Circa Gets Spooked with LA’s Scariest Halloween Happenings

Get ready to encounter a harvest of horrors this Halloween!  We’ve gathered some of LA’s scariest happenings, from ghostly mansions and frightening illusions to a haunted hayride, many not far from Circa. You don’t want to miss Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Gloria Molina Grand Park, featuring 19 stunning altars created by local artists. One of Mexico’s most colorful holidays, Los Angeles has embraced this beloved tradition, honoring the departed spirits of our lives. And speaking of spirits, dare to immerse yourself at House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée or try an other-worldly tasting experience at The Obscure Distillery. Check websites for details.

Circa Fright Night Halloween party at Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Circa Fright Night

Prepare yourself for a chilling night where your favorite horror villains come to life! Thrill to Special Guest DJ and Frightful Entertainment, Spooky Snacks, and Sinful Cocktails. Get your Photo Op and join in our Villain Costume Contest. RSVP in Resident Portal. Scan QR code to download Circa App. Saturday October 26, 8th Floor Lounge, 8:00PM – 11PM

Grand Park Día de los Muertos Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Experience the vibrant tradition of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día De Los Muertos celebration. This two-week exhibition features 19 stunning altars created by local artists and community organizations. You can contribute to the community altar by leaving a copy of a framed photo, memento, or message to remember someone special. 

Gustavo Dudamel Día de los Muertos Halloween concert near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Día de Los Muertos with Dudamel Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Nov 1 Gustavo Dudamel leads a festive exploration of Latin American music for Día de los Muertos with the LA Phil, Tambuco Percussion Ensemble, and Los Angeles Master Chorale. Start your festivities with a complimentary pre-concert drink on the Walt Disney Concert Hall rooftop with Drinks in the Garden beginning at 6:30pm. In honor of the Día de Los Muertos with Dudamel concerts, the LA Phil commissioned five local artists to create altars that celebrate Latin American culture, ancestry, and identity. The exhibition will be on display throughout Walt Disney Concert Hall from October 25 to November 3.  

House of Spirits Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée Nocturne Theatre 324 N Orange St. Glendale, CA. 91203

House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée is an immersive theatrical cocktail soirée inside an elegantly macabre haunted estate! Enjoy craft cocktails and a night of extravagant entertainment, music, surreal magic, sinister characters, and interactive guest experiences. Freely roam the mysterious haunted mansion and experience a night of haunting entertainment, strange roaming specters, and so much more! Ask the Giant Ouija Board questions as you commune and interact with the spirits of the house. If you feel like digging a little deeper, speak with the inhabitants of the house to reveal a gruesome story that haunts the mansion.


The Obscure Distillery Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Obscure 1356 Palmetto St. Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Let magical spirits guide you through a dreamlike world at The Obscure, the first cocktail bar in California run by a distillery, where spirit-makers and bar tenders collaborate for an unmatched tasting experience. The Obscure intertwines mixology with storytelling to create a bewitching candlelit evening filled with creativity and live art. Guests can drink their way through history and mythology by attending one of two guided cocktail tastings, each pairing three house spirits with three craft cocktails.

Carved Descanso Gardens Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Carved Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Come discover a mesmerizing pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, and even more pumpkin fun! Encounter returning favorites and fresh delights. The new Descanso Railroad will be specially lit for Carved, and a family of wood spirits carved from five enormous logs by Chainsaw Jenna will add a touch of playful mischief to the event. You’ll be amazed by luminous jack-o’-lanterns, hand-carved giant pumpkins, and “Rhizome” installation by Tom and Lien Dekyvere. Rain or shine, Carved shines on.

Haunted Hayride Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Griffith Park 730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Experience the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride – the ultimate halloween event. The Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town of Midnight Falls, with the Town Square at the epicenter of the festivities. While guests walk around between attractions or hang out to soak in the atmosFEAR, various townsfolk from the Midnight Falls community roam the space interacting with guests and attending to their local business. The Spirit of Halloween comes to life surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board The Hayride.

Nights of the Jack Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Nights of the Jack King Gillette Ranch 26800 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302

Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. This season, Nights of the Jack is back and brighter than ever. You’ll discover Jack o’ lanterns from every mystical sphere and a spook-tacular illuminated light show under the autumn sky. It’s not just an illusion, it’s an experience. Brace yourself with a hot cider or seasonal cocktail from the Spookeasy bar, and fortify yourself with some festive fall treats. Follow the 1 mile trail at King Gillette Ranch, glimmering at every turn with blazing gourds around every corner. Be sure to have your cameras ready and enjoy!

