From Oktoberfests to Haunted Houses, Book Festivals to Dia de Los Muertos October in Orange County is full of fun! The scariest thing you may run into is missing one of these fantastic events!
Huntington Beach Oktoberfest Through Nov. 3
Every Wednesday through Sunday. Sample Imported German Beers and food. Guests can also enter the Beer Drinking & Stein Holding Contests, and of course, do the Chicken Dance! Wednesday through Saturday are adult nights & Sunday’s are family day with Dachshund Races.
Old World Festival Hall
Haunt at Heritage Hill Oct. 1-12
The park will once again transform into a haunted adventure with scream zones, music, and game booths. Costumes encouraged, but no masks or face paint will be permitted to enter the event.
6:30-10:30pm / Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
Orange County International Auto Show Oct. 3-6
Attendees are invited to sit behind wheels, inspect engines, experience new technologies and even take a test drive in more than 150 new vehicles. Anaheim Convention Center
Tustin Tiller Days Oct. 4-6
Celebrates OC’s agricultural heritage while providing an opportunity for local non-profit organizations to promote their cause and raise much- needed funds.
17522 Beneta Way
Craft & Artisan Faire Oct. 5
Join community crafters and artists for unique, one of a kind handmade goods. Seasonal and year-round gifts will be available. This is a perfect time to get some Christmas shopping done and support our local talent.
9am-5pm / Bridge Fellowship Plaza, Rancho Santa Margarita
Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational Oct. 5-13
North America’s most renowned, Plein air landscape painters will compete for prestigious prizes and participate for the week of events including public paint outs and artist meet and greets.
Dawn to Dusk / Festival of Arts Grounds
Orange County Children’s Book Festival Oct. 6
This family-fun festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors who will be entertained by authors, illustrators, booksellers, animals, storytellers, costumed characters, train rides, crafts, food and entertainment and much more. Admission and parking are free.
9:30am-4pm / Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
San Clemente Sea Fest Oct. 6
Chowder Cook-off, Fisherman’s Lobster, Surfing Contest, Business Exposition, Arts & Craft Show and a U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Operation which all takes place at the historic San Clemente Pier.
9:30am-3pm / San Clemente Pier
Haunted Fullerton Walking Tours Oct. 10-11, 15-19, 22-26 & 29-30
A celebration of local legend while sharing stories of another facet of Fullerton’s history, particularly that of the downtown.
Fullerton Museum
Boot Hill Oct. 11, 12, 14, 18-20 & 25-27
The unearthly spirits from the Old West town of Bridgewood will materialize for EIGHT haunting nights, transforming the residence at 16 Goldenrod into the old church and cemetery that once occupied this hallowed ground.
7-10pm / 16 Goldenrod, Irvine
Mystery at the Monster Mixer Oct. 11, 26-27 & 30
A night of ghouls, grub, and gut-busting laughter awaits you at Mystery at the Monster Mixer! A fully-immersive dinner party that has you enjoying a delicious spread and solving a puzzling mystery whilst sitting amongst vampires, phantoms, demons and more!
Angelo & Vinci’s Ristorante, Fullerton
The Heritage Festival and Parade Oct. 12
Begins with the Chamber of Commerce pancake breakfast at 6:30am followed by the parade and band review at 9:30am. The festival begins at 9:30 a.m. and will feature many exciting activities for the entire family.
6:30am / Tri-City Park, Placentia
Irvine Global Village Festival Oct. 12-13
More than 100 performances representing cultures from around the world; international cuisine; kids’ crafts and activities; cultural and religious exhibits; and international marketplace.
10am-5pm / Orange County Great Park
Silverado Country Fair and Folk Festival Oct. 12-13
Explores the wonders of the area’s Old West rustic culture, great live Bluegrass, Country and Folk music, Wild West reenactments, arts and crafts, 1800’s activities & makeshift jail, tasty food, beer & wine saloon, plus ‘ole timey’ contests.
Silverado Comm. Center & Fairgrounds
Glitterfest Oct. 13
Hand-picked artisans, home decor vendors, and vintage ephemera from all over the California area will gather together. Art is all handmade mixed- media wonderfulness featuring Halloween, Christmas, and seasonal decor. Admission is $7.
10am-3pm / Spring Field Banquet Center, Fullerton
Laguna Niguel Haunted Trails Oct. 17-19
There was a hotel in the Valley of Crowns that sat empty for years due to mysterious sounds. Guides will escort groups through the old hotel, the lobby, kitchen, and the gardens.
