Get ready to see Viva Magenta everywhere. We’re not mad about it.
In case you missed it, Pantone named the 2023 Color of the Year. We’ve been rocking Veri Peri, a blue-violet shade that we’re betting you’ve been seeing these past 12 months, but with 2022 coming to a close, we’re leaning into our new color obsession for ’23: Viva Magenta. Even just saying it is enough to get us excited.
What is Viva Magenta? According to Pantone, it’s “a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. [It] is brave and fearless, a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” How can we not be totally inspired?
This juicy pigment gives bold and rebellious vibes, but without being too harsh. According to Pantone, the color psychology embodies confidence, grace, and humanity. It also encourages us to remember that we never know what our family, friends, or strangers are going through, and to show up with empathy and compassion. We have zero argument with that.
You don’t have to just wear Viva Magenta, either! We have more than 50 ways to bring this good-mood hue into your life.
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Kelly Clarkson may have just won the award for cutest mom-daughter “date night”
When your mom is Kelly Clarkson, it’s to be expected that that just comes with certain perks. For example, Clarkson attended Tuesday night’s People’s Choice Awards, but turned the glamorous, star-studded event into a mother-daughter date night with her eight-year-old mini-me, River Rose. Are we jealous of an eight-year-old right now? No comment.
Clarkson and River Rose spent the evening together, posing on the red carpet and rubbing elbows with Hollywood’s biggest stars. Clarkson wore a red ruffled gown, and River Rose was dressed to impress on the red carpet in a shiny gold dress. The two posed with celebs like Mariska Hargitay, as if this night could get any cooler. Not only did River Rose get to attend an A-list event with her momma by her side, both of them dressed to the nines, but she also got to meet Olivia Benson herself? That’s one lucky kiddo.
Todd Williamson/E! Entertainment/NBC
When her talk show won the Best Daytime Talk Show award, Clarkson took the stage and gave shout outs to River Rose, and her six-year-old son Remington, who was home sick the night of the event.
“Thank you all so much, this is awesome,” she said onstage. “I’m having a date night with my daughter, River Rose. And, Remy, I know you’re home, you’re not feeling well, baby. But this is cool to get, and thank you Niecy [Nash] for hosting my show while I was sick.”
Mark Von Holden/E! Entertainment/NBC
Clarkson continued, “This is very cool to get. This is where the people vote, and for the last 20 years that’s been my career. This is very important to me and this is why I have career: because y’all have been supporting me for that long.”
At the end of her speech, Clarkson hinted at even more fun ahead for her sweet date night with River Rose.
“Thank you all so much, I’m going to go have ice cream with my baby girl!” she said. Ending this event with a sweet treat? We can truly think of nothing better.
Wondering what’s open on Christmas Day in Los Angeles? Turns out, there are 20+ plus fun things to do on this special day in LA
After you’ve opened all the gifts, overcooked the holiday ham, and heard Uncle Morty tell the same joke for the 1,000th time, you may want want to escape the house for a spell—instead of googling “what’s open near me” and wonder what to do on Christmas Day, it turns out, we can answer your question about things to do on Christmas Day here—and turns out, there’s quite a lot open on Christmas Day in Los Angeles for families! Whether you want ride coasters on the pier, gobble popcorn during a Marx Brothers double feature or prefer to head to the mountains for a day of snow play, from where to go on Christmas Day to things that are open on Christmas Day, we have you covered from holly to jolly.
When you're wondering what to do on Christmas Day, one of our favorite spots is Pacific Park—especially if your littles need to burn off some post gifting energy. Open Christmas Day from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., families can enjoy rides, games and a few food outlets. The famous Pacific Wheel offers breathtaking views of the coastline from 130 feet in the sky, and you’ll likely spot some lovely holiday lights as well.
Cost: Admission to Pacific Park is free, while rides and attractions are priced individually ranging $5- $12. Ride tickets and packages are available online or onsite at the ticket booth.
380 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica Online: pacpark.com
2. Angel’s Flight Railway
Open 356 days a year, including holidays, Angels Flight Railway is an iconic LA experience that makes for a fun Christmas Day outing. From 6:45 a.m.-10 p.m., the 118-year-old funicular takes guests on a short and steep ride between Hill St. and Grand Ave. on Bunker Hill downtown.
Cost: At just a $1 fare each way, it’s a Christmas miracle!
Even though the Page Museum is closed on Christmas, you can still explore the incredible grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Pint-sized paleontologists can observe actual tar bubbling to the surface, check out the Lake Pit, and stroll through this active dig site. But the piece de resistance is the steep grass hill outside the museum—perfect for rolling down over and over and over again.
5801 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles Online:tarpits.org
If you’ve been dying to cheer on the Rams this season, but tickets have been too pricey or hard to come by, you might want to investigate seats for Christmas Day. Kick-off is 1:30 p.m. when our hometown Superbowl champs take on the Denver Broncos. Who's house? Rams house!
Sofi Stadium 1001 Stadium Dr. Inglewood Online:therams.com
5. El Capitan Theater
Are theaters open on Christmas Day? For many families, catching an afternoon movie on Christmas Day is a time-honored tradition, and there’s no more enchanting spot than the El Capitan Theater. Over the holidays, the theater is scheduled to show Avatar: The Way of Water in 3D, and the auditorium will be transformed with a dazzling themed light display.
