Events In Orange County – October 2015
The month of October brings tons of fall fun to Orange County with haunted houses, Oktoberfest, autumn festivals and more. Check out the list of events in Orange County this October 2015 and start planning where to get your fright on this month.
KNOTT’S SCARY FARM
Now – Oct 31st
Knott’s Scary Farm is the biggest Halloween event in LA and OC. This year there will be 11 mazes, 1,000 monsters, 2 shows, 3 scare zones and tons more attractions to enjoy. One of the newest mazes in Paranormal Inc, featuring ghost hunters from a TV network investigating a mental hospitals full of deranged doctors. There’s also Special Ops, a fun and unique experience where you can hunt zombies with your very own laser gun. Every year the experience gets better and better!
Event website: knotts.com/scaryfarm
OKTOBERFEST AT OLD WORLD VILLAGE
Now – November 1st
Wednesdays- Sundays
Old World is celebrating its 38th year of Oktoberfest celebrations and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. The German American Brass Band will be there to get the party started on opening day plus come enjoy the best German beers, brats (voted best in SoCal!), beautiful shot girls and more. Wednesday and Thrusday nights admission is free for beer tasting, food trucks and bands, Friday and Saturdays admission is $20 and includes beer contests and Sundays are Kinderfest aka Family Day with wiener dog races, and admission is only $5 for adults and $2 for kids.
Event website: oldworld.ws
IRVINE PARK RAILROAD PUMPKIN PATCH
Now – Oct. 31st
Open daily at 10AM, the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch opens for business this September. Entrance is free and activity tickets are $5 each or a book of 15 tickets is $60. There are train rides, hay rides, john deer tractor races, carnival games, a Halloween bounce house jumper, cookie decorating, panning for gold, face painting, pony rides and SO much more fun to be had. Time to get in the spirit of fall and start having some fun.
OKTOBERFEST AT THE PHOENIX CLUB
Weekends, Now – October 31st
Located in Anaheim in the heart of Orange County, Phoenix Club has been celebrating Oktoberfest for over 50 years. Enjoy polkas and prosts in the Festzelt and Biergarten, delicious German food & beers, and partying all night long. General admission is $10.
Event website: thephoenixclub.com/oktoberfest
THE 17TH DOOR HAUNTED HOUSE
Now – November 1st
Coming to life at the Tustin Marketplace, The 17th Door haunted house is a 30-minute timed experience, following the steps of a young college girl named Paula who’s tortured and tormented at the evil Gluttire University. Tickets range from $21-$35 depending on what night you come.
Event website: the17thdoor.com
MICKEY’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Now – Sunday, October 25th
Held on select nights at the Disneyland Park, you can trick-or-treat in around the happiest place on earth and enjoy the festive fun of Mickey’s special Halloween Party. A ticket will get you admission into the park up to 3 hours prior to the event’s start time.
Event website: disneyland.disney.go.com
THE EMPTY GRAVE HAUNTED HOUSE
Friday, October 2nd – Sunday, November 1st
7PM-Midnight (Some nights until 10PM)
The Empty Grave has moved from it’s Anaheim location to Laguna Hills Mall. This haunted attraction is located just off the 5 Freeway and El Toro, directly behind Pumpkin City Pumpkin Patch. Featuring state of the art special effects, live actors and animatronics. Get your ticket online!
Event website: themtgrave.com
NEWPORT BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Friday, October 2nd – Sunday, October 4th
The weekend of delicious fun kicks off Friday with a launch party and charity event at Oak Grill & Aqua Lounge. Saturday and Sunday the daytime festivities begin in the Grand Tasting Pavilions where guests have the chance to engage with your favorite restaurant executive chefs as they prepare and serve gourmet eats. The event will be held at the stunning Newport Beach Civic Center.
Event website: newportwineandfood.com
TUSTIN TILLER DAYS FESTIVAL & PARADE
Friday, October 3rd – Sunday, October 4th
Held at Columbus Tustin Park
An annual event in Tustin since 1957, the three-day Tiller Days Festival celebrates Orange County’s agricultural heritage while providing an opportunity for local non-profit organizations to promote their cause and raise funds. Entrance is free and the event includes stages with live entertainment, a sports zone, vendors, carnival games and rides, backyard brewfest, baking contests and more. Presale wristbands for unlimited carnival rides are just $25.
