Haunted mazes, ghost stories, pumpkin dance parties and seaside cocktails: Orange County has a spooky-season outing for every level of courage. Fog rolls through Ghost Town in Buena Park. In Huntington Beach, squid ink spaghetti and blackberry margaritas bring Halloween to the dinner table. Across Orange County, October offers everything from late-night scares to free costume parties and hands-on workshops. These 10 Halloween activities cover family outings, date nights and a few good reasons to leave the porch light off and head out.
* Prices and availability vary by date and ticket type. Check the linked event calendars before booking; some attractions and experiences require separate purchases.
1. Knott’s Scary Farm — Buena Park
A washed-up cartoonist’s creations have escaped the drawing board, and an excavation crew has uncovered something it should have left buried. Those are the premises behind Inked and Unearthed, the two new mazes joining this year’s lineup of 10 haunted mazes and five scare zones. Between attractions, the fog-filled Ghost Town streets keep visitors on alert, while the reimagined CarnEVIL gives the Boardwalk a sinister circus makeover. New entertainment includes Occultum, featuring magicians from the Magic Castle, for those who prefer their goosebumps with a little sleight of hand.
When: Select nights through Saturday, Oct. 31.
Hours: Opens at 7 p.m.; closes at 1 or 2 a.m., depending on the date.
Admission: Online tickets start at $65; taxes may apply. Not recommended for children under 13.
Where: Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park.
Details: Knott’s Scary Farm
2. Wicked Lit: La Llorona and the Headless Horseman — Anaheim
Two enduring ghost stories move from the page to the stage in this Halloween theater festival. Adapted by Jonathan Josephson and directed by Katie Chidester, the program pairs The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with Las Lloronas, which explores variations of the Mexican folk legend through storytelling, music and dance. Arrive early to browse La Placita of Curiosities, an artisan fair, and explore the interactive Wicked Lit museum and photo experiences. A full-service bar with signature cocktails rounds out an evening built for audiences who like a story behind the scare.
When: Thursday–Monday, Oct. 29–Nov. 2.
Hours: Performances nightly at 7:30 and 9 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.
Admission: $45–$70, depending on performance. Intended for mature audiences.
Where: Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim.
Details: Wicked Lit
3. Pumpkin Palooza — Santa Ana
A towering pumpkin DJ is running the dance floor, but there is plenty to investigate between songs. Discovery Cube’s seasonal festival mixes its Pumpkin Palooza Spectacular dance party with bumper cars, mini-tractor rides, trick-or-treat stations and hands-on science. Children can follow Pumpkin Paths to learn about composting and sorting waste, then watch a bubbling “puking pumpkin” experiment put chemistry to work. The event ticket allows repeat visits to the day’s dance parties, making it easy to alternate between experiments, candy collecting and another round on the dance floor.
When: Saturdays–Sundays, Oct. 3–Nov. 1.
Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; dance parties at 11 a.m., noon, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Sensory-friendly show Sunday, Oct. 18, at 9:50 a.m.
Admission: Separate event ticket required in addition to museum admission; select the appropriate package when booking. Children under 3 are free.
Where: Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana.
Details: Pumpkin Palooza
4. Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill — Lake Forest
Historic grounds get a seasonal makeover during six evenings of family-friendly exploring. Follow a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies, find a route through the straw maze and stop at Halloween displays arranged around Heritage Hill’s buildings and grounds. Costumes are encouraged, and leashed dogs can join the outing, making this an easy option for families who want everyone in the picture. With free admission and parking, the evening leaves room in the budget for refreshments—and another Halloween outing later in the month.
When: Friday–Sunday, Oct. 16–18 and 23–25.
Hours: 4:30–8:30 p.m.
Admission: Free, including parking. Scavenger hunt prizes available while supplies last.
Where: Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest.
