There are many Fall activities in and around the Orange County area to enjoy with the whole family. From apple picking and pumpkin patches to haunted houses and hay rides, here are some of the highlights you won’t want to miss this fall.
Aliso Viejo Fall Harvest Festival
Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater
6101 City Lights Drive, Aliso Viejo
October 26, 2019
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come out and enjoy the annual Fall Harvest Festival and Food Drive hosted by the Aliso Viejo Community Association on October 20th. Guests will enjoy crafts for kids, fun carnival games, balloon twisters, entertainment, and more. Participants are invited to dress up and join the costume parade at 10:30 a.m. Guests who donate five or more canned food items or pet food, or make a donation to South County Outreach will receive a wristband for a free pony ride for their child. Pony rides will only be available to those who bring a donation.
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Downtown Anaheim
Broadway & Clementine, Anaheim, CA
October 26, 2019
All day; Parade begins at 6:00 p.m.
The community of Anaheim has taken to the streets for nearly 100 years, celebrating the season with a Fall Festival and Halloween Parade. Guests 12 and under are invited to dress up in their best Halloween attire and take part in the Kiddie Costume Contest. The best-dressed pets can take part in the Halloween Pooch Pawrade. The parade travels down Center Street Promenade through Downtown and ends at the Anaheim Packing House. The first Anaheim Halloween parade was held in 1924, and led by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson. At the peak of popularity, the Anaheim parade drew nearly 150,000 spectators into the streets, and the event was televised in Los Angeles and Orange County.
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Apple Picking in Oak Glen
12201 S. Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, CA 92399
Labor Day – Thanksgiving Weekend
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Not in Orange County, but so close you can almost smell the cider. About an hour’s drive takes you to Oak Glen where you can enjoy one of the best fall traditions – apple picking. Riley’s Apple Farm is the original SoCal destination for this outing and they have more than just apples. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities (for a fee) including tomahawk and knife throwing, cider pressing, and archery. Enjoy a delicious lunch on weekends at the snack bar with BBQ chicken apple sausage, apple pie, sub sandwiches, cider floats, and raspberry shakes. Riley’s also features a gift shop and native wood for sale so you can stock up on logs for cozy fall evenings by the fireplace. There are several other ranches, orchards, and restaurants in the area to explore including Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho with picnic grounds and nature trails to explore.
Catalina Island 5K, Triathlon, and Duathlon
Avalon, Catalina Island
November 2, 2019
Check in begins at 7:30 a.m.
First Wave at 9:00 am
The Catalina Island event is part of the Renegade Race Series and features some of the best racing with unmatched views in Southern California. High level competitors can take part in the triathlon to run, bike, and swim the island course, or for those who choose not to swim, take part in the duathlon to run, bike, run the course. For others, the 5K walk/run is the perfect way to take part in the fun and enjoy the island beauty on race day.
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Discovery Cube OC’s Annual Pumpkin Launch
Cal State Fullerton – 800 N. State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA
November 2, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Every year, Discovery Cube OC teams up with Cal State Fullerton for a smashing STEM event. Pumpkin Launch contestants use their engineering skills to build trebuchet machines that send the pumpkins sky-bound at the Cal State Fullerton Athletic Field. In addition to watching pumpkins launch and smash into targets, spectators will enjoy a variety of fun challenges and hands-on activities. Food trucks will be on site for visitors to purchase food and drinks at this fun annual event suitable for the whole family.
Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch
Environmental Nature Center
1601 East 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663
October 13, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Environmental Nature Center will be hosting the 44th annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch on October 13th. Choose your favorite pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, enjoy fun games, live entertainment, and face painting, and get to know the resident live animals. With the purchase of a $5 reusable ENC bag, kids will be invited to participate in crafting fun to make egg carton squirrels, leaf pencil holders, cork birds, and more. Pony rides and a petting zoo will also be available for a fee. All funds raised at the event will benefit educational programs at ENC. Savor OC will also take place during the Fall Faire and guests will enjoy delicious tastes from restaurants such as Mi Casa, Wonderland Bakery, Fishbonz, Kean Coffee, Bluewater Grill, and Sensitive Sweets. Plus, the Newport Beach Fire Department will be serving turkey burgers and turkey dogs fresh off the grill.
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Great Park Balloon Jack-O-Lantern
6950 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618
Guests are invited to the Orange County Great Park to watch the annual transformation of the big orange balloon into a giant jack-o-lantern. A large crane will lift balloon pilots up into the air to attach the black vinyl tarp to the side of the balloon. “Jack,” as the Great Park Pumpkin is affectionately known as, will remain in the park until November 1st.
