NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: A home in Clinton Hill in Brooklyn is decorated with skeletons in celebration of Halloween on October 30, 2020 in New York City. Many Halloween events have been canceled or adjusted with additional safety measures due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
With door-to-door trick or treating not recommended because of the possibility of spreading the coronavirus, the sheriff's department is recommending lower-risk online, at-home and car-based activities to celebrate Halloween Saturday.
Alternatives suggested include a candy scavenger hunt at home, online pumpkin carving and costume contests and car-based tours of Halloween displays.
Other permitted and recommended Halloween activities from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health include:
drive-by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and drive-by judges that are appropriately physically distanced;
drive-in events where individuals can receive a treat bag, limited to commercially packaged non-perishable treats or take away items from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle;
Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters complying with the public health drive-in movie theater guidance;
Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants complying with restaurant protocol;
Halloween-themed art installations at an outdoor museum complying with the public health museum guidance; and
dressing up homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations.
People in a household are allowed to gather with one or two other households as long as the gathering is outside, lasts no more than two hours, everyone wears face coverings and stays at least 6 feet from non-household members.
The Murder House
Ever wanted to see what's inside "The Murder House," famously seen in the first season of "American Horror Story"? The legendary real-life manse, which is located in Los Angeles, will serve as the atmospheric setting for a Halloween livestream in 2020. Buy your ticket now, and try for a chance for a spirited sleepover in the, gulp, said-to-be-haunted basement.
Jack in the Box
Don a costume, and find your courage, for a Jack in the Box in Northridge is transforming into a "Late-Nite Fright-Thru" on Oct. 29, 30, and 31. Good to know? You'll need to stay in your car for the experience. Also good to know? If you wear a costume, you'll nab two free tacos.
NataliaBelay
Wish you could drive your car straight to Halloween Town and frolic with its singing and spirited denizens? Here's another eerie option: The Frida Cinema of Santa Ana is swinging through Anaheim on Halloween with a pop-up drive-in. On the screen? Two showings of "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas."
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Seeking sweet, not-scary enjoyment on the morning of Halloween? The Bob Baker Marionettes can help. The Green Witch and other seasonal superstars'll be on Zoom, all to deliver delights, magic, and costume-y good times to your home.
The Dark Zone
Keep watch on some of the Queen Mary's phantom-iest spaces when "The Dark Zone" virtually visits the famous ship over Halloween Weekend.
Dina Belenko Photography
Brave enough to meet "the monster of the month"? Ready to venture to Bella Swan's home from "Twilight"? Atlas Obscura will virtually explore the planet's spookier aspects as Halloween grows nearer.
Go Little Tokyo
Roam "Haunted Little Tokyo" from home via a seasonal slate of eerie events. Ghost tours, tales from the historic neighborhood, and more frightful fun times are haunting our screens this October.
RomoloTavani
Horror film fans, how well do you know your San Fernando Valley filming locations? Hop onto a virtual My Valley Pass tour on Oct. 24 to find out more about your fave fright flicks. And on Oct. 25? A tour will take on the IRL bizarre side of the SFV. Get tickets and times now.
NHMLAC
The Natural History Museum is full of science-amazing delights, but they can grow rather spookier, and slimier, when Halloween grows near. Feeling brave? Sign up for the "Haunted Museum," a virtual version of the Exposition Park museum's annual October bash.
Yarygin
Missing the vibes of Knott's Scary Farm, which is cancelled in 2020? The Buena Park theme park has created some Spotify playlists to help you connect with that Scary Farm-style fun.
Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade
You adore Christmas trees, but have you seen a Halloween tree before? There's one glowing nightly through Oct. 31 in the heart of Anaheim, courtesy of the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade.
Brenda Rees
Heritage Square Museum is famous for its vintage Victorian buildings, but its fans also love it for its phantom-y ways come October. There are a few events coming up later in the month, including a ye olde faire devoted to 19th-century mourning rituals. Also? You can picnic at the 110-close spread on Halloween evening.
Not So Spooky Farm
Fright Farms, for guests who are ages 13 and older, and Not So Spooky Farm, made for younger visitors, will "crop" up in Norco at the end of November. Follow the clues in both to follow a seasonal mystery, all while spying all sorts of Halloween-themed displays from your car. Can you get a combo ticket to roll through both experiences? You bet.
Original Farmers Market
Looking for fall desserts, from pumpkin doughnuts to hazelnut ice cream to caramel apples (with or without nuts)? The merchants of the Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax have a host of Halloween-ready indulgences, as well as heartier fare for a fall lunch or dinner.
Fernando Vazquez Miras
The Halloween Driving Howl will give families five fun stops, including stops devoted to crafts and something sweet, on Halloween day. Find the locations around Alhambra.
