Retailers like Home Depot, Target, Michaels, and even Costco have been promoting Halloween decor and merch as early as April of this year, and why not? Why shouldn’t we be able to buy giant skeletons on our way to the beach? And most importantly, why aren’t Reese’s pumpkins the default Reese’s Cup? So bust out your vampire fangs and your swim trunks, because these are the best ways to celebrate Summerween in Los Angeles!
1. Meet the ghost with the most at Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience
Tim Burton’s highly anticipated film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is releasing soon, and Warner Bros. is bringing The Afterlife Experience to LA to celebrate. Opening August 23, the experience puts you inside Burton’s imaginative world. Meet Beetlejuice and other ghoulies, enjoy themed food and drinks, browse exclusive merch, and encounter spectral surprises around every corner! Click here for tickets.
2. Grab a frighteningly good cup of joe at Rad Coffee
With spots like Burnt Umber, Roast the Dead, and Horror Vibes Coffee, LA is a great city for horror-themed coffee shops. Among these is Rad Coffee, a spot that blends skate culture with spookiness to create delicious classic & innovative drinks. Check out their website here.
3. Commune with the spirits as you sip on spirits at The Obscure
This one is for the witches, wizards, and fantastical creatures among us. Your reservation will grant you access to a ‘season,’ which includes three house spirits and three original cocktails from award-winning bartenders. You’ll kick back in an intimate and fantastical space straight out of a movie like Labyrinth, all while being guided by extraordinary stories and sensory delights. Book your spot here!
4. Find everything spooky under the summer sun at Halloween Town
Open all year, Halloween Town is a self-proclaimed horror headquarters for all who simply can’t wait until October. In the chillingly cozy space you’ll find props, home decor, apparel, collectibles, roys, fashion accessories, books, gifts, and more! Learn more here.
5. Step into a curious shop of oddities at the beloved Mystic Museum
Specializing in not just horror but in antiquities, oddities, and the occult, the Mystic Museum in Burbank has a little bit of everything. Besides countless props, recreations, figures, and more, the shop has regularly rotating themed art shows, interactive exhibits, custom photo ops, retail spaces, and events. Read more about them here and check out their website here!
6. Try to survive date night at the interactive horror experience Splittesville
The haunted house meets your next date night at this spine-chilling tale of mystery & romance. As you solve puzzles and work your way through the suspenseful narrative, you’ll have to make decisions that will determine how the story unfolds. Each ending is unique, so what happens next is up to you. Get your tickets here.
7. Everyday is Halloween at Beetle House
When a pop-up is so successful that it turns into a modern staple of Hollywood Boulevard, you know it’s going to be good. While it may be called Beetle House and Beetlejuice himself makes regular appearances, the spot is more generally a love letter to Tim Burton, Halloween, and horror. You’ll see icons like Chuckie the killer doll, Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas, and even Catwoman as you take in their one-of-a-kind food & cocktails. Learn more here!