October Westside Insider

A Neighborhood Guide to Spooky Strolls, Creative Displays & October Events

Halloween on the Westside is about more than trick-or-treating. Think elaborately decorated homes, atmospheric residential streets, creative community events, pumpkin displays, and neighborhood pockets that come alive in October. Whether you’re looking for a scenic evening walk or a festive public event, these six neighborhoods offer different ways to experience the season.

1. Santa Monica

Classic neighborhood charm, creative displays & coastal atmosphere

Santa Monica offers a quintessential Westside Halloween experience, combining leafy residential streets with a walkable shopping district. The area around Montana Avenue is a particularly appealing starting point for anyone hoping to discover seasonal front-yard displays before heading toward the shops and cafés. For a more atmospheric outing, finish with a stroll along the bluffs at Palisades Park.

Where to explore:

Euclid Street, just south of Montana Avenue: A residential-street lead for a Halloween stroll. An older local report documented a theatrical attraction called the House of Restless Spirits at 1008 Euclid Street, but its return in 2026 has not been confirmed.
16th Street and Georgina Avenue: Previously highlighted in local Halloween coverage for elaborate residential decorations. Check for current displays before making a special trip.
Montana Avenue: Browse seasonal storefronts and cafés during the official Halloween Walk.
Palisades Park: A scenic public walking route for ocean views and a quieter sunset outing.

Event to know about:

Montana Avenue Halloween Walk , October 31, 2–5 p.m. A neighborhood commercial event featuring participating businesses, seasonal activities, and treats. Check the event organizer’s latest details before visiting: https://www.montanaave.com/events/halloween

Best for: A classic neighborhood stroll paired with shopping, seasonal storefronts, and coastal views.

2. Cheviot Hills

Storybook architecture, winding streets & residential Halloween charm

Cheviot Hills has a distinctly cinematic feel, with mature trees, traditional architecture, and English-cottage-style homes that look straight out of a gothic storybook. Rather than treating the neighborhood as an organized Halloween attraction, explore its public sidewalks and enjoy any decorations residents choose to display.

Where to explore:

Motor Avenue: A specific neighborhood lead for elaborately decorated homes mentioned in past Halloween coverage.
Danalda Drive: Previously noted for an elaborate spiderweb-and-witch-themed display. Its return in 2026 has not been verified.
The surrounding cottage-style residential streets: Look for distinctive rooflines, brick pathways, mature landscaping, and seasonal curb appeal.

Event note: No dedicated public Halloween event in Cheviot Hills has been confirmed for 2026. This is best presented as a scenic residential walk rather than a guaranteed Halloween display route.

Best for: A quieter, architectural Halloween outing with a storybook-gothic atmosphere.

3. Brentwood

Decorated residential pockets, curated fall displays & neighborhood events

Brentwood is worth exploring beyond its shopping destinations. Brentwood Glen is the strongest residential lead for Halloween decorations, while Brentwood Village and Brentwood Country Mart offer a more polished, commercial take on the season. Visitors can combine a short neighborhood walk with pumpkin displays, cafés, and organized fall events.

Where to explore:

Brentwood Glen , the alphabet-street pocket between Church Lane and Beloit Avenue: A documented neighborhood lead for decorated homes and jack-o’-lantern displays. Decorations vary each year, so check for current activity.
Brentwood Village, around San Vicente Boulevard and Barrington Avenue: A compact commercial district for cafés, restaurants, and seasonal storefronts.
Brentwood Country Mart: An outdoor shopping destination with a seasonal pumpkin patch and Halloween programming.
Crestwood Hills: A distinctive mid-century architectural neighborhood for a scenic outing, although no concentrated Halloween display route has been verified.
Mandeville Canyon: Better suited to a daytime scenic drive than an evening walking route because of its winding roads and limited pedestrian infrastructure.

Events to know about:

Brentwood Country Mart pumpkin patch , October 1–31: A seasonal stop for heirloom pumpkins and fall displays.
Outdoor movie night , October 30, 6–8 p.m.: Coco has been listed for the Country Mart’s fall movie series; confirm the screening before publishing.
Halloween Spectacular , October 31, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.: A scheduled event featuring a costume contest and trick-or-treating at participating businesses.

Event information: https://www.brentwoodcountrymart.com/events

Best for: A mix of residential Halloween atmosphere, curated seasonal displays, and organized public festivities.

