Halloween is around the corner and we’ve lined up the best Orange County Halloween events. Get ready for scares, screams, séances and more!Knott’s Scary Farm
Through Nov. 2. Get ready to scream as Knott’s Scary Farm returns for its 41st season with 12 haunted attractions, including five new mazes, four terrifying scare zones, six shows and more than 1000 monsters, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, freaks, mutants and other beasts lurking in the fog to scare you. Elvira Mistress of the Dark performs in “Elvira’s Sinema Séance” through Oct. 31. Pre-scare dinner available for $24.99 in advance or $29.99 day of and includes early park entry and a VIP dinner. Hotel packages start at $149 and include a hotel night and two tickets. $38-$62. Check website for schedule. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
The Empty Grave
Through Nov. 2. Halloween is off to a spook-tacular start at Anaheim GardenWalk! The Empty Grave Haunted House is now open and includes all new features and offers thrills, chills and unexpected surprises around every corner. Spirits stir at this one-of-a-kind interactive haunted house attraction as you explore the Tobbarius Family Mortuary. Open weekends through November 2, 2013. F-Sa, 6:30-11 p.m.; Su, 6:30-10 p.m. $13. Check website for more information and to purchase tickets. 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 949.257.2279. themtgrave.com
Dark Harbor
Oct. 3–5, 11–13, 17–20, 24–27, 31. Ghosts, monsters and freaks—oh my! Dark Harbor returns to the Queen Mary in Long Beach for several nights of terrifying Halloween fun. A circus-themed maze and a “Ferrisqueal” (that’s Ferris wheel) top the new attractions at this year’s scare fest, which also includes food, drink and undead entertainment. Not recommended for children. 7 pm–midnight nightly. $20–$109. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com
Haunt at Heritage Hill
Oct. 18. Be the first to dare tour the haunted schoolhouse. Experience “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and the all new “La Carnivora” scream zones. Enjoy a DJ, dancing and a special movie screening of “Dracula” starring the legendary Bela Lugosi. Celebrate the legacy of Bela Lugosi with Bela Lugosi Jr. who will be signing autographs and answering questions. Ages 13 and up recommended. $5. 5-10 p.m. Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, 949.923.2230. ocgov.com
Haunted Heat at Heat Ultra Lounge
Oct. 31. Party at one of the biggest and most thrilling Halloween and costume parties in Orange County at an elegant and intimate venue. With three different areas of horror featuring the Tunnel of Terror, the Slaughter House and the Spider’s Den, Haunted Heat is decorated to chill. Presale tickets are strongly suggested. Table reservations available. $10. 9:30 p.m. 21 and over. 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.776.4328. heatultraloungeoc.com
Pageant of the Monsters
Oct. 25-27, 31. The Pageant of the Monsters returns to Laguna Beach at the Festival of Arts as the backstage of the Pageant of the Masters will be transformed into a family-friendly haunted house complete with a sinking luxury liner. Experience a haunted house, fortune tellers, an alien autopsy, pumpkin printmaking, mask making, a demented chef side show, wandering zombies and live music. Halloween themed snacks will be available for purchase from Gina’s Alfresco. 6-9:30pm. $15 adults, children 12 and under $10. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 800.487.3378. foapom.com
Haunted Fullerton Walking Tours
Through Nov. 7. Take this tour and find out what businesses have pots and pans flying around after hours, what famous deceased Fullertonian makes an “appearance” now and then and more while enjoying some of Fullerton’s history. Be prepared to walk approximately 1.5 miles over two and a half hours. Wear comfortable shoes. Not recommended for children under 13. $18. W-Th only. Reservations strongly suggested as space is limited. Fullerton Museum, 301 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.6545. cityoffullerton.com
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Oct 26. Join in on the fun at Anaheim’s Spooktacular Halloween Parade and Fall Festival featuring game and food booths, live entertainment, craft fair, haunted house, pumpkin patch, a children’s costume contest and trick or treating. Downtown Anaheim, at the Center Street Promenade, 714.999.3456. anaheimfallfestival.com
Main Street Halloween Celebration
Oct. 31. Celebrate with spooky festivities including a moon bounce, petting zoo, Ferris wheel, pumpkin carving, costume contest and more. 4-8 p.m. Free. Downtown Huntington Beach, Main St. and 5th St. by Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.536.8300. surfcityusa.com
Knott’s Berry Farm Camp Snoopy
Weekends in October. Kids ages three to eleven are invited to dress to impress in all their Halloween finery to Snoopy’s Costume Party in Camp Snoopy. This daytime, non-scare celebration of cheer rather than fear is full of shows, activities and of course, trick or treating. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Pacific Symphony presents: Halloween Masquerade
Oct. 26. Pacific Symphony spooky favorties like Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice are paired with Latin American symphonic hits for a cross-cultural celebration. Enjoy music and traditions from Dia de los Muertos alongside Halloween tunes and spine-chilling fun. Don’t forget to wear your costume and mask! Designed especially for children ages 5-11. $19-$39. Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.755.5799. pacificsymphony.org
Haunted Garden at the Arboretum
Oct 25-26. See the Fullerton Arboretum as it transforms the garden into a haven for all that goes bump in the night. Guides will take you safely through the treacherous paths that wind through the dark forest the evil spirits call home. Tours begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. The end of the tour features a Haunter’s Ball where games and activities await those lucky enough to make it through the garden. $15 adults; $8 children 12 and under. Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, 657.278.4002. fullertonarboretum.org
Doheny State Beach Halloween Haunt
Oct. 26. Don’t miss out on Doheny’s most festive event of the year. Bring family and friends to celebrate Halloween in a fun and safe environment with good old fashioned spookiness, arts and crafts, a fun zone and an array of educational booths. Free, but donations of non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated. Doheny State Beach, picnic sites A & B, 949.496.6172. dohenystatebeach.org