Huluween
Huluween will roll out on the streaming service later in October, but LA fans can enjoy a drive-in movie experience at the LA Equestrian Center from Oct. 22-25.
Of the Night
Would you open your door to Dracula? How about a Dracula marionette? Of the Night, the at-home party package company, has teamed up with the Bob Baker Marionette Theater on a special and spooky delivery. There's a package for two vampire lovers, full of grown-up goodies, but you can add on a marionette performance for an additional fee.
koufax73
A haunted drive-thru themed to "Urban Legends of Southern California" will roll at the OC Fair & Event Center throughout October 2020.
NHMLAC
Spying a spider from fairly up-close? It's as fall in spirit as pumpkin coffee and Halloween candy. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's annual Spider Pavilion will give people that opportunity, in an airy outdoor space with safety policies in place. Webs will weave beginning Oct. 24, 2020.
Ian 'Doc' Singleterry/Eyeem
The big Underwood Family Farms Fall Festival isn't happening in 2020, but here's something sweet: The Moorpark destination's patch is open, and there'll be a few other socially distanced to-dos, too, should you visit. Get details on Fall Harvest on the Farm now.
Descanso Gardens
Enjoy whimsical pumpkin displays around the airy and vast spread that is Descanso Gardens. The pretty sights'll spring up around the La Cañada Flintridge gardens over several October days.
Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms is offering a drive-thru pumpkin patch, gourd lovers. There's also a U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride option. Be sure to book in advance.
Ed Bannister
Knowing where the leaves are changing around our state? The California Fall Blog has you colorfully covered.
Disneyland Resort
Doing a Disneyland-style Halloween at home? You'll want to pick up a few fanciful tips, straight from the theme parks. Recipes, costumes, and more neato notions are materializing on the theme park's first-ever Everything Halloween page.
Rebecca Richardson
The pumpkin patch at Irvine Park Railroad will return in 2020, but how you'll procure your pumpkin is changing up (staffers will offer you a selection). There are a few activities, but keep in mind that capacity will be limited.
Knott's Berry Farm
Savoring a Taste of Fall-O-Ween at Knott's Berry Farm? Foods and beverages themed to autumn will be plentiful at the event, which is popping up at the Buena Park theme park over several weekends (including Fridays). The foodie fun wraps Nov. 1.
Hauntoween LA
Hop in the car, head for Woodland Hills, and drive by loads of glowing jack o'lanterns, and other Halloween-y sights, at Hauntoween LA.
The Department of Public Health is reminding the public that regardless of how they choose to celebrate Halloween it is important to:
correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others not part of your household;
avoid confined spaces, actively stay away from indoor spaces that don't allow for easy distancing of at least 6 feet between you and others;
avoid close contact, stay at least 6 feet away (three or more adult steps) from all other people who are not part of your household, especially while talking, eating, drinking and singing;
wash or sanitize your hands often;
clean frequently touched items regularly;
if you are sick, or have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 stay home and away from others.
"Unfortunately, Halloween is going to be celebrated a bit differently than it has in the past," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Robert Hill said. "While skipping traditional trick-or-treating and indoor celebrations is recommended, please be safe if you are out and mindful of others who may drive by to look at decorations."
Halloween's most prominent cancellation in Los Angeles County was West Hollywood's Halloween Carnaval, billed as the world's largest Halloween party.
In May, the West Hollywood City Council approved the cancellation of all major special events in the city through the end of 2020.
Halloween activities in Los Angeles County Saturday include:
A trick-or-treat bag distribution from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Normandie Terrace, 540 S. Normandie Ave. in Koreatown, organized by the office of Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles;
The "Halloween Driving Howl" at five locations in Alhambra from 11 a.m.-2 .m. with activities including a drive-by photo booth, a pumpkin patch, a trick-or-treat station, a ghost-themed art station and a haunted house;
"Hauntoween L.A.," billed as a family-friendly and interactive Halloween-themed drive-thru experience from 3-9 p.m. at the Promenade in Woodland Hills, including a Jack O'Lantern tunnel with more than 1,000 carved pumpkins, mini mazes and a backlight tunnel;
"A socially distanced scavenger hunt in Little Tokyo beginning at 4 p.m. at Cafe Dulce in the Japanese Village Plaza;
"A Halloween trick-or-treat drive-thru and haunted street experience from 6-9 p.m. between Pacific Avenue and Centre Street along Sixth Street in San Pedro; and
"Halloween Spooktacular," a family-friendly drive-thru experience will be held from 6-10 p.m. at Grevillea Art Park in Inglewood.
Participants will be required to wear masks. With Halloween falling on a Saturday the sheriff's department will have additional deputies on patrol looking for suspected impaired drivers.
