Get in the Halloween spirit with these haunted happenings in Orange County.
Halloween Drive-In Movies at Brea Mall
Oct. 28-Nov. 1. Watch your favorite family-friendly Halloween-themed movies on the big (outdoor) screen at this Starlite Movies drive-in event. Before each screening, children can take part in the safe trick-or-treating experience starting at 5 p.m. that features four spooky—and cute—mini art installations throughout the venue offering a sealed treat. Featured films include Hocus Pocus (Oct. 28, 31), Coco (Oct. 29), Beetlejuice (Oct. 30) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Nov. 1). Lot opens 5 p.m.; showtime around 7:30 p.m. See website to purchase tickets. 1065 Brea Mall, Brea. starlitemovienight.com
Boo-zy Cocktails at Tanner’s Restaurant
Oct. 30-31. Come clad in costume for an enchanting, black magic night of tricks, potions and spirit-infused treats at Tanner’s. Located at Paséa Hotel and Spa, this surf-inspired SoCal restaurant is offering festive cocktails—such as the Montenegro Monster, The Fog and Swamp Water—on site and on top of its Treehouse rooftop lounge. Boo-zy libations are available only with the purchase of food items per city ordinances. 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.698.6130. meritagecollection.com
Cops N’ Goblins Drive-Thru
Oct. 30. Bring your little goblins out for a drive-thru trick-or-treat experience at Buena Park City Hall! Attendees can expected a decorated drive-thru, free candy and socially distanced fun to celebrate Halloween brought to you by the Buena Park Police Department and Community Services Department. Call to RSVP by October 29. 4-8 p.m. 6640 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.562.3860. buenapark.com
Halloween Scarolers at Bella Terra
Oct. 30. Stumble upon spooky “scarolers” lurking around the open-air dining, shopping and entertainment center in Huntington Beach. They’ll be singing frightening Halloween songs and ghoulish scarols for a terrifyingly good time. 5-8 p.m. 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.897.2534. bellaterra-hb.com
Halloween at Lincoln Experience Center
Oct. 30-31. Don your best costume and bring your brightest smile for a free, digital Halloween-themed photo at Lincoln Experience Center in Fashion Island. Bring the kiddos to receive a free pre-made, individual trick-or-treat bag with spooky, sweet treats before setting off on your Halloween adventures. 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.2000. fashionisland.com
MOCtoberfest Biergarten
Oct. 30-Nov. 1. Watch as the bottle shop, tap room and scratch kitchen transforms its extended outdoor space each weekend into a German Biergarten! Sip on some of Bavaria’s favorite beers on tap including Hofbrau’s Marzen, Brewery X’s Festbeir Ja and Karl Strauss’ Oktoberfest. Complete the experience with traditional German eats such as handmade pretzels with beer cheese, house-ground sausage and spaetzle from executive chef Adam Schmalz. F-Su 1 p.m.-close. 21022 Beach Blvd., Suite 105, Huntington Beach, 714.587.9002. matter-of-craft.com
Halloween Night Out at The Copper Door
Oct. 31. Put on your costume and celebrate Halloween at The Copper Door in Santa Ana! This year, the bar is hosting Halloween night at both indoor (Copper Door lounge) and outdoor venue (Copper on 3rd). Full food and drinks menu available. Limited capacity for keeping safety distance. Copper on 3rd outdoor patio 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Copper Door lounge 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Limited GA tickets available. $20. 225 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.696.1479. Tickets
Halloween Pop-Up at STC Anaheim GardenWalk
Oct. 31. Come dressed as your favorite frightful (or fantastical) character to Spooksieboo Event’s festive pop-up event featuring a number of small (spooky) shops and fun inflatable characters. While this is an indoor experience, Spooksieboo Events has taken enhanced health and safety measures based on guidance from health authorities and appropriate government agencies. Face masks required for ages 2 and above. 3-10 p.m. Free, online registration required. 400 W. Disney Way, Anaheim. spooksiebooevents.com
Hive & Haunted at Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar
