Dozens of children at MemorialCare’s Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach were treated to a thrilling event to celebrate Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31.
Donning costumes ranging from princess to superheroes, the children were escorted by the Long Beach Fire Department through the hospital’s event hall — which had been transformed into a frighteningly fun Halloween haunt — to trick-or-treat, meet their favorite characters, get face paintings, and more.
Sophia Velazquez, center, along with her mom Mayra Cardenas, in the back, pose for a photo with Alayna Davis, left and Karin Fucc During a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Rebeca Orantes, left, a music therapist, speaks with Zaria Zaldana, 3, during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Abir Shrestha, 3, gets a high five from Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper, as his dad Rahul Shrestha watches during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Frankie Piñon, gets a high five from a Storm Trooper during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Jalen Thompson, 10, gets a high five from Spider Man during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Victoria Hernandez, 4, left, interacts with Long Beach Firefighter Connor Swearingen, and Mariel Diramos, center, during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Eliana Martins, 15-months-old, and her mother Maddalena Dipietro, interact with Baymax, a character from the movie “Big Hero 6” during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
Melanie Gonzalez, left, attempts to pop bubbles at a booth as Long Beach Firefighter Bryan Presetti and Araceli Aviles, watch, during a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
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Sophia Velazquez, center, along with her mom Mayra Cardenas, in the back, pose for a photo with Alayna Davis, left and Karin Fucc During a Halloween celebration at Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Long Beach on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer/Contributing Photographer)
“Around this time of year, many children attend Halloween events or go trick-or-treating,” MemorialCare said in a news release. “(The) program aims to bring joy and a sense of normalcy for patients undergoing treatment by creating these festivities for them and their families to participate in and create unique holiday memories.”