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Halloween Creeps into Long Beach with Two Family-Friendly Celebrations
By Staff Writer
Published on Tue, Oct 6, 2026
Long Beach is getting into the Halloween spirit. The City of Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is celebrating with two family-friendly Halloween events on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kick off the festivities at Monster Mash at Lincoln Park (101 Pacific Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where kids can enjoy carnival games, balloon animals, arts and crafts, a cake walk and a costume parade, plus a special trick-or-treat hunt inside the Billie Jean King Main Library. Attendees can also win prizes by marking off their completed activities on their Monster Mash passport that they will receive upon arrival. Free parking will be available in the Civic Center Parking Garage (332 W. Broadway) for the duration of the event.
Later that afternoon, head over to the Howl-o-ween Festival at the El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) An October tradition, the fall event offers families a chance to celebrate the season while exploring one of Long Beach’s favorite natural spaces. From 2 to 6 p.m., kids and kids at heart will trick-or-treat for goodies along the scenic trails, with the last trail entry at 5 p.m.
Also during the event, attendees can get up close and personal with some creepy crawly critters at the animal education village, settle in for some spine-chilling stories and burn off some sugar-fueled energy at the Opossum Patch bounce house. There will be face painting, arts and crafts, and food available for purchase.
Parking and admission are free, though a $5-per-person donation is encouraged.
The festival is presented in partnership with the Friends of El Dorado Nature Center and Partners of Parks.
Both celebrations offer free, family-friendly ways to get into the Halloween spirit, show off creative costumes and enjoy some seasonal fun with the Long Beach community.
