The season of frights and vampire bites is upon us, and with it comes activities galore, from the annual ghastly overhauls of Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studios’ Horror Nights to Long Beach’s very own Shaqtoberfest.
Whether you’re looking to take your kids trick-or-treating before Halloween day, fixing to knock back some brews with friends or even watch some dogs waddle around in costumes, we’ve got you covered on some of the haunted happenings going on this month.
GHOULS NIGHT OUT!
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video was a masterclass on undead flash-mobbing, and 2ND & PCH is paying homage with a tribute and dance tutorial on Thursday, Oct. 26 starting at 5 p.m. Anyone will be welcome to join in on the flash mob, so don’t forget to put on your spookiest attire.
For the rest of the evening, Filipino band Browndition will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. to cover some classic hits from Prince, Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars in honor of Filipino Heritage Month. Kids can take part in some arts and crafts, face painting and airbrush tattoos.
This event will be totally free, but be sure to bring your own chairs and blankets for first-come, first-served seating. You can see more details here.
2ND & PCH is located at 6400 E. Pacific Coast Highway.
LONG BEACH ZOMBIE WALK & PARTY
If you’re into zombies but are looking for a more neighborhood-type event, you can take friends or family to Shoreline Village for free on Saturday, Oct. 14 starting at 4 p.m.
The highlight of the night will be the return of the Zombie Walk in which people can dress in their most terrifying undead costumes and join fellow flesh-eaters parading around the streets. Interpretation of zombies is completely up to participants.
There will be themed food and drinks, live music and dance floors as well as face painting, pumpkin carving, haunted house tours and trick-or-treating—a little something for everyone. You can find out more here.
Shoreline Village is located at 429 Shoreline Village Drive.
SCARIUM OF THE PACIFIC & FRIGHT DIVE
The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its 24th annual “Scarium of the Pacific” on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While looking at all sorts of marine life and creepy critters from the depths, the whole family can participate in costume and coloring contests, underwater pumpkin carving, see a vampire magician and more, free with general admission.
Those who are 18 years and older can also enjoy Fright Dive on Friday, Oct. 27 starting 7:30 p.m., featuring cocktails, food trucks, a live performance by Tom Kenny & The High Seas and other DJs spinning in the Aquarium’s galleries.
Costumes are encouraged of course, but the Aquarium says they must be family-friendly. Tickets for the Fright Dive start at $65 for general admission.
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way.
CRAFT BREWS AT HALLOWEEN HOOTENANNY
If you’re looking to indulge in some quality booze, then you might want to check out the third annual Halloween Hootenanny on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. It will feature craft breweries from around the world, local wineries and cideries and a variety of food, local artists, music guests and creepy art vendors.
This festival is produced by the folks at Obscura LB, a Long Beach-based Halloween and macabre-themed event company that puts on brewery and craft beer festivals. Naturally, this part of the year is their favorite, they say.
This event is for those 21 and older. Tickets start at $20, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Museum of Latin American Art. You can find more information here.
The Museum of Latin American Art is located at 628 Alamitos Ave.
EL DORADO PARK HOWL-O-WEEN FESTIVAL
For animal lovers, Long Beach Animal Care Services will host a costume-encouraged, family-friendly Howl-o-ween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m., which will have activities and opportunities to play with animals in need of a home.
This will serve as an adoption event, and adoption fees will be waived during the festival.
Those who are interested in giving to the furry friends and participating in the “Bark-o-Treat” should bring two bags of unopened dog treats—one to donate at the check-in table and one to drop treats in the dog kennel candy buckets.
Kids can take part in a “hare-raising” trick-or-treating adventure along the Nature Center trails, hear scary stories from the South Coast Storytellers, learn from animal education groups, do arts and crafts and jump around in bounce houses.
Parking will be free, and a $5 donation per entry to support the park is encouraged. Although friendly animals will be there, pets should be left at home for this event. You can see more details here.
The El Dorado Nature Center is at 7550 E. Spring St.
HAUTE DOG HOWL’OWEEN PARADE
Dog lovers can watch the 22nd annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m. in front of the former Belmont pool—for free!
Owners who think their dogs are the cutest and most well-dressed can enter their pet for $10 in advance and $20 on the day of. You can enter your costumed self in the parade for free.
According to Haute Dog’s website, judging will be based on first impression, originality, showmanship and costume detail. The top 10 and grand prize winners will receive prizes sponsored by Redbarn Premium Pet Products.
There will also be pet adoptions and vendors from 12:30 to 4 p.m. You can find out more here.
The Belmont Pool is located at 4000 E. Olympic Plaza.
27TH ANNUAL HISTORICAL CEMETERY TOUR
The Historical Society of Long Beach will host its 27th annual cemetery tours on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Municipal and Sunnyside cemeteries. Those who want the full experience should arrive by noon.
Throughout the day, community theater actors in period-accurate costumes will tell the stories of those buried at the cemeteries in eight different graveside performances.
There will be book signings from Claudine Burnett, a history of early African American families, traditional dance and judo demonstrations sharing the legacy of Japanese American Terminal Islanders.
Attendees can also check out historical displays, a Dia de los Muertos installation and merchandise booths with history books, postcards and reprints of historical photos.
Tickets are priced at $25 presale, $30 day of, and $8 for youth ages 5 to 18. They say it’s probably the most fun you’ll have at a cemetery, although you should bring your own lunch and water. See tickets and details here.
The Municipal Cemetery is at 1151 E. Willow St., and Sunnyside Cemetery is at 1095 E. Willow St.
NOSFERATU LIVE SCORE SPECTACULAR/ SYMPHONY OF HORROR
Movie buffs and orchestral music lovers alike would enjoy composer and conductor Jack Curtis Dubowsky’s original score of the silent gothic horror interpretation of Dracula, “Nosferatu“ playing at the Art Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31—Halloween night.
In their most popular show, Dubowsky and ensemble will play live over the original film, performing a score that has “light romantic lyricism” and features a musically recurring theme for each character, intricately composed with structured improvisation.
Admission is $30 for the general public and $25 for members of the Art Theatre. Here, you can enjoy a classic film backed by great live music and still get out early enough to hit the town on a weekday.
The Art Theatre is at 2025 E Fourth St.