Event website: tustinca.org
UCI 50TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF DISCOVERY
Saturday, October 3rd
7AM-3PM
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of UCI, there will be an Anteater 5K, 1K Family Fun Run and all day festival in Aldrich Park. Register to run with the whole family to enjoy throwback tunes, costume prizes, giveaways and more fun. After the run in the park check out live music, food trucks, hands-on displays, and interactive demos.
Event website: festivalofdiscovery.uci.edu
DANA POINT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ
Saturday, October 3rd
9AM-6PM
Over 100 of the top BBQ teams from California, Utah, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona will compete for a share of $33,000 in prize money. Competition categories include chicken, ribs, brisket, pork and special desserts. Tasting tickets are $2 each to taste samples from the competitors. Benefits go to the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Event website: danapointbbqchampionships.com
CATURDAY AT COMMUNITY IN ANAHEIM
Saturday, October 3rd
6PM-9PM
Browse the progressive cat gallery, cat lady crafts, vendors, the waffleicious food truck, and beer and wine gardens. The whole evening is dedicated to our love of furry and mischievous friends – you won’t want to miss out! Caturday will be held at Community, a unique retail center in Anaheim.
Event website: facebook.com/events
ABRACADAVER PRESENTS: THE HALLOWEEN MARKET
Saturday, October 3rd
10AM-5PM
A frightfully fun event with over 30 Halloween and Haunt vendors selling their unique products, plus giveaways! This event is held in the spacious outdoor venue behind Abracadaver Productions’ studio. It’s free so stop by and browse some one-of-a-kind bone chilling merchandise.
Event website: abracadaver.com
OOZE FEST
Saturday, October 10th
1PM-9PM
Ooze Fest is a food festival all about everybody’s favorite melted treat – cheeeese. Brought to you by Foodbeast.com, Ooze Fest will be the world premier of 20+ unique cheese creations. Held in the parking lot of the Yost Theater in Downtown Santa Ana, Ooze Fest will have two sessions 12PM-4PM and 5PM-9PM. There will also be complimentary beer tastings available in the beer garden at the event. Tickest are $50 general admission and $75 for VIP access.
Event website: oozefestival.com
DANA POINT OKTOBERFEST
Saturday, October 10th
12PM-7PM
The Dana Point Oktoberfest features live German bands, great authentic German food, German and Craft Brews, themed games and more. Plus this Oktoberfest is fun for the whole family with children’s events as well. Lantern Bay park will be filled with music, games, and more Germ and craft beers on tap than any other Oktoberfest event in SoCal. Plus – admission is totally free!
Event website: danapointoktoberfest.com
RE:IMAGINE GARDEN GROVE
Saturday, October 10th
3PM-10PM
The City of Garden Grove and Community Arts Resources will host the 2nd “Re: Imagine Garden Grove Downtown Open Streets”. The city will open up three miles of car free streets filled with food, art, music, dance, workshops, sports, games and more. This year as the sun begins to set, Historic Main Street will light up with live music, dancing in the streets, a pop-up arcade, art workshops and outdoor dining so you can get to know Garden Grove by night as well. Pedestrians and cyclists are welcome to explore the city in a whole new way!
Event website: ggopenstreets.com
AUTUMN HARVEST FESTIVAL AT HERITAGE HILL
Saturday, October 10th
4PM-9PM
The Autumn Harvest Festival held at Heritage Hill Historic Park is fun for the whole family this time of year. There will be fun themed attractions all throughout the park including: Legends of Oz, Department of Jurassic Parks & Recreation, Adventures of Indiana Jones, Tikis, Tides, and Tales, Gotham City Laser Tag, and the Lake Forest All-Star Glow Party. Break out your Halloween costume and trick or treat bag and get ready to enter a magical world beyond your imagination. Entrance is $5 and attractions range from $.25 to $1.
