fall activities for families L.A. Archives

If you’re on the hunt for the best pumpkin patches to bring the kids this October, we’ve got you covered. These Los Angeles pumpkin patches have arts and crafts, corn mazes, tractor rides and more fall fun while you’re on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin to bring home.

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 14 – Oct. 31 | Tanaka Farms

Pick your own pumpkin at Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch in Irvine. During the weekend Fall Harvest Festival, Tanaka Farms will offer activities like wagon rides, arts and crafts, pumpkin cannon and more. Weekdays experience the U-Pick pumpkin fields, barnyard educational exhibit, wagon rides, corn maze, and U-Pick veggie patch.

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2024 Fall Harvest Festival

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch returns Oct. 5-31. PHOTO BY PASCAL SHIRLEY

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 28 – Oct. 31 | Underwood Family Farm

Fall Harvest Festival returns to Underwood Family Farms for the 27th year. Admission includes tractor-drawn wagon rides, corn maze, pumpkin house, animal center, live bands, animal shows and more. Themed weekends like “Farm Country” and “Antique Tractor” will feature special activities and special guests.

Ticketed activities include gem and fossil mining, face painting, games, crafts and more.

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Pumpkin Fest

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 28 – Oct. 27 | Cal Poly Pomana

The Huntley College of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona’s Pumpkin Fest returns for its 31st anniversary. From noon to 7 p.m., Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends explore Pumpkin Hill and the Country Fair Area, listen to live music, watch farm demonstrations, enjoy festival food vendor and shop marketplace craft vendors. Purchase an activity wristband to gain unlimited access to the two corn mazes, petting farm, sunflower maze, cow train, antique-tractor-pulled hay wagon ride, and pumpkin land.

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Tina’s Pumpkin Patch

10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wed., Oct. 2 – Nov. 03 | Westfield Fashion Square

Tina’s Pumpkin Patch returns to the Westfield Fashion Square parking lot with pony rides, a petting zoo, train ride, bouncer, obstacle course, straw maze and plenty of pumpkins to choose from.

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Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch – Torrance

10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4 – 31 | Mr. Jack O’s Torrance Patch

Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch features fall-themed photo stations, pumpkin decorating, bouncy slide, animal viewing, candy corn hole, animal feeding and viewing and more.

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Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch – West LA

10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4 – 31 | Mr Jack O’s West Los Angeles Patch

West LA location of Mr. Jack O’ Lanterns Pumpkin Patch features the same fall-themed fun.

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Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch

9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 5 – 31 | West LA College

Family-owned and operated, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is back for its 2024 fall season. Returning are pumpkin carving, straw mazes, face painting and a wide variety of pumpkins sourced from the family’s farm in Oregon. New this year, is an expanded version of the famous Pumpkin Village, a boo-tique filled with Halloween favorites and custom merchandise, a tipi village, pumpkin decorating, a VIP area, and incredible activities for all ages. On weekends, visitors will find food trucks and live entertainment to create magical memories for the whole family. For the 2024 season, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch will be hosting new and exciting events and forms of entertainment throughout the week – from Taylor Swift inspired events to movie previews and more! Full details and schedule to come.

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Forneris Farms Pumpkin Patch

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat., Oct. 5 – Nov. 03 | Forneris Farms

Forneris Farms’ annual pumpkin patch returns with a Peanuts themed corn maze, farm games, refreshments and farm market. Entry fee ($5) can be used as a discount towards the purchase of a $10 or more pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch area.

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Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch

10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat., Oct. 5 – Nov. 02 | Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch

Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch features family-friendly attractions like giant slides, train ride, straw maze, petting zoo, pony rides, carnival games face painting and plenty of photo ops.

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Pumpkin Patch & Fall Fun Fest

12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 19 – 20 | Santa Anita Park

The Infield comes alive for the last two weekends in October with the Pumpkin Patch & Fall Fun Fest. Fun for the whole family, activities include pumpkin decorating, straw maze, arts and crafts, face painting, inflatable jumpers, carnival games, trackless train ride, roller skating and more. Oct. 26-27 features a “Spooky Treat Hunt” from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 1-11.

