The air is filled with a hint of pumpkin spice and the countdown to Halloween has officially begun. That can only mean one thing: October is upon us, and it's time to embrace the magic of fall. October in Anaheim and Orange County is full of festive events, thrilling experiences, and family-friendly fun. From pumpkin patches and harvest festivals to unique cultural celebrations and sporting events, check out our guide for the top things to do this October!
Halloween Festivals in Anaheim and the OC
Anaheim's Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
October 26th
The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade returns to the City of Anaheim for the second half of its centennial celebration! This beloved community tradition promises a day of festive fun. Enjoy a lively parade with hand-built floats, costumed characters, and marching bands, along with food vendors, artist booths, and family-friendly activities. The Anaheim Fall Festival kicks off its celebration at 11 a.m. and continues until 6 p.m. on Center Street in Anaheim. Following the festival, the Anaheim Halloween Parade will start at 7 p.m. Be sure to join in on this cherished hometown tradition, especially as the centennial celebration promises plenty of treats and surprises!
Thrills and Spooks at the Theme Parks
Halloween Time at Disneyland® Resort
Halloween Time at Disneyland® Resort is a special treat! There’s so much going on that we created a special page to show you all the exciting happenings!
Explore the thrills & chills at Disneyland® Resort’s Halloween Time.
Knott’s Scary Farm
Another beloved Halloween tradition in the region is Knott's Scary Farm. Through October 31, the park is transformed into a spooky haunt with mazes, scare zones, and Halloween-themed entertainment.
Pumpkin Patches in Orange County
Get into the fall spirit this October by visiting local pumpkin patches in Orange County. From thousands of pumpkins to choose from to carnival games and hay rides, this is sure to be a fun fall activity for the whole family. We've gathered just a few of our favorites. Pick one nearby or explore a new-to-you patch every weekend this fall.
Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch
Open until October 31
Embrace the magic of autumn at the Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch taking place at the OC Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa. This family-fun pumpkin patch is packed with fall activities such as inflatable slides, kiddie rides, and a petting zoo. Enjoy a train ride through the park and pick out your perfect pumpkin to take home. Also, take a stroll down to the farmers market to pick up some fresh seasonal produce and gourds.
Hana Field Pumpkin Patch & Flower Fields
Open until October 5 - 27
Explore Tanaka Farm’s Hana Field Pumpkin Patch in Costa Mesa, where sunflowers bloom, and pumpkins await your picking. Dive into the excitement with activities like Cow Train, arts and crafts, Root Shoot (turnip shooting), Pumpkin Cannon, and a challenging corn maze. Hana Fields Pumpkin Patch is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
Open until October 31st
Discover the wonders of Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch in Irvine, spanning over 30 acres of exploration. Experience a vibrant pumpkin patch and wagon rides, a barnyard educational exhibit, a U-pick veggie patch, corn mazes, U-pick pumpkin fields, festival games, farmer’s golf, and more! Aside from the pumpkin patch, their farm-fresh produce market stand will remain open featuring many fall décor, seasonal produce, and lots more.
Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch
Open until October 31st
The Irvine Park Railroad's Pumpkin Patch is an enduring Orange County tradition. Irvine Regional Park transforms into a beautiful fall wonderland filled with many fun family-friendly fall activities. Come and enjoy a not-so-spooky haunted house, a delightful hay maze, picturesque photo spots, harvest-themed carnival games, relaxing hayrides, thrilling train rides, and much more. Please plan your trip accordingly as the park entrance may be impacted. Visit the OC Parks page for any updates before your trip.
Pumpkin City
Open until October 31
Visit Pumpkin City in Laguna Hills to marvel at thousands of pumpkins, amusement rides, game booths, and fun activities in a picturesque farm setting. Carnival activities include a petting zoo, boat rides, inflatable axe throwing, and ball tossing games. Afterward, grab dinner right at the pumpkin patch for your carnival favorites such as hot dogs, churros, and ice cream. Experience Pumpkin City’s new Oktoberfest Beer Garden in Laguna Hills complete with live music, local craft brews, and entertainment.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
Halloween Treat Street at the Anaheim Plaza
Oct 19, 2024
Stop by the Anaheim Plaza's Halloween Treat Street from 11 am – 1 pm for some trick-or-treating fun. This free, family-friendly event is filled with Halloween excitement from trick-or-treating throughout the center, plenty of photo opportunities, a DJ, raffle prizes, face painting, and more! Plus, the first 100 kids in costume will receive a special goodie bag.
