Halloween is not canceled (thankfully!). But it will look a little different this year due to COVID-19. I honestly wasn’t sure what the Fall season would look like, but the creativity of brands has resulted in new and reimagined Halloween events. Scroll down for a comprehensive list of socially-distanced, family-friendly Halloween events in Southern California, including Los Angeles and Orange County. Be sure to check back for updates to current Halloween Events.
Knott’s Spooky Farm*
Over the weekend, we kicked off the Fall season with a festive, foodie event at Knott’s Berry Farm. Their latest Fall event combines not-too-spooky fun and entertainment with the flavors of Fall. Taste Of Fall-O-Ween is their latest outdoor dining and shopping experience which celebrates all-things Fall! Families of all ages are invited to dress up and enjoy the eats and treats of the park, festive entertainment, exclusive merchandise, and trick-or-treating through Camp Snoopy all in a socially-distanced space. If you’re a fan of Scary Farm, be sure to check out the “Into the Fog” art show. In order to experience Taste of Fall-O-Ween you’ll need to purchase a tasting card (Adults $35, Kids $20). Trick-or-Treating is included with the Junior Tasting Cards. Fridays through Sundays plus select added Thursdays, September 25 – November 1, and Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 12).
Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND*
Miniland U.S.A. is LEGOLAND California’s destination for not-too-spooky Halloween fun. The ticketed event includes character meet and greets, virtual costume contests (don’t forget to wear your costume), a Miniland scavenger hunt, LEGO building activities, and a goody bag filled with candy and a LEGO surprise. Families who attend the event can also dine at Smoke House BBQ and NINJA Kitchen and satisfy their sweet cravings with the theme park’s world-famous Granny’s Apple Fries. The Big Shop will also be open for kids to pick out the latest LEGO sets. If you plan to stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, you’ll enjoy festive décor throughout the Fall season. SEA LIFE aquarium is also open and will feature special Halloween decorations and LEGO models on display underwater in the aquarium’s tanks. Halloween in Miniland tickets can be purchased online for as low as $12.99. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during October (Oct. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30 & 31).
SeaWorld Spooktacular*
SeaWorld’s expansive outdoor space is the perfect backdrop for this spooktacular event. SeaWorld Spooktacular will feature the following physically-distanced activities: Outdoor Monster Mash DJ Dance Party, Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt, Cookie Decorating with Cookie Monster and Elmo, Sesame Street Halloween Dance Party, photo opps with your favorite Sesame Street characters in their Halloween costumes on parade floats, the Spooktacular Trail to the Candy Garden, and SeaWorld’s Shark Encounter, adorned with dozens of jack-o-lanterns. Families can also visit their favorite animal viewing areas including penguins, otters, dolphins, orcas, and sea lions and attend the world-famous Dolphin, Sea Lion and Orca Encounter live educational presentations with physically distant seating. Online tickets start at $73.99 for adults (10 and older) and $63.99 for children (ages 3 to 9). Children under 3 are free. Right now, SeaWorld is offering one child, aged 3 to 9, free admission with one full-paid adult admission through November 1. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November.
Boo at the Zoo*
Boo at the Zoo is one of our favorite family-friendly Halloween events in Orange County. Held at the Santa Ana Zoo, the experience will look different this year due to current pandemic restrictions. Boo at the Zoo “Passive Walk Through Experience” will feature a fun Halloween trail through the Zoo during extended admission hours. Discover their “merry, not scary” decorations along the way as a family. Guests can wear family-friendly costumes and collect goody bags for each child on the way out. Limited timed tickets must be purchased online in advance $10 Members, $15 Non-Members, ages 3 and up. You can read about our previous experience at Boo at the Zoo here. October 28, 29, 30, 31: 5:30-7:30 PM.
