Some things wicked this way come

Did you hear something?! Halloween creeps closer—soon it will be upon us. Take a break from coating your shrubbery with cobwebs, and dare to peek at what’s happening near you this Halloween/Day of the Dead.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!!! At LACMA, it’s not just Halloween—it’s also the last chance to check out the Tim Burton exhibit. It will be open for 38 straight hours, from 10 a.m. Sunday, October 30, until midnight on Halloween. All weekend long, the museum will host Burton-esque creative festivities. Kids can create props and use them in a free interactive storytelling session at noon on Saturday. Later that night, adults can attend a costume ball with live music and visual effects (tickets are $100). On Sunday, artist-led workshops and a horror film fest round out the entertainment.

Theatricum BOO-Tanicum

For a classic Halloween in a gorgeous setting, join Topanga’s Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum this Friday for an event all ages can enjoy. A not-too-scary haunted house will provide thrills without tears, and actors will read classic ghost stories while Shakespearean zombies, headless horsemen and witches haunt the grounds. You can bob for apples, carve a pumpkin and dine on organic chicken and waffles. Popular children’s musician Peter Alsop and others will provide live music, and a costume contest will be held in the lush canyon venue.

East Los Angeles Civic Center

Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and Los Angeles County Public Library have teamed to present a free Día de los Muertos cultural festival. The celebration features a community altars contest from local families, Day of the Dead-themed art, and a performance and lecture by Gregorio Luke, former director of the Museum of Latin American Art. It all takes place Wednesday, November 2, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the East L.A. Civic Center, 4837 East 3rd Street.

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

At Griffith Park, the brave among us can find their thrills on the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, a 25-minute terror trip with ghosts, monsters and—gasp—clowns. There also will be a ghoul-filled maze and a sideshow with food, magic shows, rides and games. The event runs every day through October 31; $25 gets you the hayride and side show, and $10 more will get you into the maze . . . if you dare.

The Autry

If you’re looking for Day of the Dead entertainment, The Autry presents “¡Vivan Los Muertos!” Artists will display their altars and calaca (skeleton) art, traditional food will be served, and visitors will be able to try their hand at mask-making and other crafts. Music, ceremonial dancing and Aztec blessings will add to the atmosphere as ancestors are honored in line with cultural tradition.

“Trick-or-Treat” safely

Wherever you trick-or-treat this year, do it safely with these basic safety tips from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Among other things, their experts remind that some candies, especially those made outside the United States, are known to contain lead. So as we wind up National Lead Poisoning Awareness Week, check out Public Health’s anti-lead campaign, and use this handy flyer to know which candies to avoid. Together, we can make sure the only “damage” Halloween candy does this year is to your diet. Happy haunting!

Posted 10/27/11