Best Halloween Events in Orange County

Here in Orange County, there's a lot to do in the weeks before Halloween for adults, kids, and even the family pet. Here are our top picks of the festivities.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel's Howl-O-Ween

Thursday, October 27
1 Ritz Carlton Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 240-2000
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Halloween goes to the dogs at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. Grab a costume for your four legged friend and head over to one bark-a-riffic yappy hour. This special dog celebration features a costume party for the pooches and a great selection of wines from Mutt Lynch Winery for their owners to enjoy.

Hours:
4:00 to 7:00 PM

Thursday - Monday, October 26 - 31

Boot Hill

16 Goldenrod
Irvine, CA 92614
818-633-0300
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For the 12th consecutive year, this unassuming residential home smack dab in the middle of Irvine is transforming itself into a bone-chilling homage to the spirit (and spirits) of the Old West. Guests who dare to pass through this creepy venue beware: they may have the misfortune of running into the facially scarred specter of pioneer Jedediah Smith.

Hours:
October 26 - 30: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
October 31: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Price:
Free

Thursday - Monday, October 26-31

The Empty Grave

Anaheim GardenWalk
321 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92802-3612
(714) 635-7410
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Terror awaits you at this massive, 50,000 square foot haunted house, located at the Anaheim GardenWalk a few blocks east of Disneyland. Spooky animatronics, cutting edges special effects, and live actors converge to create a chilling evening of madcap entertainment.

Hours:
7:00 PM – Close

Price:
$13.00 per person
$20.00 for two

Friday - Saturday, October 28 - 29

Soka University of America's Halloween Fair & Haunted House 2011

Soka University of America
1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 480-4000
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Children of all ages can come to the school's recreation center and enjoy various seasonal games and activities, while older children and teens can dare to check out the campus's scary, imposing haunted house.

Hours:
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Price:
$5

Boo at the Zoo- Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park

Friday - Sunday, October 28 - 30
1801 East Chestnut Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 836-4000
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Families will trick or treat throughout the zoo and participate in some not very scary activities. There will be animal encounters, storytelling, crafts, a haunted house for the older kids/teens, a costume parade and much more.

Hours:
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Price:
Members: $6.00
Non-members: $12.00
Children under 2: Free

Friday - Saturday, October 28-29,

Haunted Garden at the Arboretum

Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, CA 92831
657-278-4002
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This beautiful garden preserve turns into a frightfully fun maze filled with spooky sights and creepy delights. The end of the guided tour through the eerie pathway is marked by an entertaining area filled with various games and activities.

Hours:
6:30 – 8:30 PM

Price:
$12.00 per person
$10.00 for students (with ID)
$8.00 for children under 12

Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo

Saturday, October 29
Orange County Zoo

Irvine Park
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869

(714)973-6847
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This Halloween Extravaganza is fun for the entire family. There will be crafts, scavenger hunts and of course trick-or-treating. There will be animal interactions, storytelling, and face painting. The first 100 children (ages 12 & under) in costume will receive a free gift! You can also watch as your favorite animals feast on pumpkins and other "scary treats". Once you are done head over to the Irvine Park Railroad for train rides, pony rides, hay rides, and carnival games.

Hours:
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Price:
Free with $2.00 admission
$5.00 parking

Saturday, October 29

Howling Hund's Halloween PAWTY

Old World Village
7561 Center Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-895-8020
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Dressing up for Halloween literally goes to the dogs here. Put your pooch in his silliest or scariest costume and bring him down to Surf City's popular Old World venue for a chance for some fabulous prizes. The event will also feature small dog races and Oktoberfest-themed cuisine.

Hours:
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Price:
$12.95 per person
Dog races and costume contests have a separate fee

Saturday, October 29

Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade

Center Street Promenade
Downtown Anaheim
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 999-3456
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Ever since 1924, this annual classic has been a popular place for people of all ages to enjoy the season Halloween calls home as well as the spooky holiday itself. Live entertainment, game and food booths, a craft fair, and a children's costume contest create a festive atmosphere that be capped off by the early evening procession.

Hours:
11:00 AM
6:00 PM - Parade begins

Price:
Free

Sunday, October 30

Pumpkins and Pancakes: A Children's Halloween Extravaganza

South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-435-2171
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Give your kids a special Halloween treat by bringing them to this exquisite event held at the legendary South Coast Plaza. The tykes will be able to enjoy a gourmet pancake breakfast, face painting, a petting zoo, hair feather artists, and several other fun-filled activities. Plus, it's for a good cause, with proceeds benefitting Casa Orange County, CHOC Children's Foundation and Orangewood Children's Foundation.

Hours:
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Price:
$30.00 per person if ordered by noon October 28, 2011
$25.00 for groups of 10 or more if ordered by noon October 28, 2011
$35.00 per person at the door
Free for children under 2

Discovery Science Center's Bug Invasion

2500 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 542-2823
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Bugs and every form of creepy crawlers invade the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana this Halloween. During the month of October spiders and other bugs call the Discovery Science Center home with interactive exhibits, a 4-D Maze, and creepy fun for the entire family. On the weekends you can decorate your own pumpkin, enjoy a traveling insect and reptile show, crafts and plenty of buggy fun.