4. Mar Vista

Local creativity, community performances & a less commercial Halloween

Mar Vista is a great option for those who prefer neighborhood character and community-led experiences over large-scale Halloween attractions. The area has a creative, locally rooted feel, with independent businesses and residential pockets that reward a relaxed stroll. Its strongest October draw is community programming rather than a verified street of elaborate Halloween decorations.

Where to explore:

Venice Boulevard’s commercial corridor: Browse neighborhood businesses, cafés, and storefronts for seasonal window displays.
Participating PorchFest locations: Follow the official event map and schedule rather than assuming every porch or yard is open to visitors.
Residential streets near the commercial district: Enjoy decorations visible from public sidewalks without approaching private homes.

Events to know about:

Spooky Saturday , October 17, 3–7 p.m.: Listed at Coeur d’Alene Avenue Elementary, with a haunted maze, games, a costume parade, food trucks, and an outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Confirm tickets and attendance details.
PorchFest , October 24–25, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: A free community festival featuring live music and performances at participating porches and outdoor spaces across Mar Vista and Culver City. Follow the official route and schedule.

Best for: Community arts, live performances, and discovering the neighborhood through local events.

5. Venice

Eclectic street life, canal-side atmosphere & creative Halloween energy

Venice is one of the Westside’s most distinctive places to explore around Halloween. Its blend of unusual architecture, colorful storefronts, street performers, and artistic culture makes the experience feel more spontaneous than traditional residential Halloween routes. The Venice Canals offer a quieter, atmospheric contrast to the livelier boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard.

Where to explore:

Venice Canals, including the area around Dell Avenue: A strong neighborhood lead for canal-side walks, bridges, and seasonal decorations visible from public paths. Displays vary by property and year.
Linnie Canal Park: The gathering point for the neighborhood’s organized Canalloween celebration.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard: Independent shops, galleries, cafés, and potential seasonal window displays.
Venice Beach Boardwalk: Public art, street performers, people-watching, and a lively atmosphere as Halloween approaches.

Event to know about:

Canalloween , October 31, 5–6 p.m.: Listed by the Venice Canals Association at Linnie Canal Park, with community festivities, music, and other seasonal activities. Confirm the current schedule before visiting.

Best for: Creative street culture, atmospheric walks, and a neighborhood-specific Halloween event.

6. Westwood

Collegiate atmosphere, public plazas & festive village events

Westwood offers a different kind of seasonal outing, with a walkable village, university surroundings, and public programming. Rather than relying on residential decorations, focus on the commercial streets around Broxton Avenue and organized events that bring people together.

Where to explore:

Broxton Avenue and Broxton Plaza: The heart of Westwood Village’s commercial district, with shops, restaurants, and a central public gathering area.
Westwood Village storefronts: Browse the commercial blocks for seasonal displays and stop for coffee or dessert.
UCLA’s publicly accessible outdoor areas: A scenic architectural detour, subject to campus access rules and event restrictions.

Events to know about:

Pup-o-Ween , October 24, noon–3 p.m.: Listed at Broxton Plaza, with spooky photo opportunities and a festive dog-friendly atmosphere. Admission is listed as free.
Halloween Spooktacular , October 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Listed at Westwood Recreation Center. Confirm the program and access details with the recreation center.

Best for: An easy-to-plan public outing with seasonal events, shopping, and a collegiate village atmosphere.

The Best Westside Halloween Experiences

For residential decorations: Brentwood Glen, Motor Avenue in Cheviot Hills, and the Santa Monica streets around 16th Street and Georgina Avenue.
For an atmospheric walk: Euclid Street near Montana Avenue or the Venice Canals.
For a creative community event: Mar Vista PorchFest.
For a seasonal shopping stroll: Brentwood Country Mart or Montana Avenue.
For a dog-friendly outing: Pup-o-Ween in Westwood Village.
For a public Halloween gathering: Canalloween at Linnie Canal Park or Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue Halloween Walk.

Quick Note Before You Go…

Residential decorations are not guaranteed, and individual homes are private properties rather than public attractions. Stick to public sidewalks, respect residents’ privacy, and confirm event dates, hours, and attendance requirements before visiting. Where a display has only been documented in previous years, verify that it is returning before promoting it as a 2026 destination.

The best way to experience Halloween on the Westside is to enjoy the atmosphere, discover local creativity, support neighborhood businesses, and let each area offer its own version of spooky-season magic.