Patch Picks: Family-Friendly Halloween Events

Costume contests, trick-or-treat opportunities and a Halloween movie classic are just some of the family-friendly activities to consider this weekend.

FRIDAY

The will host Halloween Bash, an after-school event with carnival games, face painting and a moon bounce. A contest for the scariest, funniest and most original costumes begins at 5 p.m. Stop by the center anytime between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first 100 kids get a goody bag.

SATURDAY

The Hollywood MOMS Club is organizing a free party for families in the community from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is open to the public. Join the group at the for games, crafts, a costume parade and contest. Costumes are encouraged for all attendees.

Boo at the Zoo at the L.A. Zoo kicks off a two-day bash. Take a walk down Halloween-themed areas collecting trick-or-treat delights. Brave the Creepy Creature Encounter in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo for a closer look at spiders, bugs and snakes. Take the little ones to the Pumpkin Patch Place at Eucalyptus Grove and Halloween Down Under in Australia to participate in pumpkin-carving demonstrations, face painting and entertaining Halloween performances.

SUNDAY

Head to Cinespace for a costume party with music, dancing, face painting, a maze for preschoolers/kindergartners and surprise visits from characters. Those attending in costume are eligible to receive prizes including a gift certificate to karate classes and pottery-making. The party is a fundraiser for Hike It Up. Donations will be accepted at the door: $10 a person or $20 per family. There will be snacks and drinks for children and adults. All of the funds raised will benefit Hike It Up and its November event of cooking for local shelters/housing.

Attend EEK! at the Greek and walk through a Trick-or-Treat Village that opens at 5:30 p.m. in the front plaza. Organizers are planning a pre-show costume contest with great prizes.  Parking is free.

Then the Greek Theatre summon goblins, ghouls and all things ghostly for a family-friendly Halloween symphonic extravaganza. The inaugural EEK! at The Greek features the 60-piece Symphony In The Glen orchestra with Maestro Arthur B. Rubinstein performing a creepy collection of frightening favorites including, Night on Bald Mountain, Danse Macabre and music from Psycho. Rubinstein will debut a musical composition accompanied by a reading of Edgar Allen Poe's The Tell-tale Heart.

ON-GOING

Through Oct. 31  the is featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas in 4-D. Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie and Sally return to the big screen for a special showing of the Tim Burton classic. Special sensory effects include snow, fog and wind. Next door, The Disney Soda Fountain is offering two seatings daily for its Pumpkin King Dinner. Choose from NY strip steak,chicken cordon bleu, ravioli or spaghetti and meatballs.

Have a suggestion to share? Let us know in the comments!