Things to Do in Los Angeles in October 2026: 5 Events Worth Booking Now
What are the best events in Los Angeles in October 2026?
When is ComplexCon 2026 in Los Angeles?
ComplexCon runs October 3–4, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and it's the festival's 10th anniversary. Both days run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event covers streetwear, sneakers, art, music, and food, with over 300 brands and creators. Playboi Carti and Hiroshi Fujiwara of Fragment Design are this year's artistic directors. The evening concerts at Crypto.com Arena are headlined by Playboi Carti and Ken Carson. Tickets are available at complexcon.com. laconventioncenteryahoo
What's at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood in 2026?
Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from September 3 to November 1, 2026, and it's a separate ticket from regular park admission. It includes haunted houses, the Terror Tram, scare zones, shows, and themed food and drinks. The eight houses this year are Sinners, Stranger Things, Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn, Dead, Deader, Deadest, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and KILLceañera: Music by SLASH. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the event starts at 7 p.m. Universal says it isn't recommended for children under 13, and tickets are only valid on the date you pick. For more info click here.
When is Jack Johnson playing the Hollywood Bowl?
Jack Johnson plays the Hollywood Bowl on October 10 and 11 as part of his SURFILMUSIC Tour 2026, with Hermanos Gutiérrez as special guests. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on the Hollywood Bowl site. It's one of the last big nights of the Bowl's outdoor season.
When is AFI FEST 2026, and what films are playing?
AFI FEST's 40th edition runs October 21–25, 2026, at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. The five-day festival includes Red Carpet Premieres, Special Screenings, World Cinema, Documentaries, and Short Films. The U.S. premiere of Laika’s Wildwood opens the festival on Wednesday, October 21, and Apple Original Films' Being Heumann closes it on Sunday, October 25. Phil Lord and Chris Miller are this year's guest artistic directors. Passes and the full lineup are at fest.afi.com. For more info, click here.
When is Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever in 2026?
The 27th annual Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever is Saturday, October 24, 2026, from noon to midnight. This year's theme is "All Under One Sky." Performers include DannyLux, Trish Toledo, Tropa Magica, and Los Shadows. There are 3 admission windows: 12–4 p.m., 4–7 p.m., and 7–11 p.m. You can stay past your window. Everyone 5 and up needs a ticket, and there are no refunds or exchanges. It's the largest Día de los Muertos celebration outside of Mexico, held at a cemetery founded in 1899. Click here for more info.
How do you get to these events from the Westside?
If you're coming from Santa Monica, Venice, Mar Vista, or Pacific Palisades, the Metro E Line is the easiest way to reach ComplexCon. It runs from Santa Monica straight to Pico Station, next to the Convention Center. For Universal and the Hollywood Bowl, the Metro B Line and the Bowl's shuttle and park-and-ride options save you from Hollywood parking. For Hollywood Forever, the event site lists several nearby Paramount parking structures on Van Ness Avenue and Gower Street. For any evening event, bring a light layer. It gets cool quickly after sunset in October. ladayofthedead
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Los Angeles in October 2026?
The top Los Angeles events in October 2026 are ComplexCon (October 3–4), Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood (select nights through November 1), Jack Johnson at the Hollywood Bowl (October 10–11), AFI FEST at the TCL Chinese Theatre (October 21–25), and Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever (October 24).
Do you need a separate ticket for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Yes. Halloween Horror Nights needs its own ticket, and a regular Universal Studios Hollywood park ticket won't get you in. lajollamom
How much are Día de los Muertos tickets at Hollywood Forever in 2026?
At the time of writing, general admission tickets for Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever started at $26.71 on TicketWeb. ticketweb
Can you leave and re-enter Día de los Muertos, or stay past your time slot?
You can stay past the end of your admission window. You just have to arrive during the window printed on your ticket. ticketweb
Where is AFI FEST 2026 held?
AFI FEST 2026 takes place October 21–25 at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood.
Let’s Connect!
Thinking about living closer to all of this? Whether you're buying or selling on the Westside, we're happy to talk through what the market looks like in your neighborhood. Call us at 310-853-2643 or email info@paulsalazargroup.com.
