Friday, October 3, 2014

31 Days of Halloween: Halloween 2014 Events in Orange County

There are lots of eerie events and activities going on this month in Orange County that are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit! There seems to be something for everyone, from scary mazes for adults and teens, to kid-friendly pumpkin patches, to jaw-dropping Halloween displays everyone can enjoy!

I've compiled a handy list of some of the haunting happenings in Orange County and also listed a few events that will occur beyond OC since they were just too good to leave out! You can check out my list below, though please note this isn't an all-inclusive list of all Halloween events. If you have a favorite event I've left out, please let me know in the comments!


Anaheim's Halloween Parade

Join in the fun with Anaheim's Halloween parade on October 25th, 2014, which has been celebrating the season since 1924! Fantastic floats, a Miss Fall Festival competition, and lots of Halloween activities at the end of the parade route round out this fun tradition! This is a free event to attend, but any activities, games, etc. are extra.


Yorba Linda's Perdition Home

This is a home haunt that bills itself as the goriest, most over-the-top haunt in Orange County. Definitely not for the kids (unless your kids are awesome), but if you're looking for a blood-drenched Halloween this is the place to go this October!


San Juan Capistrano's Ghost Tours

Get in the spirit of Halloween this October by joining the Historical Society Walking Tour Guides on a spooky 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 tales about a lady in white and other goings on. Ticket prices and more info can be found via the link above.


Ladera Ranch's Mystic Motel 

Another home haunt, this one just debuted last year as a short, 38 second homemade Halloween dark ride built in a two-person garage, however they are making it bigger and better this year and creating a whole walk-through experience! Find more info via the link above.


Fullerton's Haunted Arboretum

Every year the Fullerton Arboretum transforms their garden into a haven for all that goes bump in the night. But don’t worry, their guides will take you safely through the treacherous paths that wind through the dark forest the evil spirits call home. Visit them on select nights this October (all info, including dates and ticket prices, can be found via the link above).


Irvine's Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch

A real, live pumpkin patch on a working farm where you can stroll among rows and rows of pumpkins until you find the perfect one! Lots of fun activities to do, too - take pics on the pile of pumpkins, take a wagon ride around the farm, watch pumpkins being shot out of a big cannon, or visit their produce stand across the street, which features more pumpkins as well as games for the kids to play and a small snack stand. Entrance to the pumpkin patch is now $2 (it was previously free...this new entrance fee is disappointing), and games, wagon rides, pumpkins, etc. are extra.


Laguna Niguel's 14th Annual Haunted Trails

Zombie’s have taken over Crown Valley Community Park! Small groups will be escorted by a trained, "Zombie Squad" to experience the haunted trails, tents, and mazes. Weave through the Zombie infestation areas until you reach the end, where will be checked out at the "infection check station" to safely leave the event. Event will be held the nights of October 23rd, 24th, 25th and is $12 per ticket.


Fullerton's Ghost Tours

Take this tour and find out what businesses have pots and pans flying around after hours, what famous deceased Fullertonian makes an “appearance” now and then, enjoy some of Fullerton's history. These tours are a celebration of local legend while sharing stories of another facet of Fullerton’s history, particularly that of the downtown. Check the site (link above) for tour prices, dates and times.


Laguna Hill's Empty Grave Haunted House 

This haunt used to be located in Anaheim, but has moved to the Laguna Hill's mall. This year promises an all-new walk-through, with new monsters ready to scare you at every turn! You will venture through a world of terror, where the dead walk among you and your wildest nightmares are brought to life! This is an intense, full themed and interactive haunted attraction and will run nights in October. Visit their site (link above) for ticketing and VIP pricing.


Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

A really cute pumpkin patch up in the Irvine Regional Park! It's geared more towards little kids, with a train you can ride, games kids can play, and even a walk-through haunted house, plus other activities! They do such a great job decorating the place, though, it's worth a visit from Halloween-lovers of all ages! Do note that to enter the Irvine Regional Park a $5 day-use fee is required, but this gives you access to the whole park, so you could make a day of it and go hiking, have a picnic or even visit their zoo (which isn't a traditional zoo, they just take in injured wild animals native to California and rehabilitate them). Also note that games, rides, zoo admission, renting paddle boats, etc. all cost extra, but just walking through the pumpkin patch is free (besides the price of parking).


Corona del Mar's Halloween Boutique at Roger's Gardens

Every year the upscale Roger's Gardens transforms some of their space into a Halloween boutique, full of Halloween art and oddities! The setting may be hauntingly beautiful, but don’t let the elegance of your surroundings deceive you. As you wander through the chambers of our Halloween Boutique you may feel a slight chill in the air as the spirits join you. There is much to discover among the shadows. This event is free to wander around, but you will definitely be tempted to buy some of the gorgeous Halloween items on display!


Fullerton's Night of the Living Dead on Stage

Fullerton's Maverick Theater will again be presenting George Romero's classic zombie film Night of the Living Dead on stage! This live-theater version of the horror classic will run weekends in October and is definitely a fun event! Dates and ticket info in the link above.


Knott's Scary Farm

This popular attraction returns this year with several new mazes, including Voodoo, a choose-your-own-path maze, a Tooth Fairy maze, Special Ops: Infected, a new interactive experience where you are paired with a team to hunt zombies, and more! Lots of their mazes and attractions have been revamped, including a longer, scarier Trapped experience and more Elvira appearences! General Admission, VIP and even Season Passes can be purchased for this year's Scary Farm - follow the link above for more info and to purchase tickets.


Irvine's Boot Hill 

This Western-themed home haunt is near my new neighborhood so I hope to check it out this year! It is free (donations collected are donated to a local children's hospital), and has been running for 15 years now! I love home haunts (even though they are so rare nowadays) and how they bring whole communities together to scream!


Fullerton's Sinister Pointe - Sinister Pointe has a brand new location in Fullerton this year, and will be showcasing Beyond the Mirror: A Bloody Mary tale. Guests will step through the mirror and embark on an immersive journey through the blackened world in which Bloody Mary dwells. Sinister Pointe promises a highly interactive experience and offers guests the opportunity to make different decisions that will lead them down various paths, ultimately deciding their fate! They also state that guests will also be separated from their party and forced to face their fears and find their way out completely alone!


Halloween Time at Disneyland

Disneyland is decked out in Halloween decor September through October, which means you can stroll down the pumpkin-lined Main Street, meet Disney Villains, enjoy a Halloween parade and fireworks, and visit the cast of the Nightmare Before Christmas who take up a special seasonal residence at the Haunted Mansion this time of year. You can also buy tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party, which occurs on select nights and continues past regular Park hours.

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