We guide you through all the fun Halloween events and pumpkin patches in and around Orange County.
Los Alamitos Trunk or Treat
https://cityoflosalamitos.org/311/Trunk-or-Treat
Enjoy huge Halloween fun at Little Cottonwood Park on October 26 (5 pm-7:30 pm) with free carnival games, moon bounces and a spooky train ride. The costume contest has categories for ages 0-3, 4-7, 8-12 and families — plus one for pets! Of course, the event offers free trick-or-treating for candy along with toys at trunks. Families can get one free pumpkin while supplies last. There’ll be a free calming sensory activity area too.
Halloween At Pretend City
https://www.pretendcity.org/events/halloween-3
The museum’s Halloween amusements start with Costume Week (October 23-27, 30), where kids can wear their costumes and explore their creativity and imagination. It all leads up to a Halloween extravaganza on the 31st. This enchanting day is packed with holiday magic, including treat-or-treating (11 am-11:30 am) and Doodlebugs Animal Adventures occurring between 12 pm-3 pm. Pretend City is closed on October 28-29.
Newport Beach 7th Annual Halloween Spooktacular
https://www.newportbeachca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/75429/72?curm=10&cury=2024
Halloween merriment manifests at Mariners Park on October 26 between 3 pm-6 pm. The afternoon’s activities feature a trunk-or-treat area, a haunted walkthrough, carnival games, bounce houses, a DJ and music, and food trucks such as TK Burgers and Baja Surfing Taco. A costume contest offers prizes for individuals (spookiest, funniest and best superhero), groups (best duo and family/group) and dogs.
La Palma’s Halloween Carnival
https://www.cityoflapalma.org/365/Halloween-Carnival
There won’t be any bad tricks at La Palma’s annual Halloween party. Taking place at the city’s Central Park on October 27 (3:30 pm-6 pm), this free, family-friendly event provides a safe environment for all to enjoy a little trick-or-treating. The community carnival also delivers a range of activities, such as games, costume contests and giveaways. Food and drink will be available for purchase, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of La Palma.
Huntington Beach’s Falloween
The Thomas Ridley Bandstand in Huntington Beach’s Central Park is the epicenter for the city’s Falloween festivities. Happening October 26 (12 pm-5 pm), the seasonal celebration serves up games, crafts, pumpkin carving, entertainment, bounce houses and a pumpkin patch (with painting and carving stations). Wear your Halloween costume and go trick-or-treating at dozens of booths. Admission is free but a paid wristband is required for the fun zone activities. Visit https://register.hbsands.org/CA/huntington-beach-community-library-services-ca/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTIyNTA3NDc= for registration details.
Halloween Fandemonium!
https://www.pacificsymphony.org/show-info.php?id=559
The Pacific Symphony’s special October 19 Halloween performances at the Segerstrom Concert Hall feature musical selections from Frozen, Wicked, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Star Wars along with classical pieces “Ride of the Valkyries” and “Night on Bald Mountain.” Costume wearing is recommended. Free activities (including craft, photo, S.T.E.A.M. and coloring stations) happen from 9 am-9:45 am before the 10 am show and 12:15 pm-1 pm after the 11:30 am show. Ages 5 and up.
ENC’s 49th Annual Fall Faire
https://encenter.org/visit-us/fall-faire/
The Environmental Nature Center invites everyone to their place on October 13 for a day that celebrates autumn. Between 10 am-3 pm, guests can get creative with imaginative nature-inspired crafts, play family-friendly interactive games and enjoy live entertainment. There will be a pumpkin patch too! The Faire, which serves as ENC’s biggest fundraiser, strives to be a Zero Waste event, so please bring your own reusable cup, plate and utensils.
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
https://www.anaheimfallfestival.org
One of Orange County’s longest-running fall fests — and one of America’s biggest Halloween festivals — returns to Anaheim on October 26 for a big day of seasonal excitement. The fest happens in the Center Street Promenade (11 am-5 pm), with live entertainment, artist booths, food vendors, photo ops and costume contests for both children and dogs. At 7 pm, the popular parade commences at Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway, and proceeds around downtown Anaheim.
Spooky Seas
https://oceaninstitute.org/event/spooky-seas-2024
The Ocean Institute invites folks to a “fangtastic” night of family fun. On October 26, everybody can enjoy an eerie evening that comes stocked with such memorable experiences as bioluminescent laser tag and a mad scientist lab. Guests can also participate in a costume contest, so make sure you don your Halloween finery. Check OI’s website for updated details on this event that is always a memorable happening.
