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HALLOWEEN - Every October, Angelenos transform their neighborhoods into a swirl of costumes, cobwebs, and creativity. But while Halloween in Los Angeles is now a spectacle of haunted houses and block parties, its roots stretch back more than 2,000 years—to ancient bonfires, ghostly legends, and a harvest celebration called Samhain.
From Ancient Ritual to All Hallows’ Eve
The origins of Halloween trace to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), marking the end of harvest and the start of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31, the barrier between the living and the dead blurred, letting spirits wander freely. People lit bonfires, wore disguises, and left food outside to appease the restless souls.
As Christianity spread, the Church rebranded Samhain as All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day. Over the centuries, pagan and Christian customs intertwined—blending firelight, feasts, and reverence for the dead into what we now call Halloween.
Crossing the Atlantic: America’s Halloween Takes Shape
Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought their customs to America in the 1800s. Pumpkins replaced turnips as lanterns, ghost stories became party entertainment, and parades replaced pranks. By the mid-20th century, trick-or-treating turned Halloween into a family-friendly celebration, fueled by candy companies and pop culture.
Today, Los Angeles celebrates Halloween with a distinctly SoCal twist—mixing ancient traditions with cinematic flair, immersive experiences, and city-wide festivals.
👻 Where to Celebrate Halloween 2025 in Los Angeles
🎢 Major Attractions
- Los Angeles Haunted Hayride – Griffith Park
Sept 19 – Nov 2
A beloved LA tradition featuring haunted mazes, twisted hayrides, and eerie performances in the heart of Griffith Park.
losangeleshauntedhayride.com - Night of the Jack – Calabasas (King Gillette Ranch)
Through Nov 1
A stunning outdoor walk-through of thousands of glowing jack-o’-lanterns, food trucks, and family photo ops.
nightofthejack.com - West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval – Santa Monica Blvd
Oct 31 | 6 – 11 p.m.
One of the world’s largest Halloween street parties with music, costumes, and more than half a million revelers.
weho.org - Haunted Soirée: VAMPIRE – Downtown LA
Select nights in October
A 21+ immersive cocktail and theater experience set in a gothic vampire world.
hauntedsoiree.com
👨👩👧 Family & Community Events
- Spooky Neighborhood Trick-or-Treat at Heritage Square Museum
Oct 31 | 4 – 8 p.m.
Classic trick-or-treating with games, pumpkin patches, and history at one of LA’s most charming heritage sites.
heritagesquare.org - City of LA Parks Halloween Activities
Oct 25 | Various Locations
Costume contests, arts & crafts, and games for kids at recreation centers citywide.
laparks.org
🎃 The Spirit of Halloween Lives On
Whether you’re wandering the fog-filled paths of Griffith Park or watching jack-o’-lanterns glow beneath the Calabasas oaks, Halloween in Los Angeles honors both its ancient past and modern imagination.
Beneath the costumes and candy, the same spirit remains—a celebration of mystery, community, and the thin line between the worlds of the living and the dead.
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