Halloween is finally here, and Santa Monica is about to come alive with haunted houses, face-painting, fortune-telling, costume contests and much more.
Here are the top Halloween activities happening in Santa Monica:
• 20th Annual PAL-loween Carnival
Where/When: ’s Barker Hangar; 5 to 9 p.m.
Why Go: More than 5,000 kids and their families are expected to descend upon the hangar for Santa Monica's biggest Halloween bash, produced by the Santa Monica Police Activities League. Kids can enjoy the haunted fun house, Trick-or-Treat Lane, game booths, a costume contest (starts at 6 p.m.) and Tot Lane.
Pricing: Free admission; games and Trick-or-Treat Lane cost 25 cents each; haunted house and photo booth cost $1 each
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Where/When: Montana Avenue; 3 to 6 p.m.
Why Go: Chic stores along Montana will hand out candy, temporary tattoos, coupons and prizes for costumes at the third-annual Halloween Hop. There will also be face-painting, fortune-telling and more. Go here for a list of participating stores.
Pricing: Free
• Halloween Celebration at
Where/When: The Market at ; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Why Go: A family-friendly Halloween pre-party will be thrown on the Third Level Dining Deck before sundown. There will be activities and other entertainment for kids, plus discounts throughout the nearby Market.
Pricing: Free
Where/When: 1008 Euclid St.; 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
• Nightmares on Main Street
Where/When: ; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Why Go: The bar's Halloween Costume Party will include Halloween-themed cocktails, a costume contest with cash prizes and more. Go here to RSVP (required); for table reservations, email FarahCasis@gmail.com.
Pricing: Free
• Halloween at Finn McCool's
Where/When: ; all day and night
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
• Boorito Fundraiser
Where/When: ; 6 p.m. to closing
Why Go: Show up dressed in costume, and you can buy a burrito, a bowl, a salad or tacos for $2. Proceeds will go to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and Farm Aid.
Pricing: $2
Finally, if you're looking for good places to trick-or-treat, check out the exceptionally haunted house on , and the apartment building at , will likely have loads of goodies.
