Family Friendly Halloween Fun

It’s Trick-or-Treat season and, if you have young children, chances are you’re looking to emphasize the Treat when choosing Halloween activities – you know, stuff likely to produce more smiles than screams. Well, Long Beach can offer you Halloween-themed scavenger hunts, train rides and craft classes as well as the traditional pumpkin carving, costume wearing and, yes, trick or treating. So many options, it’s scary … but in a good way!

Credit: LB Special Events & Filming

GHOULS NIGHT OUT

Bring the family for the Ghouls Night Fall Festival at 2ND & PCH (6400 Pacific Coast Hwy), featuring music, entertainment, trick-or-treating, and a costume contest. The event on October 31 from 5 to 8PM coincides with the center’s fifth anniversary and will include celebratory surprises throughout the evening. Come enjoy the Halloween festivities, and then visit the center’s shops and restaurants for dinner, coffee, or ice cream.

THE PIKE OUTLETS FALL FEST

On October 26 from 12 to 3PM, visit The Pike Outlets (95 S Pine Ave) for Fall Fest, featuring Halloween character meet and greets, balloon and caricature artists, musical performances, crafts for the kids, and trick-or-treating throughout the center. This free event takes place in the center’s Main Plaza and is sure to get everyone in the spooky spirit! RSVP on the Facebook event page to receive updates.

CREDIT: The Pike Outlets

SHORELINE VILLAGE

As Halloween season approaches each year, Shoreline Village (401-435 Shoreline Village Dr) hosts an annual Zombie Walk and Halloween Party, which returns this year on October 19 at 4PM. This free community event includes a kids area with a DJ, yard games, Halloween jumper, face painting, and balloon artist from 4 to 7PM. For adults, there’s a costume contest, and pie-eating contest, and the Zombie Walk begins at 8PM. RSVP on the Facebook event page to receive updates.

EL DORADO FRONTIER PUMPKIN PATCH

On Fridays through Sundays throughout the month of October, the mini amusement park El Dorado Frontier (7550 E Spring St) will host its annual Pumpkin Market, featuring a pumpkin patch and live music. Take a ride aboard the Frontier Express Train and learn the origin of the Jack O’ Lantern, or do some prospecting at Panning for Goldie’s Treasure where you get to keep what you find. Located inside El Dorado Park, El Dorado Frontier also has a carousel and mine buggy ride. Hotdogs and cotton candy, and drinks are available for purchase.

Credit: El Dorado Frontier

SCARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

For the 24th year, the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) will celebrate Halloween for several family-friendly days. Scarium of the Pacific takes place October 28 and 29 (9AM-5PM) and features the annual children’s costume contest with prizes, magic shows with a vampire magician, and more. Meet creepy critters and watch the aquarium’s divers carve pumpkins underwater! There will also be a Halloween Family Night on October 20 (6:30-9PM) where families can dress up in their favorite costumes, explore the Aquarium's animal exhibits while on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Oh, and goodie bags. Goodie!

TRICK-OR-TREAT ON 2ND STREET

Belmont Shore’s businesses will be welcoming little ghouls and goblins with trick-or-treating on Second Street on October 31 from 4 to 6PM. Look for jack o’ lantern signs posted at participating businesses to collect your goodies, and stop by Chase Bank for a photo booth, music by live band The Thingz, and a chance to win the Instagram photo contest!

Credit: Vixen Creative Agency
About the Author
Claire Atkinson
Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for nearly 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.
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