It’s thrilling to visit Chinatown any time of year but going on Christmas Day is an extra special treat without all the crowds. Select vibrant shops and restaurants will be open, including our absolute go-to for some of the most to-die-for Chinese food in LA, Yang Chow.
Behold the beauty of Echo Park Lake as you glide along in a swan pedal boat. From 9 a.m. - 10:15 p.m., rentals are available for a one-hour duration and most boats can accommodate up to five people. Nighttime rentals begin at sunset with swans decked out in lights and give guests a special opportunity to take in the sparkling city skyline and crisp evening air. Guests may bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages aboard as well. Reservations are required.
Cost: Prices are $11 per adult and $6 per child (ages 17 and under).
Every winter a few LA beaches get their annual sand berms to protect against storms and high surf and this means sand sledding season is officially underway! Grab the smoothest saucer you can find at your local sporting goods store and check out the berms at Venice Beach (the most well-known), Dockweiler Beach, Zuma Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Point Mugu for a day of nonstop fun. We’ve got a rundown of the best places to go sand sledding in Los Angeles.
9. LA Kings Holiday Ice at LA Live
LA Kings Holiday Ice at LA Live will be back in full force on Christmas Day. So, dust off your winter hat and mittens for a spin around the breathtaking Christmas tree in the center of the rink. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Cost: General admission is $25 per person and $20 for kids ages 6 and under and includes skate rental—these are only available on site at the rink. However, a limited number of $45 fast passes are available daily via advance purchase online if you want to skip the hassle and guarantee your entry.
Round up your posse and mosey on over to Sunset Ranch Hollywood for a holiday horse ride to remember. The ranch will be open Christmas Day and is offering 1-hour day rides on the Mulholland Trail and 2-hour evening rides on the Mt. Hollywood Trail. Reservations must be booked in advance online. Yippy kay yay!
Cost: Prices start at $65-$145 per person depending on the ride you choose.
Between the dazzling holiday lights and music at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the never-ending fun of Grinchmas, Christmas Day is an ideal time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood. Open from 9 a.m.-10 p.m., the park simply sparkles this time of year–decked out with festive décor, delicious treats, a gigantic Dr. Seuss inspired Christmas tree, and even a nightly snowfall.
Cost: Tickets for Christmas Day are $134 per person.
Even though it might be chilly, LA Beaches are open on Christmas Day and it’s an awesome opportunity to test out that swell new surfboard Santa left under the tree. And instead of whipping up an exhausting Christmas dinner, what about having a beachside picnic instead? Just picture yourself lounging by the water, soaking in the sunset view, and having zero dishes to wash. You're welcome.
Fingers crossed, this winter will deliver lots of powder to local mountains. Activities like skiing, snowboarding and sledding are super fun ways to spend the holiday. SoCal resorts including Mt. High, Snow Valley, Mt. Baldy, Bear Mountain, and Snow Summit will be open to visitors on Christmas Day. Here’s our full list of kid-friendly snow play near LA.
14. Neighborhood Holidays Lights
While some of the specialty events that feature holiday lights will be closed on Christmas Day, your best bet for light peeping are the wonderful neighborhoods that do it up in style. From the Venice Canals and Christmas Tree Lane to Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills and Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena, these folks really inspire yuletide cheer.
15. Whale Watching in Los Angeles
Gray whale migration kicks off in Dec. as these gigantic creatures make their way south to warmer waters in beautiful Mexico (take us with you!). An amazing thing to do on Christmas Day? Book a whale watching cruise, and make this a holiday truly one for the history books.
Lucky for us, LA has some of the most impressive hiking trails in the country. So work off that extra cup of eggnog and hit up one of the local trails for fresh air and communing with nature. Popular trails like Runyon Canyon, Franklin Canyon, Griffith Park and others will be open all day.
If you’ve always wanted to introduce your kiddos to the hilarity of the Marx Brothers, take advantage of the free time and make this one of your things to do on Christmas Day! New Beverly Cinema will be screening the Marx Brothers classics—Animal Crackers and Horse Feathers as a double feature on Christmas afternoon.
Cost: Tickets are $12 per person.
7165 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles Online: thenewbev.com
Pirates of all ages are invited to take part in an interactive and totally epic dinner show that will have the whole family cheering, "Arrrrgh!" This elaborate, live-action theater production features incredible swordplay, aerial artistry, acrobatics, and a delicious pirate feast.
Cost: Adults are $65.95 and kids ages 3-11 are $39
If pirates aren’t your jam and you’d rather spend your night with knights, Medieval Times is right up your alley. This exciting dinner show features a Queen, squires, battling knights, magnificent horses, flying falcons, and a four-course feast fit for a king!
The mouse house is always open and Christmas Day is no different. With Disneyland and California Adventure both beautifully decorated for the holidays, it’s no wonder both parks get more crowded than you might think on this day. Because advance reservations are required and it’s one of the most popular times of the year to go, we highly recommend getting your tickets asap before they sell out.
