LA Opera’s annual Halloween residency returns to the United Theater on Broadway (929 S. Broadway, Downtown) with Hercules vs. Vampires. The show is Mario Bava’s 1961 cult film Hercules in the Haunted World, starring Christopher Lee and former Mr. Universe Reg Park, played on the big screen while the LA Opera Orchestra and singers perform Patrick Morganelli’s score live (LA Opera).
The details
- When: Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 8 PM. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes with no intermission, sung in English with subtitles (Time Out).
- Halloween night extras: After the October 31 show there’s an afterparty with themed drinks and a DJ, plus a costume contest. The grand prize is ten thousand dollars, two VIP tickets and a tour of the LA Opera Costume Shop. Second and third places also win cash and VIP tickets.
- Contest rules: You must be 18 or older and register at entry, and you must be present at the afterparty to win. Costumes must cover standard swimsuit areas, shoes are required, and political or offensive costumes are out (LA Opera rules).
- Tickets: TodayTix or LAOpera.org.
How to prepare
- Theme it. Togas and fangs are encouraged. Think sword-and-sandal heroes, Gothic vampires or a full Bava color palette of crimson, cobalt and acid green.
- Build for the judges. LA Opera Costume Department artisans are on the panel, so craftsmanship, fit and finish will matter more than store-bought shine.
- Plan the night. Downtown streets fill up on Halloween. Take Metro or a rideshare, arrive early to register, and bring a small kit with safety pins, lash glue and blotting papers.
- Get the photos. The United Theater’s Gothic interior is one of LA’s best backdrops. Book a portrait before you go.
FAQ
Is Hercules vs. Vampires all ages? Ages 9 and up are suggested for the show. The costume contest is 18+.
Where is the United Theater on Broadway? 929 S. Broadway, Downtown LA, inside the United Artists Building.
Photo: United Artists Theatre, Los Angeles, by Alexis Doine, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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