Halloween Inferno at Aqua Lounge
Oct. 29. Travel back in time this Halloween with Aqua Lounge. The forecast calls for a disco inferno—dust off your best pair of bell bottoms and catch the soul train down to this event. There will be party favors and big prizes for the winners of the Halloween costume contest. A popular DJ will be on deck to ensure the party keeps on going. 9 p.m. $25 entry fee includes one complimentary drink. Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. islandhotel.com
Knott’s Scary Farm
Through Oct. 31. Halloween is fast approaching and Knott’s is the perfect place to put you in the zone—the scare zone. The attraction features numerous mazes like Shadow Lands, where you will fight off demon samurais in the depths of purgatory; and Red Barn, a blood-soaked affair filled with carnivorous animals seeking to prey on human flesh. Also find new live shows and thousands of monsters lurking throughout the park. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Night of the Living Dead
Oct. 7-30. Spend Halloween honoring the zombie classic that started it all. A true cult classic—and one of the scariest movies of all time—Night of the Living Dead comes to Fullerton for a live performance on stage. The dead are walking and hungry for human flesh. A group of panicked survivors are barricaded in a deserted farmhouse while the army of flesh-eating zombies hover outside the door. Warning: Graphic Violence. See website for varying showtimes. $22. Maverick Theatre, 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton, 714.526.7070. mavericktheater.com
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Sept. 29-Oct. 31. Live your nightmares aboard the haunted Queen Mary among ghouls, spirits and the un-dead. This year, discover new monsters, more attractions and a hauntingly horrifying maze. Scary Mary’s Lullaby Maze takes you on a spine-tingling trip through the story of little Scary Mary who’s looking for new playmates. End your frightening night in the exclusive R.I.P. Lounge with all-you-can-eat tacos. See website for Happy Haunting Hour and VIP packages. Su, Th 7 p.m.-midnight; F-Sat 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Closed Tu, W. Tickets start at $20. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com
The 17th Door
Through Oct. 31. Remember, the safe-word is “Mercy.” The 17th Door is more twisted than ever. Taking place inside a vacant furniture shop at The Market Place, sign a waiver before the doors are locked behind you. Gruesome characters are able to touch you as you venture through 21 unsettling horror rooms and a mini escape room. Prepare for all five senses to be engaged with things like foul scents, extreme temperatures, detailed visuals, spooky sounds and even a chance for a taste test or two. See website for schedule. Tickets start at $22. Adults and teens; Children under 13 permitted at parents’ discretion; no infants or toddlers allowed. The Market Place, 2856 El Camino Real, Tustin, 714.441.9080. the17thdoor.com
Trick-or-Treat Pumpkin Dance Party at Kaleidoscope Center
Oct. 29. Costumed youngsters ages 2 to 10 are invited to bring their own treat bag and stroll the center for trick-or-treating, dancing and face painting, followed by pumpkin decorating with paint. Pick up your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch! 1-3:30 p.m. Free event; pumpkins for decorating $5. 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949.542.4405. gokaleidoscope.com
Boo at the Santa Ana Zoo
Oct. 22, 23, 28-30. Grab your costumes and join the zoo for their annual “merry not scary” celebration in a fun, safe and family friendly setting. Jump on board the “boofari” express train and make your way through 10 prize stations along the trick-or-treat trail. Enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed games and activities, including storytelling, sing-alongs and visits with nocturnal animals. 5:30-8 p.m. Members $9.95, non-members $19.95; free for children two and under. 1801 Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, 714.836.4000. santaanazoo.org
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Oct 29. Enjoy the 92nd annual Anaheim Fall Festival in its new locale on the Packing District grounds. The Halloween Parade and Fall Festival will feature carnival rides, a children’s and doggy costume contest, a pumpkin patch, craft booths and live musical entertainment. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. celebrating all things Halloween. The parade will travel down Center St. Promenade from Harbor Blvd., turning onto Anaheim Blvd. on its way to the Packing District finale. See website for full schedule and map for parking structures. Free. Anaheim and Santa Ana Streets. Downtown Anaheim, 714.999.3456. anaheimfallfestival.com
Howl-O-Ween Pooch Pawrade
Oct. 29. Calling all pups and their people…come on down to Center Street Promenade to the Anaheim Fall Festival’s Howl-o-Ween Pooch Pawrade. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at Buster’s Court across from Puddles Pet Wash and concludes at 2:45pm. The costume contest will begin at 3 p.m. and includes categories for top dog (both large & small), most creative, funniest and best pooch/person combo. Pups should wear their coolest costumes and join in the Howl-o-Ween festivities. All pups must be on a leash and need to be comfortable with crowds, loud noises, other pups and close contact with people and other animals. 2-4 p.m. Free. 201 W. Center St. Promenade, Anaheim. anaheimfallfestival.com
Eat, Drink and Be Scary
Oct. 29. Hotel Irvine invites guests to come as they aren’t for its 2nd annual Halloween costume party at Red Bar and Lounge. Dress up for the costume contest (and win some scary-good prizes) and enjoy the frightfully delicious spooky cocktails. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free entry for costume party. Hotel Irvine, Red Bar & Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. redbarandlounge.com
Tricks for Treats Family Dinner
Sept. 28, 30. Enjoy a family dinner at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, located in Downtown Disney, before heading to Mickey’s Halloween Party. The spooky-good three-course dinner features items like black and boo chicken (blackened chicken breast served over southern greens with garlic mash and blue cheese cream sauce) and Cajun fried voodoo pork (tender pork loin pan fried in a Cajun seasoned batter with candied sweet potatoes and green beans, finished with a voodoo sweet and sour sauce); and for dessert, booberry beignets (house-made French doughnuts served warm with blueberry compote and powdered sugar). See website for full menu. Advanced reservations required, seating at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults $55, children ages 3-10 $25. Downtown Disney, 1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.776.5200. rbjazzkitchen.com
Main Street Halloween Fest
Oct. 31. Visit Huntington Beach as downtown transforms to “HBoo Spookytown.” For children of all ages, this annual Halloween celebration features spooky festivities like a moon bounce, petting zoo, pony rides, costume contests and more. 4-8 p.m. Free. Main St. and 5th St., Downtown Huntington Beach, 714.536.8300. hbdowntown.com
Great Wolf Lodge
Through Oct. Bring the whole family for family-friendly Halloween activities at the brand new Great Wolf Lodge. It’s first annual event will transform the lodge into the ultimate Halloween destination with nightly costume parades, spooktacular story time with Great Wolf kids characters, a trick-or-treat trail and weekend monster bash dance parties. See website for more details on booking your stay at Great Wolf Lodge. 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, 888.960.9653. greatwolf.com