What You're Doing This Weekend In LA – October 30
Not like there is ever a lack of options, but Halloween in Southern California gets pretty fun! Between figuring out what to wear and where to go, the whole holiday can become overwhelming though. Not to mention, in the illustrious words of Bushwick Bill, "This year Halloween fell on a weekend," which means added insanity. It's pretty tough, but we've narrowed down a great list of options for your frightful weekend. Dress accordingly. Here is your Halloween weekend itinerary.
Watch "Ghostbusters"
The Egyptian Theater
6712 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 461-2020
www.egyptiantheatre.com
While every Halloween themed event is designed to scare the Begeezus out of you with gore and violence, a screening of the timeless Ivan Reitman staple "Ghostbusters" in the historic Egyptian theater captures the essence of Halloween in a way that's entertaining, unique, and memorable for everyone. American Cinematheque does a fantastic job of presenting important Hollywood flicks in a way that transforms a Friday night at the movies into a compete experience – a history lesson of sorts. Combining an especially charming environment and the excitement that fans have for the cult-classic, this one is a cinch.
Duff's Cake Mix
Halloween Cupcake Decorating Party
8302 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 650-5555
www.duffscakemix.com
Ambassador of television bakeage, Duff Goldman, flexed a bit of brilliance when he opened his bakery in LA a few years back. Taking the Color Me Mine template and swapping ceramics for pre-baked cakes, Goldman transformed the standard upscale bakery into a DIY creative space where customers can go ham and personalize their own cakes! In the tradition of the pumpkin carving party, Duff's Cake Mix is hosting a Halloween cupcake decorating party complete with a costume contest and plenty of goodies for everyone.
Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas Live
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com
Danny Elfman has made pure magic whenever he's teamed up with Tim Burton. Particularly for the Nightmare Before Christmas, it would be unimaginable to separate the incredible stop-motion imagery, from the hauntingly harmonic score penned by Elfman. The Hollywood Bowl will transform into the landscape befitting Burton's imagination and Elfman will actually perform the score to the film live. Enthusiasts will be completely immersed Halloweentown as the film plays out live inside the Hollywood Bowl. If you have a ticket, you are in for a historic evening.
HARD Day of the Dead
Pomona Fairplex
1101 W McKinley Ave
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 623-3111
www.harddayofthedead.com
Cruising the line-up, HARD has assembled an all-star compilation of just about every important name in electronic music and hip-hop. Contrasting artists like Flying Lotus with Future, Juicy J and Jack Beats, the one common denominator is unfiltered energy. The grand-scale stage production and state-of-art lighting produce the kind of kinetic ebb and flow that are surely a spectacle to see and easy to get swept up in. The two-day stretch has become an anchor in the SoCal festival calendar and with the added excitement of the Halloween weekend, this is one of the best parties in the Southland.
San Pedro Dia De Los Muertos Festival
302 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90731
(310) 832-2183
www.sanpedrodayofthedead.com
The historic Waterfront at the port of Los Angeles comes alive this Sunday from 3pm to 9pm as the business district works hand-in-hand with local artists to showcase unique altars in celebration of the Day of the Dead. Offering an arts and crafts component that allows kids to work on their own creations to take home, in addition to a plethora of Latin-American cuisine and hand crafts, the art of the Dead comes alive in San Pedro. With the artists competing for best in show with their altars, there is a bit of competition that makes this showcase a contest.
Peruse Grand Central Market
317 South Broadwa
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-2378
www.grandcentralmarket.com
Looking to get out of the house and have a low-key Sunday? Head to downtown LA's Grand Central Market, which offers a myriad of eateries including places for coffee, sandwiches and much more. Housed on the ground floor of the former Homer Laughlin Building in downtown Los Angeles' Historic Core District, Grand Central Market is just plain fun. Once inside, make sure to stop by favorite G&B Coffee for a great cup of coffee, and follow it up by eating at one or more of the market's best places to eat. Visitors love Wexler's Deli for classic deli food with a modern twist. For a full list of our favorite spots, visit our Food Guide to Downtown LA's Grand Central Market.