Weekend Events for Families in Orange County

Weekend Events for October 20 & 21, 2018 – Looks like it’s going to be sunny this weekend! Much better than the rainy weekend we had last week. Don’t miss out on the Halloween events are happening here in the OC this Saturday and Sunday…some are even FREE!!! (to submit your event, email jillparkin@gmail.com by the wednesday before your event.)

All Weekend

Halloween Events in Orange County

Where to Play with Kids on Rainy Days in Orange County

Apple Picking in Oak Glen

Knott’s Spooky Farm | Knott’s Berry Farm | All Day – this daytime, non-scare event is a celebration of cheer rather than fear! you can enjoy shows, activities and of course, trick or treating. kids can take part in the “Monster Dance Party and Costume Parade,” sing and dance along with the Peanuts gang as you watch the “The Monsters are Coming, Charlie Brown” in the Camp Spooky Theatre, walk through the “Spooky Hollow Maze”, visit the Creepy Crawler Cabin, dhave fun in Ghost Town Trick or Treating and join Snoopy’s Costume Contest and Dance Party. click here to go directly to the Knott’s wall ebsite.

Great Pacific Airshow | Huntington Beach Pier | All Day – A fun family-friendly air show over the Pacific ocean. The Great Pacific Airshow celebrates patriotism, adventure and technology with dozens of performers completing incredible aerobatic 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. It’s free to watch, or you can buy tickets for reserved seating. Pack a picnic and head down to the beach for a day of fun.

Pumpkin Nights | Pomona Fairplex | 5:00 – 10:00pm – In 2016, a team of passionate artists set out to create a brand-new Halloween experience. At Pumpkin Nights, visitors journey through eight different themed lands, all crafted using over 3,000 hand-carved real and synthetic pumpkins. Now, for the first time ever, we’re bringing the Pumpkin Nights experience to Los Angeles! To learn more about what’s in store, check out their website.

Silverado Days | Willian Peak Park, Buena Park | 5:00pm – Midnight – More than 15 food booths, 90 arts & crafts booths and 30 carnival rides and games to share with your family and friends, Featured contests include a Car Show, a World Amateur Arm Wrestling Championship, a Amateur Horseshoe Contest, a Pie-Eating Contest, a Hog Calling, a Baby Contest, a Men’s Leg Contest, a Dog Show, a Chili Cook-off and much, much more!! Free parking and no entrance fee. You can come, enjoy the music and festivities, and not spend a dime! The festival is sponsored by the Buena Park Noon Lions Club.

Boo at the Zoo | Santa Ana Zoo | 5:30 – 8:00pm – A “Merry not Scary” family friendly event where everyone is encouraged to come in costume! One of the safest places for children (ages 2-12) to trick-or-treat for Halloween enjoying goodies from TEN Trick-or-Treat Stations throughout the Zoo providing a variety of toys, books, snacks, and candy on the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Entertainment, Animal Presentations, Storytelling, Costume Parade, Ride the “Boofari” Express Train and Carrousel for an additional fee and “Teen Scream” Haunted House (a separate area, included in the price of admission)

Spooky Science | Discovery Cube | All Day – Become immersed into the lives of your favorite friendly monsters as Spooky Science Presents: Monster Academy. Experience STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in a whole new light by experimenting with reflection and fading, mixing potions, and getting creative in the light and electricity DIY Lab

Hocus Pocus Boutique | Roger’s Gardens, Newport Beach | All Day – The Hocus Pocus Halloween Boutique is up at Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach! It’s really fun to check out, especially once they bring in the cool pumpkins and gourds. They said those would be out around the middle of the month. Plus it’s FREE! (Unless you want to buy something)

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Spooky Halloween Train | Fullerton Train Museum | 9:00am – noon – Calling all trick-or-treaters! The Spooky Halloween Train is back! Come and visit us in your best Halloween costume and enjoy trick-or-treating, games, photo ops, and a special spooky surprise or two! The event is free and open to all ages! Donations are appreciated. As a non-profit organization, the Fullerton Train Museum relies on donations for our special events. We could not bring these free events to the public without the generosity of our visitors. Thank you.

Halloween Kids Event | Rancho Mission Viejo | 2:00 – 5:00pm – No tricks here, just treats! Join us October 20th, 2 pm – 5 pm for a fun Kids Day Event! Featuring Mini Pumpkin Decorating – paint, glitter, glue your own mini pumpkin! Materials will be provided by Gelson’s, I Scream, Balloons, Prizes, Face Painting, Anyone in costume will receive a prize! And even MORE Ghoulish Activities!

