The sights, sounds and swinging good times of the fall season are beginning to arrive! From pumpkin patches and haunted attractions to community autumn festivals, there are tons of events in Orange County this October 2017 for the whole family. Check the list of events below and start planning your social calendar.
NEWPORT BEACH WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Friday, September 29th – Sunday, October 1st
Grand Tastings Sat & Sun 2:30PM-6PM; Various VIP events throughout the weekend
newportwineandfood.com
Newport Beach Wine & Food is the most exclusive, intimate and world-class epicurean lifestyle event in Southern California. You’ll enjoy one-of-a-kind dinners by celebrity chefs and local masters, taste bites from 40 different top restaurants with their executive chefs and sip from over 250 varieties of wines, spirits and craft brews. VIP events, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, master sommelier tasting panels and interactive mixology courses will all be offered throughout the weekend festivities.
SAN CLEMENTE SEAFEST
Sunday, October 1st
9:30AM-3PM
scchamber.com
The 30th Annual San Clemente Seafest at the pier will include a Chowder cook-off, arts and crafts show, surf contest, live entertainment, family fun contests and more. Enter the cook-off an individual, team or restaurant or just come by for the chowder tastings and judging. Silly contests for kids and teens (with prizes for first, second and third) include a hula hoop contest, Costco diaper derby, Rocket Fizz soda pop and candy shop bubble gum blowing contest, jump rope and tortilla toss contest.
THE 17TH DOOR HAUNTED HOUSE
Now – Sunday, October 31st
7PM-12AM (times vary depending on the day)
the17thdoor.com
This haunted house literally includes a liability waiver and safe word before you enter. Your endurance will be tested as you progress throughout twenty-one unsettling rooms for 34 minutes of psychological terror. Can you make it through the 17th Door? This year’s story and experience revolves around Paula, who has committed a heinous crime and now must pay the price…
OLD WORLD OKTOBERFEST
Now – Sunday, October 29th
Wed. & Thurs. 6:30-10PM; Fri. & Sat. 6:30PM-1AM; Sun. 2-7:30PM
oldworld.ws
German bands, food trucks, beer and more fun is going on for nearly two months at the Huntington Beach Old World Oktoberfest celebrations. Sundays are Kinderfest family days with Dachshund wiener dog races, Wednesdays and Thursdays are free admission and every day is good food and good fun.
PHOENIX CLUB OKTOBERFEST
Friday, September 22nd – Sunday, October 29th
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
thephoenixclub.com
Get your Lederhosen on, there plenty more weekends of Oktoberfest to enjoy! Festivities include authentic German Polka Party music and live bands plus tons of beer of course. General admission is $10. Sunday Oktoberfest Brunch will be open from 10AM-2PM. Opening day on Sunday, September 24th will also feature a parade, youth dance groups, live band, free bounce house, hayrides and so much more!
HAUNTED WALKING TOURS AT FULLERTON MUSEUM
Wednesday, September 27th – November 2nd
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 6PM; Mon-Fri Oct. 16-20 & 23-27
cityoffullerton.com
Take a two and a half hour walking tour of ghostly sites around the Fullerton Museum to get in the ghoulish mood this Halloween season. Locations to be 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. For any ghost hunters, there will also be a meet and greet with members of the North OC Paranormal Society in the museum classroom an hour before each tour where you can learn more about advances in paranormal research and how researchers debunk or confirm paranormal activity.
KNOTT’S SCARY FARM
Now – Monday, October 31st
Select Thursdays & Sundays 7PM-1AM
Select Fridays & Saturdays 7PM-2AM
knotts.com/scaryfarm
Knott’s Scary Farm is where nightmares never end with 13 haunted attractions and 1,000 monsters coming out to play. Mazes, shows, thrill rides and scare zones create a creepy experience to get you in the spirits of Halloween. This year’s mazes include Black Ops: Infected, Voodoo, The Red Barn, Trick or Treat: Lights Out and more. The big question is, who will be hung from the gallows this year?
IRVINE PARK RAILROAD’S PUMPKIN PATCH
Now – Tuesday, October 31st
Weekdays 10AM-5PM; Weekends 10AM-6PM
irvineparkrailroad.com
The perfect place for the kids to enjoy some seasonal fun, the Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin patch has tons of activities including face painting, carnival games, mini train ride, pony rides, bike rentals, paddleboat rentals, hay rides, hay maze, panning for hold, John Deere racers, a small haunted house and cookie decorating. Remember, if you come by on a weekend, come early to avoid long lines into the park and parking issues.
TUSTIN TILLER DAYS FESTIVAL & PARADE
Friday, October 6th – Sunday, October 8th
tustinca.org
An annual event since 1957, the three-day festival celebrates Orange County’s agricultural heritage and allows non-profits to raise much needed funds. Enjoy carnival rides and games, food, Tiny Tiller contest, 4th annual backyard brewfest, live entertainment and more fun all weekend long. Admission is free and carnival ride and game tickets can be purchased at the event. This festival just keeps getting better and better!
MABLE’S 6 FEET UNDER HAUNTED MOTEL
Friday, October 6th – Saturday, November 4th
Wednesdays through Sundays
motel6feetunder.org
Located across the freeway from Disneyland in Anaheim’s Business Expo Center, this haunted attraction is an actual maze. Once you’re there, a little girl Mable won’t want you to leave… The popular maze returns with so many confusing twists and turns, baffling illusions, and animatronics, live and undead characters that there are too many surprises to see in just one pass through. Admission is $15 or $25 for the fast pass.