Blake Lively’s speech honoring Ryan Reynolds at his American Cinematheque Award reception is seriously swoon-worthy
If you were to poll 100 Americans, Family Feud-style, on what celebrity couple is the most #CoupleGoals, we would bet Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds would show up pretty high on the board. These two have always been prone to putting their absolutely sappy love for one another front and center, and a speech that Lively gave recently at a reception honoring her husband was certainly no exception.
Lively took the stage in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton for a reception where Reynolds accepted the 36th American Cinematheque Award, and during her speech, there wasn’t a single person in the audience who didn’t let out at least one audible, “Aww.” As she paid tribute to her husband, Lively specifically called out his “heart, his philanthropy, his humor, his integrity, his unmatched work ethic,” but, most importantly, she also focused on his deep love for his family.
“He had to check into his home base,” Lively said of times when Reynolds has been away from home, filming his many movie and TV projects on location around the world. “It was essential to keeping him grounded, to keeping him sane, to keeping him, him.”
She continued, “And now I am his home and our girls are his home. And just like that 19 year old boy, he races home. Whether it’s from across the globe or a meeting across the street, he is hardwired to get home. If he came home from set not in his wardrobe, we would be very concerned. Soaked in mud, fake blood, real blood, prosthetic scars, superhero suits, tap shoes, or clown makeup, daddy always comes home.”
If you need to pause here and grab a tissue, go right ahead.
Reynolds and Lively share three daughters together — 7-year-old James, 6-year-old Inez, and 3-year-old Betty — and Lively is currently expecting their fourth child. Before the ceremony, Reynolds showed off his bracelets — that his daughters made for him — to reporters on the red carpet.
Grab your cozy jackets and head to a Christmas tree lighting ceremony that is so much more than just a few lights on a tree—from fireworks and faux snow to Grammy award winning performers—Los Angeles knows how to really jumpstart the holiday season
There is something magical about turning on the lights of a Christmas Tree… Something about the “Three…two…one….” —not to mention the celebration before and after the lights go on! that gets us in the mistletoe mood. Luckily, Los Angeles has no shortage of tree lightings. Whether you want to see the Grove light up the night or the towering pyramid of lights twinkling over the ocean at the Manhattan Beach Pier—you’ve got plenty of choices when it comes to Yuletide dazzlement. Check out the below events, listed by date so if you miss one, you can quickly find another Christmas tree lighting ceremony that is sure to impress. Of course, take all that holiday magic and apply it to the rest of the month—don’t miss our favorite places to buy Christmas trees in LA, the best holiday light displays in Los Angeles that are worth your time and money, and last, but not least, where to get tickets to all the kid-friendly Nutcracker shows nearby that kids (and adults!) will adore.
1. Christmas Tree Lighting at the Manhattan Beach Pier
Manhattan Beach does more than just light a Christmas tree on its annual holiday lighting event—it lights up all 900-feet of its popular pier, with the totem "tree" (which is really just strings of lights forming a massive cone) jutting up from the roof of the end-of-the-pier aquarium. The festivities start at 5 p.m. with a visit from Santa, then continues all night long leading up to the lighting ceremony. Throughout the night, all the Downtown shops hand out free holiday treats in honor of the event—and kids will want to stop and see the live reindeer (!) in front of Pages, the quaint beach town's popular small bookstore. Throughout the night, roving carolers will be strolling the streets, singing holiday songs to all who listen—and the local school choirs will sing leading up to the lighting ceremony, at which point the town mayor flips the switch and the crowds are allowed to walk down the newly-illuminated pier.
Date: Wed. Nov. 16; 5-8:30 p.m. (Christmas tree lights turn on at 7 p.m.)
Welcome the holidays, red carpet style! Enjoy Rodeo Drive's glitzy shops, all done up in holiday cheer, then watch as the towering Christmas tree lights blaze on before a grand finale of fireworks. This year's celebration will feature performances by sixteen-time Grammy award-winning musician, songwriter and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star Katharine McPhee, who will will perform live with new holiday songs and old favorites. Of course, Santa will also be on hand for the event.
Can't make it to the lighting ceremony? The celebration doesn't end there! Pump up your holiday spirit by visiting Beverly Hills' dazzling display of holiday light installations, all running nightly through Jan. 1. These include "Glowing Gardens" at Beverly Cañon Gardens, "Lights on the Lily Pond" at Beverly Gardens Park, and "Unwrap the Magic" at Beverly Hills City Hall Tower. There will be also be live caroling, dancing, craft-making and more at Greystone Mansion and Gardens’ holiday celebration on Dec. 3-4.
Keep kids up past their bedtimes for the shopping destination's 20th annual star-studded tree lighting extravaganza, which willfeature live performances from Gloria Estefan, Andy Grammer, Little Big Town, and David Foster & Kat McPhee. This year's spectacular is being held in partnership with CBS for its “A Home for the Holidays at The Grove” TV special. The hourlong special, which will air Dec. 23 on CBS, aims to shine a light on the thousands of American children in foster care and help get these kids into "forever families."
