If you are on the hunt for something to do this weekend, there’s no shortage of events to make this spooky season memorable.
As we reach the end of October, there’s no better time to figure out holiday plans for Halloween and Día de los Muertos (translated from Spanish to “Day of the Dead”).
But there’s no need to scour the internet because Culture OC has taken care of that for our readers. Whether you’re in the mood for treats, pumpkins or holiday activities, we’ve rounded up a little bit of something for everyone, no matter where you are in Orange County.
PHOTO 1: Pick a pumpkin from an actual pumpkin patch at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. When visitors aren’t picking pumpkins, they can enjoy various activities such as wagon rides, festival games, and arts and crafts, to name a few. Photo courtesy of Tanaka Farms. PHOTO 2: Irvine Park Railroad in Orange offers train rides at one ticket per person, with 12 months or younger free of charge. Photo courtesy of Irvine Park Railroad
Pumpkin Patches
No Halloween season is complete without carving a pumpkin or two, so why not take a trip to the pumpkin patch? Though visitors won’t find the Great Pumpkin King, they will find ripe pumpkins ready to be carved (or painted) for some Halloween arts and crafts.
ANAHEIM and LAGUNA HILLS: Pumpkin City’s Pumpkin Farm
When: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Where: Anaheim Town Square, 2180 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim
Second Location: Laguna Hills Mall, 24203 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills
Cost: Free admission Monday through Friday before 4 p.m., free admission all day Halloween, $8 for ages 2-12 and $10 for ages 13 and up
More Info: pumpkincity.com/
BREA: Enchanted Country Pumpkin Patch
COSTA MESA: Tanaka Farms — The Hana Field Pumpkin Patch & Flower Fields
IRVINE: Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
ORANGE: Pumpkin Patch at the Irvine Park Railroad
PLACENTIA: The Pumpkin Patch
SAN CLEMENTE: ABC Tree Farms Christmas Tree Farm & Pumpkin Patch
WESTMINSTER: The Pumpkin Factory at Westminster Mall
The Power of One Foundation hosts its fourth annual free Trunk or Treat in Costa Mesa where kids collect candy from decorated trunks and enjoy booths with games and activities. PHOTO 1: A decorated trunk. PHOTO 2: Children will show off their costumes during the costume parade following the costume contest at 6 p.m. Photos courtesy of Power of One Foundation
Trunk or Treat/Trick or Treat
Every year communities throughout Orange County set up trick-or-treat (sometimes referred to as trunk or treat) events for parents to bring their little ones. Some trick-or-treat events have costume contests, activities and photo ops as well. Although admission is free, these events are usually held only while supplies last.
While some trick-or-treat events are scheduled for Halloween night, several are scheduled throughout the month or days before Halloween. With Halloween on a Tuesday night this year, these trick-or-treat events are perfect for the kids to have some extra fun before Halloween, while also being able to wear their costumes for more than one night.
BREA: Brea Mall Trick or Treat
When: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: Brea Mall, 1065 Brea Mall, Brea
Cost: Free — Check the link for participating stores
More Info: simon.com/mall/brea-mall/stream/trick-or-treat-6228055
BUENA PARK: Cops ‘N’ Goblins
COSTA MESA: 4th Annual Trunk or Treat
DANA POINT: Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat
LAGUNA BEACH: Preschool Trick or Treat
MISSION VIEJO: Halloween Trick-or-Treating Fun!
TUSTIN: Emerald CT’s Halloween Howl
WESTMINSTER: Halloween Spooktacular/Día de los Muertos
Every year the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana hosts a Mexican Day of the Dead free family festival in the Key Courtyard with art projects, face painting and treats. Aside from the activities, the event features live performances from several dance and music groups throughout the day celebrating Mexican culture. Photos courtesy of Bowers Museum
Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
When Halloween ends, Día de los Muertos follows right after, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 2. Día de los Muertos is a holiday originating in Latin America and celebrates life and death. On Nov. 1, the day is known as All Saints Day, Day of the Children or El Día de los Inocentes, with the day being dedicated to deceased children, while Nov. 2 honors deceased adults, sometimes called All Souls Day.
It’s believed that every year on Día de los Muertos, relatives who have passed on are able to cross back into the physical realm where living relatives come together and commemorate the lives of the deceased.
The living create ofrendas (altars), where they honor their deceased loved ones. Ofrendas are typically decorated with the personal belongings of the deceased, as well as their pictures, candles and flowers. Many ofrendas also have offerings such as the departed’s favorite foods and drinks, and calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls).
Some spend Día de los Muertos at home, in the cemetery or out in the streets at community events.
BUENA PARK: 2nd Annual Buena Park Elks Marketplace & Día de Muertos Exhibit
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 29
Where: Buena Park Elks Lodge, 7212 Melrose St., Buena Park
Cost: Free
More Info: eventbrite.com/e/buena-park-elks-marketplace-dia-de-muertos-exhibit-tickets-678151508417
COSTA MESA: Día de los Muertos Celebration at Hana Field
COSTA MESA: El Día de los Muertos Performance by Indigenous Mexicano Musician Martin Espino
CYPRESS: Día de los Muertos 2023
FULLERTON: Día de los Muertos Festival
IRVINE: Día de los Muertos 2023
LAGUNA BEACH: Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos Celebration
LOS ALAMITOS: Día de los Muertos
MISSION VIEJO: Día de los Muertos Festival
SANTA ANA: 9th Annual Viva La Vida Día de los Muertos Festival
SANTA ANA: Mexican Day of the Dead
Check for Events at the Local Library
Throughout the year libraries host special events and activities such as Spooky Month for the entire month of October at Orange County public libraries. While we are reaching the end of the month, there is no shortage of events and more can be found at the Spooky Month link.
BREA: Halloween Spooktacular
When: 4 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: Brea Library, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea
COSTA MESA: Costume Candy Walk
CYPRESS: Spooky Storytime
FOOTHILL RANCH: Halloween Storytime
LAGUNA NIGUEL: Halloween Storytime
LA HABRA: Día de los Muertos Celebration
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA: Movie Showing “Hocus Pocus”
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO: Spooktacular Storytime & Parade
STANTON: Slime Science Lab
More Halloween Events (festivals, haunts and events)
ANAHEIM: The Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., parade starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 28
Where: Center Street Promenade, Anaheim
Cost: Free
More Info: anaheimfallfestival.org
GARDEN GROVE: Dark Harvest Haunted Attraction
LA PALMA: Halloween Carnival 2023
NEWPORT BEACH: Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party