Event website: ocparks.com/historic/heritage
CHOC WALK IN THE PARK
Sunday, October 11th
5:30AM
The CHOC Walk covers three miles throughout the Disneyland® Resort, including Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney. Since the first Disney CHOC Walk back in 1990, the even has raised over $24 million to support education, research and new technology for the health and well being of children. For the details on registration and more, check out the site.
Event website: choc.convio.net
INDIE FEST USA INT’L FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Thursday, October 15th
Indie Fest USA is an eclectic mix of independent films from the US and International filmmakers plus local and regional bands/solo artists in genres including rock, alt. rock, jazz, folk, cover and indie. The event is put on by The Garden Grove Community Arts Society and the event will be held at Historic Man Street & Village Green Park.
Event website: eventbrite.com
AN EVENING FOR UPCYCLERS!
Thursday, October 15th
6:30PM-8PM
Join us for an evening of networking at the new Depot for Creative Reuse in Santa Ana, the Child Creativity Lab’s latest program. Check out the programs and materials and help provide feedback on what you’d like to see at this reusable materials center. Bring your latest project or other creation that you’d like to showcase to the group!
Event website: meetup.com
SAN CLEMENTE OKTOBERFEST
Saturday, October 17th
11AM-8PM
Entertainment for the day includes tons of live bands as well as contests and activities like the Weiner Dog Walk Off costume contest, Das Brat Toss, Beer Pong, Beer Stein holding contest and keg bowling. Check out the site soon for a list of food and drink vendors this year. If you can get your tickets before Oct. 1st it’s $7, before Oct. 17th $10 and day of $12.
Event website: scoktoberfest.weebly.com
HAUNT AT HERITAGE HILL
Friday, October 16th – Saturday, October 17th
6PM-10PM
The annual Haunt at Heritage Hill Maze is a teen/adult haunted adventure and the perfect way to get into the spooky spirit this October. The Haunt will include The Joker’s Sideshow Maze, two scare zones, fortune telling, a photo booth, DJ, classic scary movies and more. Come dressed up in your favorite costume and get ready to have a screaming good time.
Event website: facebook.com/LFhaunt
THE CEMETERY OF LOST SOULS
October 16th, 17th, 24th, 25th and 30th
5PM-10PM
United Studios Of Self Defense in Yorba Linda, also known as The Haunted Dojo, will be hosting their 6th annual haunted house, Cemetery Of Lost Souls. The Haunted Dojo started out as a small, free haunted house in the community and has continued to grow year after year. Come by for the free family friendly hour from 5-6PM or from 6-10PM for scream time. Entrance is $10 or $20 for a speed pass. It was ranked one of the top 5 scariest haunted houses in Orange County by the OC Register and CBS!
Event website: thehaunteddojo.com
THE CAKE EXPO
Saturday, October 17th – Sunday, October 18th
9AM-5PM
Located in the Hanger Building at The Orange County Fair & Event Center, the CAKE expo is for anyone and everyone with a passion for baking, creating, cake decorating and all kinds of delicious temptations. The expo will include celebrity demos, classes, hands-on workshops and shopping. Learn new skills and become a party pro, sample the tasty treats and have a great time.
Event website: cake-expo.com
ANAHEIM FALL FESTIVAL & HALLOWEEN PARADE
Saturday, October 24th
11AM
A time-honored tradition, the Anaheim Fall Festival has been entertaining families for generations. This year’s festival takes place in downtown Anaheim on October 24th! Visit craft booths, play games, savor a variety of foods, shop for trinkets and treasures! There will be a kid’s costume contest, doggy costume contest, pumpkin patch, parade, Motel 6 feet under and Miss Anaheim Fall Festival.
Event website: anaheimhalloweenparade.org
HUNTINGTON HAUNT EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, October 28th – Saturday, October 31st
The Huntington Haunt Experience is no ordinary haunted house, but an interactive experience where you literally become a part of the story, which can be best described as part haunted house, part theatre, and part interactive ‘moving’ play where the audience becomes involved in the twisted tale. There’s no better place for a chilling wedding to take place than at the historic Newland House and Barn in Huntington Beach!
Event website: huntingtonhaunt.org
Thank you for reading. I hope you found this information useful.
Jeff Pittman, Realtor in Ladera Ranch – Orange County, California