After a long summer filled with beautiful events in the sunshine, it’s time to transition into fall—and the South Bay sure knows how to do it! Sure, the leaves may not really be changing (or even falling) here, but it’s the thought that counts… As October begins, so does all the seasonal fun. Pumpkin patches are popping up everywhere, costume shops are buzzing with activity, and there are plenty of events to match the fall vibes. This month, you can expect Halloween festivals galore, multiple car shows, and even another outdoor movie. So, ready your engines, break out those costumes, and jump right into autumn!
1.Hot Wheels Legends Tour
Have you ever dreamed of being immortal? Do you wish to build a lasting legacy in life? And most importantly, do you absolutely love cars—maybe even building them? If you answered yes to any of these (or you’re just curious to see what we’re talking about), then you should head to the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo on October 5th from 9 AM to 1 PM!
This event will be packed with beautiful cars designed by attendees, alongside the legends of Hot Wheels themselves! If you’ve got a ride that you think is model-worthy, make sure to register for the big competition and come on down because a winner will be crowned by the end of the day. The El Segundo winner will go head-to-head with nine other winners from around the world, battling for the chance to have their very own Hot Wheels design.
So, do you think you have what it takes to win?
2.Scaredown in Downtown
Boo! Did we get ya? Time to get suited up for spooky season, and there’s no better way to kick it off than at Torrance’s Scaredown in Downtown. For one day only, historic downtown Torrance will become a creepy-crawly Halloween wonderland, complete with decorations, activities, and costumes galore!
Expect to see live musical performances, rattle some bones with show-stopping scary-oke, fantasize about your future with tarot readings, and fill your bags with trunk-or-treat treasures! It’s all going down on October 5th from 4–9 PM, and we sure hope to see you haunting the streets!
3.Festa Italiana
We know ordering pizza is a Saturday tradition for many, but just this once we’d suggest ditching delivery because San Pedro is hosting Festa Italiana! On October 5, from 11 AM to 10 PM, several blocks of beautiful San Pedro will be transformed into an Italian cultural wonderland! The streets will be packed with delicious Italian food stands, making choosing your meal a battle in itself. And on top of the food, the entertainment… boy, is it a spectacle! Last year’s festival featured stunning operatic performances by Opera Italia LA and a special show by Italian “Elvis” Mimmo Bologna. While we’re not quite sure what’s in store for this year, we’re certain it’ll be just as enchanting. Come see what LA’s Italian community has to offer—mark your calendars and start your month off right!
4.Gardena Harvest Festival
Gardena’s Annual Harvest Festival is coming back this year on October 5th at the City Hall Complex! Start autumn on the right note—come by from 10 AM to 1 PM to try your hand at classic fair games, enjoy tons of fall-time food, and make lasting memories with your community! (indent) And of course, it wouldn’t be the Harvest Festival without the two iconic (and super friendly) competitions: the Annual Cornhole Tournament and the Tamale Contest. There will be prizes and bragging rights for the winners! So, show us what you’ve got and head on down for some wholesome harvest fun for the entire family.
5. Car Show
Vroom vroom! Are you ready for an awesome array of classic cars along the beautiful California coast? The Redondo Pier Association and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach are excited to present a Car Show on the Redondo Beach Pier on October 6th from 10 AM to 3 PM! This free event will offer plenty of photo ops and gifts from the event’s sponsors. Don’t miss your chance to check out the coolest auto designs of the past century. We’ll see you out there!
6.Hometown Fair
There’s nothing more heartwarming than a wholesome tradition, right? Well, Manhattan Beach thinks so! The city’s 52nd annual Hometown Fair is set for October 5th and 6th, and it promises amazing entertainment for the entire family. The event features plenty of activities, including live music, arts and crafts booths, food vendors, and classic fair games. It also includes a 10K run, beer garden, and an epic Battle of the Bands. Get everyone ready to rally and welcome autumn with a smile—and maybe a little laughter!
7.Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Want to make a difference in the world? Here’s your chance! Hermosa Beach is hosting the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 13th at 9 AM, and it’s going to be an awesome way to have a BIG impact on millions of Americans. This walk is the nation’s largest event for raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. It’s a perfect way for the community to come together, honor those affected by Alzheimer’s, and show support. Grab your friends, sign up today, and let’s do some good together!
8.BeachLife Nights
BeachLife is back and ready for business with a special new fall event BeachLife Nights which celebrates “life by the beach with those who matter most!” On October 18 and 19, from 4 PM to 10 PM, epic indie, rock, and reggae bands like Iration, Soja, and The English Beat will take over the Redondo Harbor waterfront with the sweet sounds of mega-hits and feel-good tunes. Plus, expect to eat like a king, as we’re bringing in Chef Curtis Stone and his incredible culinary expertise to complete the perfect fantasy weekend!
9.Pumpkins in the Park
Do you and your family love Halloween? Is carving pumpkins an essential part of your seasonal celebration? Hermosa Beach has a special opportunity for you! Stop by Pumpkins in the Park on October 19, from 11 AM to 1 PM, at Edith Rodaway Friendship Park! Pumpkins will be provided for you to customize and take home at the end of the day. There will also be plenty of food and entertainment, including hot dogs and a puppet show by Franklin Haynes Marionettes! Enjoy a lovely day in the park with the South Bay community, and don’t forget to wear a costume!
10.Halloween Family Festival
Need a good dose of Halloween spirit? Inglewood has a fantastic way to get festive this spooky season! On October 19, from 1 to 5 PM, Inglewood City Hall will host a Halloween Family Festival. Dedicated to creating a family-friendly atmosphere, the festival will feature arts and crafts, a costume contest, face painting, pumpkin painting, food trucks, and games (how epic is that?). Be sure to go all out with your costume, as there will be awards across several categories, including family costumes and age-based categories to give all the kiddos a fair chance to shine! So, clear your schedules because this is a can’t-miss event!
