Looking for fun Orange County fall activities? From Orange County Halloween events, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals, check out this guide for the best things to do in OC in the fall!
When you think about autumn, Orange County may not be the first place to come to mind. After all, the area is known for its beach towns (like Laguna Beach and San Clemente), rather than its fall foliage (which are, well, nonexistent around here).
The year-round beach weather here is nice and all, but idk, sometimes I want to experience all things fall and all that entails – pumpkin and apple flavored everything, spooky things, and cozy vibes.
So, I decided to find some of the best things to do in Orange County in the fall to experience some of that fall spirit. While you won’t find dreamy fall foliage and it won’t necessarily be sweater weather, there are so many fun seasonal events to help celebrate the season.
From the best pumpkin patches, spooky Halloween events, seasonal festivals, and more, here are all the best Orange County fall activities!
Fun Fall Activities in Orange County
Best Pumpkin Patches in Orange County
One of the best Orange County fall activities is to go to the pumpkin patch! OC may not scream fall, but there are plenty of pumpkin patches so at least you can partake in some fall fun!
Below, I will list some of my favorite Orange County pumpkin patches, along with a few favorites that are located just outside of OC.
Tanaka Farms
The pumpkin patch at Tanaka Farms is one of the most popular Orange County pumpkin patches. It’s located right on a working farm, which means that you get to pick your pumpkin right off the vine (well, technically they’ve already cut them off the vine but still).
You can also take part in unique picking your own produce, checking out the animals in the barnyard exhibit, and picking up some fresh produce in the Farm Market.
You can also take a tractor ride around the farm (with a stop at a pumpkin canyon), shoot the pumpkin cannon, make your way through the corn maze, play games, and take part in some arts & crafts. Food is also available for purchase.
On weekends, they will also stay open late in the evenings and light up the patch.
Dates: September 14-October 31
Location: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, California 92612
Website: tanakafarms.com
Hana Field by Tanaka Farms
Hana Field is the sister farm of Tanaka Farms and is a bit smaller but with fewer crowds.
In addition to the U-Pick pumpkin patch, they have a corn maze, pumpkin cannon, barnyard exhibit, arts and crafts, and various games. They also have a sunflower field, so you get to pick your own sunflowers along with your pumpkins!
Dates: October 5-October 27
Location: 427 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: tanakafarms.com
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
This might just be one of my favorite Orange County pumpkin patches, because it’s just so darned cute!
Located in Irvine Regional Park (which is actually in Orange, not Irvine!), this pumpkin patch has a whole slew of fun fall activities and photo ops.
Admission is free into the pumpkin patch itself (you just pay for parking), all of its photo ops, the haunted house, and hay maze. However, you can also buy tickets for all kinds of other fun activities, including train rides, gold panning, pumpkin decorating, games, and more.
There’s also a Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, when farmers compete to have the largest pumpkin and you can see all of the giant pumpkins on display.
Dates: September 14-October 31
Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: irvineparkrailroad.com
Pumpkin City
This popular pumpkin patch has two locations – one in Laguna Hills, and another in Anaheim.
There’s plenty of fun things to do for people of all ages at Pumpkin City. For kids, there are kiddie carnival rides, games, petting zoo, gold panning, and more. For grown-ups, there’s a beer garden, and they even host an Oktoberfest here as well!
And of course, the main attraction here is the pumpkins – it’s named Pumpkin City, after all! You’ll find thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes so you can take the perfect one home.
Dates: September 29-October 31
Locations: 24203 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 / Anaheim Location: 2180 E. Lincoln, Anaheim, CA 92806
Website: pumpkinciy.com
Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch
The Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch takes over the OC Fairgrounds in the month of October. Here, you’ll find a huge selection of fresh pumpkins that are handpicked by local growers.
They also sell a variety of fall decor items, from scarecrows, corn stalks, straw bales, and more.
There’s a fair atmosphere here too, with mechanical rides, inflatable slides, carnival games, and more.
Admission is free, but you’ll have to pay for parking at the fairgrounds ($12) and for activity tickets.
Dates: October 1-31
Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: seasonaladventures.com
Pick of the Patch Pumpkins by ABC Tree Farms
This pumpkin patch has several locations across Southern California, including one at the San Clemente Outlets.
Admission to the patch itself is free (as is parking), and you can pick out a pumpkin and take pictures in front of their cute backdrops. There also have more fun activities available for an additional cost, including games, inflatable slides, an obstacle course, duck boats, and more.
It is recommended that you bring cash, as they charge a transaction fee when you pay with a credit card.
Dates: September 16-October 31
Location: 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente
Website: abctreefarms.net
Carlsbad Strawberry Company Pumpkin Patch
This one is right outside of Orange County in Carlsbad, but makes for a perfect little day trip (here’s all the other fun things to do in Carlsbad to help plan your day). The Carlsbad Strawberry Company is known for, well, strawberries, but it transforms an autumn wonderland every fall.