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Halloween Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar, CA 92625
August 30-October 31, 2019
Roger’s Gardens in Corona Del Mar is transforming into the Malice In Wonderland Halloween Boutique where visitors wander through a labyrinth of oddities and disturbing decor. There will be plenty to explore including the Mad Hatter’s workshop and his merry midnight Tea Party. Come see the peculiar characters lurking on the grounds and get into the Halloween Spirit at Roger’s Gardens. Beware the Queen of Hearts!
Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
September 14-October 31, 2019
Weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Weekends 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Every year, the Irvine Park Railroad transforms into the Great Pumpkin Patch. This popular family event draws crowds from all over Southern California. There are a variety of free activities including a (not so) Haunted House and a Hay Maze. Wander the huge pumpkin patch and pick your favorite pumpkin to turn into jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. Prices for pumpkins vary based on size. Purchase tickets for $5 each or a book of 15 tickets for $60 to use for a variety of exciting paid activities including the train ride, moon bounce, face painting, ring toss, carnival games, hay ride, panning for gold, cookie decorating, and John Deere races. Capture the moment at one of the many fall and Halloween-themed photo stands throughout the area. Don’t miss the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Saturday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. to see who has the biggest pumpkin!
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Irvine Global Village Festival
6950 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618
October 12-13, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Orange County Great Park has merged the annual fall event, Spooktacular Fun Days, with the Irvine Global Village Festival to offer two full days of family fun and activities. The new and improved Irvine Global Village Festival will include a seek-a-treat area, petting zoo, Bubble Zone with STEAM activities, live entertainment, crafts, inflatables, face painting, community booths, carnival games, multicultural food concessions and global tasting menus, an artisans marketplace and much more. The Irvine Global Village Festival includes activities that represent over fifty cultures, offering the Orange County Community a taste of music, food, and traditions from all around the world. Now in it’s 18th year, the Irvine Global Village Festival has grown to become the City of Irvine’s signature event. Tickets are $5 per person per day, or purchase a one-day family pass for $20 for a family of up to six people.
OC Turkey Trot 5K
Irvine Valley College
5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
November 28, 2019
8:00 a.m.
The OC Turkey Trot 5K is coming to Irvine Valley College. Bring the whole family to kick off Thanksgiving Day. There will be a Diaper Dash for kids 2 and under, and a Tot Trot for kids 3-12. Turkey Trot medals will be given to all race participants. The Turkey Trot is a great way to work up your appetite for your Thanksgiving celebration. See our list of 5Ks and Fun Runs for more races.
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch & Fall Harvest Festival
5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine, CA
September 21st-October 31st, 2019
Daily 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission is $4 per person
Come out to the biggest Pumpkin Patch in town at Tanaka Farms. Visitors can wander the fields and choose their own pumpkin from acres of pumpkins. Visitors can also enjoy wagon rides; a petting zoo with goats, sheep, and an alpaca; a corn maze; and a u-pick vegetable patch. After the Halloween festivities are over, the fun continues here on weekends during November with the Fall Harvest Festival. In addition to the regular weekday activities, guests will also have access to additional games, crafts, face painting, and food to purchase and enjoy. Tickets are required for the activities and may be purchased for $5 each, or 5 for $20. Weekends are busy during the month of October and parking passes are required.
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Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run at Angel Stadium
2000 East Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806
Thursday, November 28, 2019
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and Fun Run is brought to you by Caren Ware Events and is fun for the whole family. The race starts and finishes under the Big A at Angel’s Stadium. All racers will receive a medal. In addition to the race, pumpkin pancakes will be served, aid stations will be available, and there will be awards handed out to those with the most festive costume. There will be a raffle with prizes from Angel’s Stadium and all 5K racers will receive a t-shirt. The 5K begins at 8:00 a.m. and the Kids Dash begins at 9:00.
Turkeys On Trails
Irvine Regional Park and Santiago Oaks Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869
November 9, 2019
Check In begins at 7:00 a.m.
The Turkeys on Trails event by Rock It Racing will include a 5K, 10k, and a Lil’ Turkeys 1 mile kids run. All participants will receive a medal and the event includes t-shirts, race photos, aid stations and post-race snacks. Racers must bring their own container or pack for water/drinks as this is a cupless event. Racers will enjoy running on the beautiful trails of Irvine and Santiago Oaks Regional parks. The 10K begins at 8:00 a.m., 5K at 8:15, and the Lil Turkeys one mile kids run at 9:45.
Heidi Deal is the owner of Sharp Content, an Orange County adventure enthusiast, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights.