Earth’s driest desert is covered in wildflowers right now

• October 1, 2026

By NAYARA BATSCHKE

THE ATACAMA DESERT, Chile (AP) — Spring has finally arrived in the Southern Hemisphere and, in Chile, even the desert is blossoming.

Known as the driest nonpolar desert on Earth, a massive portion of the Atacama Desert has been covered in flowers after the El Niño weather pattern brought heavy rains to the region earlier this year. The unusually large amount of water allowed millions of seeds and bulbs to sprout and bloom, many of them after remaining dormant for decades.

“It is a unique phenomenon; there are more than 200 plant species,” Jorge Carabantes, head of the Protected Areas Department at the National Forest Corporation (CONAF), told The Associated Press. “This is a flowering event that is obviously extraordinary and unusual, very different from other blooms that occur elsewhere on the globe.”

The Atacama lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, stretching some 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) all the way down the northern coast of Chile.

Although flowering is common during the transition from winter to spring, this year the rocky, brownish dunes that make up the desert’s traditional landscape have turned into a vibrant, colorful carpet of wildflowers during a historic Desierto Florido, or “flowering desert.”

“I always thought it was just going to be brown. That’s my image of a desert, just brown,” said Felix Banda, 51, who was born in Chile but has lived his whole life in Australia. “I knew that it had rained a lot, so I was expecting to see some beautiful greenery, but this is an incredible landscape,” he added about his first visit to the Atacama.

Record rainfall turns into a visual spectacle

Between July and August, Chile recorded record rainfall in several regions, with some levels never seen since measurements began in the 1950s. The heavy precipitation was driven by a super El Niño, a climate phenomenon that causes sharp rises in global temperatures and is becoming increasingly strong.

“Since rainfall records began, these are the most significant figures in terms of volume: 160, 180, 190 millimeters (6 to 7 inches) in some locations,” explained biologist César Pizarro, head of the Biodiversity Conservation Section at CONAF Atacama. “What has happened now has an origin, and it is called ‘super El Niño.’”

The storms have caused flooding, havoc and devastation in several parts of Chile. In the north, they have also enabled the historic desert bloom, with an estimated coverage of ​​some 17,000 square kilometers (6,560 square miles) this year. This area is similar in size to the Santiago Metropolitan Region, the country’s largest and most populous area.

According to CONAF projections, this is expected to be the most intense and extensive Desierto Florido since 1997.

That’s because, Pizarro said, the heavy rainfall activated the desert’s biological material, known as germplasm. This includes seeds, bulbs, and tubers but also the eggs of various invertebrates and reptiles.

The result is a true visual spectacle featuring more than 200 species of plants and flowers in a variety of colors, shapes and forms. Red and yellow ñañucas, purple rock purslane, white suspiros, orange terciopelos and the native garra de león, one of the desert’s most iconic species, have transformed the hills, plains and ravines of the Atacama.

“There are hills and mountain ranges where no greenery or flowers had been seen for more than 30 or 40 years,” Pizarro added. “This desert germplasm can remain (dormant) for many years, even decades. The hills this year are the best example of that.”

Tourism picks up

Whether arriving from within Chile or overseas, tourists are venturing into the remote, inhospitable areas of the Atacama to admire the millions of flowers adorning vast areas of the desert, stretching from the coast to the horizon.

According to data provided to the AP by the National Tourism Secretariat, the Atacama region is expected to see nearly 300,000 overnight trips by the time the natural phenomenon ends in November, positioning Desierto Florido as one of the region’s main tourist attractions this season.

Chef Franco Moya, 37, and his girlfriend traveled nearly 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) from Santa Cruz, a town in central Chile’s Colchagua Valley, to several parts of the desert to celebrate his birthday.

“It was striking to see how the flowers grow in such a dry place,” he said. “It’s my first time here … and it was a truly surprising moment.”