Halloween Horror Nights Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608

Legend has it you should never go alone to Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California’s scariest Halloween event. Summon your scream squad and you might survive. Enter eight haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in horror. The Terror Tram is back and scarier than ever. Experience scream-filled scare zones and enjoy exhilarating rides and attractions. Whether you want to scream one night or multiple nights, or get the blood-red carpet treatment on an R.I.P. Tour, there are many nightmares to choose from.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Experience Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Experience Ovation Hollywood 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

Step beyond the screen and into the Afterlife where everyone’s favorite bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice, is dying to see you! For a limited time, grab your Afterlife Passport and take a seat in the Waiting Room, where you’ll be immersed into the strange world of the Recently Deceased, filled with ghoulish, interactive entertainment, photo ops, and themed food & drinks that are to die for.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Descanso Gardens

Photo #2: Circa

Photo #3: Gloria Molina Grand Park

Photo #4: LA Phil

Photo #5: House of Spirits

Photo #6: The Obscure

Photo #7: Descanso Gardens

Photo #8: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Photo #9: Nights of the Jack

Photo #10: Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo #11: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Experience 

Have Yourself a Spooktacular Halloween

Halloween is creeping near. So what are you going to do this year? Residents of Circa have everything to fear – from fiendish festivals to ghoulish ghost tours – welcome to your nightmare. If you’re stumped for costume ideas, why not try your hand at creative face painting. Party City carries a great selection of make up kits. Ready to go full on? Hollywood Toys & Costumes, the go-to for movie studios, tourists and locals for over 50 years, offers an extensive inventory of costumes, masks, jewelry, make up, and novelties. So now that you’re all tricked out, it’s time for a treat!

Circa-Freak-Show

Hey Circa residents! Join us for the Freak Show in the 8th Floor Clubhouse. Wear your best costume for our costume contest with prizes. Enjoy little bites, libations, and live music. Friday October 29th from 7PM – 10PM.

Olvera Street Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Dia de los Muertos Olvera Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

For over 35 years, the merchants on Olvera Street have celebrated Dia de los Muertos. The event has evolved to incorporate the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death and a celebration of life. Dia de los Muertos at Olvera Street is the only event of its kind in Los Angeles – a nine day festival, with a nightly procession, community altars on display, and entertainment.

Grand Park Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Grand Park Dia de Los Muertos 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Grand Park pays tribute to the cultural tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), with a free 12-day public art installation from October 22 through November 2. Presented in partnership with Self Help Graphics & Art, the ninth annual Día de los Muertos invites visitors to stroll through the park to view 20 altars made by professional artists and local community organizations, including East Los Angeles Women’s Center, Community Power Collective and Eastside LEADS, among others.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Halloween Organ, Film & Music: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This Halloween, organist Clark Wilson performs a haunting score for John S. Robertson’s 1920 silent film classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, starring John Barrymore. Film critic Leonard Maltin has described Wilson as a “master of silent film and showman of the first order” for his organ accompaniments of silent films. 

Haunted Little Tokyo Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Haunted Little Tokyo Brunswig Square 360 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Just in time for spooky season, the Little Tokyo Ghost Club is transforming the community for the 5th annual Haunted Little Tokyo, a fun-filled Halloween celebration with three frightfully fun events that are perfect for ghosts and ghouls of all ages. The festivities culminate with the Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party, held at a secret outdoor location. The event will include all the favorites from previous block parties including DJs, drinks, food, and a costume contest.

Spooky Tea at the Wayfarer DTLA Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Spooky Tea at the Wayfarer DTLA 813 Flower St.  Los Angeles, CA 90017

Drink up witches! Get in the Halloween spirit at The Wayfarer DTLA’s first annual Spooky Tea. Inside the basement of the Wayfarer lies Lilly Rose, an eclectic bar and lounge with interior design straight out of Alice in Wonderland. This October, Spooky Tea is hosted every Thursday to Sunday, with a set menu full of seasonal treats like salted butter caramel oolong tea and pumpkin bread tea sandwiches. Costumes are welcome.

