Halloween Time 2012 at Disneyland
Through Oct. 31. Disneyland Resort guests will join Mickey Mouse and the Disney villains for some new treats and family fun at Halloween Time as the annual celebration returns to the Happiest Place on Earth. The fun gets even spookier this year with the new Disney’s Halloween Time Carnival featuring “The Astounding Cauldron of Magic” at Big Thunder Ranch, plus new pirate makeovers at Pirates League and, at Disney California Adventure Park, “The Art of Frankenweenie” exhibit with a peek behind the scenes of Tim Burton’s new film. The after-hours Mickey’s Halloween Party, which has become an annual highlight of Halloween Time for trick-or-treating families, takes place in Disneyland Park on 11 special Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights Oct. 5, 9, 12, 15, 19, 23, 26, 29 and 31. This separately ticketed event is $46-$69/pp. General admission to the park is $81-87/pp. 1313 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, 714.785.4565. disneyland.com/halloween
Vampires Dinner Adventure
Oct. 6-7, 12-14, 18-21, 25-31. Celebrate this October at Treasure Bay’s annual Masquerade Ball where you’re invited to dress up and participate in the Masquerade Costume Parade and Contest. This exciting night of spectacle and adventure also includes a delicious four-course meal. However, heed this warning; be watchful of your surroundings these cursed halls are said to have housed many evil Vampires in the years past. It has even been rumored that the evil Captain Sebastian the Black is still lurking in the shadows, awaiting unsuspecting guests who would become pre to him and his horde of “Vampire Pirates.” Care to join the VamPirates … as dinner? 7600 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 866.439.AHOY. piratesdinneradventure.com
Knott’s Scary Farm
Oct. 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-28, 30-31. Knott’s Scary Farm’s Halloween Haunt celebrates its 40th year of spooking guests. What originally began with a few Halloween decorations and costumed employees has grown to be the world’s largest Halloween event. Starting September 21 and running for 25 horrifying nights, the typically family-friendly theme park transforms itself into 160 acres of sheer terror complete with 12 mazes, six hair-raising shows, four horrific scare zones and 1,000 monsters roaming throughout the park. This year’s themed attractions include Terror of London, Dia de los Muertos and Uncle Willy’s Slaughterhouse. For a friendlier celebration, visit “Snoopy’s Costume Party.” This daytime, non-scare celebration is the social event of the season with shows, activities and trick-or-treating. Be sure to catch the Peanuts Halloween “Spooktacular” in the Camp Snoopy Theatre. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Great Park Pumpkin Harvest
Oct. 20. Visit the Orange County Great Park for its fifth annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest from 9 am-3 pm. Pick a free pumpkin (for children 12 and under, while supplies last) from the Great Park pumpkin patch and have the master carver show you how to create of autumnal art. Enjoy a hay maze, carnival-style games, Monster Mash puppet show, petting zoo and cooking demos. Presiding over the pumpkin patch is the Great Park’s giant orange balloon festively dressed as a Jack-O-Lantern for the month of October. Visitors dressed in costume are given an opportunity to win a family four pack of tickets to How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular at the Honda Center. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable canned or packaged food items for donation. Free admission, $10 parking. Great Park Balloon and Preview Park, Perimeter Road, Irvine, 866.829.3829. ocgp.org
Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Oct. 5–7, 12–14, 18–21, 25–28, 31. The famed ship receives a macabre makeover for the event, complete with 160 monsters and 20-foot-tall flames. The annual event features mazes, live music, food, drinks and a few hair-raising surprises await at the Queen Mary Ship & Seaport in Long Beach during this annual scare fest. 7 pm–midnight. $24–39; VIP ticket $50–$60. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.435.3511. queenmary.com
Empty Grave at Anaheim GardenWalk
Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 25-28, 30-Nov. 3. Located just a few blocks from Disneyland, this haunted attractions offers 50,000 square feet of terror featuring state of the art special effects, live actors and animatronics. 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 949.25.SCARY. themtgrave.com
Fright Nights at the LAB
Oct. 18, 25. The LAB invite you the return of “Fright Nights,” free films in the dark to celebrate the haunts of the Halloween season. Bring a blanket or chair, munch on free pop corn and enjoy fun family thrillers and classics outside on the big screen in the brisk autumn air. On Oct. 18, catch the 1984 supernatural film “Ghostbusters.” For the final installation, the LAB screens the 1991 creepy family comedy “The Addams Family.” 2930 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa. thelab.com
Pacific Symphony Halloween Spooktacular
Oct. 20. A spooktacular treat of a concert, as guests are entranced by mysterious music perfect for good little ghouls and ghosts — including Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” and selections from the “Harry Potter” movies. Make sure to wear your favorite costume. Pacific Symphony’s Family Musical Mornings are fun and fascinating 45-minute concerts designed especially for children 5-11. During the Musical Carnival, enjoy free hands-on activities for children, who can meet Symphony musicians, sing, dance, play, color, try musical instruments and enjoy themselves in thematic activities related to the concert. Concerts are at 10 am and 11:30 am. Arrive at 9 am for activities before the first performance; activities after the second concert begin at 12:15 pm. $19-31/pp. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, pacificsymphony.org, 714.755.5788. pacificsymphony.org
Halloween Kids Boo Cruise
Oct. 26. The haunted vessel, Sum Fun, cruises the harbor every 20 minutes. This event is fun for the whole family and includes a costume contest on every cruise and lots of goodies for the little ones. $5 donation/pp benefits Community Autism Now. Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794. danawharf.com