The cameras will be rolling, so make sure you and your brood are "Lights, camera, action!"-ready as you gather around the Grove's 100-foot-tall white fir tree, which will be adorned in 15,000 sparking lights and 10,000 ornaments. The forecast also calls for a (faux) snowfall—and fireworks—so kids will be sufficiently wowed.
Of course, with all the glitz and glamour on stage, the only star your kid will want to see is Santa. And word has it that he'll be making an appearance, too—so get those holiday wish lists in order!
Your little elves can make lots of merriment in DTLA with the official lighting of Los Angeles County’s Christmas tree at the Music Center's 35,000-square foot outdoor plaza. Enjoy the sweet sounds of holiday favorites from local music artists and community groups, then gather around the magnificent 75-foot-tall tree to watch it twinkle with holiday lights. Word has it, there may even be hot chocolate.
Date: Mon. Nov. 28; 5 p.m.
Music Center Plaza 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles Online:musiccenter.org
5. Christmas Tree Lighting at Union Station
The historic station will illuminate its towering tree with thousands of glistening lights on the majestic South Patio as snow drifts from the sky in a classic kickoff to the holiday season. The festive, family-friendly celebration will also feature performances from the vintage voices of The Beverly Belles and party band, Weekend Celebrity, along with a “live” mural from eclectic artist Septerhed and special appearance from the North Pole's most special guy. There will also be a holiday arts and crafts zone, custom photo opps, Santa selfies, and free hot cocoa and holiday cookie bars.
Date: Wed., Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m (tree lighting is at 7:15 p.m.)
If you want to get your holiday shopping done while you're celebrating the kickoff of the holiday season, head to the Santa Monica Promenade, where the city's annual holiday celebration, Winterlit, transforms Third Street Promenade and Downtown Santa Monica into an immersive Yuletide experience, with tens of thousands of lights and a smorgasbord of seasonal decor at every turn. The grand lighting of the Promenade's 24-foot-tall tree is an all-out extravaganza that will feature performances by local school groups, free photos with Santa, and snowy skies sure to delight all those beach babies.
Historic Culver City will once again host its spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration—this year with 25 tons of fresh sled-ready snow! The Tree Lighting Ceremony will include a 30-minute show of singing, dancing, and music by local kids and a countdown to the the big reveal led by the mayor. The “Sled-tacular Festival” promises to be a Winter Wonderland, with enough snow for lots of slippery sliding and snowball-rolling. Expect snowmen, games, booths, treats, and a special visit from Santa.
Can't make it? The event will be live-streamed and viewable 6-6:45 p.m. on the city's website.
Date: Thurs., Dec. 1; 5-8:30 p.m. (Sled-tacular Festival begins 5 p.m.; Tree Lighting show and countdown takes place from 6-6:30
Snow is in the forecast at this Simi Valley annual event, which features a whole roster of activities for kids plus live music, food and drinks for all. The event kicks off midday with a bounce house and activities for the kids including visits with both Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Come hungry (and thirsty!), as there will be a beer garden, farmers market and hot foods for sale. The tree lighting will be followed by a performance by oldies cover party band Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries. Make sure to dress warm—the snow will be falling!
Good to Know: Mrs Claus visits at 2 p.m.; Santa visits at 6 p.m.; the Christmas tree lighting is at 6:15 p.m.; Snowfall takes place at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will be held from 7-8 p.m.; The Night market is open from 7-10 p.m.
9. 100th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony in Altadena
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Winter Festival is back in Altadena, where a stretch of Santa Rosa's iconic deodar cedar trees have been lighting up for the holidays since 1920 (it's reportedly the oldest outdoor Christmas tree display in the world). The kickoff event, the Winter Festival, will take place at the library and will include tasty seasonal treats and drinks, as well a holiday craft market featuring local artisans. From there, head out to the streets and watch with the crowd as the lights go on for the season.
Good to Know: Daytime festivities center around the Altadena Public Library. The lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. Don't miss "Christmas Tree Lane" —one of the best holiday light displays in Los Angeles and takes place on Santa Rosa Ave. between Woodbury Rd. and Altadena Dr.
Make your Trunk-or-Treat extra sweet with these cool decorating kits
You’ve gotten the family’s costumes all ready. Even the dog is decked out. And if you’re planning on a Trunk-or-Treat event, you’ll need to make sure your trunk is spook-tacular, too! Skip trying to whip up a whole theme on the fly and check out these Trunk-or-Treat decorating kits to make sure you win the Spunkiest Trunk Award!
Roll out the red carpet, er, tongue, for trunk-or-treaters with this easy set!
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
From costume parties to pumpkin carving (and catapulting!), check out more than 20 Halloween events in NYC for family-friendly, spooky fun
Hey, boo! Explore New York City’s spooky side this October. Halloween is coming, which means that New York City is about to be filled with festive events where you and the kids (ahem, you and your little superheroes, witches, monsters, and princesses) can celebrate with gusto! And by celebrate, we of course mean with creepy stories, haunted houses, ghouls, and ghosts of all kinds. Join costume parades (or have your dog join one), make Halloween-themed crafts, learn about the traditions and animals that are associated with the holiday, carve some pumpkins, and so much more!