Theatre at Ace Hotel Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Get Out Theatre at Ace Hotel 929 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015

This Halloween, see the groundbreaking horror film Get Out like you’ve never heard it before. Composer Michael Abels conducts his disconcerting “gospel horror” original score, performed live by the LA Opera Orchestra and the amazing DC6 Singers. According to Modern Vinyl, it’s a very compelling score with loads of atmospheric dread coupled with the constant feeling of claustrophobia. LA Opera has safety protocols in place.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

The Nightmare Before Christmas Banc of California Stadium 3939 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas live-to-film concert experience features Danny Elfman singing the songs of Jack Skellington, plus special guests Billie Eilish, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Ken Page, and Paul Ruebens. The event includes on-site trick-or-treating and a pre-show costume contest.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is back at Griffith Park. And did we mention that Griffith Park is widely regarded as one of the most haunted places in LA? Haunted Hayride has transformed the park grounds into Midnight Falls, an eerie and mysterious fictitious village set in 1985, where time stands still and it is always Halloween. Within the foothills of Midnight Falls, the Haunted Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town, including the Town Square, Midnight Mortuary, and Dead End Diner. 

Halloween Horror Nights Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608

Halloween Horror Nights is back with a vengeance at Universal Studios Hollywood. You’ll want to bring plenty of friends with you to share the screams and watch your back as you all make your way through terrifying mazes, face nightmarish creatures in sinister scare zones, lose yourselves in outrageous live entertainment, and escape to some of the park’s most exhilarating attractions. Just as in horror films, where the first to wander off meets a terrible fate, there’s one thing to remember at Halloween Horror Nights: Never Go Alone.

Strange Science 2021

Strange Science The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Rd. San Marino, CA 91108

Enter a dark Victorian landscape and explore peculiar pastimes and creepy characters through live theatrical performances, electrifying presentations, and special displays of rarely seen objects from The Hungtonton’s vaults. LA Opera performs highlights from Stephen Sondheim’s macabre musical, Sweeney Todd. Spine-tingling tales and poems are brought to life by the Guild of St. George in the Edgar Allan Poe Theatre. Thrill to Steam, Dreams, & Screams: The ‘Dreadful’ Collections, featuring unusual Victorian-era objects, books, and prints from the Library Vaults. Dine (if you dare) in the Blood and Velvet Lounge and be mesmerized by a magical performance by CirqueSanity.

Carved Descanso Gardens Halloween near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Carved Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Descanso Gardens is aglow with festive pumpkins this fall. For three weeks in October, hundreds of carved pumpkins will line a 1-mile walk through the Camellia Forest and Oak Grove. Along with pumpkins, there are exciting new oversized sculptures made of sticks and other natural materials. The popular Pumpkin House, a hay maze, and themed food and beverage will all help to create a fun harvest festival ambiance.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: Descanso Gardens

Photo #2: Circa

Photo #3: Olvera Street

Photo #4: Grand Park

Photo #5: LA Phil

Photo #6: Haunted Little Tokyo

Photo #7: Wayfarer DTLA 

Photo #8: Theatre at Ace Hotel

Photo #9: Banc of California Stadium

Photo #10: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Photo #11: Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo #12: The Huntington Library

Photo #13: Descanso Gardens

Get Spooked! LA’s Best Halloween Celebrations!

Have you ever wondered why we carve pumpkins and get dressed up for Halloween? Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. The Irish brought the tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns to America. But the original jack-o-lantern was not a pumpkin at all, because pumpkins did not exist in Ireland! Ancient Celtic cultures carved turnips and placed an ember in them to ward off evil spirits. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of fun activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes, and eating treats.

So let’s get spooked with LA’s best Halloween celebrations!

Psycho

LA Opera Psycho Live Ace Hotel 929 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015

Experience Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Psycho, featuring the LA Opera Orchestra, on the big screen with live violins taking the shower scene to a whole new level of creep! You know the story: a secretary on the run, an isolated motel, and an awkward guy with some serious mother issues. Shown in the cavernous Spanish-Gothic Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown LA, LA Opera’s got the spooky vibes fit for your perfect Halloween. Norman invites you to a killer after-party on October 25th and October 31st, included with your ticket. Are you brave enough to enter our costume contest on October 31st? The top three winners will receive a prize (if you make it out alive).

Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Organist Clark Wilson sets a haunting scene as he accompanies the 1923 silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, featuring a legendary performance from Lon Chaney. Get a guided tour of the evening’s music before your concert at Upbeat Live! Key thinkers and guest musicians – including members of the LA Phil – share their expertise and offer historical and cultural context for your program’s pieces, giving you a deeper understanding of the music. This free event is held in BP Hall, accessible after your ticket is scanned.

History of Horror

The Natural History of Horror Natural History Museum 900 W Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007

Just in time for Halloween, the Natural History Museum is presenting a spooky, homegrown Hollywood exhibition that reveals the science of the scary. Walk into the museum’s Grand Foyer, past a pair of dueling dinosaurs, toward the building’s northeast corner, and you’ll soon find yourself in a dark room flickering with hidden surprises. Your senses will tingle as you hear about the scientific experiments and discoveries that inspired filmmakers to create four of the world‘s most iconic movie monsters: the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and Dracula. Whether these classics spotlighted sinister figures lurking in the shadows or creatures waiting unseen beneath the water, one thing is true: Each larger-than-life character had a surprisingly rich real-world backstory.