Aliso Viejo Fall Harvest Festival | Grand Park, Aliso Viejo | 10:00am – noon – Children’s Crafts, Carnival Games, Balloon Twisters, DJ Entertainment and more! Wear your costume as you walk through the costume parade. Parade begins at 10:30 am. AVCA will also be hosting a Canned Food Drive with South County Outreach. Bring FIVE (or more) canned food items, pet food or make a donation and your child receives a wristband for a pony ride. The only way for your child to ride a pony this year is to donate and receive a wristband! Canned food will be collected and distributed by South County Outreach to those in need here in Orange County. FREE

Halloween Party – Spookable Stories | Storymaker, Irvine Spectrum | 12:30 – 2:30pm – Let imaginations run wild at Storymakery’s annual Halloween celebration! Kids will design characters, build their own Halloween story and will participate in an art activity, costume parade and our very own monster mash freeze-dance! Drop-in any time between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm for all Spookable fun! Only $35 per child. Also includes a soft cover book, character poster, 10% Off Great Pretender costumes and refreshments. Bring your friends and register today!

Astronomy Night – International Observe the Moon Night | Laguna Coast Wilderness Park | 6:00 – 9:00pm – Join local astronomers for a view of the Fall night sky. Enjoy the opportunity to also look through telescopes at stars and other celestial objects. Try out loony lunar activities and visit Science Heads’ Mobile Observatory. No hiking involved. Come prepared with layers of clothing to keep warm. You can also bring drinks and snacks. Bring a small flashlight.

Doheny State Beach Haunted Campground | Doheny State Beach Campground, Dana Point | 6:30 – 8:30pm – Don’t miss out on Doheny’s most festive event of the year! Bring your family and friends to celebrate Halloween in a fun and safe environment with good ole fashioned spookiness, arts and crafts, a fun zone, and an array of educational booths. The event is Saturday, Oct. 28 and runs from 6:30-8:30 pm in picnic sites A and B. There is no charge for admission; however, a donation of one non-perishable food item per person is greatly appreciated. Don’t’ forget to dress up those little ones! FREE

Animal Feeding Day at Bolsa Chica Conservancy | Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Huntington Beach | 12:00 – 1:00 pm – Come join us to learn more about the animals at our interpretive center! During the feeding, we will cover feeding habits and general biology and anatomy of our reptiles and marine animals! *Please note: snake feedings involve live mice.* FREE

See Classic Cars at Donut Derelicts | Donut Derelicts – Each Saturday morning, car enthusiasts from all over gather in the parking lot of Adams Ave Donuts to enjoy a donut, a cup of coffee and a spectacle of hot rods and classic cars. FREE

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Pumpkin Diving | Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center | 2 – 5:00pm – Jump in and pick you pumpkin! Join us for this annual event as we transform the Sierra pool into a floating pumpkin patch. Once you pick your pumpkin, you can decorate it at one of decorating stations and play fun carnival games. Enter the pumpkin decorating contest for a cheance to win a FREE one-month membership! Spots fill up quickly, register today!

Fossils Are Fun | Irvine Ranch Open Space | 9:00 – 10:30am – Come out and enjoy this family fun activity on the Mesa. We will start with an activity to make your own fossils then we will take 2-3 mile hike looking for fossils deposited here in Orange County millions of years ago when Orange County was a sea. A slight elevation gain (200 feet) to start the hike will give incredible views of the surrounding peaks and the red rock cliffs of Blackstar Canyon. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and enjoy an early morning hike in this intriguing region. FREE

Ranger Led Hike | Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park | 8:00 – 9:15am – Join OC Parks Rangers for a 1-mile nature hike in the beautiful Bell Canyon area of Caspers Wilderness Park. Hike lasts approximately one hour and is suitable for all ages. FREE Parking is $5 per vehicle

Oktoberfest Small Breed Dog Races | Old World Huntington Beach | 10:00am – 2:00pm – Great Family Fun! Come see these small dogs race to the finish line during Oktoberfest at Old World Village. Arrive early and stay for lunch on their dog friendly patio. Admission during Oktoberfest: $7 adult, $3 kids 6yrs-12yrs, Free for kids under 5yrs. These 3 weeks will be the ALL BREED NATIONALS (smaller breeds – must be under 25lbs. to race)

Farmers Market | Orange County Great Park | 8:00 – 11:00am – Sundays at the Orange County Great Park are headlined by fresh produce and fun at a Certified Farmers Market. Every week, weather permitting, the Orange County Great Park Certified Farmers Market features fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted artisan products and a selection of gourmet food trucks.