The pumpkin patch here is one of my favorites! There’s tons of cute photo ops, tractor rides, sunflower maze, marigold field, a pumpkin cannon, games, pony rides, petting zoo, and more.
There’s also a giant corn maze, which has 1.5 miles of trail. For those looking for some spooky fun, they also put on a haunted corn maze at night.
Dates: September 20-November 3
Website: carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Mr. Bones isn’t technically in Orange County – it’s in LA – but it’s one of the best pumpkin patches in the area that I had to include it on this list of fall activities in Orange County.
The popular patch is female owned and has been in operation since 1987. They have a focus on sustainability, with the mission to get people to learn about nature in the environment while taking part in fun Halloween festivities.
This is one of the most photogenic pumpkin patches you’ll find, with some amazing pumpkin houses and tons of photo backdrops. You’ll find a wide variety of pumpkins in the Pumpkin Village here, with several unique specialty pumpkins.
There’s also lots of other fun activities, such as a super slide, tipi village, bounce house, straw maze, petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, and more.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot a celebrity or two!
Dates: October 5-29
Location: 10100 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Website: mrbonespumpkinpatch.com
Spooky Orange County Halloween Events + Activities
Halloween Time at Disneyland and California Adventure
No one does the holidays quite like Disneyland, and that includes Halloween. Going to Disneyland and California Adventure are some of my favorite Orange County Halloween activities.
There’s plenty of Halloween fun to be had at both parks, whether you’re planning to take your kids or you’re a Disney adult like me.
I love seeing all the Halloween decor in the parks (you’ll see most of it on Main Street in Disneyland, and Cars Land in California Adventure), the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay in the Haunted Mansion (which also stays put for Christmas at Disneyland), and best of all – trying all the food and seasonal treats!
I also love the nods to Dia de los Muertos, which you can see in front of Rancho de Zocalo in Disneyland, and at Plaza de la Familia in California Adventure.
And for more frightful fun, you can even attend the Oogie Boogie Bash, an after-hours event with exclusive character experiences, parades, photo ops, and a special food and drink menu. Tickets do sell out pretty quick, so plan ahead if you want to attend!
Dates: August 23-October 31
Website: disneyland.disney.go.com
Knott’s Scary Farm
Knott’s Scary Farm has been providing thrills and screams for over 50 years. The after dark event takes over the park on select nights from September 19 to November 2.
It’s one of those iconic Southern California Halloween events, and the park transforms into a frightful land, with sinister scare zones, haunted mazes, sinister shows, and over 1000 horrifying creatures hiding throughout.
You’ll also get to ride the park’s thrilling coasters at night – honestly, riding the wooden Ghostrider at night is a whole VIBE, especially during spooky season. There’s also special seasonal food and beverages, along with exclusive merchandise.
For non-scary daytime fun for the littles, Camp Snoopy also transforms into Camp Spooky. Your favorite Peanuts characters dress up in costume, and there’s also a live Halloween show.
Additional activities around the park include trick or treating, a costume contest, a pumpkin patch, and a Dia de los Muertos celebration.
Dates: Select nights, September 19-November 2
Website: knotts.com
Great Park Balloon Jack-o-Lantern
The iconic Orange County Great Park balloon soars above the city of Irvine, and you can catch a glimpse of the giant orange balloon all the way from the 5 Freeway.
In the month of October, the balloon is transformed into a Jack-o-Lantern face, affectionately known as “Jack.”
Going for a ride on Jack is one of the best free fall activities in Orange County. Thanks to the park’s partnership with Five Point, it costs absolutely nothing to go for a ride on the helium-powered balloon, which goes up 400 feet in the air. From the top, you can catch a panoramic view that extends up to 40 miles on a clear day (it’s especially gorgeous at sunset!).
Given that it’s free, spots do fill up quickly so be sure to get in line early! Check in begins 30 minutes before each session, which are 10am-3pm and 7pm-10pm on Thursday and Fridays, and 9am-3pm and 7pm-10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Location: 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618
Website: cityofirvine.org
Roger’s Gardens Halloween Boutique
This is one of the most beloved fall traditions for many in Orange County, which you have to check out for yourself!
Roger’s Gardens is a nursery and garden store located in Corona del Mar, but it is not your average nursery. They have an extensive collection of unique plants, displayed in a unique manner that is designed to inspire.
They are best known for their annual Halloween boutique. There’s a curated selection of one-of-a-kind Halloween decor pieces, but it’s much more than that – they create some bewitching, over-the-top displays that rival Disneyland’s!
The theme changes every year – one year was a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, and witching hour another year. This year’s theme is The Gathering and I can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeves.