11.Mediterranean Food Festival
Do you love trying new foods, or are you simply a Mediterranean food fanatic? Luckily for you, Torrance will be hosting the Mediterranean Food Festival on October 19, from 11 AM to 7 PM, at St. Matthew Antiochian Orthodox Church. The event will feature a variety of delicious foods, from homemade falafel and flavorful shawarma to creamy hummus, along with a beer garden and live music. Be sure to stop by for a wonderful day of cultural exchange and celebration!
12.Volley For Sound
Join us for a fun-filled charity volleyball event with a purpose—to raise awareness about the everyday challenges faced by young people with hearing loss! Volley 4 Sound is hosting its annual tournament on October 19 on the north side of the Hermosa Beach pier, with the goal of raising money and awareness for affected youth. But this event is much more than a simple co-ed volleyball tournament. It also features opportunities to play with the pros, a silent auction, raffles, music, and more! For an added bonus, we’re running social media contests, including a lip-reading challenge where you’ll watch a muted clip and guess what’s being said for a chance to win prizes. Help raise money for a great cause and have a blast on the sand—register today!
13.World Famous Pumpkin Race
Are you a skilled craftsman? Do you have a creative spirit? Well, even if that’s not the case, this event is still worth checking out! Witness the wonderful pumpkin creations your fellow community members dream up at the World Famous Pumpkin Race on October 20th! Bring your fabulous pumpkin racers to downtown Manhattan Beach for a super awesome Halloween Festival at 12 PM, followed by the pumpkin races at 2 PM! The festival will feature fun and unusual activities for the whole family, and the pumpkin race promises to be a blast. Costumes are highly encouraged, so don’t miss the chance to maximize your spooky spirit!
14.Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
Interested in making a positive change in the world? The Manhattan Beach Skechers Pier to Pier Walk is a fantastic community event that combines fitness with philanthropy! On October 20 at 9:30 AM, the walk will take you from the Manhattan Beach Pier to the Hermosa Beach Pier and back. It’s always a fun, family-friendly event that supports children with special needs and education. Plus, it’s presented by Nickelodeon, so there’ll be plenty of chances to meet some of your favorite characters, like SpongeBob! Whether you’re walking for a cause or just enjoying the beautiful coastal views, it’s a great way to stay active and give back.
15.Community Movie Night: Carrie
Are you a horror fan? If so, we have the perfect can’t-miss event for you! Hermosa Beach is proudly hosting a super spooky Halloween event on October 25th, where you can experience movie magic in real time. The city’s community theater will feature a special screening of Carrie for their Community Movie Night. Parts of the 1976 film were actually shot at this theater, making this more than just a movie—it’s practically a simulation of Carrie itself! Plus, there will be a ‘prom’ held at 6:30 PM with refreshments and live music, a tour of the spots where the movie was filmed, spooky photo-ops, all ending with the screening. Don’t miss out on this unique festive event during Halloweekend!
16.Halloween on the Pier
On October 25, from 6 PM to 9 PM, the Redondo Pier Association and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach will be hosting a special Halloween event at Fisherman’s Wharf in Redondo Beach. Combining the celebrations of both Halloween and Día de los Muertos, the area will be transformed into a spooky wonderland fit for the entire family. Be sure to dress up, as there will be a costume contest, a Halloween selfie station, and trick-or-treating on the pier and boardwalk! Come celebrate by the sea with us—it’s sure to be a night to remember (and will definitely not be filled with fright).
17.Family Halloween Carnival
Ready to take your Halloween excitement to the next level? Manhattan Beach has a special offer for you! On October 26, from 1 PM to 5 PM, Manhattan Heights Park will be hosting a Family Halloween Carnival! Now in its 36th year, the afternoon will be filled with freakishly festive games and plenty of tricks and treats! Expect a boo-worthy haunted house filled with sneaky spooks, a costume contest, plenty of festive snacks, a cupcake walk, and plentiful refreshments. Definitely make this a family affair—it surely won’t disappoint!
18.Halloween Movie in the Park
Didn’t get a chance to see a movie outside last summer? Well, even if you did, we have some great news for you! On October 26, the City of Torrance will be holding a Halloween Spooktacular Family Movie Night at Wilson Park. Starting at 6:30 PM, there will be plenty of holiday-themed activities to get everyone in the spirit, including music by DJ Ozzie, a Halloween train ride (for $10), a performance by Torrance Cheer, and a costume parade, all followed by a movie! Bring the whole family to soak up some spooky vibes and catch Inside Out 2 on the big screen!
19.Dia De Los Muertos Festival
Ready to honor the departed with vibrant colors, joyful memories, and festive traditions? On October 26, from 3 PM to 10 PM, San Pedro will host the 12th annual Día de los Muertos Festival in its downtown. The occasion will feature authentic altar displays that celebrate and honor the lives of those who have passed, embracing the over 3,000-year-old tradition carried through generations of ancestors. There will also be live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden, artisan crafts, and a Catrina costume contest, so make sure to dress to the nines and come hungry! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to celebrate Mexico’s beautiful and long-standing traditions right here in the South Bay!
Fall has finally made its mark on the South Bay. As we reflect on the amazing events October brought us—costume contests, dance routines, unique culinary experiences—we can dream big about what’s to come. Sweater weather is just around the corner! So pack up all those beautiful memories and save them for a rainy day, because the holidays are on their way! The future is bright for us South Bay-ians, and if this past year is any indication, we’re truly in for some treats. No month is boring when there’s such a wonderful array of cultures to explore.