​ Orange County Register 

Fryer: Local public high schools still offer a great experience

• October 1, 2026

Kaitlyn Herweg and Ella Olson will play college volleyball in other states.

For high school volleyball, they decided to stay home.

Herweg is a senior libero at Los Alamitos, the No. 3 team this week in the Orange County rankings. Olson is a senior outside hitter for No. 4 Newport Harbor. Both are elite players who earned All-Orange County recognition last season.

The Orange County private school world is an attractive place for such athletes in many sports. Herweg and Olson, certainly good enough to thrive anywhere, spent their four high school years playing at their local public school.

“I’m glad I’m at Los Al,” said Herweg, who committed to the University of Indiana. “It’s definitely a different and great experience. We’ve all come together as a team and we’ve clicked pretty well.”

Olson will attend the University of Texas, which, like Indiana, advanced deep into last year’s NCAA women’s tournament.

She said playing at her local public school has been meaningful.

“The community aspect of being at Newport Harbor is something I couldn’t really get anywhere else,” Olson said. “We’re all from the same area, we have to work with what we have and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

That’s the beauty of Orange County high school sports. Different paths can lead to the same rewards.

NOTES

• Newport Harbor volleyball coach Pat Eaton talked about Olson after the Sailors’ five-set loss to Los Alamitos on Wednesday: “It doesn’t take an educated eye to see that she can do things that are hard to teach,” Eaton said. “Her leadership impressed me more than anything else tonight. You know what you’re going to get from her physically, but then she always gets her teammates to play at a higher level.”

• Maybe Orange County’s No. 2-ranked girls volleyball team beating the No. 1 team should not seem dramatic. But given how No. 1 Mater Dei had dominated while going undefeated through 25 matches, Santa Margarita’s four-set win over Mater Dei on Wednesday has an “upset” feel to it. Santa Margarita won the first two sets, 27-25, 25-19, Mater Dei won the third set, 25-19, and Santa Margarita took the match with a 28-26 win in the fourth set. …

• The Massey Ratings for the CIF Southern Section girls volleyball teams will be used to place teams into playoff divisions and to seed the teams. In the latest Massey Ratings, Santa Margarita was ranked No. 9 overall. The CIF-SS might make Division 1 an eight-team playoff bracket this year, or like last year it could be a 12-team bracket. Santa Margarita, which features 6-4 outside hitter Ireland Real (Texas commit) and 5-11 outside Kate Jackson (USC), has solidified its position as a Division 1 playoff team. …

• The football schedule for Friday includes a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the Orange County Top 25: No. 1 Santa Margarita vs. No. 2 Mater Dei at Saddleback College. Thirty years ago, No. 1 playing No. 2 was such a rare deal that we would publish a chart showing the few times we had a No. 1 vs. No. 2 football game here. With the Trinity League often containing the county’s top two teams, a No. 1 vs. No. 2 game is a regular event. …

• Yorba Linda’s football team had to forfeit four nonleague wins for CIF violations that involved undue influence (“undue influence” is CIF parlance for “recruiting”) and lack of administrative oversight. It’s always sad that the majority of athletes on a team, athletes who did everything the right way and worked hard to get those wins, suffer because a few people messed up. …

• Bravo League football teams are 27-3 going into this week, the first week of league play. Four of the teams are 5-0: Capistrano Valley, Corona del Mar, La Habra and Villa Park. …

• The Mission Viejo (4-1) and San Clemente (5-0) football teams appear to be markedly better than the Alpha League’s other four teams: Edison, Los Alamitos, San Juan Hills and Yorba Linda. …

• Senior running back Kamden Tillis of Los Alamitos is out for the remainder of the season because of injury. Tillis was All-Orange County third team last season and has committed to San Diego State. He is the Griffins’ leading rusher this season with 294 yards. Los Alamitos, last year’s CIF-SS Division 2 champion, is 0-5 going into its Alpha League opener against 4-1 San Juan Hills. …

