Halloween Weekend
Casa Creepy Haunted House
Oct. 29-30. Come one, come all to one of south Orange County’s largest family-friendly Halloween attractions, Casa Romanica’s annual Creepy Haunted House. Take a walk (if you dare) through 2.5 acres of the 1920s-themed haunted house where you’ll encounter werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and other of creepy-crawlies in the gardens. F-Sa 7-9 p.m. $12 general admission, $8Â children 12 and under. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
Creatures of the Night
Oct. 29-30. Take a walk on the wild side at Sherman Library & Gardens’ Creatures of the Night to get a glimpse into a different world. Guests at this family-friendly event will receive a passport to explore the Gardens after dark and learn about the habits of birds of prey and nocturnal animals. Highlights include interactive animal stations, night-blooming plants, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt and food by Arnulfo’s Tacos for purchase. 5-8 p.m. $15 members, $25 non-members, free for children 3 and under. 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261. thesherman.org
Spooky Seas: Haunted Tales at the Ocean Institute
Oct. 29-30. Bring the kiddos for a spooktacular evening at the Ocean Institute’s “Spooky Seas: Haunted Tales Evening Adventure.” Families can enjoy a variety of interactive activities such as ghost bubbles and fizzing eyeballs at the Mad Scientist Lab; a sea monster scavenger hunt; animal encounters in the intertidal touch tank; and other activities. Two ticketed time frames: 4:30-6 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. $20 adults, $15 children, free for kids under 2. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274. oceaninstitute.org
Halloween Fiesta at Sueños
Oct. 30. Have a bloody good time at Sueños in Laguna Beach during its first Halloween Fiesta. Beginning at 8 p.m., dance the night away to the sultry and spooky beats of DJ Classic. The kitchen will offer made-to-order street tacos with tortillas made from fresh masa. Partygoers can sip on specialty cocktails and enjoy samples of OTACA Tequila and Mezcal Amarás Verde. Don’t forget to don your best costume since there will be a costume contest complete with prizes from partnering liquor brands. 8 p.m.-midnight. Free admission. 222 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.719.8155. sueoslagunabeach.com
Hive & Haunted Halloween Bash
Oct. 30. Eat, drink and be spooky at Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar’s annual haunted Halloween bash for a night of ghostly cocktails, rooftop views, music and more. Each ticket includes a complimentary cocktail courtesy of Del Maguey Mezcal and Bacardi Rum, and a bottle of Freak Show Red Blend—along with food, drink and bottle specials all night long. Dance the night away with DJ jams, snap a photo at the on-site photo booth or enjoy a scary Halloween movie viewing at 9 p.m. Halloween costumes encouraged; ages 21+ only. 8 p.m.-midnight. $80. 7905 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.759.0200. hhrooftopbar.com
Food + Drink
Heirloom Harvest Tasting Menu
Oct. 30. Elevate your Halloween Eve with a three-course autumn dining experience at Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen. The tasting menu offers robust fall flavors and delectable cocktails from Casamigos that can be paired with the dishes. Menu highlights include roasted corn soup paired with a Smokey Casa Margarita featuring Casamigos Mezcal Joven; and slow-braised short rib paired with a Blackberry Ginger Smash featuring Casamigos Blanco. Live music will play from 6-10 p.m.; costumes encouraged. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. $80 or $125 with cocktail pairings. 7905 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.759.0200. heirloomfarmhousekitchen.com
Spooky Season Specials at Sushi Roku
Through Oct. 31. Before the end of the month is upon us, get a taste of three new seasonal specials at Sushi Roku in Fashion Island. There’s the King Growler Roll (pictured) featuring king crab, spicy tuna, avocado and asparagus wrapped in rice paper; the Pumpkin Panna Cotta made with pumpkin puree and cream cheese, topped with fresh berries; and Sushi Roku’s Drunkin Pumpkin Cocktail, which features whiskey, Baileys Irish Cream and housemade pumpkin-spice simple syrup, served with a cinnamon-sugar rim, sprinkle of nutmeg and whole cinnamon stick garnish. See website for hours. 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.706.3622. sushiroku.com
Day of the Dead Dinner Celebration at Ysidora
Upcoming | Nov. 2. Join Ysidora at The Inn at San Juan Capistrano on DÃa de los Muertos for a celebratory dinner in remembrance of loved ones who have passed. Take a seat in the courtyard at large communal tables adorned with skulls, candles and colorful decorations to enjoy live music and a specially-curated meal prepared by chef Aaron. Guests will also be invited to write down the names of loved ones who have passed to add to two grand alters nestled beneath the olive trees. 7 p.m. $55+ adults, $19+ children under 12. 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.503.5720. ysidora.com
Arts + Culture
Eric Marienthal at Irvine Barclay
Oct. 29. Before jumping right into Halloween mode this weekend, grab tickets to watch Grammy-winning contemporary jazz saxophonist and composer Eric Marienthal take center stage at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Before the show, head over to Bistango for dinner, along with a complimentary glass of bubbly and dessert! Just show your concert ticket on the night of at the restaurant to receive the two free items. 8 p.m. $30-$120. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
Pacific Chorale at Segerstrom Center
Oct. 30. Pacific Chorale launches its 2021-22 season at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a program anchored by Rachmaninoff’s a cappella masterwork Vespers (All-Night Vigil) conducted by artistic director Robert Istad. Taking place inside the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the concert opens with  South Korean composer Hyo-Won Woo’s dramatic Me-Na-Ri (Space Music), followed by the world premiere of The Stillness Chained by Grammy-nominated former composer-in-residence Tarik O’Regan, set to the poetry of Yone Noguchi. The evening concludes with Rachmaninoff’s transcendent Vespers. 7 p.m. $20-$70. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.662.2345. scfta.org
Photo credits: Heirloom Farmhouse Kitchen, Hive & Honey, and Ysidora courtesy J Public Relations. Sushi Roku courtesy Moxxe PR. Pacific Chorale by Drew Kelley. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