Scarium of the Pacific*
We are longstanding fans of the Aquarium of the Pacific, having spent countless hours learning, observing, and being in awe of the incredible, diverse sea life. We visited the aquarium last year during the Fall for Scarium of the Pacific, their annual Halloween-themed family-friendly weekend. The Aquarium of the Pacific will host Scarium of the Pacific this year, although it may vary due to the restriction in place due to COVID-19. Enjoy spooky décor and creepy creatures as you explore the Aquarium. Guests are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes during this event. Timed entry tickets must be purchased in advance online and start at $17. You can read about our previous experience here. October 23, 24, and 25.
Not So Spooky Farm
The re-emergence of the drive-through experience has resulted in a number of creative events. Our family personally prefers these experiences because they ensure physical distancing in a fun, safe environment. Not So Spooky Farm is a Halloween drive-thru experience that is fun for the whole family. Follow the adventure of Stingy Jack from your car. After discovering a map in a forgotten temple, Stingy is now on a mission to uncover candy clues to reach the fabled treasure of the dreaded pirate, Bluebeard. Drive through treasure temples, candy cannibal safaris, prehistoric parties, hedge mazes, cornfields, and princess towers while collecting tricks and candy treats for everyone in your vehicle along the way. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and start at $65 per car. *Canceled for 2021*
Haunt ‘O Ween LA*
Haunt ‘O Ween LA is one of LA’s largest drive-thru Halloween experiences, designed to keep the traditions and excitement of the season alive. Guests will drive through a variety of installations, including a Jack-O’-Lantern tunnel with over 1,000 brightly lit pumpkins, a blacklight tunnel powered by FX’s Emmy®-nominated series What We Do in the Shadows, an array of Halloween environments and mini-maze routes featuring giant pumpkins and countless themed overlays, and an interactive pumpkin patch with a pumpkin of your choice to take home. Costumed and safely masked actors will provide in-vehicle “door to door” trick-or-treating on a two-street, built-out neighborhood, with plenty of wrapped candy and decorations for the kids. Families will also enjoy live musical performances by The BeatBuds at select, surprise times. Throughout the experience, socially distanced photo and multi-cam video ops will encourage social sharing in a safe, contactless environment. Tickets are available for $70 online. October 9-31.
HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo’s popular HalGLOWeen event is back! Families will enjoy a Bubble Dance Party, Python Path, Boolamoves, Dr. Zoolittle’s Tricks and Treats, Dusty Keys – Tunes from Beyond, Skeleton Band, Spooky Revue, and more. HalGLOWeen is included with the price of admission. October 1–3, 8–10, 15–17, 22–24, and 29–31, 2021 (5 pm to 9 pm).
Our popular October event is back, and bigger than ever! Join us weekends—all month long—to help us light up the night until 9 p.m.! There’s fun for the whole family, with musical entertainment, dance parties, special performances, and more—plus Dr. Zoolittle, Zoo characters, and tempting food specials. Kids 11 and younger can come in costumes that align with our guidelines. HalGLOWeen is included in all memberships and all admission tickets.
Nights of the Jack
Nights Of The Jack is an immersive Halloween experience for the whole family. Enjoy thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins throughout King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, California. See a live pumpkin carver, enjoy LA food trucks, shop at the gift shop, and stop by the Spookeasy Bar. Nightsofthejack.com Through October 31, 2021
Tanaka Farms*
Tanaka Farms is one of our favorite places to visit year-round. My kids have taken numerous field trips to Tanaka Farms, learning all about how our food is grown. We really enjoy their U-Pick activities and seasonal events. This year, due to COVID-19, Tanaka Farms will offer two socially-distanced Fall activities. Monday through Friday, families can take a one-hour U-Pick Pumpkin Wagon Ride around the 30-acre farm. Activities include the pumpkin cannon, a ride through the barnyard education exhibit with farm animals, a scarecrow contest, sunflowers, U-Pick veggies, and a pumpkin that you can pick yourself. Weekends, enjoy their drive-thru pumpkin farm experience which includes a pumpkin, samples, and the views around the farm. Be sure to book your reservation online. Daily through October 31, 2020.
