Saturday, October 1, 2011

31 Days of Halloween: Halloween 2011 Events in Orange County

Happy October 1st, fiends! Today kicks off my 31 Days of Halloween (check out last year's Halloween posts!), where I will be attempting to post a Halloween-related post every day of October for Countdown to Halloween's annual blogging marathon!

For my first post, I've made a list of some spooky events occurring around Orange County, California, where I currently reside. Of course, the L.A. area has a TON of events, but to narrow it down I've elected to just post about some events closer to my home.

Please note this isn't an all-inclusive list, but rather events that have caught my eye! I'll be adding more to this list as I find out about more events, too! If you know of any other events in the area, please let me know in the comments below!


Fullerton Haunted Walking Tours
(Fullerton, CA)

A hauntingly good time is in the offing when the Fullerton Museum Center’s popular “Haunted Fullerton Walking Tours” return for their 11th season in September.

Tours will be given Wednesday and Thursday evenings Sept. 14 through Nov. 3, with a special Halloween tour planned Oct. 31. Due to popularity, the tours book up fast, and persons interested in participating are strongly advised to get their registrations in early.

Considered to be one of the most haunted cities in Orange County, Fullerton will serve up a variety of “spirited” locations to take in during the tours.Locations visited can vary and may include the landmark Plummer Auditorium, where the spirits of Louis E. Plummer and one known only as the “angry woman” are said to watch the shows presented there; the historic California Hotel, now Villa del Sol; and the home of Fullerton’s first woman auto dealer. Even Fullerton’s Police Department apparently is not without its own reported hauntings, and will be one of the locations visited on the tours.


Ghost Ship
(Newport Beach, CA)

GHOST SHIP is the first haunted attraction in the country that actually sets sail into the dark, open ocean…at night. The Attraction is comprised of three floors of highly interactive content. The gut of the ship will bring the poor souls through the abandoned hallways of what once was the treatment deck for those in need of Electro Shock Therapy, Hydrotherapy, and Sleep Disorder Rehabilitation as well as the old examination rooms and even morgue. The middle floor will appear to provide a moment of calm where patrons can grab a cocktail and take in the old ballroom vibe of the 1930′s. However, appearances can be incredibly deceiving. Lastly, the top deck will bring gluttons for punishment through an interactive execution experience that just may make them wonder “who” is actually getting executed. This will be an experience you will not want to miss if you are someone with a high tolerance for fear.


Monster Massive
(Irvine, CA) 

America's largest Halloween dance music festival returns on Saturday October 29th, 2011 with an exclusive U.S. appearance of Armin Van Buuren's "Armin Only Mirage" show on the "Tomb of Doom" main stage all night. The "House of Horror" will feature Erick Morillo, Moby and much more TBA.


Hearse Show at OC Fairgrounds
(Costa Mesa, CA)
 
Freak Out is the theme for this year's event slated for Sunday, October 30 a"Come as Your Favorite Freak" Costume Contest, several shows presented by Freak Show Deluxe, "Freaky" stilt walking troupe, Monster Mash Up Puppet Show presented by Swazzle Puppetry along with free trick or treating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., world renown pumpkin sculptor “Farmer” Mike Valladao carving 3-D "freakish" masterpieces out of 400 lb plus pumpkins. All day exhibition of antique and classic hearses preceded by a four mile ceremonial ride through Costa Mesa.


Day of the Dead Craft Workshop at Bowers Museum
(Santa Ana, CA)
 
The Days of the Dead in Mexico are a time of remembrance and celebration of the lives of departed family members. Memorial altars are created with special foods, flowers, mementos and candles. Sometimes, a humorous piece of skeleton folk art will be placed on the ofrenda (altar) in order to keep Death distracted from the living. The masks are worn to celebrate the life of a deceased person and to remind everyone of the fragility of life.


