October, for most Angelenos, means two things: Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos. As you’d expect there are a ton of events in Los Angeles this month connected with those holidays. However, not everyone wants to go to yet another Halloween themed event, or at least they probably want to do something else too, so I’ve included a range of different activities and experiences here. From street parties, to parody burlesque performances, via concerts and a true crime and ghost tour (with cocktail opportunities), we’ve got it all for you in this list of the best things to do in LA in October.

Events & Activities in Los Angeles This Month

1. CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (SEPTEMBER 15-OCTOBER 15)

Latinos and the Spanish (and they’re not the same thing) have had a huge impact on Los Angeles, so why not use October to learn a little about Hispanic history. You could explore La Plaza, near Union Station, where the city started in 1781 as a tiny outpost in the Spanish Empire, or many visit another spot such as the Mission San Fernando and Pio Pico State Historic Park, which are also very historic.

A good place to start is our article Legendary Los Angeles Latinos, which tells the fascinating stories of two latinos who both left an indelible mark on the city.

2. DTLA MURDER MYSTERY GHOST TOUR (EVERY SATURDAY)

This tour could very easily be titled ‘Crime and Cocktails’. We go on a noir exploration of the dark underbelly of the city of Angels and try and answer some big questions, such as: why do these horrible crimes happen? What do they tell us about the pointlessness of human existence? What’s up with the Hotel Cecil? And exactly which spirits go into a Black Dahlia cocktail? 

Join us every Saturday night in the Historic Core of DTLA and learn the answers. More information here.

If you fancy exploring another part of the city we organize a special event every Friday called the The Sunset Strip: True Crime & Ghost Tour. This trip down the strip is the best way to see the storied neighborhood, as expert guide Chris takes guests on a true crime investigation of mafia hits, serial killer murders and untimely celebrity demises. It’s fascinating.

More information here.

3. BEVERLY HILLS ART SHOW (OCTOBER 17-18)

You’ve probably heard of Beverly Hills, there have been quite a few TV shows that have taken its name. Here’s an idea: instead of joining the throngs of tourists on Rodeo Drive visit this free art show (which has been going for nearly fifty years) and snap up some art as a memento of your trip – it’s much more original than buying a plastic Oscar at one of the tourist traps on Hollywood Boulevard, and it will last longer too.

More information here.

If you go we have a free self-guided tour of the neighborhood which you can use to further explore the area while you’re there.

4. GO TO A CONCERT at Hollywood Forever CEMETARY (VARIOUS DATES)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery claims to host the largest Day of the Dead celebration in California (which is November 2), and it can certainly get quite busy.

However, in October, in addition to the usual Halloween themed events it’s also hosting a series of concerts and comedy shows. It’s quite the location, so why not? Narrow Head, Jacob Alon and Geese are all performing at the cemetery during the month. Hollywood Forever is also celebrating its 27th Dia de los Muertos on Saturday October 24.

More information here.

5. HALLOWEEN BURLESQUE SHOWS (VARIOUS DATES)

The Montalbán Theatre, on Vine street in Hollywood. has not one, but two, burlesque shows in October, both based on movies. First up is The Empire Strips Back, a Stars Wars themed parody, and that’s followed by A Nightmare on Strip Street. They both look pretty interesting, and promise to be way sexier than trick or treating.

More information here.

6. SEE THE HALLOWEEN LIGHTS (ALL MONTH)

Americans have always loved Halloween and Dia de los Muertos has become very popular too over the last couple of decades. A lot of people dress up their front windows, porches and yards with lights, skeletons, graves and all the other elements of the season.

Some of the residents of the properties on the Venice Canals seem to move out, so that whole houses essentially become Halloween sets. 

Altadena is another good area for touring the Halloween houses, as well as for trick-or-treating. 

Finally, Grand Park in downtown has a section devoted to ofrendas and is well-worth visiting.

7. TASTE OF SOUL (OCTOBER 17)

This is a fantastic free annual street-party (founded in 2005) that’s based on Crenshaw Boulevard, in West Los Angeles. Up to half a million people usually attend, so it’s pretty big, and the one-day event celebrates all things “soulful”, including food, music and live entertainment. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in LA in October.

More information here.

8. CICLAVIA: HEART OF LA (OCTOBER 11)

CicLAvia is without doubt one of the best things to happen to Los Angeles in the last decade. When whole neighborhoods, which had been lost to pedestrians and cyclists and taken over by cars, are periodically reclaimed by banning said cars, it’s amazing what can happen. People walking, cycling and having fun – suddenly Los Angeles feels like a very different place and we can realize that actually it wasn’t actually designed around the car.

This is probably CicLAvia’s biggest event, stretching from Boyle Heights, over the Los Angeles River, and all the way to Echo Park to the west and Chinatown to the north.

More information here.

9. SPANISH DRACULA, WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA (OCTOBER 25-27)

LA Opera are bringing back Hollywood’s Golden Age with a rediscovered classic film at the historic United Theater (formerly known as The Ace), on Broadway in downtown.

While Bela Lugosi was vamping it up in front of the cameras by day, a night crew shot an alternate version of Dracula in Spanish — same sets, same story, new cast. This second incarnation of the classic, starring  Carlos Villarías, was largely forgotten until a recent renaissance, and many now hail it as the superior version.

See it on the big screen (with English subtitles) as Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados leads the LA Opera Orchestra in a live performance of a new LAO-commissioned score by Academy Award-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla (The Last of Us, Brokeback Mountain), who’ll also star as featured guitar soloist.

LA Opera

It’s the perfect time to see this rediscovered classic on the big screen, at a gorgeous historic theater. Live music is so beautiful to listen to as well, and Gustavo Santaolalla is one of my absolute favorite modern composers.

More information here.

10. GO TO A CONCERT (VARIOUS DATES)

There are always great bands, artists and acts coming to Los Angeles to perform. This month just a few of the highlights are: Bruno Mars, Art Garfunkel, Julieta Venegas and Mumford & Sons. More information here.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on the Hollywood Bowl (from Empire of the Sun, Jack Johnson and My Chemical Romance) and the Greek Theatre (Foster the People, Tom Jones and Shaboozey), to see what performances and artists they’ve got scheduled.

If you have any feedback on the 10 Best Things to Do in LA in October please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.

– By Damien Blackshaw (Twitter)