Most Spooktacular Things to Do in the South Bay (LA) in October
It’s officially fall and along with it comes some incredible festivals, pumpkin patches, Halloween events, and spooky good fun! Check out our list of all the best things to do in the South Bay and beyond in October.
This post is sponsored by South Bay Credit Union. South Bay Credit Union is for all who live, work, or worship in the South Bay.
Upcoming Featured Events & Program Highlights:
Saturday, October 4: Scaredown in Downtown Torrance
Sunday, October 19: 35th Annual Pumpkin Race
Friday, October 24: Redondo Beach Pier 8th Annual Halloween
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Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center
3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance, CA, 90503, United States
Southern California Live Steamers – Free Train Rides
Charles H. Wilson Park
2200 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90503, United States
Lomita Cornhole Tournament
Lomita Park
2025 El Segundo Main Street Fair
Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245, United States
2025 Los Angeles International Ukulele Festival
Torrance Cultural Arts Center
Our Favorite Family-Friendly Things to Do in October
Fall is officially here and Halloween is just around the corner! Ready your costumes and get ready to make some incredible memories this month.
Events & Activities in the South Bay This Month
Dogtoberfest at South Coast Botanic Gardens
Weekends in October
Experience the perfect blend of a beer festival and a dog parade at Dogtoberfest, hosted by the South Coast Botanic Garden! Both humans and their furry companions are invited to enjoy the festivities every Saturday and Sunday in October. Stroll through the beautiful Garden with your pup while savoring a variety of beers, exploring a doggy marketplace, and watching your pet show off their skills on an obstacle course.
Scaredown in Downtown Torrance
October 4
The Downtown Torrance Association (DTA)’s 8th annual Scaredown in Downtown Torrance is ready to rise from the dead and bring the community another year of howling good fun! This event bring in thousands of attendees from LA & Orange County to the heart of the South Bay: historic Downtown Torrance. Join us for our Haunted Boo-tique, live performances, trunk or treating, crafts, hearses, photo ops, and more!
Pumpkins in the Park – Hermosa Beach
October 11
Join the family-friendly fun at Edith Roadway Friendship Park. Come in costume and participate in the exciting costume parade. Enjoy selecting and decorating your own pumpkin to take home. There will be games, crafts, face painting, delicious hot dogs, popcorn, and an amazing puppet show by Franklin Haynes Marionettes.
Shoreline Village’s Annual Long Beach Zombie Walk + Halloween Party
October 11
Shoreline Village’s Long Beach Zombie Walk and Halloween Party is back! This family-friendly festival is a free event with no tickets required. Join in the fun, but be aware that it may feature scary costumes and surprises. RSVP for updates and save the date!
Trick or Treat Festival at The Point
October 15
This fun family-friendly event features trick-or-treating around the shops at The Point, live entertainment, and fun activities.
35th Annual Pumpkin Race
October 19
Get your pumpkin racers to the 35th Annual Pumpkin Race! Race a pumpkin down Manhattan Beach Boulevard and take part in the spectacle of the Manhattan Beach Pier area transformed into Pumpkin Race Land, where creativity runs wild. Enjoy fun activities for all ages, make your own pumpkin racer, and don’t forget to come in costume!
Redondo Beach Pier 8th Annual Halloween
October 24
The 8th Annual Redondo Beach Pier Halloween event features a costume contest, DJ, Halloween themed photos, giveaways, prizes for best costumes and Trick-or-Treating on the Pier and Boardwalk.
West Coast Ballet Dracula
October 24-25
The West Coast Ballet returns to the El Segundo Performing Arts Center with a performance of Dracula. The ballet combines classic storytelling with dramatic choreography to bring the gothic tale to the stage. Audience members can also visit a themed photo station in the lobby and meet the cast after the show. Costumes are welcome for those who want to add to the atmosphere.
Pumpkins by the Sea Redondo Beach
October 25
Seaside Lagoon will be hosting a free community event offering seasonal activities for all ages. Visitors can take part in games, win prizes, enjoy treats, join a costume parade, and capture memories at a themed photo booth. It’s a chance for families and friends to spend time together and enjoy the fall atmosphere by the water.
Halloween Spooktacular Carnival
October 25
Join Hawthorne City Hall for a Halloween Spooktacular Carnival featuring trunk-or-treat, games, jumpers, a costume contest, and much more. A fun, family-friendly way to celebrate the Halloween season!