Great Park Pumpkin Harvest
(Irvine, CA)

The Great Park Balloon will be transformed into a giant Jack-O-Lantern, as visitors are welcomed to the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest. Visitors will experience the time honored tradition of fall activities and family fun, including: Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Decorating, Pumpkin Carving Demo, Mini Hay Maze, Train Rides, Art & Crafts Activities, Carnival-style Games and more. Come visit our inaugural Scarecrows in the Park exhibit that will be featured at the Pumpkin Harvest event.


Ghost of Old OC Tour
(Santa Ana, CA)
 
Meet the Spirits from Orange County and California history as they tell stories of how the state and county were formed. Journey through Heritage Museum’s seven-acre site in this after-dark living history program.

An Autumn Meal and warm beverages will be available for purchase, courtesy of the Victorian Tea Society.


Everybody Dies Horror Film Festival
(Brea, CA)

From the minds that brought you the radtastic horror spoof Stupid Teenagers Must Die! (one of my fave indie movies of all time!) comes Orange County's own horror film festival!! The Everybody Dies Horror Film Festival promises to deliver the best in indie horror to one of the most terrifying places in the world: Orange County, California. Designed by filmmakers for filmmakers, this new two-night fest presents shorts, trailers and feature films displaying everything from brain-chompin' zombies to knife-wieldin' crazy killers, all hosted by our mistress of ceremony, the super sexy psychopath Machete Betty.


Night of the Living Dead LIVE at the Maverick Theater
(Fullerton, CA)
 
This is a one of a kind experience, perfect for the Halloween season. Night of the Living Dead...on stage! A group of panicked survivors are barricaded in a deserted farmhouse while a horde of flesh-eating zombies hovers outside their door.


Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary
(Long Beach, CA)
 
Something Wildly Wicked Takes Over: This Halloween, The Queen Mary steams into a harbor of the damned, a decidedly demonic destination.With a trio of She-demons that prey on all mortals who dare enter their realm after sunset - villagers, passengers and visitors alike - the annual scare-fest takes on a horrifying new dimension.


Knott's Halloween Haunt
(Buena Park, CA)
 
The granddaddy of Halloween events will feature 13 mazes and four scare zones scattered throughout the Buena Park theme park.

New Knott's mazes for 2011:
  • Invasion  Beneath – The military battles against creatures emerging from a fissure in the Earth's core. Replaces the perfectly themed Black Widow's Cavern (Calico Mine Ride).
  • Endgames: Warriors of the Apocalypse – A post-apocalyptic arena where gladiators battle to the death for the entertainment of the rich and powerful. Replaces the pointless and endless Labyrinth (In Camp Snoopy at the former Peanuts Playhouse location).
  • Delirium – A wasteland along the blurry line between nightmare and insanity. Replaces the mediocre Club Blood vampire maze (Ghostrider warehouse).


Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween at Disneyland
(Anaheim, CA)

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a Halloween-themed special event held on select dates in Magic Kingdom theme park.

In addition to many favorite Disney attractions, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is filled with special entertainment, including:
  • Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade—including Disney Characters and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction. The parade begins with a spook-tacular ride by the Headless Horseman.
  • Happy HalloWishes—a spectacular fireworks show where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky.
  • Many favorite Disney Characters and Disney Villains in special Halloween costumes.
Special lighting, music and theme effects transforms special areas of Magic Kingdom theme park into happy haunted hollows.

What are some Halloween events going on where you live? 

3 comments:

  1. Happy 1st of October Spooky Girl! Looks like you have lots of fun things to do out your way. Our coast doesn't have near the amount of cool Halloween stuff as yours does...boo hiss! But excited all the same! Here's looking forward to the month ahead! :o)

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  2. Holy poop! That's a lot of spooky events. If I were over your way I'd do the Day of the Dead crafts and, if my husband came with me, the Ghost Ship. I can't think of anything more terrifying than being out at sea in the dark on board a ghost ship...Yep, my husband would definitely have to come with me.

    Clearly I must pledge now to travel somewhere more Halloween-ee next year.

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  3. This all makes me miss Orange County. It's been awhile since I've been down there. Thanks for the info!

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