Yes, it’s the scariest time of the year, but you don’t have to pay big bucks to get chills, thrills and candy. Here are some events that are totally free!
October 10-19 (select dates) — Lake Forest: Fall-o-Ween at Heritage Hill. It’s the 5th annual event at Heritage Hill Historical Park, with decorated grounds, photo opportunities, a straw maze and a scavenger hunt. Costumes encouraged. Pets welcome on a short leash. 25151 Serrano Road. ocparks.com/events/fall-o-ween
Oct. 11 — Long Beach: Enjoy a spooky screening of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (R, 1992), a visually stunning and sensual retelling of the famous vampire tale. 2:30-4:30 p.m. 18 and older only. Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway. longbeach.gov/library/events
Oct. 11 — Long Beach: Get ready for the Zombie Walk and Halloween Party at Shoreline Village. The kids zone is 4-7 p.m. and scary adult stuff is 7-10 p.m. Plan to shuffle along the waterfront in your zombie duds around 8 p.m. Live music, DJs, face painting and kids zone. Restaurants are offering Zombie Walk specials. Limited free parking. 401-435 Shoreline Village Drive. shorelinevillage.com/events-news/signature-events/
Oct. 16 — Monterey Park: It’s the 7th annual “Monster Mash” in conjunction with the weekly Farmers’ Market from 4 to 7 p.m. at Barnes Park. Carnival games, giveaways, activities will take place from 6-6:45 p.m. There will be entertainment and food trucks the entire time. Bring a bag or bucket to collect treats. Barnes Park Field, 350 S. McPherrin Ave. montereypark.ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1203
Oct. 18 — Riverside: A spooktacular flight of Halloween fun at the 4th Annual Planes & Treats, 5-9 p.m. at the Riverside Airport. Trick-or-treat your way through the runway and enjoy ghoulish goodies and ghostly planes. Bring the whole family for food, music, vendors, candy, and fun. 6951 Flight Road, Riverside. riversideca.gov/press/local-vibes-event-series
Oct. 18 — Loma Linda: The 4th annual Trunk or Treat, hosted by the San Bernardino County Child Support Services, will feature games, prizes and special treats for the whole family. Costumes are welcome. Adults can ask questions about the child support process, assist with enrolling in child support services and provide information on cases. 10417 Mountain View Ave. childsupport.sbcounty.gov.
Oct. 22 — Eagle Rock: Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween party with crafts, spooky stories and a costume parade at the Eagle Rock library. 6:30-7:30 p.m. 5027 Caspar Ave., Los Angeles. lapl.org/whats-on/events/halloween-dia-de-los-muertos-party
Oct. 24-25 — Pomona: The 10th Annual Haunted House at Palomares will offer chills, thrills and surprises from 6 to 9 p.m. ech night. It’s free for Pomona residents, $10 a day for everyone else over the age of 3. Activities include a costume contest, Trunk or Treat, inflatables, photo opps and more. 499 E. Arrow Highway. facebook.com/pomonacommunityservices
Oct. 25 — Anaheim: The city’s Fall Festival and Halloween Parade returns to the downtown area. The festival runs from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. The parade, at 7 p.m., starts at Center Greens, the new park next to Anaheim City Hall. Activities include a costume contest, live entertainment, scavenger hunt, dog costume contest, kids crafts and photo opps. 305 E. Broadway. anaheimfallfestival.org/festival
Oct. 25 — Torrance: Halloween fun at Wilson Park from 5-9 p.m. for a Halloween Movie in the Park family night. Festivities start with a costume parade at 6 p.m., followed by a screening of “Lilo & Stitch” (PG, 2025) at 6:30. Food and train rides for sale. 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. torranceca.gov/our-city/recreation/special-events/halloween-carnival#ad-image-3
Oct. 25 — Calabasas: Enjoy the 29th annual Spooky Village at Gelson’s Village Calabasas from 3 to 6 p.m. Bring the little monsters for a costume contest, trick-or-treating, face painting, balloon twisters, magician, DJ, crafts and more. 22277 Mulholland Highway. eventbrite.com/e/spooky-village-at-gelsons-village-calabasas-tickets-1602541577999
Oct. 25 — Newport Beach: The 8th Annual Halloween Spooktacular takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. at Mariners Park and the VJ Community Center. There’s a costume contest, bounce houses, haunted walk-through, trunk-or-treat, pumpkin carving and more. 1300 Irvine Ave. newportbeachca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/78986/72?curm=10&cury=2025
Oct. 29 — Buena Park: Enjoy Cops and Goblins from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Buena Park Civic Center. Activities include costume contests, trunk-and-treating and games. 6650 Beach Blvd. buenapark.com/city_departments/community_services/cultural___fine_arts/fall_festival.php