Or, if you’re looking for something a bit different, participate in some more unconventional Halloween activities, like spooky slime making and pumpkin flinging. Whatever you decide to attend, you can be sure that the kids will get a kick out of 2022’s spooky Halloween NYC family events! Pro tip: remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint, to All Hallow’s Eve!
Halloween Festival at Bleecker Playground
The Friends of Bleecker Playground are hosting a fundraising Halloween festival, raising money to benefit the community. Join a mini-parade perfect for the little ones, that starts at Abingdon Square at 10. The playground will be decked out with entertainment for the kids, including face painting, crafting, music, and more.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated
Sun., Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Bleeker Playground
Bleecker St. & W 11th St.
West Village Online:bleeckerplayground.org
Halloween Extravaganza at Franz Sigel Park
Get tricks and treats at the annual Halloween Extravaganza. In addition to the usual Halloween fun—cool costumes, pet parade, and creepy crafts—this park party also has slime making, Tarot readings, and an interactive Story Walk from Emit Theatre.
Cost: Free
Sat., Oct. 29, 1-5 p.m.
Franz Sigel Park
East 158th St.
Concourse Online:eventbrite.com
The Music of Halloween Spooktacular at Brooklyn Bowl Have a rocking good time with the Rock and Roll Playhouse, where the sounds of classic rock meet Halloween classics. This family-friendly concert encourages kids to dance and sing along, and is a great first introduction to classic rock.
Cost: $15, free for those 1 year old and younger
Sun., Oct. 30, 12 p.m.
61 Wythe Ave.
Williamsburg Online:brooklynbowl.com
Boo Bash at Randall’s Island Pre-party on Randall’s Island for an extra chance to show off your cool costumes. Dress up and visit the island for the annual Boo Bash, which features themed crafts, games, treats, and more.
Cost: Free
Sun., Oct. 30, 12-3 p.m.
103rd Street Footbridge
Randall’s Island Online:randallsisland.org
Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park
Heads up: This Halloween Harvest will send your pumpkin creation soaring to great heights… literally! Carve out an epic pumpkin then send it flying with the pumpkin catapult at the second annual “Flight of the Gourds.” It’s pumpkins galore, with pumpkin art workshops, a creative spin on costume creation, and face painting. Plus, bring your pooch in his best costume and join the dog costume contest—or just stand back and watch other people’s dapper doggos!
Cost: Free
Sat., Oct. 30, 12-5 p.m.
32-01 Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City Online:socratessculpturepark.org
Halloween Costume Party at Westchester Square Don your favorite costumes and head over to this costume party for a fun family bash. Kids ages 2-15 are invited to participate in games, win prizes, make arts and crafts, and more. There will be vendors on site for food, drinks, and, of course, dessert and candy.
Kids Costume Party at Dazzled Art Join the Dazzled Utopia Art Studio for a pre-Halloween costume party. Kids will create art, dance, sing, chow down on pizza, and have the chance to win prizes. The party is open to kids ages 3-12 years old.
Cost: $30
Sun., Oct. 30, 3-5 p.m.
1261 Ralph Ave.
East Flatbush Online:dazzledart.com
Dumboween at the Dumbo Archway This charming Halloween mini-parade and party is, by its own admission, “sometimes spooky, always adorable.” March over to the Dumbo Archway and kick off with a children’s party, complete with a lively brass band, arts and crafts from the Creatively WILD Art Studio, a photobooth, and more. Enter costume competitions, go trick or treating among over 50 participating businesses in the area, and take spooktacular photos throughout the evening.
Cost: Free
Mon., Oct. 31, 4:30-7 p.m., march to the Archway begins at 4 p.m.
Dumbo Archway
155 Water St.
Dumbo Online:dumbo.is
Monstrous Museums, Gardens, and Centers around NYC
Halloween Costume Dog Show at Williamsbridge Oval Watch costumed pooches strut their stuff at the Pet Fashion Show at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. Bring the family pet, or just come and watch as dogs show off their costumes, participate in obstacle courses, and pose for furry photo-ops.
Cost: Free
Fri., Oct. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
3225 Reservoir Oval East
West Bronx Online:nycgovparks.org
Hands on History: Spooky Season at King Manor This month’s Hands on History features a spooky twist. Learn about the author Washington Irving and his famous 1820 story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Make a craft to take home inspired by the scary story: Headless Horseman paper pumpkin masks!
Monster Bash at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan CMOM has a packed October, full of creepy and fun Halloween fun and activities. Here’s just a small sample:
Oct. 22 & 23: Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun, according to MakerSpace! Create your very own monster using “junk” like socks, boxes, fabric, and other mixed media materials.
Oct. 25-28: Dress up with PlayWorks in the Monster Party Hats event, where kids can design hats and headbands, then wear them as they play and pretend.
Oct. 25-28: Make some fancy eyewear with Inside Art, at the Monster Vision Goggles workshop.
Every day has different events to explore! Plus, throughout the Monster Bash, kids can participate in scavenger hunts, listen to read-alongs of scary (but not too scary!) stories, play Halloween-themed party games, and much more.
