Thrills and chills
Plenty of zombies, ghosts, jack-o’-lanterns and costumed creatures roam the weekend before Halloween, but you can also find crafts, music and fun carnival rides.
Pasadena
It may be Halloween weekend, but here’s a chance to get a jump on the December holidays and peruse high-end art gifts. The Contemporary Crafts Market in Old Pasadena features pieces from 140 artists who have created wearable, ornamental and functional art. Jewelry, blown glass, pottery, wood carvings, weavings and handloomed rugs will be on display. When: Oct. 27-29 Cost, info: Adults $8, children 12 and younger free. Service animals only. (310) 285-3655, craftsource .org
Lancaster
It’s full-on Halloween at the BooLVD Halloween and Harvest Festival at the BLVD Farmers Market with trick-or-treating, pumpkin and cookie decorating, a corn maze, a ghostly train ride and a kid-friendly haunted house. Harvest festivities include sampling dishes from local vendors and restaurants. When: Oct. 28 Cost, info: Free, but fees for some activities. Family-friendly. Well-behaved dogs on nonretractable leashes OK. (661) 7236077, cityoflancasterca.org/boolvd
Santa Monica
The zombies are back in time for Halloween. At the fifth annual Zombie Crawl, undead creatures moan and roam from Santa Monica Pier to the Official Zombie After Party apocalypse by the Third Street Promenade. That’s where costume contests and dancing to DJs transpires. When: Oct. 28 Cost, info: $15.16 until Friday, then $18.31. Adults 21 and older. Leashed dogs only permitted outdoors. lat.ms/smzombies
Los Angeles
The sixth annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival at Exposition Park is as upbeat as a music festival and as optimistic as a community gathering. Entertainers include Tyler the Creator, Roy Ayers, Migos and Alison Wonderland, offering rap, jazz, soul, pop and electronic dance music. When: Oct. 28 and 29 Cost, info: $208 for twoday general admission pass, children 5 and younger free. Familyfriendly. No dogs. campfloggnaw.com
San Diego
Aimed at a younger, calmer crowd, the Trick or Trot 5K /1 Mile Fun Run in Balboa Park also has a much shorter Pumpkin Sprint Run: Grab a pumpkin, decorate it with a Sharpie, hold your pumpkin over your head, and run as if a ghost is chasing you. The Pumpkin Sprint is about the length of 1,000 pumpkins side-by-side. It’s more fun if you’re in costume. When: Oct. 29 Cost, info: Adults $20, children 15 and younger $15. Family-friendly. Leashed dogs OK but not encouraged. (619) 7339024, trickortrotsd.com
Note: Always check before you go because weather or other factors can affect events. Children should always be accompanied by an adult. Assume dogs must be on a leash. To suggest an event that’s cool and close to home, email travel@latimes.com.