Get Ready for Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!
Sweater weather in LA? Maybe, maybe not. But that doesn't mean we can't own fall. From pumpkin fests to fall food extravaganzas, LA Today's got 10 autumn adventures that will make you forget all about "adulting" for a few glorious hours. Consider this your official guide to a truly unforgettable fall season in Los Angeles.
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New & Noteworthy: LA's Fall Experiences in 2024
1. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $
Say it three times: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Enter the delightfully twisted world of Tim Burton at the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience, where one of LA's hottest fall attraction brings the beloved bio-exorcist's universe to life at Ovation Hollywood. This 70-minute immersive journey plunges you into a spooky-yet-fun realm complete with elaborate set recreations, in-character staff, and Insta-worthy photo ops.
🪄 Insider Tip: Channel your inner ghost with a Beetlejuice-inspired costume.
2. Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $
Craving that perfect fall picture? Look no further than the 31st Annual Cal Poly Pomona Pumpkin Fest, LA's ultimate autumna playground running weekends from September 28 to October 27, 2024. This fall wonderland transforms college grounds into a pumpkin-packed paradise, complete with corn mazes, sunflower fields, antique tractor rides, and bluegrass jams. It's the fall glow-up that attracts thousands of attendees each year.
🪄 Insider Tip: Visit on Fridays for only $5.
3. Halloween Horror Nights in Universal City
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $$
Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights is back with a vengeance from September 5 to November 3, 2024. This year's lineup is fresher than a newly-dug grave, featuring eight all-new haunted houses including "A Quiet Place: Silence is Survival" and "The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy," plus heart-stopping scare zones like "Luchadores Monstruosos." Just remember, while there's no age limit, this fright fest isn't for the faint of heart.
🪄 Insider Tip: Skip the lines (and maximize your scream time) with an Express Pass.
4. Dracula: The Spanish Version
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $$
LA Opera's "Spanish Dracula" is about to slay harder than your Halloween costume inspo board. Picture this: It's Oct 25th to 27th and the United Theater on Broadway is serving up a blood-pumping collab that's part vintage cinema, part live orchestra. Conducted by the legendary Lina González-Granados performing a score by the Gustavo Santaolalla (yes, the Oscar-winning composer), make sure to grab your tickets before they vanish faster than a vampire in the daylight.
🪄 Insider Tip: Reserve a spot in the exclusive Broken Locket Lounge.
5. Dia De Los Muertos Art Festival in Downey
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 FREE
Head to the Downey Theatre for a full day of festivities from 11 AM to 8 PM. Enjoy face-painting, traditional Folklorico dances, and beer and wine garden. With over 200 local and regional artists, art installations, live music, food and drinks; there's something for everyone looking for unique fall activities in Los Angeles.
🪄 Insider Tip: Check out the Car Altar Display – artists transform vehicles into stunning tributes to those they've lost.
6. Natural History Museum's Spider Pavilion
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $
It's time to face your fears and get your spidey-senses tingling. From Sep 15 to Nov 24, the Natural History Museum is serving up the ultimate eight-legged extravaganza with their Spider Pavilion – an open-air spider paradise that's part nature walk and part science class. There's over 300 spiders from 10-15 species on display with Museum Educators on hand to share fascinating stories and answer your questions.
🪄 Insider Tip: Ask the staff to show you the garden spiders actively building their massive (10 feet!) webs.
7. Los Angeles Fall Fair
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $
This isn't your average county fair – we're talking 12 acres of pure autumnal bliss, packed with amusement rides, live music, carnival games, and enough local artisan crafts to satisfy even the most discerning shopper. From October 25 to November 3, LA Prada Event Plaza hosts the 44th Annual Los Angeles Fall Fair, where admission is just $5 (and free for kids under 8 and seniors over 65) and there's free parking to boot. Who's in?
🪄 Insider Tip: While admission is free, rides are extra so consider an Unlimited Ride Wristband.
8. Oktoberfest at Fairplex
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $
Ready for a taste of Bavaria? Oktoberfest is back at Fairplex in Pomona, running every Friday and Saturday night from October 4th to 26th. Think Oompah bands, overflowing steins, and enough bratwurst to fuel a chicken dance marathon. Grab your dirndl or lederhosen (or just your most festive attire) and get ready for a month of pure German gemütlichkeit (good cheer).
🪄 Insider Tip: Sheraton Fairplex (located right on the Fairplex grounds) has a special Oktoberfest package.
9. Off the Hook Seafood Festival
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 $$
This isn't your average food festival – it's a foodie fundraising event that brings together the city's best chefs and restaurants to showcase their most delectable seafood creations. Think fresh oysters, succulent lobster rolls, and innovative dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. And the best part? Every dollar you spend is like a high-five to Mother Ocean herself, benefiting Heal the Bay.
🪄 Insider Tip: Go VIP for exclusive lounge access, premium eats, drinks, and Ferris wheel ride (sunset optional).
10. The Original Farmers Market Fall Festival
🌐 WEBSITE | 📍 DIRECTIONS | 💰 FREE
Attention: fall fanatics, the Original Farmers Market Fall Festival is turning 90 and throwing the autumnal bash of the century. For two glorious days, this harvest hotspot will host a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, live music, and family-friendly fun across Gilmore Lane, the Plaza, and West Patio. It's a harvest festival for the whole family (and friends).
🪄 Insider Tip: Score 90 minutes of FREE parking with a merchant purchase validation.
🗺️ Interactive Map: Fall Activities in Los Angeles (2024)
Which is the Best Fall Experience?
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience
Cal Poly Pomona: Pumpkin Fest
Halloween Horror Nights
Dracula: The Spanish Version
Ready For More Fall Activities in LA?
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