Best 2014 Halloween Events For Kids In Los Angeles

The Daily Meal Staff|Oct. 3, 2014 7:00 am EST

(credit: Thinkstock)

Even though Halloween is an unofficial holiday, don't try to convince your kids. This scary yet scintillating celebration that brings lots of candy and lots of laughs is often the most exciting time of the year for Southland youth. With that in mind, following are five thrilling and, yes, chilling things to do around the time of All Hallows' Eve for which the whole family can and definitely will enjoy.

(credit: Aquarium Of The Pacific)

Scarium of the Pacific
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
www.aquariumpacific.org
Date: Oct. 25-26, 2014

Talk about being absolutely spooktacular. Taking in the creepy deep and all of its eery animals while taking part in other Halloween-worthy activities –like underwater pumpkin carving and a coloring contest with scary stuff as the subjects — at the Southland's main aquarium makes this ghoulish gathering one not to be missed by you and your fun loving clan. Oh, and be sure to appear in costume. There's a contest on tap for that, too.

(credit: Descanso Gardens)

Descanso Gardens Harvest Festival
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 949-4290
www.descansogardens.com
Date: Oct. 18-19, 2014

Getting in the groove (literally!) with pumpkin carving makes Halloween nearly complete so check out experts doing just that at this family-friendly celebration held at lush Descanso Gardens. Costume parades, a maze, crafting and even a nature walk where you'll get to inspect more than 5,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns along the Rose Garden's enchanting trail are on the agenda, putting everyone in your clan in the mood for the main spooky night at the end of the month while having a blast in the process.

(credit: LA Zoo)

Boo At The Zoo
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4770
www.lazoo.org
Date: Oct. 18-19 and 25-26, 2014

A host of family-friendly activities are on for Halloween at the Los Angeles Zoo, up to and including what is called a Creepy Creature Adventure at the Winnick Family Children's Zoo, which is a zoo within the zoo for those who want to spend time with the entire clan while communing with the creatures who live there. In addition, a live presentation at the Adventure Theater will have everyone in your tribe gasping — or is that grasping? — for more. Happy All Hallows' Eve.

(credit: Descanso Gardens)

Rise Of The Jack O'Lanterns
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 949-4290
www.therise.org
Date: Oct. 3 through Nov. 2, 2014

Held for 23 nights starting in early October during varying evening hours ranging from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, The Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns event is a unique all-ages nighttime Halloween display that includes more than 5,000 hand-carved illuminated lanterns. Created by professional artists and sculptors, the lanterns are all arranged in unique and artsy displays throughout the 1/3 mile-scenic trail within Descanso Gardens. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Rose Garden, viewers will be invited to check out the carved images of celebrities and athletes as well as other large displays based on popular themes. Tickets can only be purchased in advance and online at www.therise.org and range from $18 to $28

(credit: Eek! At The Greek)

Eek! at the Greek!
Greek Theatre
2700 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-5857
www.greektheatrela.com
Date: Oct. 25, 2014

A symphonic happening never brought you more fun. This annual gathering that grants ghoulish delights to the entire family starts and ends with music courtesy of the incomparable 60-member Glen Orchestra and its maestro, Arthur B. Rubinstein. In between, expect spooky stories, face painting, trick or treating and a costume competition, too.

credit: The Olvera Street Merchants

LA Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 469-1181
www.ladayofthedead.com
Date: Nov. 1, 2014

A family gathering at a cemetery may seem like a crazy idea but the day after Halloween is ripe for your entire tribe to take part in the annual Day of the Dead. In fact, your kids who are eight or younger are allowed in for free at this annual event that gives you all the chance to dress up in Dia de Los Muertos attire. You'll also be privy to dining on Mexican fare beyond compare, buying all kinds of Day of the Dead arts and crafts brought to you direct from South of the Border, and watching in wonder as the traditional and very colorful procession passes by as an assortment of iconic musicians will entertain and Aztec dancers will perform their moving rituals. Meanwhile, literally hundreds of altars will be set up to memorialize community members' ancestors with the best altar in a slew of categories winning each creator a whopping $3,000.

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.