• Teams qualify for the CIF-SS football playoffs by being among the top three finishers in six-team leagues, which is most common in Orange County, or among the top four finishers in a nine-team, such as the Tango League. A team that finishes with an overall record of .300 or better is eligible for at-large berth. The higher a team’s rating at HSratings.com the better its chances of receiving an at-large berth. …

• The No. 1 seed in a playoff division can’t be an at-large team, according to the CIF-SS bylaws. In football, the Division 1 bracket might include eight teams this season like it did last year. San Clemente is No. 9 and Servite is No. 10 this week in the CIF-SS rankings by HSratings.com. …

• The CIF-SS football playoff brackets for 11-player football will be released Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. …

• The cross country meets that are coming up: Central Park Invitational in Huntington Beach on Saturday; Clovis Invitational in Fresno at Woodward Park, site of the CIF State Championships, on Oct. 10; the Orange County Championships at Oak Canyon Park, Oct. 17; and the Mt. SAC Invitational, Oct. 24 at Mt. San Antonio College, site of the CIF-SS Championships. …

• The CIF-SS uses the Massey Ratings for boys water polo to place teams into playoff divisions. This week’s first release of those ratings have five Orange County teams in the top 10: 1. Newport Harbor; 2. JSerra; 7. Santa Margarita; 8. Corona del Mar; 9. Laguna Beach.

​ Orange County Register 

Supreme Court intervenes in dispute over Kentucky church’s plan to build shrine on residential land

• October 1, 2026

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to consider whether a religious institution has a right to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary on residential property next to its Kentucky church.

The church’s owner — a nonprofit formed by Roman Catholic priests — claims the Kentucky Supreme Court misconstrued a federal law and erroneously ruled against its plan to build a shrine on a residential plot that it bought for the project.

The nation’s highest court will hear arguments in the coming months in its latest case involving religious rights.

The petitioners, Missionaries of Saint John the Baptist, argue that they have a right to build the shrine behind their church as part of their “religious mission.” They say a federal law can, under certain circumstances, bar governments from implementing land use regulations that impose a “substantial burden” on religious expression.

The state’s highest court concluded last December that a zoning board in Park Hills, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, didn’t have the authority to grant a variance for the church’s owner to build the shrine on a residential tract.

The church group argues that the Kentucky Supreme Court’s decision conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent and other appellate rulings.

“The conflict among lower courts is deeply entrenched and widely acknowledged,” the group’s lawyers wrote.

A neighborhood family, concerned that the project would exacerbate traffic problems, successfully challenged the zoning board’s decision in state court. The family also opposed the group’s Supreme Court petition, arguing there is no basis for the nation’s highest court to intervene in the local zoning dispute.

The opponents say the church group knew that zoning ordinances barred it from building the shrine on neighboring residential land when it acquired the property. The opponents also argue that the group hasn’t demonstrated why it couldn’t build the shrine on church land.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

​ Orange County Register 

States and cities sue over Trump’s EPA eliminating rule that limits emissions from power plants

• October 1, 2026

By MATTHEW DALY and JENNIFER McDERMOTT

WASHINGTON (AP) — States and cities sued the Trump administration Thursday for repealing rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas.

Twenty-one states, led by New York, are challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s power plant rule. The coalition also includes Pennsylvania’s governor, the District of Columbia, New York City, Chicago and the city and county of Denver. They argue that “gutting one of the country’s most significant climate protections” will set the nation back decades and worsen the climate crisis.

The EPA announced last month it’s revoking the Biden-era rule, and said it is taking a separate but related step to prevent future administrations from regulating climate pollution from power plants.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said the federal government is showing “callous disregard” for Americans’ health and the environment, and future generations will pay the price. Power plants that burn fossil fuels are a major source of planet-warming pollution.

“Dismantling these protections is a betrayal of American families, and the stakes are too high to allow this administration to once again put profits over people,” James said in a statement Thursday.