Irvine Park Railroad
The Pumpkin Patch at Irvine Park Railroad is another of our longtime, favorite, local Fall events. Entrance to the pumpkin patch is free, however, there is a parking fee for Irvine Regional Park. Additional activities include the train and hay wagon ride, moon bounce, panning for gold, John Deere racers, carnival games, face painting, cookie decorating, pumpkin painting, and more. Parking is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays, $5.00 per vehicle on weekends and $7.00 per vehicle on holidays. Irvineparkrailroad.com Through October 31, 2021.
Little Legends Night at the OC Fair
The OC Fair will host a special, “not so spooky” haunt for families with children under the age of 13. Dress in your favorite costume, decorate your car, and be part of the Spooktacular parade. The event will also include COVID-safe goody bags with packaged candy. All participants must remain in their cars. *Canceled for 2021*
Carved at Descanso Gardens
Throughout the month of October, Descanso Gardens will celebrate Halloween. Thousands of carved pumpkins will line a 1-mile walk through the Camelia Forest and Oak Grove. Additionally, there will be new oversized sculptures made of sticks and other natural materials. Enjoy pumpkin carving demonstrations, the popular pumpkin house, the hazy maze, and themed food and drinks. Descansogardens.org October 11-31, 20021, 6:30 pm – 10 pm.
Pumpkins in the Pines at Skypark at Santa’s Village
Celebrate Fall in Lake Arrowhead. Pumpkins in the Pines is the ultimate Fall celebration at SkyPark Santa’s Village. Families can enjoy a special puppet show which tells the tale of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a magic show with Wacko the Magician, a meet and greet with the Northwoods characters, a park-wide pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, and trick-or-treating. Enjoy a Fantom Forest Spooky Hike (6 pm to 8 pm) on the 23rd and 30th. Families can also participate in the Monster Mash Skate Party on October 30. Activities are included with admission. Attendance is limited and reservations should be made online. Skyparksantasvillage.com Saturday and Sunday, October 9-31, 2021
Halloween Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
Take a stroll through Roger’s Gardens and pick up your favorite Halloween and Fall decor. You can also experience their free exhibit, Cabinet of Curiosities. Experience the thrill of classic horror as you explore the rooms of their eerie, unusual house. Haunted walls hide unseen activity and otherworldly creatures lurk at every corner. Discover cabinets overflowing with unusual artifacts and decadent decor with a twist. The sinister-styled rooms are decorated with a beautiful collection of antiquities and curios. Free. Through October 31, 2021.
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Located in Temecula, California, Peltzer Pumpkin Farm traditionally offers gold mining, train rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, and the opportunity to pick out your own pumpkin. Entrance to the Pumpkin Farm is $2 during the week, and $3 Saturdays and Sundays. Attractions are sold separately. Peltzerfarms.com Daily through October 31, 2021.
Pumpkin Patch at Zoomars
Located in the Los Rios District of San Juan Capistrano, Zoomars offers families an opportunity to visit with their animals and pick out the perfect pumpkin. Activities include feeding the guinea pigs, goats, and sheep, pony rides, mining, the train ride, and the playground. Riverstreetranch.com September 27-31, 2021
Haunted Aquarium at Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium invites families to meet their slimy sea creatures, learn about the mysterious animals from the sea, and get up close with spooky science. Admission includes access to all aquarium exhibits, treat bags, a kelp maze, a costume showcase, and more. Aquarium.ucsd.edu October 22, 23, 24, 2021
Pumpkin Factory
This year, Pumpkin Factory will take place at 3 locations across Southern California. Families will enjoy the pumpkin patch, rides, slides, and the petting zoo. Thepumpkinfactory.com October 1-31, 20201
Frosty’s Forest
Celebrate Fall at Frosty’s Forest (Chino location) with a viewing zoo and feeding cones, a four-acre Ghostbusters-Themed Maze, a Haunted Corn Maze, photo opportunities, a Sunflower Patch, and pumpkins! Frostysforest.com October 1 -31, 2021
Festifall at City Hall
Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and bring a decorated pumpkin to help turn City Hall into a Pumpkin Patch. Families can then “escape” the fun maze, grab a take-home craft, and take a family photo at the Photo Booth. *Canceled for 2021*
The Pumpkin Corral
The Pumpkin Corral will be located at Main Place Mall and includes a pumpkin patch with rides, games, delicious food, and a petting zoo. *Closed for 2021*
The Bite LA: Halloween Food Crawl and Creature Safari at LEGG LAKE
Part food crawl, part drive-through haunt, The Bite LA takes you around eerie Legg Lake through immersive environments. Bites vary from sweet to savory and will include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Each person will receive 8 bites, a Campfire Dessert, and a warm Fall drink. Bring a flashlight and hunt for monstrous creatures roaming the abyss, park around the virtual campfire for scary ghost stories, and decorate your ride to be entered into the Car Costume Contest. *Canceled for 2021*
Underwood Family Farms
Celebrate Fall Harvest on the Farm. Families who visit Underwood Family Farms can enjoy an expansive, 50-acre pumpkin patch, pick your own, and a harvest experience. Admission includes wagon rides, a corn trail ride-through, a gigantic pumpkin patch, pick your own fields, photo opportunities, a pumpkin house, a giant tractor display, giant spiders, a harvest basket, a misting tunnel, a hay pyramid, animal center viewing, pull wagons & wheelbarrows available, and roaming performers (Weekends only). Admission $10 Monday-Friday, $16-22 Saturday and Sunday. Underwoodfamilyfarms.com Runs through October 31, 2021
Bates Nut Farm
Families have been visiting Bats Nut Farm’s Pumpkin Patch for over 50 years. During your visit, families can grab a wheelbarrow and pick from a variety of pumpkins including Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella, Jack O’Lantern, minis, squash, and gourds. Take a tractor hayride, walk through the straw maze, enjoy Snows Pony Rides, and visit the petting corral. Parking $8, activities individually priced. Batesnutfarm.biz/ Through October 31, 2021
Pumpkin Patch at Tom’s Farms
Located in Temescal Valley, the pumpkin patch is filled with fun, spooky displays and pumpkins to take home. Additionally, the Haunted Train Ride and Fright Trail Walk are back this year. Pumpkin patch open daily. Haunt runs Friday through Sunday through October 30th. Train tickets are just $5. Fright Trail Walk tickets are $10 and include the train ride. Tomsfarms.com
Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat at Saddleback Church
Fall Fest returns at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. This free event includes an evening of fun, food, and sweets. Come get your face painted, enjoy the inflatable slides, feast on some food truck deliciousness, and go home with a bucket full of treats. Be sure to register online here Saddleback.com/event/3949/fall-fest. Additional events at the following campuses: San Clemente, Irvine South, Irvine North, Rancho Capistrano, Corona, and San Diego. Free
Freeform Halloween Road
Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween returns with a month-long lineup of your favorite Halloween films including Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. To kick the month off, they will host a drive-thru experience filled with tricks and treats at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles, California. This immersive experience will take you through the most nostalgic Halloween movies including Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. There will be games, live performances, photo opps and prizes and the event is free. Freeform.com/news/recaps-and-news/freeforms-halloween-road October 1-5, 2021
The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade
This free, month-long celebration features performers, artists, music, crafts, and more. The highlight of the festival is the parade. This family-friendly, large-scale, ‘hide and seek’ includes treats, crafts, entertainment, and opportunities to take photos with the parade floats. This year, the parade will be a drive-thru event complete with fantastic floats on October 30, 2021. Visit Anaheimfallfestival.org for more information. Free
Halloween at Oak Glen Preserve
Celebrate Halloween at Oak Glen Preserve with two fun events. On Friday, October 29th, 2021, learn about the history of Halloween. On Saturday, October 30th, learn how Dia de los Muertos is celebrated. Visit Wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/oakglen/ for more information.
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