From Basement Crypts to Rooftop Crows’ Nests: 10 Great Places for Halloween in DTLA 2025

Downtown Los Angeles, a city built on shadows and secrets, truly awakens during the witching season. From the dampest depths of its forgotten basements to the windswept heights where spirits linger, here are 10 Great Places for the macabre this Halloween.

One: Los Angeles Conservancy’s “Last…Remains at the Historic Million Dollar Theater

The spirits of classic cinema and spooky thrills are set to possess Downtown Los Angeles this Halloween season, as the Los Angeles Conservancy rolls out the blood-red carpet for its inaugural “Last… Remains” at the historic Million Dollar Theater—a frightful, funny double feature you won’t forget. On Saturday, October 25, 2025, one of the city’s most opulent movie palaces will become the epicenter of All Hallows’ Eve, blending cinematic mastery with bone-chilling horror and side-splitting comedy. Guiding audiences through this evening of cinematic terror and laughter is this year’s host, the wickedly talented Samantha Hale, known as the creator and host of “Horror Nerd.” The festivities kick off at 2:00 p.m. with a brilliant dose of mad-cap laughter from YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974), where writer and director Mel Brooks masterfully crafts a seamless blend of classic horror reverence and razor-sharp humor. As night falls and the shadows deepen, the tone shifts to pure, psychological terror at 8:00 p.m. Relive the chilling shock of CARRIE (1976) on the big screen, a masterful take on Stephen King’s breakout novel, perfectly suited for this venue steeped in history, where walls whisper the tales of a forgotten era. www.laconservancy.org

Two: CRIMSON COVENANT: A HALLOWEEN BASH at THE HISTORIC CLIFTON’S

Prepare for a descent into the dark heart of Downtown LA’s nightlife as the legendary, and famously haunted, Historic Clifton’s transforms for one night only into the epicenter of a demonic delight: CRIMSON COVENANT: A HALLOWEEN BASH. MonstraMedia presents this unforgettable Halloween experience, fusing the iconic, labyrinthine architecture of Clifton’s with blood-curdling energy and nonstop eerie entertainment. For two nights, the venue’s famous multi-level forest, preserved exhibits, and shadowy corners will become the perfect backdrop for a sinister celebration. On October 31st, starting at 8:00 p.m., immerse yourself in an evening filled with blood, demons, cosplay, and dancing inside one of LA’s most iconic and storied landmarks. The entire venue will be draped in an Immersive Halloween Atmosphere, utilizing dark visuals and creating non-stop energy where every corner holds a new, chilling detail. Come dressed to impress (or to possess) and compete for eternal glory in the Costume Contest while fueling your demonic delight with specially crafted, Themed Cocktails. The festivities will be charged with raw energy, headlined on Halloween night by Live Music by KING MALA, the alternative pop artist known for their dark, provocative tracks and horror-inspired aesthetic, promising a sensory overload of dark visuals, eerie beats, and relentless energy. To inquire about these exclusive arrangements, simply text “CLIFTONS” to 310-923-3465. www.crimsomconvantant.com

Three: Dark Arts at RizoCorp Gallery’s “Creep Show


This Halloween, the RizoCorp Gallery invites the daring to step out of reality and into a world where haunting dreams and playful darkness collide. On Friday, October 31, 2025, the gallery will host CREEP SHOW — A CASSCVISION Experience, a multi-phase event showcasing the visionary surrealism of LA-based artist Cassandra Carrillo alongside an immersive, late-night celebration. Cassandra Carrillo, the creative force behind @casscvision, is a multifaceted LA artist who works as a painter, graphic designer, muralist, and sculptor. Fusing her education in character animation with a deep love for the metaphysical, Carrillo has pioneered an art form she describes as satirical portraiture, which powerfully exhibits spiritual duality and creepy, surreal creatures painted in bright, whimsical colors, delivering a striking juxtaposed image of dark subject matter displayed in a cartoony and playful style. The night begins with the Art Reception from 7PM to 10PM, an intimate gallery experience where guests can immerse themselves in Casscvision’s surreal fine art. This portion of the evening will also feature the Community Creep Wall, showcasing local artists and their darkest visions. As the clock strikes 10PM, the event shifts gears into the Creep Show Celebration, running until 12AM with Halloween energy curated by @musicandwhine, where art meets ritual, turning the space into a twisted haunted gallery that turns into a late-night disco. Rizo Corp Gallery is located at 719 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Entry to this event is free with RSVP. RizoCorpGallery.com