Price: Free with admission
Tues., Oct. 18-Sun., Oct. 31
The Tisch Building
212 West 83rd St.
Upper West Side Online:cmom.org
Hallowscream at Chelsea Recreation Center This Halloween event is a scream—literally! The Chelsea Recreation Center has been spookified, turning it into a haunted house. Brave the “Fright Walk,” where scary special effects, frightening images, jump scares, spooky audio, and an eerie fog cover the path. Only bring your bravest family members for this one! Adults are urged to make sure their little ones are handling the frights fine, especially if they’re under 13 years old.
Cost: Free
Sat., Oct. 22, 1:30-6 p.m.
430 West 25th St.
Chelsea Online:eventbrite.com
Living History: Cooking Spooky Treats at the NY Historical Society Go back in time with historical interpreter Cheyney McKnight and make your own treats to enjoy this Halloween. Families will work together to create an edible cookie dough “sandpit” that hides yummy surprises. No baking required! Then, dig in while you listen to family-friendly scary stories.
Cost: Free with admission
Sun., Oct. 23, 1-3 p.m.
170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th St.)
Upper West Side Online:nyhistory.org
Haunted House at the Williamsbridge Oval Oh no! The Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center has been overtaken by ghouls, witches, ghosts, and other creepy critters that go bump in the night. Visit the space for a haunted house event that’s appropriate for all ages.
Cost: Free
Fri., Oct. 28, 7-9 p.m.
3225 Reservoir Oval East
West Bronx Online:nycgovparks.org
Irish Halloween at the Irish Arts Center Learn about Irish traditions and the annual Halloween / Oíche Shamhna festival through this interactive experience held by the Irish Arts Center. The Arts Center’s new building appears to be haunted! Kids (and their caretakers) are invited to dance, sing, and scare the ghosts away. Browse the spooky location and explore Ireland’s myths, legends, language, and history. This hour-long program is free but requires a timed entry ticket.
Halloween at the Garden at Queens Botanical Garden Wear your costume to the Queens Botanical Garden for an afternoon full of Halloween fun. Walk along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, make themed arts and crafts, learn about creepy crawlies that live in your compost pile, listen to live music, and watch a magic show. Adults can enjoy harvest beers and ciders from the Beer & Wine Garden, and purchase food and refreshments for the family from local food vendors.
Cost: $7.39/adult, $3.18/child, free for those 3 years old and under
Sun., Oct. 30, 12-5 p.m.
43-50 Main St.
Flushing Online:queensbotanical.org
Fall-O-Ween at the NY Botanical Garden The New York Botanical Garden has a packed Fall events calendar, with tons of seasonal harvest- and Halloween-themed programs and special attractions:
Oct. 15 & 16: Join the Pumpkin Carving Face-off Weekend to design your own pumpkin or watch three pumpkin carving masters face off for the most intricate—and terrifying—creation.
Oct. 22 & 23: It’s the Pumpkin Parade Weekend! Wear your best costume and participate in a festiva parade in the garden. Kids can help decorate before the parade, then check out giant pumpkins, watch a pumpkin carving demonstration, and learn about how growers get their pumpkins to grow to such enormous sizes.
Oct. 22 & 29: Stay after hours for the Spooky Pumpkin Garden Nights, and explore the gardens by flashlight, meeting giant skeletons and spooky scarecrows along the way.
In addition to these events, throughout autumn the children’s garden will be decorated with cute and scary scarecrows, and pumpkins of all shapes and colors will be on display.
Cost, date, and time varies; events throughout October
2900 Southern Boulevard
The Bronx Online:nybg.org
Spooky Crafts, Readalongs, and More at Your Local Library If you’re looking for a free Halloween- or fall-themed activity for your little ones, look no further than your local library. Various branches across all the boroughs have scheduled festive events and workshops for kids (and adults) of all ages. Make spooky crafts (either at the library or through to-go kits), listen to scary stories, watch movies, make slime, and much more!
Halloween Programs at Alley Pond Alley Pond has a full weekend of spooky events planned for kids, starting with the Not-So-Spooky Spiders and Snakes—an exploration of these amazing and often misunderstood animals and arachnids, with some live guests! Other events include chances to meet more animals considered “scary,” make Halloween-themed snacks, read spooky stories, create themed artworks and crafts, and participate in a Halloween party.
Cost, date, and time varies by program
224-65 76th Ave.
Oakland Gardens Online:alleypond.org
Halloween on the Farm at the Queens County Farm Museum Celebrate Halloween on NYC’s oldest working farm. Get lost (or rather, try not to) in the Amazing Maize Maze, a three-acre labyrinth among corn stalks. Your ticket also includes access to a spooky farmhouse, Halloween hayrides, a DJ dance party, an Adopt-a-Worm composting program, and a trick-or-treating event with the farm animals, which sends you on a hunt to find nine special stations throughout the farm. Local food vendors are on hand to feed hungry tummies and fresh produce will be available to purchase at the Farmstand.
Cost: $22.16, free for those 3 years old and younger
Sun., Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
73-50 Little Neck Pkwy.
