OC Moms Guide – Orange County Events October 2019

Fall is now in full swing, and there are so many fun events in the OC this October, I hardly know where to begin! From Halloween fun, spooky animals, and Autumn festivals (including the first ever Orange County Moms Blog Fall Family Fest!), to car shows and air shows and book shows, oh my! Plus Diwali, the Taste of Santa Ana, and a Global Village for a spot of culture. 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? Boy oh boy is it going to be pumpkin-riffic! 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 $122 for kids 3-9. $129 for adults. Children 2 and under are free. You can also buy tickets now to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party, an after-hours celebration on select evenings this month. Check the Disneyland website for more info!

Howl-O-Ween Time at Great Wolf Lodge – Anaheim

Now through October 31

Great Wolf Lodge is a fun, family-friendly resort with the most fantastic indoor water park we’ve ever experienced. It’s basically the Disneyland of water parks. During Halloween season, the entire resort is transformed into a Howl-O-Ween celebration with even more fun features for the kiddos! There’s Halloween-themed crafts, Un-BOO-lievable Character Meet, Greet & Treat, a Trick-Or-Treat Trail that spans from one end of the hotel to the other, Spooktacular Storytime, and a Costume Parade. For more about experiencing Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge, check out my full review here! 

October rates as low as $199.99 per night for up to 6 people using the code HOWL (expires October 31). All these Howl-O-Ween activities, plus entry into the water park, are included with your hotel stay!

Knott’s Spooky Farm – Buena Park

Saturdays and Sundays in October, plus October 31

From their website: “Enjoy the spooktacular Halloween season at Knott’s Spooky Farm, a family-friendly Halloween celebration geared for kids ages 3-11. Little ghouls can trick-or-treat through Ghost Town to collect sweet Halloween treats. Treat bags containing event maps and other goodies will be distributed to children age 3 to 11 from opening until 4:30pm. Fun Halloween-themed shows are in store. Camp Snoopy Theater plays host to the “Monsters are Coming” show where children are encouraged to participate in the daily costume contest. The Halloween Hootenanny returns as The Timber Mountain Log Ride transforms with spooky but family-friendly surprises.”

Knott’s Spooky Farm is included with regular park admission or a 2019 Season Pass. One day admission tickets start at $49 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. Please note that Hello Kitty will not be making any appearances in October. 

The Hello Kitty Entry Package is $20 and includes Admission, Wagon Ride, Barnyard Educational Exhibit, and a limited edition Sanrio/Tanaka Farms Hello Kitty gift. If you’d like to pay separately, admission is $4 per person (Children 2 years and under are free.) The Wagon Ride is $6 (unlimited rides.) The Barnyard Educational Exhibit is $6. Game and Activity Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Parking passes are $10 but only required on the weekends.

Orange County International Auto Show – Anaheim

October 3-6

If you’ve got a kid who loves cars and trucks, this is the event for you. While only adults can test drive the over 100 vehicles there, kids can enjoy racing simulators, a kid-friendly test track using real vehicles, scavenger hunt, and more. Highlights include Camp Jeep, the ultimate off-road driving experience, and Electric Avenue where attendees can learn about the benefits of driving an electric vehicle. When we attended a few years ago with our son, he loved being able to climb into a wide variety of vehicles on the show room floor and play at the steering wheel. The joy on his face from being able to “drive” every car he’d ever seen on the road was well worth the cost of admission.

Even better, all participants in the Drive FCA! experience will be entered in the 2019 FCA US National Sweepstakes for a chance to win $70,000 towards a vehicle from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands! 

Ticket prices: Adults $15. Seniors $12. Military and First Responders are free (for up to 5 people) on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets in advance through their website for a 10% discount. Parking on site at the convention center is $16.

Great Pacific Airshow – Huntington Beach

October 4-6

From their website: “Every fall The Great Pacific Airshow attracts people from all corners of the globe to the pristine beaches of Huntington Beach, California to experience the best airshow the United States has to offer. The Great Pacific Airshow provides viewers with an avenue to celebrate patriotism, adventure, and technology through the dozens of airborne performers and their incredible acrobatic feats. Produced by Huntington Beach-based creative + production agency Code Four, The Great Pacific Airshow is a family-friendly, inspiring event that thrills people of all ages.” This year’s show will be headlined by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. We’ve attended the past few 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.