Dates: August 30 – sell out
Location: 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Website: rogersgardens.com
Halloween Events at Bella Terra
The outdoor shopping center in Huntington Beach puts on a number of Halloween events every year to celebrate the season.
Some of their past Halloween happenings include Halloween Scarloers (who go around singing frightful songs), a Spooktacular Halloween event for kids, Fright Night movie screenings at the Cinemark theater, and Trick-or-Treating.
Peep the events calendar to see what Halloween events they’ll be putting on this year.
Location: 7777 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Website: bellaterra-hb.com
Vampirates Dinner Show
The Pirates Dinner Adventure show in Buena Park adds a special Halloween-themed twist as Vampirates. You’ll get to enjoy a three-course dinner as you watch the dastardly Vampire Pirates take on the notorious Vampire Hunter.
Witness thrilling live stunts, aerial artistry, dynamic duels, and captivating special effects in this special dinner theater experience.
On select nights, there’s also a family-friendly costume contest.
Dates: Select nights, September 20-November 3
Location: 7600 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
Website: piratesdinneradventureca.com
Night of the Living Dead at the Maverick Theater
When George Romero’s zombie film Night of the Living Dead was released in 1968, it was considered to be one of the goriest movies ever and became a cult classic. In the film, a group of panicked survivors are trapped in a deserted farmhouse, while flesh-eating zombies threaten just outside the door.
For the last 18 years, the Maverick Theater in Fullerton has been putting on a live action version of the film, which was declared “ingenious, pulse-pounding and terrifying” by the OC Register.
It’s a full immersive experience that includes a ⅓ walk as you try to survive against the zombies. Note that stage blood is involved.
Dates: September 27-October 27
Location: 110 E Walnut Ave Unit B, Fullerton, CA 92832
Website: mavericktheater.com
Check out over-the-top Halloween houses
There is no shortage of houses in OC with over-the-top Halloween displays.
Here are some of the best places to find Halloween decor:
- Orange Circle: Not only does the Orange Circle usually have Halloween decorations, the houses on the streets surrounding it also have some cool displays (especially North Pine Street @ Chapman)
- Palmyra Avenue: Another street in Orange that is known for its Halloween decorations
- Oak Ridge Circle: This street in Aliso Viejo has had some amazing displays – one year they did the Pirates of Caribbean, and another year the Nightmare Before Christmas
- Halloween Town (15 Bainbridge Ave., Ladera Ranch): This house is known for their over-the-top Halloween decorations, but also has an equally amazing display for Christmas.
- Downtown Fullerton: The streets surrounding downtown Fullerton (specifically Brookdale, Malvern, and Jacaranda) have some awesome displays
- Gershon Dungeon (13861 Gershon Pl, Santa Ana): One of the largest and longest running home haunts
Haunted Car Wash
This immersive event is one of the most unique Halloween experiences in Orange County.
In this interactive driving experience, you go through a terrifying car wash, with sinister ghosts and ghouls, along with bone-chilling special effects. It’s unlike any other car wash you’ll drive through – certainly one you’ll never forget!
Dates: Select nights, October 3-November 2
Location: 2219 Lincoln Avenue Anaheim, CA 92801 / 2729 East Carson Street Lakewood, CA 90712
Website: thehauntedcarwash.com
The 17th Door
This is one of the most frightful Halloween events in Orange County! The experience takes a classic maze experience and includes terrifying fright factors to create a spine-chilling adventure.
Make your way through the maze as you try to escape from a horrifying prison, as you encounter repulsive crawling creatures, a prison barber, and try to avoid ending up in the meat locker.
Dates: Select nights from September 27-November 3
Location: 8420 On the Mall, Buena Park, CA 90620
Website: the17thdoor.com
Haunted Orange County Ghost Walks
These ghost walks aren’t specifically a Halloween event, as they go on year-round, but they are one of the best Orange County fall activities that are perfect for the spooky season.
Haunted Orange County puts on these ghost walks in a number of area, including San Juan Capistrano, Old Town Orange, Downtown Santa Ana, Downtown Fullerton, Black Star Canyon, and more.
On these tours, you’ll get to explore a different side of OC history, and explore some of the haunted sites all throughout the county. You’ll get to learn more about the history of Orange County, as well as explore its paranormal side.
Boo at Santa Ana Zoo
This family-friendly event allows visitors to roam the Santa Ana Zoo after dark. You’ll get to meet nocturnal animals, go trick-or treating, enjoy some rides (for an additional fee), do some crafts, go on a scavenger hunt, and more.
There’s also Halloween lights and decorations all around the zoo and costumes are highly encouraged!
