Taste of Laguna
Oct. 1. Sample bites from more than 30 of Laguna Beach’s best restaurants including Driftwood Kitchen, Las Brisas, K’ya Bistro, Tortilla Republic, Starfish, Mastro’s Ocean Club, Rooftop Lounge, Splashes, Mosaic and more. Enjoy entertainment by Pancho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band. 4:30-9 p.m. $60, includes all tastes. 21 and over only. The Festival of the Arts Grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, brownpapertickets.com
Orange County International Auto Show
Oct. 2-5. The iconic event marks its 50th anniversary and features 2015 production-model debuts (many of which you can test drive) plus concept, custom and exotic cars. If you are in the market for a new car or just a car buff, you won’t want to miss this. $10-$12, under 13 free. Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.765.8950. motortrendautoshows.com
The Eagles at Honda Center
Oct. 3. See The Eagles as they return to Southern California on their “History of the Eagles” tour. The evening will be filled with their classic hits spanning their career including “Hotel California,” “Take it Easy,” “New Kid in Town, ” “Witchy Woman” and more. 8 p.m. $66-$226. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. hondacenter.com
Scott’s Restaurant & Bar Second Annual Wine Fest
Oct. 4. This fun social afternoon will serve as a re-cap of Scott’s Summer Wine Tour. Enjoy the food and wine pairing highlights from their world tour and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase wines at wholesale prices. Some of these rare selections are not available for retail purchase at any price and will not be around long. 12-4 p.m. $50. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.979.2400. scottsrestaurantandbar.com
Oktoberfest at Anaheim Brewery
Oct. 11, 18. Sip beers from two beer gardens and nosh on bratwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels while enjoying live music, a photo booth and more during this festive event. 4-10 p.m. Anaheim Brewery, 336 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.780.1888. anaheimpackingdistrict
Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational
Oct. 12-19. Visit this eight-day painting event as Laguna Beach turns into an outdoor studio. Thirty-five nationally renowned plein air artists will capture Laguna Beach’s coastal canyons, scenic coves and surrounding areas to exhibit at the Afternoon Collector’s Soirée at The Ranch on Oct., 18, competing to win more than $20,000 in awards. Pieces can be purchased on Oct. 19. at the exhibit at The Ranch. For calendar of events, visit website. lagunapleinair.org
Sustainable Seafood Dinner at Stonehill Tavern
Oct. 16. Dine at Stonehill Tavern as Michael Mina and Executive Chef Raj Dixit create a special menu incorporating sustainable seafood and organic wine pairings. The chefs will discuss the importance of sourcing seafood sustainably as they present dishes including a sunset shellfish station on the restaurant’s ocean-view terrace and local rockfish cioppino utilizing the whole fish. Enter the raffle drawing for a chance to wine prizes such as a chef’s tasting menu dinner, Sunday champagne brunch, an overnight stay at the resort and more. Proceeds benefit The Ocean Institute. 6:30 p.m. $165. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3318. stregismb.com
Indie Chefs Week
Oct. 16-18. Join in this three-day event as 25 talented chefs (Carlos Salgado, Eric Samaniego and Jason Quinn, just to name a few) prepare a variety of signature specialties at Taco Maria at The OC Mix. On Oct. 16-17, more than a dozen chefs will come together to create a 12-course menu along with beverages and guests are welcome to mingle with the chefs. On the 18th, all 25 chefs will collaborate on a 20-course tasting menu. $175-$300. 3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, indiechefsweek.com
Savor Santa Ana
Oct. 16. Sample a rainbow of Downtown Santa Ana restaurants all in one glorious epicurean evening. For just $10, pick up a booklet of 12 tasting tickets and route map and exchange your tickets for food tastings at local eateries, local art and other goodies. Explore the DTSA Farmer’s Market as well which will be in progress at the same time. 5:30-9 p.m. E. 4th Street and N. Spurgeon., Santa Ana, downtown-santaana.com
Local Brews, Local Grooves
Oct. 25. Head to the House of Blues Anaheim for the ultimate sound and taste festival. Enjoy nine breweries with more than 32 craft beers and 16 bands on three stages, including a brand new outdoor stage. Breweries include Sierra Nevada, Ritual Brewing, Bootlegger’s Brewery, Ballast Point, Noble Ale Works and more and featured bands include The Originalites, Nilu, Big Monster and Magic Giant. 5 p.m. $12-27. 1530 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
AtmosFear Halloween at the Yost Theatre
Oct. 31. Join KIIS FM’s DJ Drew for a fun night of costumes, dancing and more. Enjoy four DJs, two levels, two areas of music and one insane good time. 18 and over, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $25-$30. 307 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana, 323.604.6030. hallloweenla.com
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/scaryfarm
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. $20–$109. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0742. queenmary.com