The EPA said it does not comment on pending litigation. However, it has said the repeal would save the industry more than $300 billion in costs and help “unleash” American energy. EPA Assistant Administrator Aaron Szabo said in September that it will allow utilities to “make the best decision for the ratepayers based on cost and cost savings, instead of being required to shut down facilities.”

The coalition is petitioning the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to review the EPA’s decision and strike down the repeal. It says the EPA unlawfully abandoned the pollution limits without properly considering reasonable alternatives or the enormous health and climate costs of allowing more pollution into the atmosphere. The coalition also told the EPA it intends to sue over the agency’s failure to regulate pollution from many gas-fired power plants.

The rule change for power plants, first proposed last year, represents a fundamental shift from efforts by Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama to address climate change and regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap the sun’s heat. Environmental groups say it will come at a cost to Americans’ health and further degrade the environment.

The separate rule proposed last month could prevent future administrations from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The proposal, expected to be made final next year, follows on EPA’s action earlier this year revoking a scientific finding that long has been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.

The coalition includes the states of New York, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

McDermott reported from Providence, R.I.

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

​ Orange County Register 

Anaheim Hills briefs: Hills student helping artists shine

• October 1, 2026

Audrey Wen, a senior at Esperanza High School, has focused her efforts over the past several years on fusing business strategy, branding, and marketing skills to foster growth within local arts organizations. As an artist herself, Wen recognized the importance of creating a platform where emerging artists could showcase their works of art.

It was through her business collaboration, organization and promotion of a charity fine-arts gala with Dutch Masters Fine Art Academy, during her junior year, that not only achieved this objective, but also generated $2,500 in artwork sales proceeds for local artists.

In addition to hosting this event, Wen managed logistics, set-up, artist/vendor coordination, and supported Eventbrite, Shopify and social media operations.

“Audrey brought fresh ideas, hard work with professionalism, and genuine care to Dutch Masters,” Lorri Keevern, owner of Dutch Masters Fine Art Academy, said. She helped strengthen our website, marketing, and community outreach, making it easier for new families to discover the studio. Her initiative and business insight have made a meaningful difference in our growth. She is a talented artist as well and understands our needs for the aesthetic approach.”

Wen is currently working with Orangerie Art Center, where she has designed a soon-to-launch modern replacement website, organized information about classes, portfolio preparation and enrollment, as well as configured analytics to measure visits, traffic sources and inquiries.

Future plans include pursuing a business or a related field in college, potentially with a connection to the arts or entrepreneurship, and is currently applying to business schools.

Play Bingo to help library programs

Friends of Canyon Hills Library will host a Bingo fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 28 at La Cova Cocina Restaurant in Placentia. The community is invited.

Proceeds from this fun evening will help the Friends sponsor programs at Canyon Hills Library for the community. The nonprofit organization recently presented checks to all of the eight local schools within Anaheim Hills for the school libraries.

The cost will be $20 for 10 bingo cards payable by cash or Zelle only. Prizes awarded for all winners and tickets are also available for a chance to win exciting raffle baskets.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to go early for Happy Hour. The restaurant will donate 15% on all food and drink orders during the event (credit cards are accepted for food and drink orders).

No reservations are needed. For additional info, contact Louise at 714-262-6151.

Have some Western fun

Members of the Anaheim, Orange and Villa Park Women’s Connection will host a “Western Hoe Down” on Oct. 12 at the Black Gold Golf Club and all women in the community are invited.

This event will feature a lesson in line dancing by representatives from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio and a surprise vocalist will complete the afternoon program. Guest speaker Dyann Shepard will share, “Who’s Afraid of the Dark.”

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for socializing and shopping with on-site vendors. Luncheon and program begin at 11:30 a.m. The day includes door prizes, hostess gifts and much more. The day concludes at 1:30 p.m. Western attire is encouraged.

Cost to attend is $35 per person and reservations should be made by calling Barbi Zipperian at 714-280-9062.

