Danny Elfman will once again transform the Hollywood Bowl into Halloween Town, performing Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas In Concert on Oct. 25–26. The annual fan-favorite returns for its 10th anniversary at the iconic venue, marking the 12th and 13th performances of the beloved film-to-live experience since it first debuted at the Bowl in 2015.
Elfman, who composed the film’s original score and songs, will reprise his role as Jack Skellington and also voice Barrel. Joining him on stage will be an all-star cast, including Janelle Monáe as Sally, Keith David as Oogie Boogie, John Stamos as Lock, and Riki Lindhome as Shock. Conductor John Mauceri will lead a full orchestra and choir performing the score live as the movie plays on giant screens, with projections illuminating the Bowl’s shell to create a fully immersive Halloween Town experience.
As the gates to Halloween Town creak open at the Bowl, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this frightfully fun weekend.
Pre-show festivities
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as the Hollywood Bowl transforms into a Burton-themed celebration before showtime. The pre-show festivities include trick-or-treating stations, themed photo opportunities, and a costume contest highlighting some of the best Tim Burton-inspired looks. Attendees are urged to dress up since the event has become one of Los Angeles’ most popular Halloween traditions, drawing families, film buffs, and concertgoers alike. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Saturday ahead of the 8 p.m. performance and at 5 p.m. on Sunday for the 7 p.m. show.
Food and venue rules
Outside food is permitted, but guests should note that the concert is a “lease event,” meaning outside alcohol, glass, and cans are not allowed. Factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages under one liter are acceptable, and all bags or coolers must fit comfortably under the seat. Guests can also enjoy curated on-site dining and themed concessions, from pumpkin-inspired treats to signature cocktails available at the venue’s bars.
Getting there
As always, traffic to the Bowl can be heavy, so fans should plan ahead. Park & Ride and Bowl Shuttle services will operate from multiple lots across Los Angeles County — including Ovation Hollywood, the L.A. Zoo, Burbank Metrolink, and Ventura Boulevard — starting roughly two and a half hours before each concert. Shuttle tickets cost $12.45 and can be purchased online through the Bowl’s website, with early sales recommended due to high demand. Rideshare drop-offs are also available near the Bowl’s main entrance for those skipping the lots. For more information on parking, visit hollywoodbowl.com.
Top 5 costume ideas
While creativity is limitless at the Bowl’s costume contest, there are always a few crowd-pleasers that bring Halloween Town to life. Go classic with Jack Skellington or Sally, or show off your vicious side as Oogie Boogie. Fans looking for something more obscure might channel the Mayor of Halloween Town, complete with his rotating happy-and-sad face, or pay homage to another Burton favorite with a clever Beetlejuice-meets-Nightmare mash-up. Whatever you choose, be ready to strike a pose; photographers and fans alike love capturing the best looks of the night.
The legacy of Elfman and Burton
The concert also stands as a celebration of one of Hollywood’s most enduring creative partnerships. Over the decades, Danny Elfman and Tim Burton have built an instantly recognizable sound and visual language together, from “Edward Scissorhands” and “Beetlejuice” to “Batman Returns” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Elfman’s haunting and whimsical compositions perfectly mirror Burton’s gothic mind, and together they’ve created a universe that feels equal parts eerie and enchanting.
At the Bowl, that magic takes on new life each year as fans sing along under the stars, proving that this Halloween tradition is as timeless as Jack Skellington himself.