Celebrate Halloween in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA–The air is starting to carry a chill and Halloween is looming. This marks the comeback of anticipated Pa’s Pumpkin Patch, but also other events in Long Beach during Halloween weekend.

Shaqtoberfest has already begun and goes through October 31. The festival takes place alongside the Queen Mary at 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802, and features various attractions such as a pumpkin patch and a street carnival. Tickets start at $34.99. Tickets for those 12 and under are $29.99. 

The Aquarium of the Pacific located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802, is also hosting its 23rd Annual Scarium of the Pacific on October 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families are encouraged to attend and enjoy coloring and costume contests, a vampire magician and other activities. It is free with general admission. 

FRIDAY

To kick off the weekend is the family-friendly event, Long Beach Towne Center’s Halloween Spookfest. From 5 to 7 p.m., stilt walkers will be present to take selfies with guests and kids can trick-or-treat at candy stations, among other festivities. It is free and open to the public at Regal Promenade, 7575 Carson Blvd., Long Beach.

Adults can start their Halloween fun with the Long Beach Pre Halloween Pub Crawl. Participants are urged to come in costume as they make their way through nightclubs and bars lining 130 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813. Tickets are $30 plus fees and serve as all-access passes to the venues. Check-in times are from 7 to 10 p.m., but the event continues all night. 

SATURDAY

Beginning at 9 a.m. is the 26th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour located at 1095 and 1151 E. Willow St. The tour consists of graveside performances showing the lives of deceased people at their grave sites. History buffs and families are encouraged to swing by. Ticket prices vary for pre-sale and at-the-door purchases and for members and non-members of the Historical Society of Long Beach.

The Long Beach Public Library is hosting their Halloween at LBPL event at 12 p.m. The fun will begin with a children’s costume parade, along with trick-or-treating at the Michelle Obama Library at 5870 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805. There will also be crafts available and a Tricks-for-Treats Pup Parade.

At the Pike Oulets located at 95 S Pine Ave. from 12 to 3 p.m. is Fall Fest. The celebration will include Halloween character meet and greets, artist vendors and trick-or-treating. Fall Fest goers can also enter into a social media costume contest. For kids, there is an interactive dance party. The event is free, but the children’s crafts are $2 to aid the nonprofit organization, Humansave.

Later at night, adults can hit the town for the Long Beach Zombie Crawl. Partiers receive “zombie survival kits” that consist of a zombie crawl map of the participating venues on 130 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813, as well as drink discount coupons and free nightclub entry passes. Check in between 7 to 10 p.m. and pub crawl all night. Tickets are $35 plus fees.

SUNDAY

The 21st Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade is back at Marina Vista Park on 5355 E. Eliot St. Long Beach, 90803. The celebration kicks off at 2:30 p.m. with food trucks and vendors. Spectators can come and watch all the dressed up pups for free and even have the opportunity to adopt their own. 

MONDAY
The Art Theatre is hosting the Nosferatu 100th Anniversary which begins at 7 p.m. Check it out at 2025 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814, for a live score will be performed by the Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble. They will be playing original scores of famous silent films. Some of these films include The Golem, The Phantom Carriage, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, and more. Tickets are $18.

By Laila Freeman