Come as Jekyll, Leave as Hyde: The Abhorrum Masquerade Takes Over Santa Monica This Saturday

Literati Events brings back the abhorrum masquerade on Saturday, October 17, 2026, its annual evening celebrating the macabre, the eldritch and the forbidden, at the historic Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club. This year's inspiration is The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and guests are part of the story: over the course of the evening, they decide whether the doctor's knowledge should be released, kept secret or destroyed.

The lineup includes the gypsy jazz of Habibi Swing, the Los Angeles Swing Dance Posse, aerial silks and trapeze, a cyr wheel, fire performer Roman Toybox, and identical twins Emily and Elizabeth Hinkler, who leave guests guessing which is the good twin and which is the evil one. The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society runs a game all night alongside a reading from the novella, Golden Coast Mead pours tastings, and a portion of all ticket sales supports the LA Poet Society.

The event is for ages 18 and up, with spirits and mead for guests 21 and over with government ID. Tickets are $55 on Eventbrite and are non-refundable.