Play bingo, help child patients

Enjoy a fun evening at the “Flamingo Bingo — Purse Extravaganza” on Oct. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Placentia Women’s Club in Placentia.

This unique fundraiser, hosted by the Littlest Angel Guild, will offer a chance to win designer purses, while helping to raise funds for the Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Department at Rady’s Children Health of Orange County, formerly CHOC.

The $65 entry fee includes 10 games of Bingo, a box dinner from Sally Ann’s Catering, and free parking. There will also be drawings for fun-themed experience packages.

Reservations to attend the evening should be sent to event co-chair Lori Stenovich at LSteno1@aol.com or call 805-660-2283. Seating is limited.

Library fun planned at local branches

A “Cooking with Chef Vina” demonstration is planned for 1 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Canyon Hills Library.

Chef Vina will share tips for making leftovers into a delicious meal. There is no cost to attend. Call 714-765-6444 for questions.

On Oct. 10, kids of all ages are invited to the “Bootiful Bedazzled Pumpkins” event at the East Anaheim Library.

The 11 a.m. program is an opportunity to make a creative fall craft. There is no charge to attend. Questions, call 714-765-3887.

Sharon Hlapcich writes about events and happenings in the Anaheim Hills area. Reach her by phone (714-998-4604 or e-mail (smhlapcich@sbcglobal.net).

​ Orange County Register 

Former Dallas officer convicted of killing Black man in his apartment granted parole

• October 1, 2026

By JIM VERTUNO

The former white Dallas police officer convicted of killing a Black man in his apartment that she mistook for her own was granted parole Thursday after serving seven years of her 10-year sentence.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, which is appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, rejected Amber Guyger’s initial parole request in 2024 but approved her case over the objections of the victim’s family the first time she was eligible to return.

Guyger was convicted of murder in the 2018 killing of Botham Jean, an accountant from the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia, who had been eating a bowl of ice cream when Guyger entered his home and shot him.

The shooting drew widespread attention because of the strange circumstances and because it was one in a string of shootings of Black men by white police officers. Guyger’s sentencing hearing also included a stunning courtroom scene when Jean’s brother and the Black judge presiding over the case embraced the sobbing officer.

During her murder trial, Guyger said that after a long shift at work and still in uniform, she walked up to Jean’s apartment — which was on the fourth floor, directly above hers on the third — and found the door unlocked. She said she thought the apartment was her own and that Jean was an intruder when she drew her service weapon and entered.

Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt said Jean’s family “strongly opposed this parole.”

“They stood up again and again to ask that the full sentence be served. A 10-year sentence was already a fraction of what was lost. Releasing Ms. Guyger after seven years makes that loss feel even smaller in the eyes of the system. It is not smaller,” Merritt said.

In 2024, a jury awarded Jean’s family nearly $100 million in a federal civil trial.

In granting her release, the board said it reviewed a “plethora” of information in her case.

The board said Guyger’s record did not include a documented pattern of violent or assaultive arrests or convictions, and showed she has participated and completed programs in her prison treatment plan to get and keep a job when she is released. It said she also “maintained a satisfactory institutional adjustment.”

The board said the state prison system will determine when she is released. Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

​ Orange County Register 

Supreme Court denies Arizona’s bid to delay start of takeover of healthcare in state prisons

• October 1, 2026

By JACQUES BILLEAUD

PHOENIX (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an eleventh-hour bid by the state of Arizona to block the upcoming start of a court-ordered takeover of healthcare operations in its prisons after the state was found to have provided constitutionally inadequate care to incarcerated people and dragged its feet for over a decade in making required improvements.

The state’s request to delay the start date was denied Thursday by Justice Elena Kagan, leaving an outside corrections professional to take over healthcare management for 25,000 incarcerated people on Oct. 19.

Arizona had asked the courts to delay the start date while it appealed both the takeover decision and the appointment of former Ohio corrections director Annette Chambers-Smith as the leader of the effort. Arizona officials brought the delay request to the Supreme Court after it was rejected by lower courts.