Little Neck Online:eventbrite.com
Haunted Island Race at Governors Island Celebrate in style and stay in shape at the same time at the annual Haunted Island Race. The race offers both a 5K and a 10K option, and awards will be given out to the best runners by gender (male, female, non-binary) and age brackets. The race will take you all around Governors Island, giving you a chance to take in the views as you go. After the race, you’re welcome to explore the island and enjoy Halloween goodies. Your ticket nets you a ferry ride, a t-shirt, and a post-race meal. Costumes are encouraged!
Cost: Starting at $40
Sat., Oct. 29, 5K begins at 8:30 a.m., 10K begins at 9 a.m.
Governors Island, Colonels Row Online:nycruns.com
Spooky Castle Yoga at The Skyscraper Museum What do castles and yoga have in common? Both can be spooooky! At least, they can when you join this all-ages event for families. Discuss what makes up the architecture of a castle, then use what you learned to form yoga poses that draw inspiration from spooky castles and Halloween. RSVP is required and costumes are encouraged!
Cost: Free
Sat., Oct 29, 10:30 a.m.
39 Battery Pl.
Battery Park City Online:skyscraper.org
Haunted Halloween East River Dinner Cruise The National Lighthouse Museum’s Haunted boat tour will regale you with spooky stories as you enjoy a three-course dinner. The cruise will take you from Lighthouse Point, through Hell Gate, to Execution Rocks—all while sharing tales of the haunted history of key points along the way.
Cost: $97.54/adult, $54.98/child
Fri., Oct. 28, 6:30-10:30 p.m.
National Lighthouse Museum
200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point
Staten Island Online:eventbrite.com
Halloween Kids Spooky Cruise See the city from a different perspective at this Halloween-themed and kid-oriented spooky cruise. Trick or treat on the water as you enjoy incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. The ship will be decked out in seasonal decor, have plenty of candy on board to satisfy little trick-or-treaters, and will keep the kids entertained with performances from costumed characters. Food and drink will be available to purchase—or you can upgrade to the Premium experience for a complementary food and drink package that also gets you a children’s goody bag with party favors and treats.
Cost: Starting at $45/adult and $40/child
Mon., Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m.
Departs from Pier 36
299 South St.
Lower East Side Online:eventcruisesnyc.com
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor
This amazing display features over 7,000 lit Jack o-Lanterns, arranged into sculptures from architectural marvels to dinosaurs and the Statue of Liberty. Expect bright synchronized lights, jaw-dropping displays, and an original soundtrack. And yes, they’re real: The pumpkins are designed and carved by a team of artists. This year, the Blaze features an animated “Jack” Smith Shop and glowing bees.
Tickets are selling out fast, with some nights already unavailable or limited to a small number of tickets. If you’re considering attending this event, you’ll want to secure your tix sooner rather than later! The Blaze is coming to Long Island, too—buy tickets for that here.
Cost: Starting at $44/person, free for those 2 years old and younger
Select evenings, Sep. 16-Nov. 20
525 S. Riverside Ave.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY Online:hudsonvalley.org
Legoland NY
Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party
LEGOLANDs across the nation are partying for Halloween, but unique to the New York location is that it will be debuting the world’s first wheelchair-accessible giant LEGO pumpkin! Without stairs, all guests will be able to join in on the photo opportunities. Not only that, the Monster Party will transform the Dragon Coaster into the “Disco Dragon Coaster” complete with a groovy monster soundtrack and party lights. There’s also a ghostly scavenger hunt in MINILAND where you can wander through the Haunted Nature Maze and discover candy along the LEGO Friends Nature Trail. And, of course, grab loads of sweets at trick-or-treating stations located along dedicated paths. Don’t forget your costume!
Cost: Starting at $85
Sep. 24-Oct. 30
1 LEGOLAND Blvd.
Goshen, NY Online:legoland.com
Halloween Fest at the Liberty Science Center
The Halloween Fest is back and it’s better than ever, full to the brim with both indoor and outdoor activities. Pick out your favorite pumpkin at NJ’s largest indoor pumpkin picking patch—or just take a peek inside of one with an endoscope! Beyond the patch, you’ll learn about creepy crawlies like roaches, spiders, scorpions, and millipedes, as well as traditionally “spooky” Halloween icons like bats and skeletons. Then, head outdoors to make your way through the spider maze, dig for fossils, and find fall drinks and treats (no tricks here!).
Special events for the season are available for an additional fee. catch a spooky planetarium show that highlights the Monsters of the Night Sky, like the Witch Head Nebula and the Medusa constellation. Hop into a Halloween-inspired laser show, or watch a creepy 3D movie, “Haunted House,”and get delightfully freaked out. If you visit on Oct. 30 or 31, make sure to wear your best Halloween costume, because the Center is hosting it’s wrap up party all weekend long with trick or treating, costumes, and more excitement.
Cost: $29.99/adult, $24.99/child, $26.99/senior
Throughout October during center hours
222 Jersey City Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ Online:lsc.org
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place
A good choice for the tiniest of trick-or-treaters, Sesame Place is turned into a family-friendly Halloween haven between September 17 and November 6. Guests can trick-or-treat around the park, take in Halloween-themed shows and parades, participate in an interactive Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, and take advantage of unique photo opportunities with Sesame’s furry friends dressed up in costume on Halloween-themed floats! Kids can also meet and greet Spookley, the square pumpkin, as he makes two weekend visits from Holiday Hill Farm.