5th Annual Taste Of Santa Ana – Santa Ana

October 5

The Taste of Santa Ana offers over 40+ local restaurants and breweries where you can have unlimited bites and sips – it’s basically a tapas lover’s dream! Not only is there something for every single foodie, but there is also entertainment. If you love the 80’s you have to get your tickets to the Taste of Santa Ana as soon as possible because they will be showcasing FLASHPANTS! That’s right, the amazing 80’s cover band will be rocking out for your entertainment pleasure.

But that’s not all! The Taste of Santa Ana is kid-friendly too. There will be a kid’s zone, photo booth, lawn games, and kids under the age of 5 are free!

Want to have an exclusive experience? Purchase a VIP ticket. All VIP’s will have early access to the event as well as have an open bar, VIP only bites from local restaurants, premium seating of the entertainment AND have comfy lounge seating for your extra enjoyment.  

Take the whole family out and try something new – from food to drinks – you will not want to miss this awesome family-friendly event.

General Admission is $40 and VIP is $65.  Kids tickets are $20.  But act fast – prices will go up!

Acorn Day At O’Neill Regional Park – Trabuco Canyon

October 5

From the press release: “Acorn Day returns to O’Neill Regional Park! This free, family- friendly day of excitement and learning offers activities for every age including free crafts for kids, a live butterfly enclosure, active games, face painting, live music and introductory ukulele lessons, nature and animal exhibits, very special storytelling sessions with painting on water, acorn and oak tree planting and much more for the entire family! Guided nature hikes to the water tower will be offered at 10:15 and 11 a.m. Don’t miss a visit to the OC Parks “Nature on the Go” trailer and cast your own plaster animal track. Presentations include a book signing with the author of “How to Draw 60 Native CA Plants and Animals, A Field Guide” and two live butterfly releases by Western Monarch Guardians.”

Free admission and parking.

Autumn Harvest Festival – Lake Forest

October 5

From their facebook page: “HERITAGE HILL PARK WILL ONCE AGAIN BE DECORATED FOR THIS ADVENTURE-FILLED FESTIVAL! Attractions will include: The Superhero Village, the Under the Sea Adventure Maze, Harry Potter’s School House, Princess Pumpkin Patch, and Storytelling Adventures. The adventure does not stop as there will be games, face painting, a costume parade on stage, the “Lake Forest All Stars Glow Party”, and a movie screening of “The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.” Don’t forget to stop by all the trick or treat stations. Come ready in costume with trick or treat bag in hand as the adventure will take you places beyond your imagination!”

$5 Adults & Children 3 years and older. Children 2 years and under are free. Entrance fee includes attractions and games. Food for an additional cost. Event expected to sell out, so buy wristbands in advance (cash only) at Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center. 

Orange County Moms Blog Fall Family Fest – Orange

October 6

Join us at Chapman Crafted, a family-owned and community-focused craft brewery, for a fun-filled FALL event! Enjoy 20% off flights of beer, food trucks, + giveaways!

We will have a Face-painter from Royal Kids Parties and Wonder Woman!

Tickets are $10 per family!

Indian Diwali Festival At Bowers Museum – Santa Ana

October 6

From their website: “Celebrate the festival of lights with live musical performances all day long! Don’t miss internationally acclaimed choreographer Ramya Harishankar’s Arpana Dance Co. and Punam Kumar’s Kathak Company, accompanied by Sid Phillar. Watch as classical Indian rhythms converge with ’70s Bollywood to create psychedelic soundscapes, presented by The Sadhus of Bass. DJ/producer Ameet Mehta and tabla artist Robin Sukhadia will round out the day with visuals and sound inspired by Bollywood funk and Indian classical music.”

Free festival. General admission to Bowers Museum is also free on Festival Sundays for Members and Santa Ana residents only.

Orange County Children’s Book Festival – Costa Mesa

October 6

Discover the latest in children’s book publishing! This annual festival features over 3,000 titles, including books personally autographed by authors. You can buy just about any book there. That makes this festival one of the world’s largest bookstores! Multiple stages feature authors, illustrators, and professional storytellers. There’s a trackless train ride, kids crafts, face painting, crazy hair styling, petting zoo, balloon animals, and other family fun activities. Food vendors and more! New this year: NBA legend, Academy Award Winner, and New York Times Bestseller Kobe Bryant will be making an appearance on the Main Stage!

Free admission and parking. Food and books available for purchase.