Brea Costume Swap
October 7-11, 2024
Join the Halloween costume exchange at the Brea Resource Center to "shop" costumes and donate this Halloween.
Huntington Beach Surf City Spooktacular
October 31st
Head to Huntington Beach for a free, family-friendly Halloween extravaganza at Mariners Park. Enjoy trick-or-treating, a "Monster March" parade, a costume contest, meet-and-greets with local heroes, thrilling rides on the Boo Wave, and delicious food from local food trucks.
Haunted Trails in Laguna Niguel
October 10-13
For those seeking a frightfully fun evening, Haunted Trails in Laguna Niguel is a must-visit. Brave the trails at Crown Valley Park and encounter undead monsters and spooky surprises lurking in the shadows. Tickets go on sale September 13th, so don't miss out!
Oktoberfest and Craft Beer Festivals in Orange County
Firkenstein Craft Beer Festival
October 5th
Come out to Firkenstein Craft Beer Festival taking place at the Center Street Promenade in Downtown Anaheim, the only beer festival where not only you can get dressed up, but your beer can too! Sample unlimited craft beers from 30 of California’s most popular breweries bringing one-of-a-kind beers made just for this event. Taste special brews from some of the best breweries in SoCal, such as Monkish Brewing, Villains Brewing, Bottle Logic Brewing, Long Beach Beer Lab, El Segundo, Lost Winds and many more!
Oktoberfest at Old World Village
Open until November 5
Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Biergarten in Huntington Beach’s Old World Village, one of Orange County’s biggest Oktoberfest celebrations. Experience the authentic taste, smells, and sights of the German culture with German food, voted “Best Bratwurst” in California, imported German beers and traditional dances, and live entertainment from Germany for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a beer aficionado, a foodie seeking new flavors, or simply looking for a memorable cultural experience, Orange County's Oktoberfest offers it all.
Catch a Hockey Game
Cheer on the Anaheim Ducks
Feel the energy as the Anaheim Ducks take the ice for the 2024-2025 NHL season. With a roster brimming with young talent and exciting new additions, the Ducks are ready to make their mark! Be there for the first puck drop of the season and catch the home opener against the new Utah Hockey Club on October 16th then followed by the Los Angeles Kings on October 20th at the Honda Center. On October 22, catch the last thrilling matchup of the month as the Ducks go up against the Sharks.
Orange County Festivals and Annual Events
La Habra’s Annual Corn Festival & Parade
From October 11th to 13th, experience the charm of small-town Americana at the La Habra Corn Festival & Parade. This decades-long celebration of everything corn features a mile-long parade, live music, delicious food, carnival rides, and the opportunity to savor the festival's namesake – buttered corn on the cob (alongside other corn-based treats and products).
Irvine Global Village Festival
Celebrate Irvine's cultural diversity at the Irvine Global Village Festival on October 5th at Great Park. Enjoy music and dance performances from around the world, sample global cuisine, shop for unique handmade crafts, and engage in interactive cultural exhibits. From traditional artworks to international food stalls, this festival promises unique experiences that celebrate the heritage of Irvine's multicultural community.
Newport Beach Film Festival
Dive into international cinema at the 25th annual Newport Beach Film Festival, running from October 17th to 24th at select locations throughout Newport Beach. This prestigious festival will present a curated collection of new films from emerging and established filmmakers and stands as one of the most renowned cultural gatherings in Southern California. Discover the next generation of directors, engage in thought-provoking discussions and presentations, and experience the magic of storytelling on the big screen!
Silverado Country Fair & Folk Festival
Step back in time at the Silverado Country Fair & Folk Festival, taking place on October 14th and 15th in Silverado, CA. This Wild West-themed event transports you to the 19th century, featuring live performances from bluegrass, folk, blues, and jam bands. Enjoy mouthwatering food, browse the arts and crafts fair, and sip on craft beer and wine at the on-site saloon. Get into the Old West spirit and wear your best old-timey garb!
Events Calendar
Whether you are a local or a visitor, the best of what the region has to offer is awaiting you this amazing month. We hope this list gets you feeling all the fall vibes. These traditional Halloween activities and some scarier ones thrown into the mix will help you include everyone in the spirit of the season! Visit our events calendar to see more events in Anaheim and Orange County!
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