OC FILM FIESTA
Friday, October 6th – Saturday, October 15th
masamedia.org
Launched in 2010, the OC Film Fiesta in Santa Ana is a cinematic celebration of Orange County’s Latino and multicultural heritage. Each year, the Film Fiesta presents an award-winning selection of feature films, documentaries, short films and activities for a diverse audience of families, students, artists, professionals and lovers of cinema from throughout the county. Individual screenings are $10 for general admission, and $5 for students, teachers, veterans and Santa Ana residents.
DIRTYBIRD CAMPOUT
Friday, October 6th – Sunday, October 8th
dirtybirdcampout.com
Hosted by various members of the beloved Dirtybird record label, this crazy festival brings music fans three days of nonstop partying in a hilariously authentic summer camp environment. Held in Silverado Canyon, the Campout offers ‘campers’ traditional camp activities like archery, tug-of-war, Slip’N Slide and more. Dance into the wee hours of the night at the most epic summer camp experience you’ll ever encounter! This year also includes a stand up comedy night on Saturday, October 7th.
AUTUMN HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 7th
4:30PM-8:30PM
ocparks.com
Fun for the kids, the Autumn Harvest Festival at Heritage Hill Historic Park in Lake Forest will be bringing fun-filled adventure for the Halloween festival. Enjoy the Indiana Jones Trick or Treat Stations, adventure baze, and dare to visit the Haunted School House. Children of all ages can participate in ghoulish games, costume contests and the pumpkin decorating zone. Don’t forget to come in costume and bring your trick-or-treat bags! The event is $5 for kids 3 and up.
THE VINTAGE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 7th
6PM-10PM
vintagesjc.com
Held in the beautiful historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, the campus with 200-year-old adobe buildings will be lit up for a night of delicious cuisine. Featuring 20+ local restaurants, bakeries, wineries and breweries, your ticket to the event gets you all you can eat and taste for the whole night. Rain or shine the party will be going with live music and fun all night long. General admission is $95 and a reserved table for 10 is $1,150.
HAUNT AT HERITAGE HILL HISTORICAL PARK
Friday, October 13th – Saturday, October 14th
6:30PM-10:30PM
ocgov.com
The Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest will transform for a Halloween teen/adult friendly event including scream zones, The Haunted School House Fright Maze, dance floor and DJ, screenings of horror movies and more. Dress up and join in the fun. Entrance is $8 per person, event is suggested for those 12 years+.
OOZEFEST
Saturday, October 14th
VIP First Session: 3:30-6:30PM
VIP Second Session: 7:30-10:30PM
oozefestival.com
Foodbeast presents the third annual Oozefest, a festival dedicated to everyone’s favorite ooey gooey treat – cheeeeese. Come for the Marketplace of deliciously decadent cheesy themed foods to buy as you grub or purchase a VIP all you can eat ticket from 5-9PM. Held at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, VIP all you can eat tickets are $50 (including beer as well) and $5 for entrance to the Marketplace. While you aren’t stuffing your face with delicious cheese bites and local brews, you can partake in a handful of unique interactive activities.
ANAHEIM MARIACHI FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 14th
10AM-5PM free admission; 6PM Concerts begin
anaheimmariachi.com
The festival presents and features one of the most revered expressions of Mexican artistry and tradition, the legendary music of the Mariachis. This year makrks the 12th annual festival, held at Anaheim’s River Arena. The event will include free admission during the day to food, crafts and other local vendors as well as a showcase Mariachi concert at 6PM – tickets $25.
ANNUAL SILVERADO DAYS
Friday, October 20th – Sunday, October 22nd
Fri: 5PM-12AM; Sat: 10AM-12AM; Sun: 8AM-10PM
silveradodays.com
The annual Buena Park Silverado Days are here celebrating hometown family fun. Events include the Annual Baby Classic, pie eating contest, Mutt show and contest, Hog Calling Contest, live music, games, crafts, rides and more. Check out the website for a calendar of all the events. Join in the local fun!
ANAHEIM FALL FESTIVAL AND HALLOWEEN PARADE
Saturday, October 28th
anaheimfallfestival.org
The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade is a nearly 100-year-old tradition attracting 50,000 attendees each year. Put together thanks to volunteer efforts, the community fun also includes the Miss Anaheim scholarship program. Through the combined support of local businesses, schools, organizations and residents, the Parade provides a platform, like no other, for artists, “makers”, and performers of all kinds to showcase their creativity.
SOCAL VEGFEST
Saturday, October 28th – Sunday, October 29th
11AM-6PM
socalvegfest.org
SoCal Vegfest is a free vegan festival designed to inspire consciousness in people of all ages and learn more about healthy eating. Festival fun includes guest speakers and celebrities, food sampling, live music, cooking contests and demos, yoga and meditation workshops, cruelty-free vendors, fun for kids and a Halloween Contest. The conscious fun will all be happening at Orange Coast College so you can learn more about the lifestyle. General admission is $5, $10 at the door and $40 for the VIP weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are free.
KIDZ BLOCK PARTY IN BREA
Tuesday, October 31st
5PM-9PM
kidzblockparty.com
Kidz Block Party is the largest and safest, totally free Halloween Night family event in North Orange County. Kidz Block Party is so huge it requires a full closure of Brea Downtown and 550+ volunteers to make it possible. Over 200,000 pieces of candy will be given out in 4 hours plus tons of carnival fun. There will be inflatable fun rides, games, face painting, pony rides, and so much more. It’s safe, seriously fun, and a great way to celebrate Halloween with the family.
Did I miss your favorite fall event this month? leave a comment and let me know! Share your Orange County for October 2017 so no one misses out on the fun.
