filled spooky Halloween festival.  READ MORE

Southeast Asia Day

Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the cultures of Southeast Asia, with programming representing countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos. Activities include live performances of music and dance, and demonstrations of cultural crafts. READ MORE

Chance to Dance with Los Angeles Ballet

Fairfax
Young dancers can jeté their way through this special dance class at American Girl. Led by ballerinas from Los Angeles Ballet, girls move through a series of stretches and learn some fun dance moves. READ MORE

MommyCon & DaddyCon

Garden Grove
MommyCon is an event celebrating natural parenting, and this year it is paired with a DaddyCon event. Attendees at both events learn about the benefits of natural birthing, breastfeeding, babywearing, holistic health, eco-friendly diapering, and child safety standards and procedures. READ MORE

Public Star Party

Griffith Park
The sky... it's full of stars! The lawn... it's full of telescopes!   ​The Observatory's free public star party offers a chance for the whole family to look at the sun, moon, planets, and other objects with the assistance of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society. READ MORE

Street Food Cinema 2024

Pasadena: Guardians of the Galaxy
Street Food Cinema goes on adventure with a screening of Up! at the LA Arboret--  squirrel!   READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Orange County Children's Book Festival
Photo courtesy of Orange County Children's Book Festival

Things To Do Sunday, October 7

2024 Orange County Children's Book Festival

Costa Mesa
Read all about it: the Orange County Children's Book Festival unites children's books authors, illustrators and readers. READ MORE

CicLAvia - Heart of LA

Westlake, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights, and Downtown
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

Feria de los Moles

Downtown
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

Free Family Festival at the Bowers

Santa Ana
Welcome Spring! The Bowers celebrates Japanese culture and the coming season with free mochi, art projects, origami, and taiko. READ MORE

A Faery Hunt - Crestwood Hills Park

Brentwood
Looking for the faeries?  You can once again find them—in person!—at Crestwood Park. READ MORE

Andell Family Sunday: 3D: Come See It!

Mid-Wilshire
LACMA visitors can learn about the fun and innovative history of 3D photography in the special exhibition 3D: Double Vision.  READ MORE

Kickin Cancer 5K Run/Walk & Stroller Run

Brentwood
The 18th Annual Kickin’ Cancer! is a timed 5K Run, Walk, Stroll. The event features a large expo featuring 20+ companies promoting their latest products & services, the Kids Corner offering kids activities, entertainment, and a fun run in addition to the 5K Run/Walk, Stroller Run. READ MORE

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sea Fair + Jane Goodall Screening

Long Beach
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

Timbalooloo Concert with Oran Etkin

Santa Monica
Internationally touring jazz clarinetist Oran Etkin brings his globe-spanning and interactive Timbalooloo concert for kids to McCabe's Guitar Shop. Also performing is Clara Net (his clarinet).  READ MORE

Fowler Families: Yoga for Little Travelers

Westwood
Little yogis and their families are invited to pack their bags and go on a whimsical journey to Guatemala during this year’s final yoga session.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Festival at AGRIscapes
Planes of Fame Air Museum
Heritage Hill Historical Park
American Girl Store at the Grove
Rotating locations, including the Autry Museum
Multiple Hubs, including Mariachi Plaza