Halloween Party at the Deck
Oct. 27. The pirates will be searching for their booty at the beach this Halloween! Pacific Edge Hotel will be hosting a Halloween Party at The Deck on Laguna Beach from 9 pm – 1 am. Pre-sale tickets are available until Oct. 20 for $30 and after the pre-sale, tickets will be available at the door for $40. In addition to general admission, Pacific Edge Hotel offers private VIP Cabana Packages available for up to twelve guests. 627 Sleep Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, 949.281.5704. deckonlaguna.com
OC Halloween Fangbanger’s Ball
Oct. 27. Vampires and their friends gather to indulge their senses at the OC Fangbanger’s Ball with special guest DJ Scotty Boy. Party features two rooms of dance music and an open bar from 9 pm-1 am. Tickets start at $55. Hilton OC Double Tree Hotel, 100 The City Drive South, Orange, 949.272.9191. orangecountynightlife.com
Main Street Halloween Celebration
Oct. 31. Spend All Hallow’s Eve in downtown Huntington Beach for an annual celebration featuring a moon bounce, petting zoo, Ferris wheel, pumpkin carving, costume contests and more. Children can trick-or-treat along Main Street and enter into a costume contest. Downtown Huntington Beach, Main Street, 714.536.8300. surfcityusa.com
Discovery Science Center: Spooky Science
Through Oct. 31. Spooky Science once again returns to Discovery Science Center. Packed with tons of activities for kids, this year is set to be the greatest yet! Events include a scavenger hunt where guests receive booklets that will send them on a hunt for clues and exhibits to complete and redeem for amazing prizes. Visit Oct. 20-12 and 27-28 to see Thor’s Snake Show, which features 12 different varieties of snakes from corn snakes to rosy boas and even Burmese pythons. $12.95-$14.95/pp. Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.542.2823. discoverycube.org
Family Fright Zone Fridays
Oct. 26. Ghostly creatures take to fright on this spooky family Fun Zone Night. Trick-or-Treat at the Fun Zone as witches, wizards and ghosts come to life on the waterfront. Enjoy spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, face painting, magic shows and live entertainment for the entire family. $2/pp. Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 East Bay Ave., Newport Beach, 949.675.8915. explorocean.org
Haunted Garden at the Arboretum
Oct. 26-27. Every Halloween, the Fullerton Arboretum transforms its garden into a haven for all that goes bump in the night. But don’t worry, 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 pm and run until the last tour leaves at 8:30 pm. The end of the tour features a Haunter’s Ball, where there are games and activities for those lucky enough to make it through the garden. Pre-paid tickets are $6-$10/pp; prices higher at the gate. 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, 657.278.4002. fullertonarboretum.org
Haunted Walking Tours
Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31-Nov. 1. With ghosts lurking around every corner, Fullerton is one of Orange County’s most haunted cities. Take this tour and find out which businesses have pots and pans flying around after hours and which famous deceased Fullertonian makes an “appearance” now and then. Tours are a celebration of local legend while sharing another facet of Fullerton’s history. Guests will learn about the latest advances in paranormal research. “Ghost hunters” should be prepared to walk approximately 1.5 miles during the two and a half hour tour. Reservations required; $18/pp. Fullerton Museum, 301 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.6545. cityoffullerton.com
Legend of Boot Hill
Oct. 19-21, 26-31. Boot Hill rises from the fog to inhabit the residence at 16 Goldenrod. The unearthly spirits from the old west town of Bridgewood materialize for nine nights, transforming the elaborate yard into the old church and cemetery that once occupied the land. Come if you dare, but beware the ghost of Jedediah Smith who has been known to roam through the decaying grounds of Boot Hill. Free admission. 16 Goldenrod, Irvine, 818.633.0300. inprogressproductions.com
Ghost Tours
Oct. 27. Get in the spirit of Halloween by joining San Juan Capistrano’s Historical Society Walking Tour Guides on a spooking walking tour of Los Rios Street, the oldest residential neighborhood in California. Be prepared for creepy tales of big black dogs, strange monks who have lost their heads, ghostly stories about a lady in white and other goings on. Tours meet at the O’Neill Museum at 6:30 pm, 7 pm and 7:30 pm. Reservations are required; $3-$5/pp. 31831 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.8444. sjchistoricalsociety.com
Halloween Festival
Oct. 28. At the Orange County Market Place’s 15th annual Trick-or-Treat Festival, guests can take part in a Day of the Dead celebration and enjoy some scary political pumpkins. Phantom Coaches Hearse Club members and other enthusiasts will bring their antique, classic, vintage and restored hearses, funeral cars and ambulances for an all-day show and competition. Other festivities include performances from Xipe Totec Danzantes Aztecas and Relámpago del Cielo Grup de Folklorico, free sugar skull painting, a costume contest and an “I Scream for Ice Cream” contest presented by Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurants. Children can take part in free trick-or-treating from 10 am-2 pm. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 949.723.6660. ocmarketplace.com
Boo Bash Parties at RA Sushi
Oct. 31. Have a ghoulishly good time on Halloween at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant’s Boo Bash, happening at both the Tustin and Huntington Beach locations beginning at 7 pm. Party the night away with spooktacular food and drink specials and a costume contest. Enjoy a variety of “Boo Bites,” including voodoo crispy chicken, vampire shrimp and the spider roll or cast a spell with one of RA’s “Potent Potions” such as Grape Goulade, the Sinner’s Sangria or the Frozen Swampwater. The District at Tutstin Legacy, 240 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.566.1700; The Strand, 155 5th Street, Huntington Beach, 715.536.6390. rasushi.com