Four: Quantum Groove Presents: A Halloween Rooftop Bash at the Freehand Hotel

This Halloween, the Freehand rooftop pool lounge will be transformed into a pulsating nightmare, with light shows and beats that possess the body. Quantum Groove returns with its residency at the iconic Freehand Hotel rooftop Altura Friday Nights, this time with an exclusive day drop of House Music sophistication and Latin flair, in collaboration with Latin District and Calle 8. This is where groove meets one of downtown’s most fantastic daytime and, of course, night time views—guests can sip, connect, and reflect poolside with the perfect mix of music, culture, and community. From 6 PM to 11 PM, guests 21+ are invited to experience a luxury-infused celebration blending rooftop ambiance, signature cocktails, delicious plates, and the high-energy rhythms that define DTLA Nightlife. Entry to this event is free with RSVP. www.quantumgroove.com

Five: Crawl Out with Annual Halloween LA Club Crawl


This epic LA Club Crawls provides free entry to some of the best clubs in LA. Prepare for three electrifying nights of Halloween revelry with the Downtown LA Club Crawls, all of which strongly encourage you to wear your best costume.

The festivities kick off on Friday, October 27th, where you have a choice: the self-guided Pre-Halloween Pub Crawlgrants all-access to over 10 bars and nightclubs with drink discounts and free welcome shots (tickets $15–$30), or opt for the Costumed Club Crawl, a guided tour to 3 top venues featuring VIP entry and exclusive drink specials (tickets $35). The action continues on Saturday, October 28th, with the massive Zombie Crawl, providing an independent journey through 10+ bars and nightclubs. Your “Survival Kit” includes a map, free welcome shots, and entry passes (tickets $15–$35). Finally, on Halloween night, Tuesday, October 31st, the Annual Halloween LA Club Crawl is a single-night blowout offering free entry to over 15 venues. Check-in is at Karl Strauss from 7 PM to 10 PM, giving you access to express entry, drink vouchers, and free welcome shots at select spots (tickets $29–$39). All costumes are welcome on every night!

Participating bars and specials include:

Karl Strauss Brewing Co, Redwood Bar & Grill, Spire 73, The Reserve, Golden Gopher, Native Son LA, Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub, Audio Graph Beer Co, Spring St, Rudolph’s Bar & Tea, Crane’s, Zaya, Lovenote, Broken Shaker, The Stowaway, Hotel Per La, Beelman’s Pub, Rhythm Room and more.

The Halloween Los Angeles Club Crawls take place in Downtown Los Angeles, with the starting point located at Karl Strauss Brewery, Los Angeles, CA 90014. www.losangelesclubcrawl.com

Six: Nightmare Before Halloween: The Spooky Pajama Party at Prospect Park DTLA

Prospect Park DTLA, a popular downtown venue known for redefining the brunch and nightlife experience, is hosting a delightful dive into holiday dread with “The Night Before Halloween Bash,” a spooky pajama party that kicks off the festivities early. Adding a bit of Halloween season to its usual schedule of R&B, HipHop and Reggae jams Prospect Park, along with Strange Promotions, invite guests to embrace a night of fun with a suggested best Halloween pajama themed costume. The party starts on Thursday, October 30th, running from 9:00 p.m. PDT to 2:00 a.m., with themed food, drinks, games, and a massive costume contest, all set to the beats of local DJs. Prospect Park DTLA, located at 818 Wilshire Blvd. Tickets for this spooky pajama event range from $0 to $30. www.prospectparkdtla.com

Seven: WHISKEY STILETTO: MÉNAGE À TROIS HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