Adventure City’s Boo-tastic Halloween Party
https://www.adventurecity.com/boo-tastic-halloween-party
What makes Adventure City’s Halloween Party so “boo-tastic”? Maybe because it’s held on eight days (October 4, 11, 17-18, 24-25, 30-31). Maybe because kids can get candy and trinkets on “Trick-or-Treat Street.” Then there’s the Halloween-themed Express Train and a special scavenger hunt. And don’t forget the cool rides and the Cosmic Vortex Tunnel! Party hours are 5:30 pm-9:30 pm. This event typically sells out so buy tickets in advance at https://www.adventurecity.com/boo-tastic-halloween-party/.
Cops N’ Goblins Fall Spooktacular
https://www.buenapark.com/city_departments/community_services/cultural___fine_arts/fall_festival.php
Parents looking for something to do with their kids on Halloween day might just want to head over to Buena Park’s Civic Center for this event, which is co-hosted with the Buena Park Police Department (hence the “Cops” in its name). Between 2 pm-6 pm on the 31st, this Spooktacular presents carnival games, a kids costume contest, trunk-or-treat opportunities, a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, and food trucks.
Costa Mesa’s Scarecrow Festival
https://www.costamesaca.gov/scarecrow
Scarecrows will not be scarce at Costa Mesa’s Lions Park on October 14. This free annual community event offers an afternoon of autumnal entertainment from 2 pm-6 pm on the Lions Park Event Lawn. The festivities will include a kids costume parade, trick-or-treat stations, pumpkin decorating, music, games and the signature scarecrow contest.
Lake Forest Spooktacular
http://www.lfparksandrecca.com
This year’s Halloween party in Lake Forest has a birthday twist as the city is also celebrating its Sports Park’s 10th anniversary. On October 26, from 3 pm-7 pm, folks can play sporty, spooky games, bounce-around inflatables, enjoy a variety of live music and other entertainment, and do creepy crafts. There will be food trucks and candy too! Costumes are encouraged! Purchase wristbands for kids (ages 3 and up) at the Sports Park.
Heritage Hill’s Fall-O-Ween
https://www.ocparks.com/events/fall-o-ween
Heritage Hill Historical Park will be all dressed up for Halloween and the public is invited to dress up too in costumes and come out to discover all of the great Halloween and fall-themed photo opportunities. The Fall-O-Ween will be happening October 11-13 and 18-20 from 4:30 pm-8:30 pm. This family-friendly outing also features straw maze and a scavenger hunt with “ghoulish goodies.” Pets are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet.
Stanton Halloween Festival
https://www.stantonca.gov/calendar.php?view=day&month=10&day=26&year=2024&calendar=&id=223
On the afternoon of October 26, goblins and gremlins of all ages can be found haunting Stanton’s Central Park — but it’s all because they will be participating in the city’s Halloween party. From 4 pm-8 pm, the park will be home to a variety of games, live entertainment, costume contests and food trucks. No pre-registration is required for attending this party. However, the city does ask that everyone brings their own trick-or-treat bag.
Discovery Cube Pumpkin Palooza
https://www.discoverycube.org/orange-county/events/pumpkin-palooza
This seasonal festival presents a Pumpkin Party on the Cube’s first floor and a festive Dance Party on the second floor. No matter the floor, there’ll be plenty of exciting activities and some spooky science too. The Palooza occurs Fridays-Sundays October 4-27. A sensory-friendly version of the show happens October 20 at 9:45 am. The Cube also hosts Palooza Party Nights on October 18-19 and 25-26 (5:30 pm-8:30 pm). Get ticket info at https://www.discoverycube.org/orange-county/events/pumpkin-palooza/
Dana Point Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat
https://www.danapoint.org/department/community-services-and-parks/special-events
Dana Point Community Center’s parking lot will be the spot for this great family event. On October 26 (2 pm-6 pm), parents and children can enjoy games, crafts, entertainment and the Dana Point Police Services Trunk-or-Treat display. A kids’ costume parade will take place at 5 pm on the baseball field with prizes! Folks can also meet the bloodhounds, Bomb Squad, K-9 Unit and Mounted Patrol.
Tustin Halloween Howl
https://www.tustinca.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=1318&month=10&year=2024&day=31&calType=0
Parents and kids will be howling with glee for this Halloween day party. The lineup for this holiday celebration includes a costume contest, games, bounce houses and plenty of candy. And if you want to eat something other than candy, you can check out the food truck onsite. The Halloween festivities will be held at the Columbus Tustin Recreation Center on October 31 from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm.
