Halloween isn't until Monday, but from the looks of it, Santa Monica will have even more celebrations over the weekend than on the holiday itself.
Here's a rundown of this weekend's Halloween-related events, business specials and other happenings in Santa Monica:
For the whole family:
• Halloween Carnival
Where/When: ; Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.
Why Go: The carnival will feature bouncy slides, food, game booths, a haunted house, an obstacle course, a petting zoo and more amusements, according to Mommy Poppins.
Pricing: Free (activities cost extra)
•
Where/When: ; Friday, 3 to 9 p.m.
Why Go: The YWCA is doing its Halloween hullabaloo up right with a haunted house, a maze, a costume parade, balloons, crafts, face-painting, Halloween-themed snacks and meals. The event and haunted house are being designed by the organization's Girl Central middle and high school girls, and all proceeds will go to support the YWCA Cycle of Life programs.
Pricing: $5 for kids; $10 for adults
• Haunted Heats Halloween Surf Contest
Where/When: , Tower 26 (at the end of Ocean Park Boulevard); Saturday, 8 a.m.
Why Go: Surfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in this competition, hosted by ZJ Boarding House. Spectators are also welcome, but in order to participate in the competition, you'll need to be in costume.
Pricing: Free
• Pumpkin Decorating at the Farmers Market
Where/When: on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why Go: Kids will be able to pick from glitter, googly eyes and other decorations as they prep their pumpkin for the holiday.
Pricing: Free
• Halloween Hullabaloo
Where/When: ; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 and 3 p.m.
Why Go: The interactive musical comedy, part of the Family Theatre Musical Matinee Series, will delve into the history of Halloween. Kids can win prizes, hop onstage to join the actors, participate in sing-a-longs and get their faces painted before the show. If they arrive in costume, they'll get two-for-one passes to a future Family Theatre production. Reservations are required.
Pricing: $10.50, 12 and under; $12.50, 13 and up. (If you show up in costume, you'll get two-for-one passes to a future Family Theatre production.)
• 18th Annual Dream Halloween
Where/When: 's Barker Hangar; Saturday, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Why Go: Two days prior to the PAL-loween Carnival, a similar Halloween festivity will take place at the same location. Jamie Lee Curtis will handle the hosting duties, while Josh Duhamel, Doris Roberts and other celebrities are also scheduled to attend. Additionally, Dream Halloween will feature auctions, gourmet food, costumed characters, the aforementioned Trick-or-Treat Lane, music, arts and crafts, face-paintings and other entertainment. Proceeds go toward the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation and Keep a Child Alive. Go here for tickets, or email Lauran@LPAevents.com.
Pricing: $250 to $300
• Dolls! - Not Your Usual Love Story on Halloween Weekend
Where/When: Santa Monica Playhouse; Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Why Go: Also at the playhouse, if you show up to Dolls! wearing a Halloween costume, you'll get $10 off admission to the theatrical musical fantasy, as well as an invitation to a post-show sweets-and-treats reception. There will also be face-painters on hand a half-hour before the performances.
Pricing: Admission to Dolls! is $26; $22.50 for seniors, students, teachers and members of the military
• Second Annual Pet Halloween Parade & Costume Contest
Where/When: ; Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.
Why Go: The Doggie Halloween parade will go down Montana, between Sixth Street and 17th Street, with participants stopping at judging stations along the way. There's a fee of $5 per pet—but hundreds of dollars' worth of prizes. Dogs (or their caretakers) will get awards in categories including Most Original/ Best in Show, Best Duo or Group (animals or animal and human), "beachiest" costume and funniest costume. The prizes will be awarded at 4:30 p.m. at 14th Street and Montana Avenue, on the broad sidewalk next to the parking lot. Proceeds will go to Unleash the Beach, an advocacy group promoting .