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Calabasas Pumpkin Festival

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun., Oct. 20 | Juan Bautista de Anza Park

City of Calabasas Community Services Department presents the annual Calabasas Pumpkin Festival featuring live music, a marketplace, reptile and bug shows, inflatable rides and games, photo ops, car displays, pumpkin arts and crafts, beer garden and, of course, pumpkin patch.

Kids ages 12 and under are invited to dress in their best Halloween costume for a monster mash up dance party at 11 a.m at the Kids Stage.The first 200 participants receive a free pumpkin to personalize in the pumpkin painting booth.

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Pumpkin Patch & Fall Fun Fest

12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sat., Oct 26 – 27 | Santa Anita Park

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Looking for more fall fun? Check out our Fall Festivals roundup, our guide to Fall Fun at Disneyland Resort and more Fall Favorites.

Whimsical pumpkin structures are back at Descanso Gardens’ Carved Oct. 4-30. PHOTO COURTESY DESCANSO GARDENS

Even though we’re still surviving that SoCal sun, a new school year reminds us that cooler weather is just around the corner. And so are the fall festivals, Halloween experiences, DÍa de los Muertos celebrations and more autumnal activities!

Spooky season

It’s always a good time at Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. From Aug. 23 through Oct. 31, you can experience the Main Street Pumpkin Festival at Disneyland Park, see the “car-stumes” on display at Cars Land in Radiator Springs at Disney California Adventure Park and revel in more spooky fun. disneyland.disney.go.com

On select nights Sept. 19-Nov. 2, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms into Knott’s Scary Farm. The longest-running Halloween theme park event in Southern California has all the haunts: frightening mazes, scare zones and sinister shows. Recommended for ages 13 and up. $59.99-$199.99. knotts.com

Bring the whole family to Nights of the Jack for its illuminated immersive walking trail featuring hundreds of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. From Sept. 27-Nov. 3, watch a live pumpkin carver, browse the gift shop and enjoy eats and drinks from on-site food trucks and vendors. nightsofthejack.com

Natural History Museum’s annual Halloween event Boney Island lights up the night select evenings Oct. 3-31. The museum’s Nature Gardens are transformed into an interactive, illuminated and whimsical experience for all ages. Expect glowing exhibits, creatures of the night and spooky surprises. nhm.org

Catch “Hocus Pocus” Oct. 18 at The Culver Steps in Culver City. PHOTO COURTESY THE CULVER STEPS

A fall family favorite, Carved returns to Descanso Gardens Oct. 4-30. Rain or shine, this annual event lights up the night with luminous jack-o’-lanterns, whimsical installations, a large-scale Día de los Muertos ofrenda altar and more. Snap photos at the pumpkin house, find your way through the hay maze and grab a drink from the new beer garden on the Main Lawn. $18-$45. descansogardens.org

For more not-too-spooky fun, The Culver Steps is hosting a free movie night featuring the 1993 comedy “Hocus Pocus” Oct. 18. The movie begins at sunset, approximately 7:30 p.m., but guests are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of the complimentary popcorn while supplies last. FREE. theculversteps.com

On Oct. 27, run or walk with the whole family at L.A. Cancer Challenge at UCLA. PHOTO BY NANCY PASTOR

Adults and kids are invited to don their best costumes and pound the pavement to help raise awareness about pancreatic cancer research at Southern California’s longest-running Halloween-themed fundraiser, L.A. Cancer Challenge. On Oct. 27, the 27^th annual 5K walk/run event held at UCLA will include the free Fit Family Expo, a costume parade and contest and the enchanting Candyland Kids Zone, which is sponsored by L.A. Parent and will feature a Halloween playground, crafts and more. $25-$55. support.pancreatic.org

Family-friendly festivals

Los Angeles Kids Book Festival is Sept. 8 at West Hollywood Park. PHOTO BY RYAN HARTFORD, ECLIPTIC MEDIA PHOTO

The 2^nd annual Los Angeles Kids Book Festival takes over West Hollywood Park Sept. 8 with more than 70 vendors, including authors, illustrators and local businesses. Presented by the city of West Hollywood and nonprofit American Born Chinese, this year’s event features live book readings hosted by Children’s Book World and Book Soup, musical performances by The Beat Buds, arts and crafts, giveaways and more. FREE. lakidsbookfestival.com