Prehistoric OC – Buena Park

October 12

From their website: “Join OC Parks for Prehistoric OC, a free event that invites families to explore the prehistoric history of Orange County. Prehistoric OC will present fun and educational activities and information to the public about Orange County’s rich history and prehistory with activities, fossils and artifacts. Families can enjoy free educational entertainment in the form of hands-on activities from Dino Encounters, volcano demonstrations by the CSUF Geology Club, crafts in the Junior Scientist Camp, an Ice Age interactive live show, a giant dinosaur obstacle course and vehicles from the Jurassic Park Motor Pool. The interpretive center will also be open for viewing of real artifacts and fossils from around Orange County. Prehistoric OC coincides with California Archaeology Month, the American Institute for Archaeology’s National Archaeology Day Oct. 19, and the National Park Services’ National Fossil Day Oct. 16. Join us to celebrate the scientific and cultural history of Orange County.”

Event and parking are free!

Touch-A-Truck – Costa Mesa

October 12

From their website: “The OC Market Place is hosting this free, interactive experience for kids of all ages during normal Market Place hours. Touch-a-Truck is an interactive hands-on experience where children can learn about their favorite trucks and vehicles, honk their horns, and interact with the drivers.”

Free. 

Baby Gear Event At Nordstrom – Brea

October 12

All new and expecting moms will not want to miss this amazing event on October 12th beginning at 9am at the Nordstrom in Brea!  So many exciting vendors as well as giveaways and raffles.  Gift with purchases too!  Learn about the best products on the market.

Tickets are $20 per family.  The $20 is transferred onto a gift card to Nordstrom.  To purchase your ticket please call  (714)529-0123 × 1480 or email  [email protected]. Tickets can be picked up at check-in

$20

“I CAN!” Girls Conference

October 12th

We make a coordinated effort to work with girls from all socio-economic backgrounds including at-risk girls from over 35 foster care and non-profit agencies

Female role models are invited to address many of the issues young girls encounter from peer pressure to insecurity about their looks, school performance and relationships. Our programs are fun and interactive. This program enables girls to discover their talents and strengths.

Global Village Festival – Irvine

October 12+13

From their website: “To celebrate 18 years of community fun, the 2019 Irvine Global Village Festival will be one of the largest ones yet! The now two-day festival incorporates the best of Irvine’s historic fall festival to offer more food, art, and music throughout an entire weekend at the Great Park. Families will delight in an expanded Kids Village with crafts, interactive activities, seek-a-treat, and a petting zoo. Attendees of all ages will enjoy local and global cuisine, an artisan’s marketplace, music, art, and exhibits, all while attending Orange County’s premier festival.”

Admission ticket is $5 per day, per person. Ages 2 and under are free. Or get a $20 Family Pass for one day admission for up to 6 people. Free general parking. $10 cash only premier parking. Shuttle buses also available. A variety of cultural food vendors provide tasting samples at the event, with prices ranging from $2 to $5. Purchase by cash, debit and credit card varies by vendor. Cash is recommended.

Creatures Of The Night at Sherman Library and Gardens – Corona Del Mar 

October 19

From their website: “Creatures of the Night is a fun family evening designed for interacting, observing and learning about the many plants and animals that are most active at night.  Visitors will receive a ‘passport’ to explore the  Gardens after dark and visit interactive animal stations that delve into the nocturnal world and its inhabitants. Get up close to Project Wildsong’s Ambassador Wolves. Weave your way through the Forbidden Jungle and get a close look at dissected carnivorous plants. Visit Bug Country where Adventures in Living Science will dispel myths of the creepy crawlies, take a look at scorpions under black light and, if you dare, stick your hand in the worm pit! Meet special mammal visitors (opossum and rabbit) and a spectacled owl from the Santa Ana Zoo and don’t forget to take your picture at the Birds of Prey Selfie Wall. There will also be arts and crafts, an opportunity to dissect an owl pellet, and a gourmet hot dog cart for food and drink purchases.”

$10 Friends of Sherman Library and Gardens Admission; $15 Non-Members Admission; $5 Children 4-17; Children 3 and Under are Free.

Hoag Health + Wellness Fair – Aliso Viejo

October 19

The Hoag Health + Wellness Fair is a family-friendly event. Attendees can expect an exciting day full of goodies and free flu shots! The event will be from 8am-12pm.

Trinity Luthern School’s Harvest Festival

October 25th

Join us for our annual Harvest Festival! There will be Games, Food, Fellowship, Music, and More!!! Invite family and friends! Can’t wait to see you there! Pre-sale tickets are available now through October 23rd!

OC Zoo’s Halloween Zoo-tacular – Orange

October 26

From their website: “Join us for Halloween fun at the OC Zoo! Activities include trick-or-treating*, spooky kids crafts, a scavenger hunt*, and fun games! The first 100 children in costume receive a free gift!* Come see the zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day! *Children ages 12 & under.”

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.

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 and festive fall season!