SeeCalifornia.com

While Orange County has a new event on November 17, 2019, Meet on Beach, with cities Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, Stanton and Westminster planning activities on or around Beach Boulevard, the month of October brings tried & true festivals to California’s “mean streets.”

Some are Halloween themed with scary costumes while others are soulful with gospel music thrown in for good measure — such as Los Angeles Taste of Soul (pictured.) Held along Crenshaw Boulevard on October 17, 2019, the 14th annual event is the dream of founder Danny Bakewell, Sr., who invites the public to come ‘Feel the Love’ at this free festival of music, food and Southern California living. Last year an estimated 400,000+ attended, nearly rivaling another nearby mega street festival in October.

A mere 8.5 miles distance but typically 35 minutes driving time due to traffic, West Hollywood Carnaval always on October 31, is one of the most unique Halloween celebrations in the world, combining West Hollywood’s irreverent, indie attitude with Hollywood’s flair and full immersion in entertainment & arts industries. Also free, West Hollywood Carnaval, differs from LA’s Taste of Soul, as it happens at night. For those who love Hollywood-Halloween fantasy, sky’s the limit on costumes and the steaks are high!

Just before Halloween the party capital hosts WCKD, a Halloween extravaganza taking over San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter October 26. This ticketed event includes hot-off-the-press costumes with sexy attire generally more on women than WeHo’s Carnaval where men equally strut their stuff. And, in the flavor a true gaslamp atmosphere, cocktails are included with admission.

One thing’s for certain at these October street festivals — there will be crowds!