Details: Fall-O-Ween
5. Pete’s Spookeasy — Huntington Beach
The Halloween puns extend well beyond the cocktail list at this seasonal restaurant takeover. Settle in for squid ink spaghetti with shrimp and lobster cream sauce, a char-BOO-terie board or the Grill-Reaper’s rib eye with cowboy butter. Drinks include a blackberry Black Magic Margarita and pumpkin-spiced Potion No. 13, while desserts take a playful turn with chai-soaked tiramisu and purple sweet potato mascarpone mousse. Halloween décor supplies the atmosphere, making this a relaxed dinner stop for anyone whose preferred October thrill arrives with a fork.
When: Through Monday, Nov. 2.
Hours: Restaurant daily, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday bar service continues until 11 p.m.
Admission: Food and drinks priced individually; reservations recommended.
Where: Pete’s Sunset Grille, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.
Details: Pete’s Sunset Grille
6. Moonlight Masquerade at Roger’s Gardens — Corona del Mar
Gilded masks, veiled figures and elaborate displays give Halloween a Venetian accent at this seasonal boutique. Enter beneath the Bridge of Sighs and wander into the Palazzo of Whispers, where theatrical rooms showcase everything from serpents and skeletons to collectible figures and glowing jack-o’-lanterns. The appeal is in the details: visitors can study the installations, gather ideas for their own Halloween table or browse decorations to take home. Admission is free, so enjoying the display does not require committing to a new collection of skulls.
When: Now open for the Halloween season; check the boutique page for seasonal updates.
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Admission: Free; merchandise sold separately.
Where: Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar.
Details: Moonlight Masquerade
7. Halloween Boo Bash at The District — Tustin
Give the costumes an early outing at this free afternoon celebration, held one week before Halloween. Families can work their way through trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets and creepy crafts, with music keeping the party moving. Face painters and balloon twisters add to the activities, offering younger children plenty to do without an evening of intense scares. The two-hour schedule also makes it manageable for families planning around naps, lunch or another stop at The District.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24.
Hours: Noon–2 p.m.
Admission: Free.
Where: The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave., Tustin.
Details: The District at Tustin Legacy
8. Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge — Garden Grove
Pack a swimsuit and a costume for a family getaway that moves from water slides to trick-or-treating. The lodge’s seasonal celebration brings Halloween decorations, a Trick-Or-Treat Trail, the Monster Bash Dance Party and themed arts and crafts into the mix. Games such as Boo Bingo and Halloween trivia offer quieter breaks between activities, while the trail includes non-candy, allergy-friendly treats. The Halloween programming is included with an overnight stay, giving families a ready-made plan beyond the water park.
When: Through Saturday, Oct. 31.
Hours: Activities run at scheduled times throughout the day; consult the lodge’s app for the daily lineup.
Admission: Seasonal activities included with an overnight stay; room rates vary.
Where: Great Wolf Lodge Southern California, 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove.
Details: Howl-O-Ween and Southern California reservations
9. Casa Kids Workshop: Monster Pot — San Clemente
The monster goes home with its maker at this Halloween garden workshop. Children transform ordinary pots into spiders or friendly creatures, then add hardy plants to give their creations a living finish. Held at Casa Romantica’s historic coastal property, the session combines seasonal crafting with a small introduction to gardening. It is a good fit for young artists who would rather build something than walk through a haunted attraction—and the finished pot can stay on display after the candy is gone.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17.
Hours: 10:30 a.m.–noon.
Admission: $15; advance registration recommended.
Where: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente.
Details: Casa Romantica events
10. Halloween-Inspired Art Session with Peter Zokosky — Laguna Beach
Skeletons become drawing subjects during this seasonal edition of Laguna Art Museum’s art sessions. Working with a skeleton model and a live model wearing an anatomically illustrated leotard, participants study how bones and muscles shape the human figure. Peter Zokosky guides the workshop, with materials and a live demonstration included. The Halloween connection is anatomical rather than frightening, making this an appealing October outing for visitors who want to leave with a new skill and artwork of their own.
When: Friday, Oct. 16.
Hours: 4–7 p.m.
Admission: Advance registration required; see the museum’s booking page for current pricing.
Where: Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.
Details: Art Sessions with Peter Zokosky
Photo credits: All images are courtesy of the venues featured.