Celebrate Mexican independence and Santa Ana’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino cultures at the 44^th annual Fiestas Patrias festival and parade, which will feature international musical acts, local performers, carnival rides, a food and beer garden and more. Returning to the historic 4^th Street, the festival will take place Sept. 14, and the parade will take place Sept. 15. FREE. santa-ana.org

Join the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center Oct. 5 for its Akimatsuri Fall Festival in West Covina featuring a bounce house, face painting, game booths, entertainment, food and drinks. This beloved community tradition embraces the autumn spirit and celebrates Japanese American culture. FREE. esgvjcc.org

Fall Festival returns to The Original Farmers Market from Oct. 19-20. PHOTO COURTESY ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET

Bring the whole family to The Original Farmers Market’s Fall Festival Oct. 19-20 for live music, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, photo ops and more. This annual tradition will be sure to get you into that fall spirit. FREE. farmersmarketla.com

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts DÍa de Los Muertos Family Day Oct. 27. PHOTO COURTESY LA PLAZA DE CULTURA Y ARTES

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts its annual DÍa de Los Muertos Family Day Oct. 27. Enjoy performances in music and dance, arts and crafts, food and more. FREE. lapca.org

Fall with The Bard

“The Winter’s Tale” performs Sept. 7, 15 and 30 at Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon. PHOTO BY IAN FLANDERS

There’s still time to catch Theatricum Botanicum’s summer season with Shakespeare’s tale of romance, passion and forgiveness, “The Winter’s Tale.” Enjoy the last of our warm summer nights under the magical oaks of Topanga Canyon. Remaining show dates are Sept. 7, 15 and 30. $15-$60; free for ages 4 and under. theatricum.com

“Romeo & Juliet Suite” gets its L.A. debut at The Wallis from Oct. 10-12. PHOTO COURTESY THE WALLIS

On Oct 3 and 4, Dudamel will lead the LA Phil and Los Angeles Master Chorale in Mendelssohn’s incidental music from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The whimsical evening features video projections, Spanish actress María Valverde narrating and the world premiere of Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz’s new cello concerto. laphil.com

The Wallis and L.A. Dance Project present “Romeo & Juliet Suite” Oct. 10-12 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Choreographer Benjamin Millepied reinterprets Prokofiev’s ballet based on Shakespeare’s classic tale through film, dance and theater and with a different cast of dancers each performance. $49-$109. thewallis.org

Not your average ballet

Immerse yourself in “Little Women Ballet” at Heritage Square Museum Sept. 27-29. PHOTO COURTESY LITTLE WOMEN BALLET

The site-specific “Little Women Ballet” returns to Heritage Square Museum Sept. 27-29 with an autumn-themed performance featuring music, dance, photo ops, desserts and refreshments. Audience members of all ages can venture into Louisa May Alcott’s classic story following the cast through an immersive walking tour of Heritage Square Museum. Each guest receives a goodie bag to use throughout the performance — no two shows are alike. $60. littlewomenballet.com

Blue13 Dance Company debuts “100 Seconds to Midnight” at The Ford Sept. 28. PHOTO BY ROSE EICHENBAUM

On Sept. 28, Blue13 Dance Company debuts “100 Seconds to Midnight” at The Ford. The show is a new contemporary dance project choreographed by Achinta S. McDaniel, artistic director of Blue13 and professor at the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at USC. Blending contemporary and traditional dance such as Bollywood and ballet, “100 Seconds to Midnight” explores the complexities of the human experience, with a spotlight on South Asian communities. $10-$65. blue13dance.com

Playful puppets & mythical masks

Family-friendly puppet show “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch,” performs Oct. 12-13 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. PHOTO COURTESY SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch,” a heartwarming puppet play from Vancouver-based Axis Theatre Company. Performing Oct. 12-13, the family-friendly show examines the effect that kindness can have on someone experiencing loneliness. $28.25. scfta.org

Make your own mask at the Getty Villa Sept. 8, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19. PHOTO COURTESY GETTY VILLA MUSEUM