Henry Winkler didn’t win an Emmy on Monday for his role as acting coach Gene Cousineau in Barry, but he won a far more important title—resident DILF.
Winkler stopped for an interview on the red carpet With Kit Hoover and Mario Lopez for Access Hollywood and found out the good news live on camera; he’s a DILF. As you can imagine, his reaction was award-worthy. After chatting it up about the time he and Cheryl Ladd hosted the Emmy’s in 1979, he was asked to read some fan tweets, and he happily obliged. The first read, “Henry Winkler underrated dilf.” Bless.
Winkler, who rose to fame playing Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days, looked a bit confused, as any of us who haven’t heard of the acronym would. He paused and asked, “Wait a minute, is that like an elf?” to which Lopez responded: “It’s a compliment, sir. It means ‘Dad I’d like to… and then fill in the blank with that one.”
Winkler gasped, mouth agape, and said, “No!” in equal parts shock and joy. He looked at the hosts and joked, “I’m going to keep this one. I’m not going to show that to anyone.” Unfortunately, that’s not how live television works, which is good for those of us watching his sweet reaction. Here’s the entire interview, which is definitely worth watching.
Winkler’s new title, while hilarious, hopefully, won’t change his life too much. We’re hoping he still posts adorable TIKToks with his grandkids, like this one of him dancing to the Pussycat Dolls. The actor has been happily married to activist Stacey Weitzman since 1978, and the couple shares three kids—Jed, Zoe, and Max, and six grandchildren. His two older granddaughters, Lulu and India, who convinced him to join the social media app. “The girls said, Papa, you have to be on TikTok,” he said on the Kelly Clarkson Show; and we thank them for it.
The longevity of his career, which Winkler said during the interview he “never takes for granted,” and his happy-go-lucky demeanor are just two reasons why the world loves him—and now we have his DILF status to add to the list.
Ashley Graham continues to dish out confidence like it’s going out of style. The model and mom, who is not afraid to show off her postpartum body, hit up MTV’s Video Music Awards this weekend wearing a stunning black cut-out dress that didn’t hold anything back.
The bodycon dress was designed by Houghton and Graham tells Access Hollywood the style is “So hot. But my stretch marks are out and I’m like ‘Okay here we go stretch marks, let’s go! You know what? I’m gonna show it all off in the photos and in real life.”
She went on to say that even though she has eight-month-old twins at home, she still feels “sexy and hot.” Not only does the model share twins Malachi and Roman with husband Justin Ervin, there’s also two-year-old big brother Isaac at home, too.
In typical Ashley fashion, she is inspiring women everywhere to love their bodies. One follower commented that Graham is an “Inspiration to all moms embrace your body. Because giving birth is the most beautiful thing and thank you for making our scares shine.”
TODAY also caught up with Graham on the red carpet who dished out even more body-positive sentiments. “I think that no matter the trend, just know that your body is in because our bodies are not a trend. And I’m a poet and I didn’t even know it.”
Graham has been a beacon of confidence and self-love for years as she’s navigated the modeling world where she’s bucking traditional standards. Now as a mom, she continue to fight against unrealistic bounce back culture and encourages body acceptance.
She often thanks her body for all the hard work it’s done bringing three children into the world on Instagram, as well as sharing real life images as she takes on motherhood. Her newest foray at the VMA’s is just one more reason to love her.
Grey’s Anatomy is getting a ‘reignition’ according to one of its longtime cast members
There’s not many shows who have lasted as long as Grey’s Anatomy. The series, which has been on air since 2005, is about to see a “reignition,” according to Kevin McKidd, who plays Dr. Owen Hunt in the long-running series, leaving some fans wondering just how long they plan to go.
The Scottish actor told PEOPLE that the medical drama’s upcoming season will be one that brings the show back to its roots. McKidd, who walked the red carpet Saturday at the 2nd Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards in Beverly Hills, is excited about what that means for his character and the new castmates coming on this season. “We have this amazing group of new interns, brilliant, young, vibrant actors who are really passionate,” he said. “So it’s making room for that. It’s almost like we’re going back to the beginning, if that makes sense. It’s very exciting to feel that we’re all part of that.”
McKidd was insistent that this new chapter isn’t a reboot, but pays homage to how the show became so popular with fans. “We’re not really rebooting, but it’s definitely that pilot episode when Sandra Oh and T.R. Knight first kind of walked into the hospital,” he added. “We’re kind of doing that again. And it’s very exciting to feel that we’re all part of that.”
The show, now in its 19th (yes, that’s 1-9) season, is getting mixed emotions from viewers, who are firmly sitting in one of two camps:
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For his part, McKidd, who has been on the show since Season 5, thinks his character still has a lot of unfinished business. “I think he still has quite a bit of fallout to deal with,” he said of his decision to help a patient die by euthanasia in Season 18. “He did a noble thing last year, but he bent the rules too much and he has to pay the price. He’s already paid a significant price, but it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out because he isn’t out of hot water yet. He has to dig himself out.”
Season 19 of Grey’s Anatomy will premiere Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Will you be watching?
