Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
The Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade is a free Downtown Anaheim tradition with a daytime festival featuring local artists and vendors, food, crafts, live entertainment, costume contests, a scavenger hunt and classic cars, followed by the evening Anaheim Halloween Parade. The 2026 event took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The 2027 date is TBA; check the official website for updates.
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Official Anaheim Fall Festival Website
Instagram | Facebook
Festival Location: Center Greens
Address: 305 E Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
2027 Date: TBA
2026 Event: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (festival and car show 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; parade 7:00 PM)
Admission has been free. In 2026 there was no charge to attend the festival or parade, although food, crafts and some activities may have a cost.
Parking
- Center Street Parking Garage: Free parking on Center Street across from the Anaheim Downtown Community Center.
- Center City Parking – CarPark 3: Free parking near the parade route.
- Anaheim Parking Center – CarPark 4: Paid parking near the parade route.
- Anaheim City Hall: Parking is available, but there is no entry or exit from 3:00 to 9:00 PM because of parade street closures.
- Anaheim High School: Overflow parking opens at 5:00 PM. It is about a 10-minute walk south to the parade route.
- Neighborhood streets: Many nearby neighborhoods are permit-parking only.
Arrive early if you plan to stay for the parade, and account for street closures in Downtown Anaheim.
Anaheim Halloween Parade
Parade Start: In 2026, the parade started at 7:00 PM near Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway in Downtown Anaheim.
Parade Route: The parade travels through Downtown Anaheim, turning onto Center Street Promenade before continuing along Broadway to West Street. See the official parade page and map for current route details and road closures.
The Anaheim Halloween Parade is known for its nostalgic floats, elaborate costumes and community groups. Float designs draw inspiration from Halloween themes and the parade's long history, including designs and imagery associated with earlier decades of the event.
Andy Anaheim traditionally helps lead the procession, followed by floats, costumed participants and other parade entries.
Parade Commentary: English commentary is at the Car Show Stage (Lemon Street and Center Street Promenade), and Spanish commentary is in front of CarPark 3 on Center Street Promenade.
Anaheim Fall Festival Activities
The 2026 festival included local artists and vendors, food, crafts, entertainment, costume contests, a scavenger hunt and the Classic Car Show. Details on the 2026 contests and scavenger hunt are below. Past festivals have also featured Halloween-themed games and seasonal attractions.
Stage acts scheduled for 2026 included King Kukulele, Bob Baker Marionettes, The Deadbeats and My Safe Harbor Folklorico. Activities included piñata making, the Anaheim Public Library STEAM Van, Muzeo, a Wild Wing appearance and a silent film with live music.
Classic Car Show
The Anaheim Fall Festival Classic Car Show took place on Center Street Promenade from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in 2026. The show features American-made classic cars and is held alongside the daytime festival. It was free for spectators, and car registration for 2026 sold out.
In 2026, the car show also had a beer garden featuring Pfeiffer, Beachwood Brewing, Radiant Beer Co. and Unsung Brewing Company, plus live bands and an awards ceremony on the car show stage.
Scavenger Hunt
At the 2026 festival, guests could pick up a Scavenger Hunt Passport at the Information Booth at Center Greens, then search the festival and downtown for six “hidden” parade floats and collect a stamp at each official stop. Completed passports returned to the Information Booth were entered for a chance to win the grand prize of two Disneyland tickets.
Costume Contests
Kiddie Costume Contest
The 2026 Kiddie Costume Contest was for children 12 and under, with a Best Family Group category for families of up to four people that include at least one child 12 or younger. Registration was held at the Information Booth at Center Greens and was limited to the first 300 entries. Prizes went to the top three in each category, plus a grand prize for Best in Show.
Doggie Costume Contest
The 2026 Doggie Costume Contest was held in the afternoon, with registration at the Information Booth at Center Greens. There were three divisions (small dogs under 35 pounds, large dogs over 35 pounds and group/family entries with costumed people), each limited to 20 entries. Dogs were judged on concept, creativity, execution and personality, with prizes for the top three in each division.
Volunteers
The Anaheim Fall Festival relies on community volunteers for activities including event preparation, float building and festival support. Visit the organizer's volunteer page for current opportunities and sign-up information.
About Andy Anaheim
Andy Anaheim is a longtime Anaheim character dating to the city's mid-20th-century promotional era. With antennae, a broad smile and a body shaped around the letter “A,” Andy became part of Anaheim's civic identity as the community grew from an agricultural town into a major visitor destination.
The character later returned to public appearances and has become closely associated with the Anaheim Halloween Parade, where Andy traditionally appears at the front of the procession. Visit Andy Anaheim's Facebook page for more about the character and its history.
Anaheim Fall Festival FAQ
Is the Anaheim Fall Festival free?
Admission to the 2026 Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade was free. Food, crafts and some individual activities may have a cost.
When is the 2027 Anaheim Halloween Parade?
The 2027 date is TBA. The 2026 Anaheim Halloween Parade took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Where does the Anaheim Halloween Parade start?
The parade begins near Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway in Downtown Anaheim before traveling through Center Street Promenade and along Broadway toward West Street.
Where should I park for the Anaheim Fall Festival?
Parking options include the free Center Street Parking Garage and Center City Parking/CarPark 3, paid parking at Anaheim Parking Center/CarPark 4, City Hall parking with parade-hour access restrictions, and evening overflow parking at Anaheim High School.
Are costumes encouraged?
Yes. Costumes are part of the Anaheim Fall Festival tradition, and visitors are encouraged to dress for the Halloween celebration.
Are there kids and dog costume contests?
Yes. The 2026 festival included a Kiddie Costume Contest (ages 12 and under, plus a family group category) and a Doggie Costume Contest, both with registration at the Information Booth at Center Greens.
What time is the Classic Car Show?
In 2026, the Classic Car Show ran from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Center Street Promenade. 2027 details are TBA.
