Well, we’ve survived the summer and it is now officially Fall! Though the temperature is still stuck in summertime, there are still some awesome fall-themed cultural events happening in the OC this October. From Halloween fun and spooky animals and Dia de los Muertos (oh my!). Check out all these exciting Orange County events October has to offer!
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort – Anaheim
Now through October 31
It’s never too early to scare up some Halloween Time fun right? As in years past, certain rides will be getting limited-time-only Halloween theming and story changes. Entire lands will be revamped in the spirit of the season! Orange you glad I’m telling you about this?? (Sorry, I just can’t help myself with these bad puns!)
I’m partial to Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween at Carsland. It looks like Mater will be back at it this year with Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and many more festive, family-friendly touches. And don’t even get me started on all the Halloween-themed menu items and sweet treats! Let’s just say that this mummy is very excited for what is going to be a frightfully fun time at the Disneyland Resort!
One day one park tickets for Disneyland or Disney California Adventure start at $104 for adults and kids ages 3-9. Children 2 and under are free. Advance theme park reservations are required. Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party, an after-hours celebration on select evenings starting September 6th have unfortunately sold out. Check the Disneyland website for more info!
Knott’s Spooky Farm – Buena Park
Thursdays through Sundays in October, plus October 31
From their website: “Enjoy the Halloween season at Knott’s Spooky Farm, a family-friendly fall time celebration. Little ghouls can trick-or-treat around the town of Calico’s shops and buildings to collect sweet treats from the friendly townsfolk plus enjoy even more kids’ Halloween activities. Families can join in on the Halloween fun as the park is transformed with themed décor and spooky surprises.”
Knott’s Spooky Farm is included with regular park admission or a 2023 Season Pass. One day admission tickets start at $59.99 online. AAA and other discounts available.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch – Irvine
Now through October 31
This super popular pumpkin patch takes place at local favorite Tanaka Farms. This family-owned and operated farm converts into a fall wonderland with fields full of pumpkins as far as the eye can see. Other weekend activities include a wagon ride, corn maze, petting zoo, u-pick veggies, and even a pumpkin launcher demonstration.
Admission is $20 and includes unlimited Wagon Rides, Barnyard Educational Exhibit, corn maze, and access to the U-Pick pumpkin fields. DOES NOT INCLUDE PUMPKIN which costs $1.39 per pound. (Children 2 years and under or military are free.) Parking passes are $10 but only required on Fridays after 12pm and the weekends. Activity Tickets: $6 each or 6 for $30 (save $6!) Activity tickets can be used for Games, Arts & Crafts, Mini ATVs, Face Painting, Veggie Patch, shooting the Pumpkin Cannon, or riding the Bee Train. Weekends only. PLEASE NOTE: All games and activities are open starting at 12 noon on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. They stop selling Activity Tickets one hour prior to closing.
Great Pacific Airshow – Huntington Beach
Now through October 1
From their website: “Pacific Airshow® is not just an Airshow. It’s a spectacle-scale event that celebrates the love, patriotism, and awe-inspiring feats of aviation with the enticing thrill of sports, entertainment, art, and technology. Taking place over three days, the Airshow delivers an action-packed lineup of events, from live music festivals on the beach and VIP offerings, to over-the-water aerobatic demonstrations from the world’s best display teams – all backed by Southern California’s most iconic beachfront destination, Huntington Beach, CA. It’s not just an Airshow, it’s an experience.” We’ve attended several times over the years and it’s a fun experience for the whole family. You’ll see the planes flying overhead from anywhere in Huntington Beach, but the best views are by PCH since all the planes do fly-bys parallel to the beach.
Free to watch from the ground. Tickets for VIP viewing and Ocean-Front RV Camping available for an additional cost.