6:30-10pm / Crown Valley Community Park
Silverado Days Oct. 18-20
Games, crafts, contests, rides, food, and fun for the whole family. Featured contests include a Car Show, an Amateur Horseshoe Contest, a Pie-Eating Contest, a Hog Calling, a Dog Show, a Chili Cook-off and much more!
William Peak Park
OC Japan Fair Oct. 18-20
Enjoy the experience of shopping, tasting, and learning about Japanese culture. There will also be live performance, games, Kimono models and more!
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
Doheny State Beach Halloween Haunt Oct. 19
Good ole fashioned spookiness, arts and crafts, a fun zone, and an array of educational booths. Rangers, Lifeguards and other volunteers all pitch in to make this a really fun evening.
6:30-8:30pm / Picnic Sites A & B
Día de Los Muertos Celebration Oct. 19
Enjoy kid-friendly activities and traditional music, featuring tunes from Disney-Pixar’s “Coco” and more.
10am / Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa
Pacific Symphony presents: Treats in the Streets Autumn Festival Oct. 24
Old Towne merchants decorate their shops and local non-profit groups provide delicious food items and tasty treats for a nominal charge.
4-7pm / Old Towne Orange Plaza
Dana Point Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat Oct. 25
Carnival games, crafts, cookie decorating, entertainment, costume parade, and treats for all the children. Dana Point Police Services will be holding their Trunk or Treat event in the parking lot. BBQ hot dogs and refreshments.
4:30-8:30pm / Community Center
Ghosts and Legends Tour Oct. 25-26
Get in the spirit of Halloween by joining the Historical Society Walking Tour Guides on a spooky walking tour of Los Rios Street, the oldest residential neighborhood in California.
O’Neill Museum / Historical Society, San Juan Capistrano
Casa Creepy: Haunted House Oct. 25-27
Werewolves, vampires, and ghosts are waiting behind every corner of our historic home, and you can bet on plenty of creepy-crawlies in the gardens. 7-9pm / Casa Romantica Cultural Center
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade Oct. 26
Game and food booths, entertainment, craft fair, haunted house, pumpkin patch, costume contest and trick-or-treating.
11am-5pm / Downtown Anaheim
Los Alamitos Trunk or Treat Oct. 26
Fun family activities including a costume contest, pie-eating contest, train ride, trunk or treating, prizes, food trucks, inflatables, and photo booth!
5-7:30pm / Little Cottonwood Park
Spooky San Clemente Oct. 26
Join us for a night of haunted houses, spooky corn maze, tricks on Del Mar and a movie in the dark.
4-7pm / Community Center
Villa Park Halloween Fest Oct. 26
Costumed children will have the opportunity to visit local merchants for treats throughout the Towne Centre. There will also be hayrides, a coloring contest, food, commemorative photos, and pumpkin carving.
4-7pm / Villa Park Towne Centre
Stanton Halloween Festival Oct. 26
This special event is open to ghosts and goblins of all ages and will feature games, DJ entertainment, costume contests, non-profit food booths and a howling good time for everyone. Be sure to bring your trick-or-treat bag!
4-8pm / Stanton Central Park
All Treats No Tricks at the Mall Oct. 31
Come in costume for spooky family fun and activities based on Vampirina and your favorite Disney Junior pals! There will also be trick or treating at the mall from 4-7pm.
3-7pm / Brea Mall Center Court
Cypress Halloween Carnival Oct. 31
Family Games, Entertainment and Trick or Treat! Food will be sold for an additional cost at the event.
6-9pm / Community Center
Main Street Halloween Fest Oct. 31
Trick-or-treating in the BID downtown zone on Main (and side-streets), PCH, the Pier, and 5th with businesses providing candy to children. A Halloween costume contest for kids and dogs on 5th Street plus inflatable games.
4-8pm / Downtown HB
La Palma Halloween Carnival Oct. 31
Will feature carnival games, an area for children under the age of 5 to play games, and those who dare to find their way through a scary maze!
6-8:30pm / Central Park
Rancho Santa Margarita Fall Family Festival Oct. 31
Trick-or-Treat, enjoy multiple inflatables and bounce houses, partake in the costume contest and join the child and pet costume parade while you listen to music and play games.
2-5pm / Central Park
Tustin Halloween Howl Oct. 31
Costume contests, family entertainment, carnival games, prizes, and candy.
3-5pm / Columbus Tustin Activity Center
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