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Why Pumpkin Palooza is Orange County’s ultimate family fall event.
As temperatures cool and pumpkin patches start to make their annual appearance, families across Southern California begin searching for seasonal activities that are both fun and educational. Look no further than Discovery Cube Orange County’s annual Pumpkin Palooza. Running on weekends from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1, this beloved event seamlessly blends festive Halloween cheer with hands-on STEM education.
For the last three years, Discovery Cube has partnered with OC Waste & Recycling to deliver two floors of thrilling activities, a frightfully fun dance party and a festival full of spooky science. It’s the perfect Halloween bash for guests of all ages, complete with spooky surprises and hands-on lessons about sustainable living along the way.
The highlight of this year’s celebration is the dynamic, interactive dance party. Designed so families can drop into any or every session during their visit, the dance floor features a 20-foot giant pumpkin DJ named Jack-o-Lynn. Spinning monster-mash classics and bewitching modern hits, Jack-o-Lynn transforms the hall into a hauntingly lively dance floor where ghouls of all ages can drop-a-beat surrounded by eerie phantom lights and festive displays.
Beyond the dance party, the Pumpkin Palooza Festival, located on the first floor of the science center, offers a rich assortment of physical and mind-expanding activities. Key festival highlights include:
The Pumpkin Path (Presented by OC Waste & Recycling): An interactive journey that guides young explorers through seasonal autumn scenes while subtly weaving in environmental awareness.
Life-Size Pumpkin House: A photo-worthy, walk-through autumn installation built to capture family memories.
Boos Bumper Cars: High-energy seasonal amusement that lets little ones zoom around in a safe environment.
Interactive Pumpkin Science Demonstrations: Engaging hands-on experiments where kids explore the surprising mechanics and chemistry behind fall gourds.
Pumpkin Palooza runs on Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 3 through Nov. 1 and requires a dedicated event ticket in addition to general Discovery Cube admission. Pumpkin Palooza is available to the public starting Sept. 17 at $12.
A special highlight on Nov. 1 is the Pumpkins with a Purpose Impact Event, giving families the opportunity to turn their Halloween fun into a positive environmental impact. Guests can bring their pumpkins to Discovery Cube and learn how pumpkins can be diverted from the landfill and given a second life through composting. In partnership with Republic Services and OC Waste & Recycling, the event will help families see firsthand how a simple post-Halloween tradition can become an everyday sustainability practice, turning their leftover pumpkins into a resource for healthier soil and a more sustainable community.
Whether your little ghouls and goblins gather for the bewitching beats, the hauntingly fun seasonal activities or the eerie science concoctions, Pumpkin Palooza delivers a spine-tinglingly spectacular experience that delights curious young minds and brews unforgettable family traditions.
