MBPD Halloween Trunk or Treat in Manhattan Beach

Most Trunk or Treat nights are run by a church or a school. This one is run by the people who usually write the parking tickets. The City of Manhattan Beach and the Manhattan Beach Police Department host their annual Halloween Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and it costs nothing to walk through. If you're sorting out things to do with kids LA side this Halloween season, a South Bay evening built around candy and costumes is an easy one to add.

What to expect

Instead of knocking on doors, kids move from car to car and collect candy at each stop. The twist here is that the "cars" are police, fire and city department vehicles, each decked out in its own festive or creative Halloween theme. Little ones get a close look at the kind of vehicles they usually only see rushing past, and the crews handing out the treats are happy to stand next to them for a photo.

Families are encouraged to come in costume, so expect a lot of tiny superheroes, pumpkins and dinosaurs working the lot. Tacos will be available for purchase if the candy haul turns into dinner, which is a handy detail on a school night.

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 5:00 to 7:00 PM Where: Manhattan Beach Civic Center Upper Parking Lot, entrance off 15th Street between Valley Drive and Highland Avenue Cost: Free

Planning your visit

The event is held in the upper parking lot of the Civic Center, reached from the 15th Street entrance between Valley Drive and Highland Avenue. Parking around the Civic Center fills up quickly for community events, so arrive a little early or plan to walk in from a nearby street. Bring a bag or bucket for the candy and a few dollars if you want tacos.

It runs two hours, which is enough time to work the whole row of vehicles without rushing a toddler. Early arrivals usually see the shortest lines, and the busiest stretch tends to be the middle of the evening when kids get out of after-school activities.

Event schedules can change, so check the organizer's page or contact the city before you head out. If you're building a list of family events Los Angeles parents can actually get to on a weeknight, a free, two-hour stop close to the beach fits the bill. For more Halloween outings around town, browse the family category and the Los Angeles neighborhood page.

Listing details come from Local Anchor, a South Bay community calendar.