Westminster’s Halloween Spooktacular
https://www.westminster-ca.gov/departments/community-services/recreation/special-events
Westminster Civic Center Sunken Gardens’ will be the location for some ghoulish fun on October 25. The eerie activities begin with a Trunk-or-Treat event from 4:30 pm-6:15 pm; you are invited to wear your Halloween costume too. It will be followed at 6:30 pm by a Spooktacular movie night. The evening also offers a Dia De Los Muertos celebration, with community ofrendas to remember loved ones who you have lost.
Halloween Spooktacular
https://anaheimhillsfestival.com/events/anaheim-hills-festival-halloween-spooktacular-2024
All ghouls, ghosts and goblins are welcome to the Anaheim Hills Festival Center for a big Halloween celebration. On October 31, youngsters can go trick-or-treating between 4 pm and 6 pm at participating stores and restaurants throughout the shopping center. The afternoon also offers more holiday amusements, such as face-painting, balloon-twisting, photo opportunities and live DJ.
Urban Air Halloween
https://www.urbanair.com/california-fullerton
Let your Halloween spirits soar on October 25 at the Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park. From 4 pm-8 pm, guests can participate in a costume contest (and possibly win prizes), indulge in a selection of candy and snacks, play a variety of games and enjoy balloon artistry and face-painting. Sign up at https://www.urbanair.com/california-fullerton/.
HowlOWeen Harvest Family Festival
https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/howl-o-ween-harvest
Have a howling fun time at the Helen Woodward Animal Center this October. Set up in the Animal Center’s “Eerie Estate,” this family festival contains hands-on encounters with various animals, a selection of trick-or-treat stations and spooky craft projects. The autumnal party will be held October 12, October 19 and October 26-27 from 9 am-1 pm. Register at https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/howl-o-ween-harvest/.
Halloween Aglow
https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/halloween-aglow
The Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography will be all “aglow” again this Halloween. On October 25-26, the Aquarium hosts a family-geared evening adventure from 6 pm-8:30 pm, which features live music, a costume contest and trick-or-treat stations — as well as showcasing some of the cool research being done at Scripps Institute.
Reservations are required: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/halloween-aglow
Scarium Family Night
https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/scarium_family_night
The Aquarium of the Pacific has turned its Scarium event into a nighttime Halloween party. On October 18, from 6:30 pm-9 pm, you can dress up in your Halloween outfit and explore the animal exhibits as well as touch sharks, rays and sea jellies while doing the self-guided scavenger hunt. The evening also holds a costume contest, Pacific Pals, trick-or-treating with provided goodie bags, a vampire magician and kids activity booths! Secure tickets at https://tickets.aquariumofpacific.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=SFN2024&c=SFN2024/.
River Street Ranch Pumpkin Patch
During the Halloween season (or September 20-October 31 to be precise), there will be a prominent presence of pumpkins at the River Street Ranch in San Juan Capistrano. For those who spend a minimum of $15 in pumpkins, you will get free pumpkin face decorations to take home too. And everyone can enjoy the rest of the Ranch’s attractions (the petting zoo, playground and more). Hours are 10 am-4 pm daily.
Pumpkin City Pumpkin Patch
https://pumpkincity.com/pumpkin-farm/#pumpkinlocations
Thousands of pumpkins will be residing at Pumpkin City. Stop by its Laguna Hills’ location (24203 Avenida de la Carlota) to pick one to bring to your residence. This Patch, however, also hosts all sorts of rides and games, along with other attractions (like bounce houses, a petting zoo, performances, food, and a general store). Rides, games and activities do require tickets. Hours in October are 12:30 pm-9 pm Mondays-Thursdays and 10 am-10 pm Fridays-Sundays.
Taghavi Farms’ Pumpkin Patch
Taghavi Farms are operating a pair of patches in Orange County. One is in San Clemente (at the San Clemente Outlets) while the other is in Lake Elsinore (18614 Dexter Rd.). Both are open daily in October with hours 2 pm-9 pm weekdays and 10 am-9 pm weekends. Besides having loads of pumpkins, the two locations will have inflatable jumpers, while San Clemente has a petting zoo too.
