Looking for family-friendly October events in Orange County? Here are nine to put on the calendar between Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 31, 2026, from a Japanese food festival and zoo nights to the Anaheim Halloween Parade and a harbor full of haunted ships.
Want even more ideas? Our full guide to 100+ things to do in Orange County in October has the whole month. Prices, hours, and ticket rules can change, so check each event’s official page before you go.
This Weekend: October 16 to 18
OC Japan Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa (Friday to Sunday)
The fair runs Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect more than 250 vendors, including over 60 Japanese food vendors, plus taiko drumming, J-pop performances, a cosplay competition, a kimono show, and a live tuna-cutting demonstration. Children 6 and under are free. Ticket prices change by purchase date, so see this Hoodline report and the fair’s official ticket page before you buy.
Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest (October 16 to 18 and 23 to 25)
OC Parks opens the historic grounds from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for fall photo spots, a straw maze, and a scavenger hunt. Admission and parking are free, costumes are welcome, and leashed pets are allowed. Light refreshments are for sale. The park is at 25151 Serrano Road. Details are in the OC Parks flyer.
Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Ana Zoo (October 17, 18, 24, and 25)
The zoo’s Halloween night for kids runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1801 E. Chestnut Ave. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 3 to 12, and one ticket works for any one of the four nights. Buy online ahead of time. Balloons are not allowed, and costumes should be child-friendly. Santa Ana residents and zoo members get discounted tickets with ID. See the zoo’s ticket page.
Next Weekend: October 23 to 25
Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade (Saturday, October 24)
The festival and classic car show run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Center Greens, next to Anaheim City Hall, with costume contests, local artists, live entertainment, kids’ crafts, food, and a scavenger hunt. The Halloween parade rolls through downtown Anaheim at 7 p.m. See the Anaheim Fall Festival website for the details.
Halloween Market at Woodbridge Village Center, Irvine (October 24 and 25)
More than 30 local makers sell handmade goods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 4820 Barranca Parkway. There is live music, a kids’ craft station, and a costume contest at 1 p.m. Admission and parking are free, and pets are welcome. See the Eventbrite page.
Spooky Seas at the Ocean Institute, Dana Point (Saturday, October 24)
From 5:30 to 9 p.m., the harbor turns into a Halloween adventure with haunted ship tours, bioluminescence laser tag, a Mad Scientist Lab, aquarium access, a photo booth, and a costume contest. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18.50 for seniors and military, and $17 for children 19 months to 13 years. Younger toddlers are free. Food and drinks are extra. See the Ocean Institute event page.
Boo at the Bay at the Muth Interpretive Center, Newport Beach (Saturday, October 24)
Kids can hear spooky stories, make creepy crafts, try wacky science experiments, and meet animals from local wildlife groups from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2301 University Drive. The event and parking are free, costumes are welcome, and rain cancels it. See the Visit Newport Beach listing.
Halloween Day: Saturday, October 31
Surf City Spooktacular in Downtown Huntington Beach
Main Street turns into a Halloween party on October 31. The Guide OC lists trick-or-treating at participating businesses, a costume parade, and a costume contest from 4 to 7 p.m. HB Downtown confirms the date on its signature events page but had not posted the hours when we checked, so confirm the schedule before you head out.
Dave & Boo-ster’s Boo Bash at Dave & Buster’s Irvine
This ticketed family morning runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 661 Spectrum Center Drive, with a Halloween breakfast buffet, a costume contest, a scavenger hunt, and coloring. An arcade combo is optional. See the event listing for tickets.
All October Long
Pumpkin patches and trick-or-treat events run all month, and our October things-to-do guide lists 100+ more events, festivals, and Halloween fun across the county. The Guide OC keeps a running list of the best pumpkin patches in Orange County and the best trick-or-treat events. Our own SoCal pumpkin patch guide covers patches near Cerritos and Buena Park.
Why Weekend Outings Matter When You Live in Southern California
Good neighborhoods are more than the house. A short drive to a zoo night, a harbor event, or a free park program is part of why families love living in Orange County, and part of what to look at when you are deciding where to live. If you are thinking about a move, ask yourself which of these events are close to the neighborhoods on your list.
Looking Ahead
For more ideas, browse our guide to 100+ things to do in Orange County in October, last week’s family-friendly weekend roundup, or our Halloween Movie Calendar for a family movie night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some free family events in Orange County in October?
Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest (October 16 to 18 and 23 to 25), the Halloween Market at Woodbridge Village Center in Irvine (October 24 and 25), and Boo at the Bay in Newport Beach (October 24) all have free admission.
What is happening in Orange County this weekend, October 16 to 18?
The OC Japan Fair in Costa Mesa runs Friday through Sunday, Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill in Lake Forest runs Friday through Sunday evenings, and Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Ana Zoo is on Saturday and Sunday evening.
Where can kids go for Halloween in Orange County?
Try Boo at the Zoo in Santa Ana, Spooky Seas at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade, and the Surf City Spooktacular in Downtown Huntington Beach on October 31.
When is the Anaheim Halloween Parade in 2026?
The parade is Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. in downtown Anaheim. The Fall Festival and classic car show run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Center Greens.
How much does Boo at the Zoo cost?
General admission is $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 3 to 12, and Santa Ana residents and zoo members get discounted tickets with ID. Tickets are valid for any one of the four nights.
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