Whiskey Stiletto in DTLA is hosting a three-day Halloween extravaganza titled “Ménage à Trois Weekend,” offering three distinct events from Halloween Eve through the day after, all with free entry. The three-part event schedule includes THURSDAY, October 30th (CLASSY): The weekend begins with a sophisticated Halloween Eve Masquerade Ball. FRIDAY, October 31st (HALLOWEEN NIGHT): The main event is the Halloween Night celebration, which requires an RSVP for entry. SATURDAY, November 1st (TRASHY): The final day is the irreverent “The Day After Walk of Shame” party. Whiskey Stiletto offers a unique and eclectic ambiance from the moment guests approach the building. The exterior features a rotating sidewalk gobo and a vintage Hollywood marquee sign set above gothic steel patina doors. Guests descending the staircase pass through a transition area that functions as a crystal and jewelry store leading into an art gallery and private conversation area. The main room is a blend of lounge, dining, and nightlife space, perfect for sampling from the kitchen’s tapas menu, which includes smoked cocktails and some of the most amazing fusion tapas found anywhere in the DT. Whisky Stiletto is located at 819 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Entry to all events is free. www.whiskeystiletto.com

Eight. HAUNTED HEIGHTS AT SPIRE 73

Ascend to the precipice of fear on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown for Haunted Heights at Spire 73, an unforgettable night of adult trick-or-treating with breathtaking city views. Guests can look forward to a haunted cocktail crawl with themed pours and vendor tastings at every stop. A $25 ticket includes an adult trick-or-treat experience inclusive of a tasting booth for each of our premium spirit partners: Lo Siento Tequila, La Tierra de Acre Mezcal, Sagamore Rye, and Bardstown Bourbon. Additionally, specialty Halloween cocktails will be available all evening. The night will feature live DJ beats to keep the energy high, culminating in a frightfully fun costume contest where the best looks can win Spire 73 gift cards. Come dressed in your best Halloween look, sip on chilling cocktails, and explore the haunted heights of Downtown Los Angeles. Doors open at 8pm. Tasting booths will be available from 8pm to 10pm, and the DJ will spin from 8pm until 11pm. The party continues until 12am. Spire 73 is located at 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90017. Tickets range from $28 and up. www.spire73.com

Nine: GOTHICUMBIA: DARKNESS MEETS RHYTHM AT THE REGENT

Gothicumbia is the ultimate dance party experience where goth counterculture and traditional cumbia music collide. This unique cultural mashup blends the dark sensibilities of genres like Joy Division and darkwave with the rhythmic, African-based percussion and Latin flair of cumbia. The event, often held at The Regent in downtown Los Angeles, regularly sells out its thousand-person capacity. The atmosphere is an energetic fusion where partygoers, often referred to as “darks,” turn out in elaborate outfits featuring white face paint, black lipstick, and ratted hair. It’s a space where Latino goths celebrate their dual identity, embracing both the darkness and their cultural roots. The event is a draw for first-generation Mexican Americans who grew up with Bauhaus in their bedrooms and cumbia at family parties, providing a sense of community for those looking to connect all parts of their identity. Gothicumbia is the witchy brainchild of Los Goths Co., a Latino-American creative collective. They are known for their sense of humor, often featuring figures like Rey Garcia, or “Goth Tio,” who has become famous for his signature goth vaquero (cowboy) look—complete with black-and-white face paint, a black tejana, and cowboy boots—and his energetic darkwave dance moves. If you were there last year, you know the event’s organizers go all out. This year, they are leveling up the experience with immersive Halloween decorations, a significant $333 costume contest for the most dedicated looks, sponsored runner-up prizes, and themed cocktails. The night will feature a special, high-energy playlist prepared by their DJs for this event. The Regent is located at 448 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Tickets are $30. www.losgothcumbia.com

Ten: Walt Disney Concert Hall – HALLOWEEN ORGAN, FILM & MUSIC: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Cap off your Halloween night with a truly spine-tingling cinematic and musical experience: the showing of the silent film classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The performance is scheduled for Friday, October 31, 2025, at 8:00 PM. The program features the 1923 silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with legendary actor Lon Chaney starring as the deformed cathedral bell-ringer, Quasimodo. At the time of its release, this film was Universal Studio’s smash-hit “Super Jewel”—the company’s largest, most expensive, and top-priority production. The film will be brought to terrifying life by organist Clark Wilson, who transports the audience back to 15th-century Paris with his powerful, live organ accompaniment. While the specific hall hosting this performance is not mentioned in the provided details, large-scale organ and film events like this are typically held in one of Downtown Los Angeles’s grand venues known for housing a mighty pipe organ. www.LAPhil.org

Loading

Author: Keri Freeman

Military mom and proud parent, artist, writer, musician and film maker. Cocktail connoisseur. Publisher of DTLA Weekly.