Bring Your Own Baby Tour & Tea of the Orange County Museum of Art – Costa Mesa
October 4
Did you know that every month, OCMA invites parents of babies one and under to hang out and explore the museum’s exhibitions? Come experience some cutting edge art with your infant in tow and enjoy a complimentary tea at their Verdant Cafe afterwards. The beautiful building (designed by the architectural geniuses at Morphosis) is a piece of art in itself with a prime location next to the Segerstrom Theater and is filled with colorful, contemporary, diverse, and highly accessible art. The large gallery space on the main floor houses the latest big exhibit and an exciting art-filled tribute to the 13 visionary women who originally founded OCMA, with additional art exhibits on the floors above. There’s also a large rooftop terrace featuring a massive, sequined sculpture by Sanford Biggers which magically seems to change shape and pattern based on where you’re standing to look at it (see featured image above!).
Tickets are free and required. They can be reserved through OCMA’s website.
BONUS – If you can’t make it, this event is held the first Wednesday of every month. Or if you’d like to come back another time, admission to OCMA will be free for the next NINE years! This one-year-old cultural hub within the larger cultural hub of the Segerstrom Center For The Arts is fast becoming an Orange County cultural landmark, so you’ll definitely want to check it out!
Halloween Animal Art Preschool Program – Orange
October 5
From their website: “Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo creatures up close!” This is a weekly event happening every week in October.
$5 per child ages 3-4 ONLY. Parking is $3 per vehicle on the weekdays. Must register via phone (number in link above).
Annular Solar Eclipse Viewing Party – San Juan Capistrano
October 14
From their website: “Join us at the Caspers Wilderness Park Nature Center to view an annular solar eclipse where the moon will cover almost 80% of the sun’s visible surface. Eclipses happen fairly regularly, but this will be the most coverage of the solar surface visible in Orange County until 2045!”
Event is free and parking costs $5. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Complimentary eclipse viewing glasses will be available for registered participants. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and anything else you might need to enjoy the show. Parking is in the San Juan Meadow group area and guests will need to walk up the hill to the viewing area at the Nature Center. ADA parking is available. Rain or significant cloud cover will cancel the program.
Global Village Festival – Irvine
October 14
From their website: “Orange County’s premier multicultural event, the Irvine Global Village Festival, returns to Great Park this year for a full day of food, art, music, and a celebration of Irvine’s diverse community. Join us Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., as we celebrate 22 years of fun. The annual festival incorporates the best of Irvine’s historic fall festivals and includes kids’ activities, local and global cuisine, a global marketplace, music, art, and exhibits.”
Free parking. A variety of cultural food vendors provide tasting samples at the event, with prices ranging from $3 to $10.
Fall-O-Ween – Lake Forest
October 13-15 and 20-22
From their website: “Join OC Parks at Heritage Hill Historical Park this fall for the return of Fall-O-Ween! Tour the decorated historical grounds during special park hours and take your picture at a variety of fall and Halloween-themed photo opportunities. Try to find your way through the straw maze and complete a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies at this free, family-friendly event.”
Free. Costumes are encouraged and pets are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet.
OC Zoo’s Halloween Zoo-tacular – Orange
October 28
From their website: “Join us for Halloween fun at the OC Zoo! Activities include a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating (while supplies last), and spooky crafts! The first 100 children (12 and under) in costume will receive a free gift! Come see the zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day!“ This is one of the special Orange County events October is great for, as it merges a visit to the zoo with some seasonal fun. And what kid doesn’t love animals and free gifts???
Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free). Parking is $5 per vehicle. Zoo coupons and free passes are not valid for this event.
Boo At The Bay: Family Halloween Party – Newport Beach
October 28
From their website: “Join us at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a fun family Halloween party featuring spooky stories, creepy crafts, weird science experiments, bizarre animals and hair-raising games. All children who attend in costume will receive ghoulish door prizes. The event will also feature booths and exhibits from Orange County Bird of Prey Center, Environmental Nature Center and the OC Parks Archaeology and Paleontology departments.”
Event and parking are free. Rain or inclement weather will cancel the event.
Dia De Los Muertos Festival – Fullerton
October 29
From their website: “Join us to celebrate Día de los Muertos! We will have festive activities for the whole family, live music, local artisans, and arts and crafts for kids.”
Free.
For more ideas on how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, please click here!
For more Orange County events October ideas and Trick Or Treating Halloween events, check out Orange County’s Ultimate Guide To Fall. Wishing you a fun, safe, and festive fall season!