Oct. 31. Experience the Haunting of Hive & Honey at Marriott Irvine Spectrum with specialty cocktails, exclusive bottle pricing, live DJ and much more. Halloween costumes are encouraged but due to security reasons, no full-faced costume masks. Each guest must wear a face mask until seated. Ticket purchase includes a guaranteed table seating for the night and a bottle of bubbly per table. (Two bottles of bubbly for tables of 6+). 8 p.m. $150 for 2-person table, $300 for 4-person table, $600 for 6-person table. 7905 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.759.0200. hhrooftopbar.com
National Pumpkin Month at Patty’s Cakes
Through Oct. 31. Calling all pumpkin lovers! National Pumpkin Month is almost over, so get your fix at Patty’s Cakes and Desserts! The Fullerton-based bakery is celebrating with the return of its famous pumpkin flavors such as the pumpkin cupcake with cream cheese mousse and the pumpkin chocolate chip with cream cheese mousse. Store hours: Tu-Sa 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 825 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, 714.525.8350. pattys-cakes.com
Oktoberfest at Bayside
Through Oct. 31. Fall is back and so is Bayside restaurant’s popular Oktoberfest menu! Through the end of the month, Bayside is highlighting Käsekrainer Bratwurst—an upscale twist on a classic street food featuring two smoked pork sausage infused with emmenthal cheese, sauerkraut and roasted potatoes, served with sweet and spicy mustard—and Hangar24 Brewing’s Oktoberfest brew. Guests can order for takeout or to enjoy on Bayside’s extended outdoor patio or terrace overlooking Newport Harbor. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.1222. baysiderestaurant.com
Oktoberfest at SideDoor
Through Oct. 31. Come hungry to indulge in German-inspired bites and craft brews at SideDoor in Corona del Mar. The Oktoberfest menu features specials courtesy of executive chef Alejandra Padilla and are available for dine-in or takeout. Menu items include beer-braised pork shank (pictured); sausage and sauerkraut; and pretzel with Welsh rarebit cheese sauce. Tu-Su 4:30-9:30 p.m. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.717.4322. lawrysonline.com
Scarlet’s Mystical Halloween
Oct. 31. Come one, come all to Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge for a mystical celebration of All Hallows’ Eve. Treat yourself to spooky specials by chef Paige Riordan and wicked libations from bartender Jackie Pember. Additional highlights include live music, courtesy of the hauntingly beautiful voice of Anesha Rose from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and special Tarot readings by Loves Gravity for $15. Scarlet is adhering to all social distancing guidelines with outdoor and limited indoor seating. Reservations highly recommended. 30865 Gateway Place, Rancho Mission Viejo, 949.503.3086. scarletkl.com
Spooky Tea Candle Holder Workshop
Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Still Life Ceramics at Dana Point Harbor invites guests to take part in a spooky tea candle holder holiday workshop. During this Halloween-themed workshop, learn how to hand build a tea candle holder in any design you desire with a choice of a black, tan or orange glaze. Once finished, attendees can pick up the finished piece within two weeks of the class. Register on website. 4-5 p.m. $55. 34485 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 424.268.4018. still-life-studio.com
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
Through Oct. 31. Carve out some time to bring the kiddos to O.C.’s favorite family-owned farm’s annual pumpkin patch! This year, Tanaka Farms offers two different options to make sure pickers have a safe and fun time: The “Drive-Thru Pumpkin Farm Experience” (runs every Saturday and Sunday through October 31) and the “U-Pick Pumpkin with Wagon Ride” (runs Monday through Friday through October 30). Reservations required. See website for ticket prices. 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, 949.653.2100. tanakafarms.com
Urban Legends Haunt Drive-Thru
Through Nov. 1. Enter (if you dare) into the Urban Legends Haunt drive-thru experience at the O.C. Fair & Event Center—brought to you from the producers of Winter Fest O.C. and the original creators of Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor. Expect immersive scenes, coordinated lighting and sound effects, live performances and special effects. Limited tickets and time slots per day. W-Su 7-11 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. urbanlegendshaunt.com
Photo credits: Patty’s Cakes courtesy Outshine PR. All other images are courtesy of the venues.