Pack a blanket and some snacks and head over to Barnsdall Art Park Sept. 14 and Oct. 12 for Puppets in the Park. Presented by Bob Baker Marionette Theater and Hollyhock House, these free magical mornings begin with a puppet performance, followed by a family art activity. FREE. bobbakermarionettetheater.com

This fall, Getty Villa’s drop-in family workshops feature Mythical Creature Mask Making. On Sept. 8, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19, you can make your own ancient Greek theater mask, then join local performers portraying Medusa and Minotaur for theatrical play. FREE. getty.edu

Seaside amusements

On Sept. 6, celebrate the legacy of more than a century of fun and community at Santa Monica Pier’s 115th Birthday Celebration. In partnership with Street Food Cinema, the Santa Monica Pier Corporation is throwing a party with an outdoor screening of “Barbie,” live music, activities for kids, birthday cake and ice cream and more surprises. FREE. santamonicapier.org

The Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach will take place Oct. 4-6. PHOTO COURTESY PACIFIC AIRSHOW HUNTINGTON BEACH

Watch U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and fan-favorite F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team dance through the sky Oct. 4-6 at the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach. The three-day event features the world’s best military and civilian display teams, a boat race around Catalina Island, music, beach bars and more. FREE or $30 and up for ticketed areas featuring prime seating and show announcer. pacificairshowusa.com

Feel the ocean breeze as you skate in the heart of Santa Monica at Roll @ Santa Monica through Oct. 14. IMAGE COURTESY DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA, INC. AND ROLL @ SANTA MONICA

Seasoned skaters and first timers of all ages will enjoy skating by the beach at Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.’s inaugural seasonal outdoor roller skating rink, Roll @ Santa Monica. Open through Oct. 14, the retro roller rink features themed skate nights and group skating lessons from LA Skate Hunnies. $15. rollatsantamonica.com

**Cirque du Soleil returns to the Santa Monica Pier with “**KOOZA” Oct. 19-Dec. 1. PHOTO BY MATT BEARD & BERNARD LETENDRE

For the first time since 2014, Cirque du Soleil returns to the Santa Monica Pier with its internationally acclaimed production “KOOZA.” From Oct. 19-Dec. 1, guests can gather under the iconic Big Top at the pier to watch high-flying acrobatics, mischievous clowns and colorful sets and listen to a live score. $69 and up. cirquedusoleil.com

FUN 4 LITTLES

“Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play” stops by Segerstrom Center for the Arts Sept. 17 and Bank of America Performing Arts Center Sept. 18. PHOTO BY LORENZO BEVILAQUA

Ariel from the new series “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” makes her debut alongside Mickey, Minnie and other favorite Disney Jr. friends in “Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play” presented by Walmart. The tour, which makes stops at Segerstrom Center for the Arts Sept. 17 and Bank of America Performing Arts Center Sept. 18, will also feature the iconic clubhouse from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.” $30 and up. disneyjuniortour.com

TWEENS & TEENS

Darby Winn is Julien and Paul Turbiak is Pascal in “Pascal & Julien” at 24^th Street Theatre Sept. 7-Oct. 27. PHOTO BY JAY MCADAMS

The U.S. premiere of “Pascal & Julien” runs Sept. 7-Oct. 27 at 24^th Street Theatre. Audiences young and old will appreciate this touching story about fathers, sons and friendship. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 24thstreet.org

GET OUT OF TOWN

Non-profit yoga and conscious music festival Bhakti Fest returns to Joshua Tree Lake & Campground Sept. 27-29. Bring the kids to experience music, yoga classes, vegetarian food and conscious activities at this high-desert festival. There will also be a marketplace offering eco-friendly and sustainable clothing, art, musical instruments, crafts and more. $125 and up; free for ages under 5. bhaktifest.com

Family-friendly outdoor light festival Imaginarium is back at Ontario Mills through Oct. 20 with “Where Light Meets Magic.” Spanning 1.5 acres, the immersive walk-through experience features the magical Endless Mirrors, Land of Fantastical Creatures and The Rose Garden, a field of 20,000 LED roses in full bloom, and interactive rooms featuring an all-ages ball pit. Other attractions include BMX shows, an aerial artist and juggler. $19 and up; free for ages 2 and under. imaginarium360.com