Dates: October 19, 20, 26, 27
Location: 1801 East Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Website: santaanazoo.org
Halloween Zoo-tacular
Here’s another family-friendly Halloween event that takes place at the OC Zoo, located inside Irvine Regional Park (which also has one of the best Orange County pumpkin patches, as mentioned earlier).
Some of the activities here are trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, and spooky crafts. You can also see the zoo animals receive treat-filled pumpkins throughout the day. The first 100 children in costume also receive a free gift.
The activities are free with zoo admission ($2, children under 2 are free).
Date: October 28
Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: ocparks.com
Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube
It’s time for some pumpkin-filled fun at the Discovery Cube! At Pumpkin Palooza, there are carved pumpkin sculptures and displays, inflatable corn and hay mazes, science demos, pumpkin launches, a dance party, and more.
Dates: TBA
Location: 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Website: discoverycube.org
Anaheim Fall Festival + Halloween Parade
This is one of OC’s longest-running fall festivals, and one of the biggest Halloween festivals in the county, which attracts over 75,000 people and has been a fall tradition for 100 years.
There are food vendors, artist booths, various entertainment, photo ops, costume contests, and more.
The festival culminates in a Halloween parade, which travels through the Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim, ending at the Anaheim Packing House.
Date: October 26
Location: Broadway & Clementine, Anaheim, CA
Website: anaheimfallfestival.org
Fall Festivals + Events in Orange County
Oktoberfest at Old World Village
There are a number of Oktoberfest celebrations around Orange County, but the one at the Old World Village Biergarten is the largest and has been going on since 1977.
This quaint village in Huntington Beach resembles a traditional Bavarian village, with a restaurant, beer garden, festivals, and more. It’s the closest you’ll get to Oktoberfest in Munich – without leaving OC!
Enjoy some traditional Bavarian food (including Bratwurst, sauerkraut and potato salad), and enjoy imported German beer. There’s also live music, games, a parade, and other festivities.
Dates: Wednesdays-Sundays from September 8-November3
Location: 7561 Center Ave #50, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Website: oldworldhb.com
Pacific Air Show
The Pacific Air Show isn’t one of those pumpkin-filled events, but it is one of the most iconic Orange County fall events.
Every year on the first weekend of October, you can enjoy various flyovers and performances featuring a variety of planes. You can enjoy the air displays from anywhere along the beach, or for the best views, purchase a ticket to sit in the grandstands on the south side of the pier.
In addition, there are various festival activities and vendors that are lined up along the beach and pier.
Dates: October 4-6
Location: Huntington Beach Pier
Website: pacificairshowusa.com
Silverado Country Fair & Folk Festival
Experience the Old West as it was like in the Santa Ana Mountains at this unique festival. The event has been going on since the 1970s, and features live music, tasty food, arts and crafts, 1800’s period activities, pumpkin patch, Steampunk costume contest, games, and more.
The festival kicks off with an “Unparade” led by the notorious wagon driven Silverado Outlaws, Western horseback riders, Acjachemen (Juaneno) tribe, scouts, dancers and classic cars.
Dates: October 12-23, 2024
Location: Silverado Community Center, 27641 Silverado Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA, 92676
Website: villapark.co
Irvine Global Village Festival
This annual festival celebrates cultures from around the world to celebrate Irvine’s multi-cultural community. Enjoy multi-cultural food, see a variety of musical performances, shop for international goods, watch some demonstrations, and learn something new at the educational exhibits. There’s also a Kid’s Village with music, crafts, games, and more.
Date: October 5
Location: 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine
Website: cityofirvine.org
Tustin Tiller Days
This annual three-day festival has been a Tustin tradition since 1957, celebrating Orange County’s agricultural heritage. There’s live music, carnival rides, a Brewfest, street vendors, weiner dog races, a parade, and more.
Dates: October 4-6
Location: Columbus Tustin Park, 17522 Beneta Way, Tustin, CA 92780
Website: tustinca.org
Barktoberfest
A fun fall event for your pooch! There’s plenty of fun to be had for both you and your furry friend, from photo ops, costume contest, a pet vendor fair, and more. There will also be pet adoptions as well,
Date: October 26
Location: TeWinkle Park, 970 Arlington Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: costamesaca.gov
What are some of your favorite fall activities in Orange County?
You may also enjoy:
The Ultimate Orange County Bucket List
Best Orange County Photo Spots
Visiting Yosemite in Fall
Liked this post? Save these Orange County fall activities to Pinterest for later!
Caroline is a Southern California based traveler, writer, and photographer. She travels all around California, the US, and the world in search of the most colorful places, the most delicious food, and bucket-list adventures. Her aim is to inspire other travelers discover how to add more adventure and joy to their lives. On Pictures & Words, you’ll find detailed guides + itineraries, along with vibrant photos to help you plan the the most epic trips. When she’s not traveling, Caroline also runs half marathons.