Hallows Masquerade

Hallows Masquerade Redbird 114 East Second St. Los Angeles, CA

Redbird is presenting a Halloween Masquerade featuring food & drink, dancing & reverie, and music & theatrics for an unforgettable Halloween night!  Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic architectural gems, inside the former rectory building of Vibiana. Set in the upper chambers of Redbird, the Hallows Masquerade promises to be elegant evening of mystery and delight. Each ticket includes hors d’oeuvres by Redbird/Vibiana chef/owner Neal Fraser and cocktails by bar director Tobin Shea (cash bar). Music by Adam Freeland (The Acid), Jessica Tonder, Jonny Cota, Little Dinosaur, Metal Mother, Sorne and more. Costumes and masks are highly encouraged!

House of Spirits

House of Spirits 2218 S Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018

Step inside the House of Spirits — a haunted cocktail soiree that is unlike any other party in town! Freely roam a mysterious mansion and experience a night of themed cocktails, macabre magic, sinister séances, tarot readings, strange roaming specters, live music, hidden secret games, giant Ouija boards and so much more! Within the walls of a decrepit and decaying house, a mad man nearing the end of his life painted six disturbing portraits depicting peculiar figures. Those paintings have become known as the Spirit Paintings, and that mad man was famed artist Francisco Vega. According to fragmented notes scribbled in his journals, Vega believed these paintings were the key to opening a doorway to another world. Perhaps he was right, for when he completed the sixth Spirit Painting, Vega disappeared somewhere inside the house and his remains have never been discovered.

Olvera Street

Dia de los Muertos Olvera Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

For over 30 years, the merchants on Olvera Street have celebrated Dia de los Muertos. The celebration has evolved to incorporate the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic rituals surrounding death. Dia de los Muertos at Olvera Street is the only celebration of its kind in Los Angeles – a nine day festival with altars on display, food, face painting, and entertainment throughout. Each night, a vibrant and colorful procession sets the stage for the ceremony. Dia de los Muertos is, in fact, a celebration of life – it is not a time to mourn our loved ones, rather it is a time to remember the lives they lead and the many things they enjoyed during that life.

Grand Park

Día de los Muertos Altars + Art Installations Grand Park 200 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Grand Park celebrates the traditions of Día de los Muertos with an immersive display of compelling installations and artwork.! Guests can experience, discuss and learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos and stroll through 40+ altars, curated by Self Help Graphics located throughout Grand Park, as well as the newly renovated Music Center Plaza. At the Music Center Plaza, view colorful swags of papel picado designed by artist Maricela Sosa as they adorn the Grand Avenue stairs and welcome visitors to the Plaza. The newly-renovated Plaza fountain will be lit in orange and yellow for the week as a nod to marigold flowers, ubiquitous on altars and throughout Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

A New Dia

A New Día Wisdome.LA 1147 Palmetto St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Estrella Jalisco presents A New Día. Día de Muertos reimagined at Wisdome.LA, the world’s first immersive art park. As you make your way from dome to dome and travel through this immersive art experience, you’ll be surrounded by stunningly vivid, colorful recreations of Día de Muertos. Learn about this respected holiday and share an experience with those around you, and put a new spin on Día de Muertos. When you’re done exploring, head around the corner to Zinc Cafe & Market, and show your A New Día ticket for access to exclusive cocktails and discounted appetizers!

Creep LA

Creep LA ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Creep LA is back! Presented by Just Fix It Productions, you are invited into the dark-heart of downtown with their fifth installment: HAUS OF CREEP. The roughly 60-minute multi-sensory exhibit brings you  into the world of Creep L.A., a darkly satirical and terrifying send-up of social media-driven culture. With the growing popularity of “grammable museums,” businesses and consumers are devouring art as a commodity. HAUS OF CREEP sets out to remind us that art is alive, and it can’t be restricted to a little square photo without dangerous consequences. HAUS guests will spend the hour roaming an avant-garde and nightmarish playground of over a dozen installations, witnessing grand shocking scenes as well as intimate scares. HAUS OF CREEP tells its story with a cast of 20 provocative characters and features a sultry lounge, small dark spaces, shadow plays, deranged puppet shows, and innovative analog installations by MEDIA POLLUTION.