By Denise Ortuno
Ghosts and goblins, witch’s and monsters….ah, it’s a wonderful and magical time of year. If you’re into Halloween as much as I am, you will want to fill up on all of the Halloween fun that the Coachella Valley has to offer, and we are ghoulishly grateful that there are so many choices. From family friendly events, to adult only enjoyment and everything in between. So, let’s hop on a broom, don a bed sheet or fit on those fangs, and get into some freaky fun!
The Killing Floor with CarnEvil Haunted House – Parkwil Manor is back at it with another horrifying haunted house! Their creepy creations are spot on spooky, the next best thing to main stream haunted amusement. The Parkwil Manor production is located at The River in Rancho Mirage next to Babe’s BBQ, and runs from 7pm on selected dates through October 31st. For tickets and more info visit www.parkwilmanor.com.
The Sugar Witch – If you’re seeking a stage performance to get your Halloween blood pumping, then perhaps taking in the Southern Gothic Horror Tale production of The Sugar Witch, by Nathan Sanders at the Desert Rose Playhouse in Rancho Mirage, will get you going. The play runs on selected dates through October 28th. For more info and tickets visit www.desertroseplayhouse.org.
Halloween Nights at Desert Ice Castles – Fun for the whole family awaits at Desert Ice Castles Halloween skating event. Take to the ice for some haunted chills as spooky lights and music surround you. The event takes place October 26th, 27th, and 31st from 7pm to 9pm. For more info visit www.deserticastle.com.
Rocky Horror Picture Show – “Let’s do the time warp again!” This movie is a Halloween classic, with fabulous music, memorable characters, and some creepy moments and sing-a-longs. The freaky flick will be featured at the Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas on October 26th and 27th. For tickets and show times visit www.palmdesert.tristonecinemas.com.
Be a Bat Hero! – Take flight with the Friends of the Desert Mountains, as they get batty in search of glorious desert Bats! This Free event is fun for the whole family and encourages participants to dress up as their favorite superhero for prizes. The outdoor event takes place at the La Quinta Cove on October 28th, from 5pm to 7pm. Reserve your spot today! For more info and reservations visit www.desertmountians.org.
Halloween Spooktacular – Ace Hardware and Cathedral City present this Free family event with loads of fun including Trick-or Tricking, the Sunline Transits “Bus of Horrors”, BBQ from Bubba’s Bones and Brews, and so much more! There will even be a free kid’s movie at the Mary Pickford Theater for the first 135 guests at 3pm, featuring the film, Hotel Transylvania 2. The event takes place at City Hall on October 28th, from 12pm to 3pm. For more info visit www.discovercathedralcity.com.
Living Deserts Howl-O-Ween – This “not so spooky”, family event is in its 24th year of bringing Halloween fun to the community at the Living Desert in Palm Desert. Kids can come out and Trick-o-Treat (bring a bag), go Pumpkin Bowling, go through a Monster Maze, participate in Arts and Crafts and so much more! The event takes place on October 27th, from 9am to noon, and October 31st, from 6pm to 8:30pm. For more info visit www.livingdesert.org.
Fall Spectacular at Southwest Church – Bring the family out for wholesome Halloween activities at Palm Deserts Southwest Church, and enjoy Rides, Games, Food and Music, and of course plenty of candy! This Free event happens on October 28th from 5pm to 8pm. For more info visit www.southwestchurch.com.
Halloween Trick-o-Treating at Westfield Mall – It’s a win, win Halloween night, where you can go shopping and bring the kids out to Trick-o-Treat at Palm Deserts Westfield Mall. This Free event will have participating retailers who will be passing out plenty of tasty treats (bring your own bag)! No masks please. The event takes place from 6pm to 7pm on October 31st. For more info visit www.westfield.com.
Mall-o-Ween – Join the Indio Grand Market Place (old Indio Mall) for their 1st Annual Mall-o-Ween event! This Free event happens on October 31st from 3pm to 6pm and features a Haunted House, Petting Zoo, Face-Painting, a Costume Contest and Trick-o-Treating (bring your own bag)! For more info visit www.indiograndmarketplace.com.
Boo!Seum at the Children’s Discovery Museum – The Children’s Discovery Museum in Rancho Mirage will be presenting their 4th Annual candy alternative Halloween event on October 27th from 11am to 3pm. Kids can go Sticker-er-Treating, enjoy Ghoulish Games, Creepy Crafts, a Spooky Scavenger hunt and view a Mad Scientist lab. Plus, participate in the Costume Parade! For more info visit www.cdmod.org.
BB’s Halloween Bash – It is the deserts biggest Halloween bash hands down! The 34th Annual event takes place at Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs on Saturday, October 27th from 8:30pm to 2am. Get ready for a party with a variety of dance floors, DJ’s and live bands and plenty of bars to make pit stops along the way. And of course, a plethora scantily clad costumed men and women. This is a 21 and older event. For tickets and more info visit www.partywithBB.com.
Halloween Carnavale Palm Springs – Halloween comes alive at this annual celebration on Arenas Road in downtown Palm Springs on Wednesday, October 31st starting at 6pm! Revel in live entertainment with performers such as, Debby Holiday, Keisha D, Marina Mac and many more. Enter to win up to $1000 in cash and prizes with their costume contest. A $5 donation is suggested for the event. The event benefits the Desert Aids Project, Greater Palm Springs Pride, LGBT Community of the Desert and the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. For more info and VIP tickets visit www.halloweenpalmsprings.com.
Mr. Miami’s Halloween Party – Get wild at the Copa Nightclub in Palm Springs for Mr. Miami’s Halloween Party on October 27th, from 9pm to 2am! It will be easy to get your freak on at this Apocalypse themed party with DJ Supajames and DJ Banks, with special guest Bryce Vine, performing his hit, “Drew Barrymore”! $1000 prizes will be given out for the best costume for both male and female guests. This party is followed up with Copa Nightclubs Official Halloween Party on October 31st from 9pm to 2am, with Free entry all night long! The party will be featuring DJ John Paul and DJ Banks, hosted by Mr. Miami, along with a costume contest! Both events are 21 and older. For more info on either event, call 760-866-0021.
TerrorFest – Desert D.J. Entertainment presents TerrorFest on Saturday, October 27th from 8pm to 2am at the Tack Room in Indio! The event takes guests to the brink of terror with 4 stages of frightening fun to give you thrills and chills, with the Voodoo Stage, Satan’s Tavern, Black Magic Stage, and the Wicked Hex Stage. Be dressed in your best costume and enter their costume contest for a 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize. Pre-sale tickets are $20, and $25 at the door, 21 and older. For more info and tickets visit www.indioterrorfest.com.
There you have it, a variety of ways to enjoy the Halloween season in the Coachella Valley. Choose one, or choose them all, there is something for everyone! But whatever you do, have an awesomely spook-a-licious time, and get more treats than tricks. Boo!
