Fall in Orange County brings pumpkin patches, Halloween celebrations, Oktoberfests, fall festivals, Día de los Muertos events, apple picking, family activities and more. Explore some of the best fall events and seasonal things to do in Orange County for 2026, plus a few worth-the-drive destinations throughout Southern California.
For even more ideas, visit our Halloween Events, Fairs & Festivals and Fall Activities guides.
2026 Fall Events at a Glance
- Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch: Opens September 12 in Irvine
- Old World Oktoberfest: September 12–November 8 in Huntington Beach
- Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival: September 26–October 31 in Moorpark
- Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade: October 24 in Downtown Anaheim
- Día de los Muertos: Events take place around Orange County in late October and early November; see our 2026 Día de los Muertos guide.
- Thanksgiving races: See our Orange County 5Ks and fun runs guide for current events.
Dates above are based on organizer information available for 2026. For events still awaiting an announcement, we label the date as not yet confirmed rather than carrying forward a previous year’s schedule.
Fall Festivals & Events
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Location: Downtown Anaheim
Anaheim’s longtime fall tradition returns in 2026 with its community festival and Halloween Parade. The parade begins near Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway, travels through Downtown Anaheim and ends near Broadway and West Street. Check the event organizer and our dedicated Anaheim Fall Festival guide for current festival activities, parade information, parking and road closures.
Discovery Cube OC Pumpkin Launch
2026 date not yet announced.
Location: Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton
Discovery Cube OC and Cal State Fullerton have previously presented this family STEM event featuring student-built trebuchets launching pumpkins across the athletic field. A 2026 date was not posted on the organizer’s current events information when this page was updated, so check Discovery Cube before planning a visit.
Fall Markets & Community Festivals
Community shopping centers and cities around Orange County often add fall markets, crafts, food and entertainment to their calendars. Rather than carrying forward older listings, check the Bella Terra events calendar and the City of Westminster for current 2026 announcements. Union Market Mission Viejo has been removed from this guide because it is no longer an appropriate current fall-event recommendation.
Great Park Balloon Jack-O-Lantern
2026 seasonal display not yet confirmed.
Location: Great Park, Irvine
The Great Park Balloon has been transformed into a giant jack-o’-lantern during previous Halloween seasons. Because the current Great Park Balloon page does not yet establish a 2026 display schedule, check the City of Irvine before making a special trip to see “Jack.”
Irvine Nights: Fall Fest
2026 date not yet confirmed.
Irvine Nights has featured food vendors, entertainment, shopping and family activities at seasonal events. We could not verify a current 2026 Fall Fest date, so use our Irvine Nights page and the organizer’s current announcements rather than relying on a previous year’s schedule.
Irvine Global Village Festival
Check the City of Irvine for the current 2026 date and location.
The Irvine Global Village Festival celebrates the city’s cultural diversity with food, music, art, performances and family activities. Event logistics can change from year to year, so our dedicated guide should be used with the city’s latest festival announcement.
Pumpkin Patches & Farm Fun
Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
2026 season: Opens September 12
Location: 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine
Tanaka Farms offers its annual Irvine pumpkin patch with pumpkins and seasonal farm activities. Reservations are required. The farm uses tractor-pulled wagon transportation as part of the experience; for traditional hayrides and wagon rides, see our hayrides guide. Hours and activities vary during September and October, so check Tanaka Farms for the current schedule before visiting.
More Pumpkin Patches
Orange County has pumpkin patches ranging from working farms to festival-style attractions with games, animals, rides and photo opportunities. See our Best Pumpkin Patches in Orange County guide for the current season.
Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival
Dates: September 26–October 31, 2026
Hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Location: Moorpark Farm Center, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark
Underwood Family Farms’ 29th Annual Fall Harvest Festival features its pumpkin patch, Pick Your Own produce, tractor-pulled wagon rides, animals, games and themed weekend entertainment. Weekday admission is available at the gate; weekend admission requires online tickets and timed entry. Check Underwood Family Farms for current ticket prices, themed weekends and availability.
For more farm outings, explore our guides to family-friendly farms, U-Pick farms and orchards and petting zoos.
Apple Picking & Fall Day Trips
Apple Picking in Oak Glen
Oak Glen in the San Bernardino foothills is one of Southern California’s classic fall day trips, with orchards, U-Pick apples, cider and seasonal farm activities. Apple varieties, picking conditions, hours and activities change throughout the harvest, so check individual farms before driving out. Our Best Places to Go Apple Picking guide has the detailed options, including Riley’s and other Oak Glen destinations.
Halloween & Haunted Activities
Haunted Orange County
Haunted Orange County offers historical ghost walks and paranormal-themed experiences, but tour locations and schedules can change. Rather than listing every previous tour as currently available, check Haunted Orange County’s current calendar for 2026 tours and availability.
For more spooky-season ideas, explore our haunted houses and haunted locations, Halloween activities, Halloween Time at Disneyland, Knott’s Scary Farm and Día de los Muertos events.
Oktoberfest
Old World Oktoberfest – Huntington Beach
Dates: September 12–November 8, 2026, Wednesday–Sunday
Location: Biergarten at Old World, 7561 Center Avenue #49, Huntington Beach
Old World’s 2026 Oktoberfest features German food, beer, live entertainment and traditional festival activities. Some sessions are all-ages while others are 21+, so check the current schedule and admission rules before attending. See our Orange County Oktoberfest guide for additional celebrations.
The former Phoenix Club Oktoberfest is not presented here as a current Anaheim event; use our Oktoberfest guide for verified current venues.
Thanksgiving & November Activities
Turkey Trots and Fun Runs
Fall brings 5Ks, 10Ks, turkey trots and other races throughout Orange County. See our Orange County 5Ks and Fun Runs guide for current events and registration information.
November is also a popular time to give back. See our Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities and broader Orange County volunteer opportunities.
Orange County Fall FAQs
When does fall event season start in Orange County?
Many Orange County fall events begin in September, with pumpkin patches, Oktoberfests and Halloween attractions continuing through October. Día de los Muertos and Thanksgiving activities extend the season into November.
What are some good fall events for families?
Family-friendly options include pumpkin patches, farm festivals, the Anaheim Fall Festival, selected all-ages Oktoberfest sessions, community Halloween events and Día de los Muertos celebrations. Always check individual event age requirements and schedules.
Where can you go pumpkin picking in Orange County?
Tanaka Farms in Irvine is one of the best-known local farm options, and additional pumpkin patches operate throughout Orange County each fall. See our pumpkin patch guide for current locations and dates.
Are there fall events in Orange County besides Halloween?
Yes. Fall also includes Oktoberfest celebrations, cultural festivals, farm harvest events, apple-picking day trips, turkey trots, Día de los Muertos events and Thanksgiving activities.