37th Annual Halloween Carnival
October 25
The City of Manhattan Beach will offer an afternoon of games, activities, and Halloween fun for children ages 2–15. The event features a costume contest and parade, carnival games, a Teen Center haunted house, a cupcake walk, snow cones, and more. Carnival bracelets ($10 per child) include unlimited access to game booths, the haunted house, snow cones, and the cupcake walk. Food and refreshments will also be available for purchase. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult, and costumes are encouraged for all participants.
El Segundo’s Annual Halloween Frolic
October 25
A South Bay favorite, this long-standing tradition brings Halloween fun for the whole family. The event features a trick-or-treat village, costume contests, games, and live music. It’s a safe and festive environment for kids to show off their costumes and collect candy from local businesses.
Halloween Movie in the Park
October 25
Wilson Park in Torrance will host a family-friendly Halloween movie night. The evening includes DJ music, food trucks, train rides, a cheer performance, a costume parade, and a screening of Lilo & Stitch (PG) under the stars. Admission is free, and costumes are encouraged. The event will be canceled in the event of rain.
San Pedro’s 14th Annual Día De Los Muertos Festival
October 26
Experience the vibrant tradition of one of Los Angeles’ most respected celebrations. This family-friendly festival brings together art, food, folklórico performances, and community pride along the waterfront. Highlights include the region’s famous Catrina Contest, stunning costumes, live performances, and cultural displays that honor life, memory, and heritage. Don’t miss this colorful and unforgettable celebration of culture and community.
Halloween Trick or Treat – Riviera Village
October 31
The Riviera Village Halloween Trick-or-Treat event has become a beloved tradition in South Bay, drawing thousands of children each year to celebrate a family-friendly Halloween in a safe, fun, outdoor setting. Catalina Avenue is closed to traffic from Avenue I to S Elena St, allowing shops to distribute candy and treats in the open air. Visitors can also enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the Village. This festive occasion is a fantastic way to embrace the Halloween spirit and experience all that Riviera Village has to offer!
Too Cute to Spook
October 31
The Too Cute to Spook event is set to take place at Rowley Park for 2024. Enjoy a fun-filled day featuring trick or treating, a costume contest with fantastic prizes for the most creative outfits, and many more activities tailored for kids 0-12.
Worth the Drive: Events & Activities in Los Angeles and Beyond This Month
Carved at Descanso Gardens
October 3 – 30
This family-friendly event is back again at Descanso Gardens with all new exhibits and a new pathway. The gardens take on a whole new look as thousands of carved pumpkins line the walkways after dark. In addition to creative jack-o’ lanterns, the event features unique art installations, fall food offerings, and more.
Nights of the Jack
September 26 – November 1
This immersive experience is one of our favorite fun Halloween events. Showcasing thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins across the grounds of King Gillette Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, they’ve created a spectacular light display.
Boo at the L.A. Zoo
October 18, 19, 25 & 26
At the L.A. Zoo in Griffith Park, visitors can take in spooky sights as the Halloween spirit takes over. Enjoy trick-or-treating stations featuring premium Mars candies, plus animal pumpkin feedings, themed photo ops, education stations, an extinct animal graveyard, and more. Costumes are welcome!
Underwood Family Farms: Fall Harvest on the Farm
Sept. 27 – Oct. 31, 2025
Easily one of the best October events Los Angeles has to offer, the Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood is a must-do for families with young kids. The farm will be transformed into a massive “Pumpkin Patch, Pick Your Own & Fall Harvest Experience” with activities such as rides, games, picture ops, live music, themed weekends, food vendors, and more. Be sure to book your weekend tickets in advance.
About South Bay Credit Union
South Bay Credit Union is for all who live, work, or worship in the South Bay.
Banking with South Bay Credit Union offers numerous advantages. Their exceptional features include a local presence in the South Bay, personalized attention to detail, tailored banking and lending solutions, access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs, specialized Youth Accounts, and private insurance coverage of up to $1,000,000 per account.
For small businesses, banking with South Bay Credit Union offers a range of advantages. These include online banking, bill payment services, debit and credit business cards, and low fees. You can enjoy all these benefits while receiving the same level of care and attention as a personal account.
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