Over the last 14 years, Arizona has been dogged by complaints that its healthcare operation for prisoners was run shoddily and callously and that it repeatedly failed to improve a system that was found to have exposed prisoners to harm and preventable deaths.

The state vowed to overhaul medical and healthcare services for prisoners in a 2014 settlement, but was soon accused of failing to keep its promises to improve care. That led to over $2 million in contempt of court fines against the state and, eventually, the revocation of the agreement by U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver, who explained corrections officials had shown little interest in making the changes.

The judge then ruled against the state after a 2021 trial, issuing an injunction that required corrections authorities to fix the constitutional violations. Earlier this year, Silver ordered the takeover after concluding the state hadn’t gotten a semblance of compliance with court-ordered changes and the U.S. Constitution after more than a decade of litigation and that prisoners remained exposed to grave threats of harm and suffering because of systematic deficiencies in providing health care.

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Re-entry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday’s decision.

The lawsuit over healthcare for incarcerated people covers Arizona’s nine state-run prisons but not the nearly 10,000 Arizona inmates doing time in private prisons.

​ Orange County Register 

Where to catch Halloween concerts and live music in Southern California

• October 1, 2026

Halloween weekend in Southern California comes with plenty of opportunities to trade the usual costume party for a night of live music. This year’s lineup includes massive electronic festivals, sold-out rock shows, drag performances, orchestral takes on horror classics and celebrations honoring Día de los Muertos.

From My Chemical Romance closing out its tour at the Hollywood Bowl to Escape Halloween taking over San Bernardino and the Los Angeles Philharmonic getting spooky at Walt Disney Concert Hall, here are some concerts and music events to check out this Halloween season.

Escape Halloween

Escape Halloween returns to Southern California for another two-day fright fest, bringing its Psycho Circus to the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino over Halloween weekend. This year’s lineup includes Benny Benassi, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Excision, Steve Aoki, NERVO and Cloonee on Friday, while Halloween night features sets from AC Slater, Alok, Galantis, Nina Kraviz and more. Rapper Ice Cube is also slated to perform Saturday. Beyond the music, festival-goers can explore Escape’s nightmarish world filled with roaming performers, art installations and multiple stages of dance music.

Where: NOS Events Center, San Bernardino

When: Friday, Oct. 30 – Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: Single-day general admission passes start at $145.95, including fees. Two-day general admission passes start at $269.95, including fees. GA+ and VIP options are also available. The festival is 18+. escapehalloween.com.

My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance will close out its 2026 itinerary with a pair of Halloween-weekend shows at the Hollywood Bowl. The final two performances of the band’s The Black Parade Tour have been dubbed “Devil’s Night” on Oct. 30 and “Halloween” on Oct. 31, with fellow emo and post-hardcore favorites The Used joining the first night and Thrice opening on Halloween. The two concerts will also cap a five-show run at the Hollywood Bowl for My Chemical Romance this October.

Where: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: Both shows are officially sold out, although resale tickets may be available through secondary marketplaces.

Night of the Living Drag

The annual Night of the Living Drag tour heads to Los Angeles on Halloween night with an ’80s slasher-inspired show dubbed Camp Slayaway. Violet Chachki hosts the production, which features performances from fellow drag artists Laganja Estranja, Jaida Essence Hall, Raja, Nicole Paige Brooks and Salina EsTitties. The show combines drag, comedy and horror, with Chachki narrating the fictional story of the performers returning from the dead after meeting their ends at summer camp.

Where: Vault Speakeasy at Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd Ste 860, Los Angeles

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: General admission tickets start at $45. Premium seating is $75 and meet-and-greet packages are $135. vossevents.com.

