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Fun & Free Things to Do This Weekend with LA Kids: Pumpkins, Scares & A Whole Lotta Shaking Oct 22 - 23

10/20/11 - By Toby B

What’s that seismic rumbling? The vibration of 10 million pumpkins rolling down the 405? No, (well maybe, but that’s not what we’re talking about here).  What you’re feeling is the pretend earthquake of the Great American Shakeout, a drill being held Thursday to help kids learn to drop, cover, and hold in the event of a genuine temblor. At 10:20AM schools, businesses, and community groups throughout the Southland are practicing what to do when the Big One (or a medium one) strikes.

Once the dust settles, you’ll find no shortage of things to do this weekend.  Halloween draws ever closer, and our calendar reflects that. The weekend is filled with pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins, two scary aquariums, and quite a few Día de los Muertos celebraciones. 

Here are some of our top choices for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

A Fishy Fest for Halloween & Día de los Muertos - Santa Monica
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is doubly festive, celebrating both Halloween and Day of the Dead this weekend.

Scarium of the Pacific - Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific brings out its scary side for Halloween.

Kidspace Pumpkin Festival- Pasadena
Enjoy rides, bouncers, crafts, and kid-favorite entertainers at this free festival.

Descanso Gardens Harvest Festival - La Cañada Flintridge
Costumed kiddies can join the parade at Descanso Gardens, then take in a puppet show and decorate a pumpkin.

Stages on Pages Book Tour – LaVerne, Manhattan Beach & Pasadena
The YA authors of the Stages on Pages tour write stories set in the world of performing arts. The writers take center stage this weekend as they make their way through Southern California.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 21

Disney Store Halloween Dress Rehearsal Party - Culver City
Kids can give their costumes a test run at pre-Halloween festivities at the Disney Store. (also Saturday).

Spider Pavilion Flashlight Tour - Los Angeles
What's spookier than a lawn full of creepy crawly spiders?  Exploring it in the dark!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22

Kinetic Sculpture Race - Ventura
It's wacky races come to life as these human-powered sculptures navigate challenging race courses.

Halloween Town, An Autumn Fun Festival - Los Angeles
Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts pulls out all the stops for its annual Halloween festival. Come for the Haunted House, stay for the petting zoo.

Pacific Standard Time Family Festival- Los Angeles
Families can participate in unique art projects in this day-long free festival.

World City at the Music Center- Downtown
The Walt Disney Concert Hall presents free concerts for kids, this week with a Mexican theme.

Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever- Hollywood
Hollywood's renowned cemetery honors the dead with ceremonial tributes, music, and dance.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 23

Bird Watch Walk for Young Kids in Malibu- Malibu
Nary a pumpkin in sight,  just a chance for little ones to spot birds in their native habitat.

Super-Calaca (A Day of the Dead Celebration)- Westwood
The Fowler's annual family celebration of El Día de Los Muertos has a superhero theme.

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