Days may still be warm in the Coachella Valley, but spooky season is here, and the region is full of spooky events to master tricks on.
From family-friendly skating and community costume contests to adult-only fun, Halloween has something for everyone to have a devilishly good time.
Riverside County Scare & Pumpkin Festival
Are you ready to celebrate spooky season? The Riverside County Fairgrounds transforms into the town of Plaza Fantasma for this month-long festival, perfect for family fun this fall. Enjoy pumpkin patches, photo ops, the Renda community, and friendly encounters with the town’s ghostly residents. Those brave enough to face real fear can pay an additional fee to enter the Carnival Carnivore Haunted House.
when: Friday from 5pm to 11pm. Saturday 10am to 11pm. Sundays from 10am to 10pm until October 31st
where: Riverside County Fairgrounds, 46-350 Arabia St., Indio
ticket: General admission is $8, admission to the Carnival Carnivore Haunted House is an additional $20 (use promo code LABORDAY for 50% off opening day “horror admission”)
More information: datefest.org
BARKtober Halloween Pet Costume Contest
This year, our favorite four-legged friends can get into the Halloween spirit at Animal Samaritans’ 3rd Annual Bartover Halloween Pet Costume Contest on the River in Rancho Mirage. Let your pet show off their best costume and you might win a prize.
when: Saturday, October 21st 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
where: The River, 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage
ticket: free
More information:tinyurl.com/BarktoberContest
halloween spooktacular skates
Looking for a family-friendly, not-too-spooky Halloween event? Don your costume and head to the Berger Foundation Iceplex for Tuesday’s Halloween Spooktacular Skate. This all-treat, no-trick event is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays while staying active with your loved ones. The event will feature a costume contest, free candy and spooky games.
when: Tuesday, October 24th 7:15pm – 8:45pm
where: Beger Foundation Iceplex, Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
ticket: $15, free costumed skate rental
More information: bergerfoundationiceplex.com/upcoming-events/
Drew Sebastian: Halloween Spooktacular
This Halloween celebration is not family-friendly. If he’s over 21 and looking for fun this holiday, head to Reforma and party with adult entertainer Drew and Sebastian, who host Papa’s His Cabaret. Expect plenty of live singing and dancing, along with special guest Joel Solis Dance Corps Mail Review.
when: Wednesday, October 25th 7pm
where: Reforma, 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
ticket: $15-$25 (plus one appetizer per person (required))
More information: Reformaps.com/events
coachella halloween carnival
A night of family-friendly spooky fun awaits at Coachella Halloween Carnival at Bagdouma Park. Children of all ages, from toddlers, tweens, teens, and adults, can show off their best costumes, play games, eat Food Car products, and enter contests and raffles. Masu.
when: October 26th (Thursday) 5:30pm – 7:30pm
where: Bagdouma Park, 51-723 Douma St., Coachella
ticket: free
More information: coachella.org
PS Underground Presents: BITE – Killer Prom
Looking for the ideal blend of horror and elegance? Dust off your prom dress or tuxedo (if you’ve beaten the odds and are still the same size) and check out the 10th installment of our annual vampire extravaganza. Please enjoy. Enjoy a fresh, horror-inspired twist on Chef Dave’s devilish four-course prom night menu. In the evening, unlimited cocktails, beer and wine will also be served, allowing guests to dance the night away to the sounds of Gund’s band.
when: Friday, Oct. 27, Saturday, Oct. 28, and Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
where: PS Underground, 1700 S. Camino Real, Suite 2, Palm Springs
ticket: $165
More information: psunderground.com/bite
Agua Caliente Casino Halloween Bash
Want to dance like a ghoul all night long? The third annual adults-only Halloween Bash returns to Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City. There will be performances by his LA All Stars, who appeared at the Sundance Film Festival, Warner Bros. Studios, and “The Bachelor.” Free Play will also feature a costume contest with prizes of up to $1,000, so don your creepy and spooky costumes (but keep in mind that full face paint or markings are not allowed inside the casino) please).
when: Saturday, October 28th 8pm
where: Agave Caliente Terraza, Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, 68-960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
ticket: Starting from $10
More information:aguacalientecasinos.com
howl o ween
A spooky and not-so-spooky time awaits Coachella Valley families at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in costume and enjoy all the fun the park has to offer, including trick-or-treating stations (bring your own bags), new limited edition animal trading cards, face painting, and more! Masu. , arts and crafts, photography, games, and of course lots of animals.
when: Saturday, October 28th and Sunday, October 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
where: Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert
ticket: Free with zoo membership or paid park admission
More information: livingdessert.org/event
Coachella Valley Symphony Halloween Spooktacular
Many of our favorite horror movies have great soundtracks, and now you can hear them performed live by the Coachella Valley Symphony Orchestra. Among the songs performed by the orchestra are John Carpenter’s main theme from Halloween, Ray Parker Jr.’s catchy Ghostbusters song, Hans Zimmer’s The Dark Knight and John Williams’ Contains songs from the score of “Superman”.
when: Sunday, October 29th, 3:00 p.m.
where: Rancho Mirage Amphitheater, 71-560 San Jacinto Drive, Rancho Mirage
ticket: Although free, attendees are encouraged to book their tickets online
More information: cvsymphony.com
Halloween Palm Springs in Arenas District
The Palm Springs Arena District Halloween celebration has it all: live music, costume contests, drinks for those 21 and older, and more. The night’s headliners will include Kermit Bashar of the Pussycat Dolls, David Hernandez of American Idol, and Luciana, the Queen of Electro.
when: Sunday, October 29th, 4pm to 10pm
where: Arena District in Downtown Palm Springs
ticket: General admission is free (a $10 donation to an LGBTQ+ charity is suggested). VIP All Access Pass costs $75
More information: halloweenpalmsprings.com
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Niki Kottmann is features editor at The Desert Sun.