Inner Wave

The Los Angeles-based psych-indie band will celebrate Día de los Muertos and Halloween with two festive shows at The Glass House in Pomona. The Oct. 30 Día de los Muertos show will feature Eleazar, while the band returns on Oct. 31 for a Halloween night performance with Pearl & The Oysters. The pair of holiday shows are part of Inner Wave’s 2026 West Coast tour.

Where: The Glass House, 200 W. Second St., Pomona

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: Tickets start at $33.22 for each show at theglasshouse.us

Symphony Spooktacular

Pacific Symphony is getting into the Halloween spirit with Symphony Spooktacular, a family-friendly morning of spooky orchestral favorites at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Led by conductor Moon Doh, the program ranges from classical selections including “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and “Night on Bald Mountain,” to Halloween favorites such as “Ghostbusters” and “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas, plus “Golden” from K-pop Demon Hunters. Families are encouraged to arrive in costume and can also enjoy Halloween-themed games, coloring stations and photo opportunities in the lobby.

Where: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24

Admission: Tickets range from $21-$54 at pacificsymphony.org.

Halloween Organ, Film & Music: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Walt Disney Concert Hall is celebrating Halloween with an afternoon pairing of gothic cinema and live organ music. Organist Clark Wilson, known for his live accompaniments to silent films, will perform a score alongside a screening of the 1920 silent horror classic “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” Directed by John S. Robertson and starring John Barrymore, the film follows a doctor whose experiments unleash his sinister alter ego, Mr. Hyde.

Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles

When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: Tickets start at $39 at laphil.com

Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood Forever’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration returns for its 27th year with a full day of live music, art, tradition and remembrance. This year’s musical lineup is led by rising Mexican American singer-songwriter DannyLux and soul singer Trish Toledo, alongside psychedelic cumbia band Tropa Magica and Los Shadows. DJs Que Madre, JoaQu.N and Dro Barlo will also perform throughout the celebration. This year’s theme, Bajo Un Mismo Cielo (Under One Sky), will extend beyond the music with a ceremonial procession, elaborate altars, Aztec dancers, art exhibitions, vendors and a children’s plaza.

Where: Hollywood Forever, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles

When: Noon-midnight, Saturday, Oct. 24

Admission: Tickets range from $26.71-$46.46. The event is all ages; children 5 and older require a ticket. ladayofthedead.com.

Werewolf by Night & Headless

The Los Angeles Philharmonic is going full horror for Halloween night with a double feature led by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. The evening opens with a first look at “Headless,” a new musical from Giacchino, Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson inspired by Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” After intermission, conductor Sarah Hicks will lead the orchestra in a live-to-picture performance of Giacchino’s score for Marvel Studios’ “Werewolf by Night,” the 2022 special inspired by gothic horror films of the 1930s and ’40s.

Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: Tickets start at $44 at laphil.com

Rocky Horror: Let’s Do the Time Warp!

Micky’s West Hollywood is bringing The Rocky Horror Picture Show to life with a drag celebration of the cult classic during the Halloween season. The show is set to bring plenty of fishnets, fog, costume reveals and campy performances inspired by the 1975 musical horror comedy. Guests are encouraged to dress the part and join in on the “Time Warp” during the late-night festivities in the heart of West Hollywood.

Where: Micky’s West Hollywood, 8857 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood

When: 8 p.m. Fridays beginning Oct. 23

Admission: $10 general admission. mickys.com/events

Thriller: An ’80s Halloween Party

Break Room 86 is turning back the clock on Halloween night with Thriller: An ’80s Halloween Party. Presented by Orlove, the 21-and-older party will feature DJs spinning ’80s pop hits and underground tracks throughout the night, along with private karaoke rooms. Guests are encouraged to lean into the decade for their Halloween costumes. A VIP ticket option also includes admission to Le Freak, a ’70s disco-themed Halloween party taking place next door at Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Where: Break Room 86, 630 S. Ardmore Ave., Los Angeles

When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31

Admission: Tickets start at $19.25. Eventbrite.com.

​ Orange County Register