If you’re looking for fall events in the South Bay, pumpkin festivals, Halloween activities, or simply fun things to do around Los Angeles this October, save this guide.
Fall in the South Bay may not come with changing leaves and sweater weather, but we make up for it with pumpkin races by the beach, outdoor festivals, Halloween carnivals, trunk-or-treats, waterfront celebrations, and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the community.
From Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach to Palos Verdes, San Pedro and Gardena, here are some of the best South Bay fall events and Halloween activities happening in 2026.
🍂 Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair
October 3–4, 2026
10:00 AM–6:00 PM
📍 Live Oak Park, Dorsey Field & Joslyn Center
Manhattan Beach
One of the biggest annual Manhattan Beach events, the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair is a South Bay tradition featuring food, live music, games, local vendors, community booths and activities.
The 54th annual fair takes place October 3 and 4 and is free to attend.
If you’re new to the South Bay, this is one of those local events that really captures the community feel of Manhattan Beach.
🎬 Sunset Cinema: Ghostbusters
October 10, 2026
6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Library Park
El Segundo
Looking for things to do in El Segundo this fall? Grab a blanket and enjoy an outdoor movie night at Library Park with a screening of Ghostbusters.
Sunset Cinema is an easy fall activity for families, couples and groups of friends looking for a laid-back Saturday night in the South Bay.
🐶 Dogtoberfest
Weekends, October 10–November 1, 2026
8:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 South Coast Botanic Garden
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Dog lovers, this one is for you.
Dogtoberfest at South Coast Botanic Garden runs on weekends from October 10 through November 1 and gives you another excuse to enjoy one of the prettiest outdoor spaces in the South Bay with your four-legged friend.
If you’re searching for dog-friendly fall events in the South Bay or things to do with your dog in Palos Verdes, add this one to your October calendar.
🎃 Rancho Palos Verdes Trunk or Treat
October 17, 2026
11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Ken Dyda Civic Center
Rancho Palos Verdes
Looking for family-friendly Halloween events in the South Bay? Rancho Palos Verdes hosts its annual Trunk or Treat at the Ken Dyda Civic Center.
Expect decorated trunks, trick-or-treating, kids’ entertainment, inflatables, face painting, games, giveaways, food vendors and a costume parade. Admission is free, with complimentary parking and shuttle service available from Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
👻 Sea Scare: Monsters of the Myth
October 17, 2026
7:00–10:00 PM
📍 Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
San Pedro
For a Halloween event with a South Bay coastal twist, head to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro for Sea Scare: Monsters of the Myth.
It’s a fun option if you’re looking for something a little different from the traditional pumpkin patch or neighborhood trick-or-treat.
🎃 Pumpkins in the Park
October 17, 2026
3:00–6:00 PM
📍 Perry Park
Redondo Beach
Add this one to your list of things to do in Redondo Beach this fall.
Pumpkins in the Park brings Halloween festivities to Perry Park and is a great afternoon activity for local families before heading into Halloween week.
🏁 Manhattan Beach World Famous Pumpkin Race
October 18, 2026
Festival begins at 12:00 PM
Pumpkin races begin at 2:00 PM
📍 Manhattan Beach Pier
Yes, people really race pumpkins down Manhattan Beach Boulevard — and it is exactly as entertaining as it sounds.
The 36th Annual World Famous Pumpkin Race transforms the Manhattan Beach Pier area into “Pumpkin Race Land,” where participants build pumpkin racers and send them speeding toward the beach.
The festival is free and includes activities for all ages. The festival starts at noon, with official races beginning at 2:00 PM.
This is easily one of the most unique Halloween events in Manhattan Beach and one of my favorite quirky South Bay traditions.
🍬 Annual Family Halloween Carnival
October 24, 2026
1:00–5:00 PM
📍 Manhattan Heights Park
Manhattan Beach
Another great option for families is Manhattan Beach’s Annual Family Halloween Carnival at Manhattan Heights Park.
The 2026 event takes place Saturday, October 24 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.
If you’re trying to pack several Halloween activities into October, Manhattan Beach definitely gives you plenty of options.
🍁 Harvest Festival at Terranea Resort
October 25, 2026
5:00–9:00 PM
📍 Terranea Resort
Rancho Palos Verdes
It’s hard to beat celebrating fall with an ocean view.
Terranea Resort’s Harvest Festival is set against the beautiful Palos Verdes coastline and is a great addition to a fall weekend in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Pair it with a sunset drive around the Peninsula or dinner nearby and you have a full South Bay fall evening.
🐾 Howl-O-Ween Dog Paw-rade
October 31, 2026
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Eastview Park
Rancho Palos Verdes
Halloween isn’t just for humans.
The Howl-O-Ween Dog Paw-rade in Rancho Palos Verdes is a fun way to kick off Halloween with your pup and meet other local dog owners.
If you love finding dog-friendly things to do in the South Bay, this is one of the cutest Halloween activities to add to your list.
💀 Día de los Muertos Festival
October 25, 2026
3:00–9:30 PM
📍 Historic Downtown San Pedro
Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Historic Downtown San Pedro with an afternoon and evening dedicated to community, culture and remembrance.
San Pedro always has a strong calendar of local community events, making this another great reason to explore the waterfront side of the South Bay.
🍭 Halloween Trick or Treat in Riviera Village
October 31, 2026
3:00–8:00 PM
📍 Riviera Village
Redondo Beach
If you’re looking for Halloween trick-or-treating in Redondo Beach, Riviera Village is one of the area’s most popular destinations.
Spend Halloween afternoon and evening walking through one of the South Bay’s most charming shopping districts while enjoying the festivities.
And while you’re there, grab dinner or drinks afterward — Riviera Village has plenty of restaurants within walking distance.
🎃 Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns
September 18–November 1, 2026
📍 South Coast Botanic Garden
Palos Verdes Peninsula
For one of the most Instagram-worthy fall activities in the South Bay, add Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns to your October bucket list.
The seasonal experience runs from September 18 through November 1, giving you multiple weekends to fit it into your fall schedule.
This is an especially fun option for a fall date night, family outing or night out with friends.
👯♀️ South Bay Babes Halloween Night
October 31–November 1, 2026
7:00 PM–12:00 AM
📍 Urban Palms
889 W. 190th Street
Gardena
And of course, I have to add our own Halloween celebration to the list!
South Bay Babes is a community I founded for women who live in or around the South Bay of Los Angeles and want to meet new people, make genuine connections and actually get out and do fun things together.
Throughout the year, we get together for everything from beach days, wine nights, brunches and happy hours to bike rides, workouts, paddleboarding, themed parties and wellness events.
For Halloween, we’re getting together at Urban Palms in Gardena from 7:00 PM until midnight.
If you’ve been wanting to make more girlfriends in the South Bay or just want more fun things on your social calendar, come join us.
Follow @southbaybabes on Instagram for upcoming South Bay Babes events.
Things to Do in the South Bay This Fall
One of my favorite things about living in the South Bay is that there’s always something happening — and October is one of the best months to get out and explore.
You could spend one weekend at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, the next racing pumpkins toward the Manhattan Beach Pier, celebrate Halloween in Riviera Village and still squeeze in Palos Verdes, San Pedro and Redondo Beach fall events along the way.
Whether you’re searching for South Bay fall events, Halloween events near Manhattan Beach, things to do in Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes fall activities, family-friendly South Bay events or things to do in Los Angeles in October, bookmark this list for the month ahead.
Know another great South Bay fall event that should be on the list? Send it my way — I’m always looking for more local favorites to add.