The Pumpkin Factory
The Pumpkin Factory will again be open for business at the Westminster Mall, from October 3-31. They will have plenty of pumpkins — and plenty of fun too. Rides, slides, games and a petting zoo are just some of the attractions. Operating hours are 5 pm-9 pm Mondays-Thursdays; 4 pm-10 pm Fridays; 10 am-10 pm Saturdays and 10 am-9 pm Sundays. The Factory has a Corona location (1545 Circle City Dr.) too.
Torelli’s Pumpkin Patch
https://www.torellirealty.com/upcoming-events/pumpkin-patch-2024
The folks at Torelli Realty are once again hosting a Halloween pumpkin patch, just as they have done for several decades. The Costa Mesa-based firm will be operating their one-day pumpkin patch on October 17 from 5 pm-7 pm in the company’s parking lot (1700 Adams Ave.). Stop by for a free pumpkin (while supplies last) as well as pony rides, petting zoo and face-painting.
The Pumpkin Patch
Known as Southern California’s oldest pumpkin patch, this Placentia tradition comes stuffed with pumpkins and gourds — and many other family-oriented attractions too. Visitors can go on tractor rides, play carnival games, meet baby animals and search for gemstones — as well as bouncing around inflatables and rolling around a Human Hamster Ball. This Patch is open 4 pm-9 pm Wednesdays-Thursdays, 4 pm-10 pm Fridays, 10 am-10 pm Saturdays and 11 am-8 pm Sundays from October 9-31.
OC Fair Pumpkin Patch
https://ocfair.com/event/seasonal-adventures-pumpkin-patch-2
Seasonal Adventures returns to OC Fair & Event Center Lot C to stage its sensational pumpkin patch that is packed with all sizes and types of pumpkins and gourds. There are other “seasonal adventures” too, like a petting zoo, kiddie rides, a train and inflatables. The Patch is open September 28-October 31 on 3 pm-9 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 3 pm-10 pm Fridays, 11 am-10 pm Saturdays and 11 am-9 pm Sundays — although it’ll close at 7 pm on Halloween.
Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s Pumpkin Patch
https://www.mrjackolanternspumpkins.com
You can find Mr. Jack O’Lantern at his pumpkin patches in Torrance (17520 Prairie Ave.) and Brea (480 N. State College Blvd.) from October 4-31. Both locations offer many pumpkin options for your future jack o’lantern, but they also have additional autumnal activities, like pumpkin bowling, pumpkin putting and pumpkin smash along with games, animal feedings and bouncy houses. Hours are 11 am-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 11 am-9 pm Fridays, 10 am-9 pm Saturdays-Sundays.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
https://www.tanakafarms.com/tanaka-farms-pumpkin-patch
Here is a real Orange County farm that also presents a gorgeous pumpkin patch. On weekdays (through Friday mornings), Tanaka also has wagon rides, a corn maze and an educational exhibit. Weekends hold the Fall Harvest Festival, which contains even more activities (including a pumpkin cannon). Hours are 9 am-6 pm Mondays-Thursdays and 9 am-9 pm Saturdays-Sundays October 4-27 (but just until 6 pm in September). And it closes at 3 pm on Halloween.
Carlsbad Strawberry Company Pumpkin Patch
https://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/pumpkin
The Carlsbad Strawberry Company provides a sweet alternative for pumpkin seekers. From September 20-November 3, visitors can search for their perfect pumpkin, explore the marigold field and enjoy other activities, such as tractor rides and animal encounters. Starting October 4, there’s the added weekend attraction of the Haunted Corn Maze. The Patch operates daily 9 am-6 pm but stays open until 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays in October.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
https://mrbonespumpkinpatch.com/
One of Southern California’s best known pumpkin patches, Mr. Bones will inhabit the West LA College campus in Culver City from October 5-31. At this year’s expanded Pumpkin Village, visitors can enjoy a corn maze, face-painting and pumpkin carving. And the weekends hold even more attractions, including live entertainment and food trucks. Mr. Bones is open for business 9 am-8 pm (weekdays) and 9 am-9 pm (weekends). Check its website for updated schedule of activities.
Hana Field Pumpkin Patch
https://www.tanakafarms.com/hana-field-pumpkin-patch
Hana Field in Costa Mesa might be best known for its flowers but come October, they have pumpkins too. Well, at least on Saturdays and Sundays. Hana Field’s Pumpkin Patch is open 10 am-5 pm, starting October 5 and closing on October 27 (so, don’t show up on Halloween day!). They also have a kids play area, a corn maze, a cow train, a Barnyard Educational Exhibit with live animals and flower picking (when available).
By Michael Berick
Leave a Reply