As autumn's crisp air arrives, Anaheim and Orange County embrace the spooky Halloween spirit. Beyond the typical trick-or-treating, discover unique thrills, chills, and family-friendly fun at these local events!
Celebrating Halloween in Anaheim and OC
Prepare to be bewitched as we embark on a journey through haunted houses, explore pumpkin patches, and discover the ghoulishly delightful events that make Halloween in Anaheim and the surrounding OC cities an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a local seeking new traditions or a traveler looking for the ultimate Halloween getaway, this guide will unravel the secrets to making this October the most spooktacular one yet! So grab your broomstick, put on your favorite costume, and let's dive into the enchanting world of Halloween in Anaheim and Orange County.
Anaheim’s Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Celebrating its second half of its centennial year, the Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade on October 26th is a beloved OC tradition. This spooky but family-friendly event features a parade filled with hand-built floats, costumed characters, and marching bands winding through the heart of Anaheim along Center Street Promenade in Downtown Anaheim. Expect plenty of food vendors, artist booths, and activities throughout the day. The festivities kick off early, at 11 am, while the parade starts at 7 pm.
Thrilling Halloween-Themed Theme Parks
Halloween Time at Disneyland® Resort
No Halloween season in Anaheim would be complete without the iconic celebrations at Disneyland® Resort. Disneyland® Park transforms into a spooky wonderland, with Main Street, U.S.A., adorned with glowing pumpkins and eerie decorations. Experience the Haunted Mansion Holiday's festive makeover and the thrilling Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark at Disney California Adventure® Park.
Knott’s Scary Farm
Knott's Berry Farm offers a dual experience to celebrate Halloween: Knott's Scary Farm, a nighttime haunt filled with mazes and scare zones designed to test your courage, and Knott's Spooky Farm, a daytime celebration perfect for younger visitors. Celebrating its 51 years of haunting this year, Knott’s Scary Farm is Southern California’s longest-running Halloween-themed park!
Adventure City
For eight nights only, visitors can enjoy Adventure City’s Boo-tastic Halloween Party. Enjoy 11 exciting rides, walk through their “Trick-or-Treat Street” for FREE candy and trinkets, ride the Halloween-themed Express Train, and get your groove on at the Spooktacular Dance Party.
Nightmare on Center Street
On October 26 from 11 am-3 pm, the Anaheim Farmers Market will host Nightmare on Center Street. Wear your costume to trick or treat from market booths decked out in spooky decor, then shop from vendors, grab a bite to eat, and more.
Halloween Spooktacular in Anaheim Hills
Trick or treat around the Anaheim Hills shopping center during their Halloween Spooktacular on October 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be a DJ, face painting, photo ops, balloon twisting, and more.
Pumpkin Patches and Hayrides in Orange County
Throughout October, Orange County's pumpkin patches offer a delightful way to celebrate the fall season. Discover the joy of handpicking your own gourd at one of these local patches!
- Tanaka Farms, the oldest family-run farm in Irvine, undergoes a delightful transformation each fall, becoming one of the OC’s most beloved pumpkin patches. Pick your perfect pumpkin straight from the vine, enjoy a hayride, navigate the twists and turns of their corn maze, and enjoy tasty Halloween treats at this sprawling 30-acre property.
- The Pumpkin Patch at the OC Fair & Event Center: Beyond their impressive selection of pumpkins, this patch in Costa Mesa provides family fun with inflatable slides, kiddie games, a petting zoo, and train rides.
- Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch invites families to embrace the spirit of Halloween. Located behind the historic train station in Orange, explore the patches sprawling pumpkin fields, take a leisurely hayride, or challenge yourself in their maze. With train rides, a petting zoo, carnival games, and even a spooky haunted house, it’s set to be one of the OC’s most action-packed patches!
- Pumpkin City in Laguna Hills is a massive pumpkin patch offering a wealth of Halloween fun. Beyond their pumpkins, enjoy carnival rides, test your luck at game booths, and meet friendly animals at the petting zoo. Hayrides, gold panning, bounce houses, and a beer garden with tasty treats round out this festive patch that runs through October.
Scares Galore!
Haunted Houses, Haunted Car Wash, and Paranormal Tours
If you like being scared, don’t miss one of the many haunted houses that are sure to make you scream! Visit The 17th Door in Buena Park for one of the longest haunts in all of California with 30–45 minutes of spooky thrills.
If you’d rather face your fears from the comfort of your own car, drive through Tunnel of Terror OC, Southern California’s Haunted Car Wash. The immersive car wash experience returns from October 3 to November 2, 2024. Tickets are available online.
Want to meet real ghosts? Embark on one of Haunted OC’s paranormal tours, hosted at one of the six most haunted spots in Orange County.
The Huntington Beach Surf City Spooktacular
On October 31st, head to Huntington Beach for their 7th Annual Halloween Spooktacular at Mariners Park. This free community event promises a ghoulishly good time with trick-or-treating, a "Monster March" parade, a costume contest, and meet-and-greets with local heroes and costumed characters. Plus, enjoy thrilling rides on the Boo Wave and grab a bite from local food trucks.
Pretend City's Halloween Extravaganza
From October 23rd to 27th, Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine invites you to unleash your imagination during Costume Week, with discounted admission for costumed guests. Then, on Halloween night, October 31st, step into a world of spooky surprises at their annual Halloween Extravaganza, where kids can trick-or-treat through the museum’s exhibits and galleries, participate in themed activities, and enjoy a not-so-scary atmosphere perfect for little ones.
Photo Courtesy of OC Parks
Halloween Zoo-tacular at the Orange County Zoo
On Saturday, October 26th, the OC Zoo transforms into a Halloween wonderland for its annual Zoo-tacular event. Arrive dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy a day filled with an Halloween scavenger hunt, trick-or-treating stations, spooky arts and crafts, and the opportunity to see the zoo animals receive their own special Halloween treats – jack-o-lanterns filled with their favorite snacks!
Boo Ha Ha Beer Fest & Concert
Not all Halloween treats are for the kids. Brew Ha Ha Productions and The OC Fair have come together to host the Boo Ha Ha Beer Fest & Concert at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA. The event will feature 3 hours of unlimited tastings from some of the nation's top breweries, an after hours party and a performance by LIT, Save Ferris and Code Name: Rocky!
Haunted Trails in Laguna Niguel
For those seeking a frightfully fun evening this Halloween season, the Haunted Trails in Laguna Niguel is a must-visit haunted experience. From October 10th to 13th, brave the trails at Crown Valley Park and encounter undead monsters and frightful surprises lurking in the shadows. Tickets go on sale in September, so book early to secure a spot!
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Events Calendar
The fun in Anaheim never dies. We hope you have a terrifyingly good time! Stay tuned for more Halloween events and fall happenings in Anaheim and the OC by checking out our events calendar! Happy Halloween!
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