Pricing: Free
For adults (and kids):
• Halloween at Ye Olde King's Head
Where/When: ; Sunday, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Why Go: A DJ will spin records from 2 to 8 p.m., a children's costume party will start at 3 p.m., and "Scaryoke" will take place from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will also be a costume competition for adults, drink specials and cash prizes.
Pricing: Free
• Halloween at Finn McCool's
Where/When: ; Sunday, all day
Why Go: While the Irish pub usually only welcomes adults looking for a drink, from Saturday through Halloween, its doors will be open for kids seeking candy. But there are attractions for the 21-and-up set: On Saturday at 10 p.m., Finn McCool's annual Halloween party—featuring creepy cocktails, a prize for the person wearing the best costume, and free Jägermeister tastes and treats—gets under way. On Sunday, candy will be passed out at 5 p.m., while traditional Irish music will be performed by Marian Tomas Griffin starting a half-hour later. And on Monday, Halloween cocktails will again be served.
Pricing: Free
For adults only:
•
Where/When: ; Friday, 9 p.m.
Why Go: The Central hosts the latest installment of Tubthump, featuring a '90s tribute band performing from 9 to 10 p.m., and tunes spun by DJ Corey Moss from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nineties-themed Halloween costume attire is encouraged.
Pricing: Free
• The Goods' Halloween Weekend
Where/When: ; Friday, doors at 9 p.m.
Why Go: The weekly soul/hip-hop/reggae show will have a Halloween theme on Friday night. Dee Jay Jahkova will do the hosting duties, while KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez and KG Superstar will spin some black circles.
Pricing: Free before 10 p.m.; $8 afterward
• 6th Annual Dusk-To-Dawn Horrorthon
Where/When: ; Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Why Go: Leave it to the film connoisseurs at the Aero to hand-pick a prime batch of horror movies, ranging from mainstream choices to obscure finds. This year's slate includes Pet Sematary, Tourist Trap, The Pit, Videodrome, Alice Sweet Alice and a U.K. print of Just Before Dawn. There will also be giveaways, short films and trailers, and other surprises.
Pricing: $20 general admission; $18 for seniors and students; $15 for Aero members (includes food served between films)
• Phreeques! aka De-Art(h) aka The Untitled
Where/When: ; Saturday, 9 p.m.
Why Go: Billed as "an antidote to the cool kids' halloween party," this interactive anti-art-house-of-horrors will feature a whopping 30 live performers and eight bands. Partiers will try to re-create "the mood of the sketchy period in media culture, 1975-1985, when grindhouse became video nasty," according to a Phreeques! press release.
Pricing: $10
• The Central's Halloween Party
Where/When: The Central; Saturday, 9 p.m.
Why Go: This event, presented by Audio Absinthe, will feature DJ sets by Dr. Hollywood, Princeton, Cereal Killer, Comfy and Jilly Hendrix, as well as a $100 prize for the person wearing the best Halloween costume.
Pricing: $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the show
• "Heaven & Hell"
Where/When: Zanzibar; Saturday, doors at 9 p.m.
Why Go: Costume prizes and drink specials are on tap for this week's Halloween-themed music party. If you're into dance, hip-hop and/or top 40 tunes, look no further.
Pricing: Free before 10 p.m.; $10 afterward
Where/When: 1008 Euclid St.; Saturday, 7 to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 7 to 10 p.m.
Why Go: The house, which is supposedly haunted, is only open for three days this year, including two days this weekend (and, of course, on Halloween itself). Guests, in small groups and at set times, will be able to enter the house and follow a self-guided route. Photography isn't allowed.
Pricing: Free
• Monster Jam
Where/When: Zanzibar; Sunday, doors at 8:30 p.m.
Why Go: Zanzibar's third straight night of Halloween fun will feature costume prizes, plus live soul music by Wylde Bunch, YRF Squad, and Diondre Jermaine and the Jermainiacs.
Pricing: $10
Check back Monday morning for our updated list of events and specials happening on Halloween itself.
What are you planning to do this weekend in Santa Monica? Tell everyone about it in the comments box below.
