We are open today from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

BE ADVISED: On Saturday, October 3, the LA Memorial Coliseum will host the USC vs. Washington football game. Kickoff is at 4:30 pm. This event will impact traffic, parking, and wayfinding in the area due to street closures. Please consider riding the Metro E (Expo) Line and exiting at USC/Expo station.

BE ADVISED: Due to a heat advisory, Spider Pavilion will be closed today (October 3) and Sunday, October 4. For questions or to reschedule your visit, please email info@nhm.org.

Haunted Museum 2024 Foyer R&C Tables

All-Ages Family-Friendly Event

Frightful Fun | Halloween Activities at the Museum 

Join us for a day of spooky science, curious creatures and creepy collections…if you dare!

Date

Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 9:30 am –5 pm

ico / location Created with Sketch.

Location

Natural History Museum
noun_Ticket_1703326_000000 Created with Sketch.

Tickets

Free with Museum Admission

Buy tickets

Frightful Fun | Halloween Activities at the Museum

Unearth a day of spooky science, curious creatures, and creepy collections this Halloween at the Natural History Museum of L.A. County

Step into the imaginative world of Mary Shelley with monster-crafting storytimes, examine bizarre bones from bats to snakes, and come face-to-face with live eight-legged critters during our arachnid meet-and-greet.

Plus, grab our self-guided Haunt and Hunt exploration guide to track down the Museum's most iconic spooky residents and discover why they aren't so frightful after all. Gather your "pack," bring your curiosity, and explore our full schedule of events below to plan your ultimate Halloween visit!

Schedule of Activities

Storytime + Create-A-Monster Activity

Lower Otis Booth Pavilion (Level G)

Step into the imaginative world of Mary Shelley, where science, storytelling, and creativity come together! Enjoy a reading of She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, then design your own extraordinary creatures using art, writing, and inspiration from museum collections.

  • Storytime with Museum Educators
    10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm
  • Create-A-Monster (Drop-in Activity)
    10 am–2 pm

Bizarre Bones: Halloween Activation Table

10 am–2 pm | Grand Foyer (Level 1)

Join Museum Educators to investigate bizarre bones from our collections! Discover the incredible adaptations found in the skeletons (or exoskeletons) of Halloween’s classic animal characters like bats, spiders, snakes, cats, and more.

Live Animal Meet & Greet: Arachnids 

3 pm | Nature Lab (Level G)

Come meet some eight-legged critters during our Live Animal Meet & Greet.

Haunt and Hunt: Halloween Exploration Guide

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt

Set out on a hauntingly fun adventure to find some of the Museum’s Halloween icons. Learn why these spooky residents may not be so frightful after all! Access the scavenger hunt online or pick up a hard copy from any ticket booth.

Costume Guidelines

Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Please follow these basic guidelines for a safe, inclusive, family-friendly experience for everyone:
All Museum rules apply.

  • No functional props or weapons are allowed.
  • No masks that cover the head and face.
  • Costumes of realistic depictions of American law enforcement, current American military uniforms, first responders, emergency medical personnel, or any official government agent are NOT allowed.
  • Costumes must not obstruct or impede the flow of traffic or entryways.