Today, consider attending a number of Halloween-themed events offered by public libraries and local businesses, including an illusionist performance and crafts for adults and children.
On Halloween, consider starting your day with a “spooky” plants hike in Bommer Canyon Nature Preserve or by taking the kids to a storytime at the Upper Newport Bay.
The holiday has origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a time during which people would light bonfires and dress in costume to ward off spirits. Halloween later blended with Christian traditions like All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, evolving into a holiday most associated with costumes and candy.
Here are a few noteworthy free Halloween events happening over the holiday.
North Orange County
Monster Mash Bash
Enjoy a celebration with craft stations, snacks and festive music at the Los Alamitos Library. Costumes are encouraged.
When: October 30, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 12700 Montecito Rd., Seal Beach, CA 90740
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (562) 430-1048
Treats in the Streets
The iconic “Welcome to Downtown Brea” sign stands welcoming visitors on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. CREDIT: LILAH GREGG, Voice of OC
Take the kids to trick-or-treat with merchants in Downtown Brea during Treats in the Streets.
When: October 31, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: W. Birch St. & S. Brea Blvd., Brea, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Brea Downtown Owners Association at (714) 674.0801 or service@BreaDowntown.com
Teen Pumpkin Painting
Teenagers are welcome to paint pumpkins at the Sunkist Branch Library in Anaheim.
When: October 31, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 901 S. Sunkist, Anaheim, CA 92806
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-3576
Enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the shopping center, a live DJ, face painting and other festival activities at the Halloween Spooktacular at the Anaheim Hills Festival shopping center.
When: October 31, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 8020 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92808
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Anaheim Hills Festival at (714) 283-3535
Central Orange County
Adult ‘Spooky’ Craft
Work on a Halloween-themed craft with other adults at the Cypress Library. Create an ornament of a cauldron, potion or witch hat.
Attendees must be 18-years-old and above in age. Registration is not required, but space is limited to the first 20 people.
When: October 30, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Illusionist Performance
Enjoy a performance from Allen the Illusionist and a costume parade at the Tustin Library. All ages are welcome.
When: October 30, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: 345 E. Main St., Tustin, CA 92780
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 544-7725
Treats in Old Towne Orange’s Streets
Take the kids to trick-or-treat at the annual Treats in the Streets event in Old Town Orange Plaza District.
When: October 30, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 190 W. Almond Ave., Orange, CA 92866
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Orange International Street Fair at (714) 633-4816
‘Spooky’ Plants Hike
about ‘spooky’ native plants on a hike through the Bommer Canyon Preserve.
Registration is required.
When: October 31, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp staging area, 11 Bommer Canyon, Irvine, CA 92603
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Halloween Festival
Enjoy games, food trucks, a costume contest, petting zoo and candy at the annual Halloween Howl celebration at the Columbus Tustin Recreation Center.
When: October 31, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 17522 Beneta Way, Tustin, CA 92780
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the (714) 573-3326
Coastal Orange County
Gingerbread Haunted House
Enjoy making Halloween gingerbread houses at the Laguna Beach Library while supplies last.
When: October 30, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
‘Spooky’ Storytime
Emma Arago, an OC Parks employee, leads the group on an age-appropriate hike around the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach, Calif.
Learn about “spooky” critters that live at Upper Newport Bay at a storytime and nature hike beginning at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center.
Attendees are encouraged to come in costume for this week’s program. Registration is required.
When: October 31, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401
Surf City Spooktacular
Take the kids trick-or-treating at local businesses in downtown Huntington Beach before joining the “Monster March” parade down Main Street at this year’s Surf City Spooktacular.
When: October 31, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 1 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District at (714) 536-8300 or email info@hbdowntown.com
Trunk or Treat
Take your kids to the Trunk or Treat at the parking lots on Main St. and Electric Ave. in Seal Beach.
When: October 31, 11:00 1.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach, CA 90740 & 301 Main St. Seal Beach, CA 90740
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the City of Seal Beach at (562) 431-2527
South Orange County
‘Spooky’ Craft & Storytime
Children ages 6 and under are welcome to play with toys and work on a craft at the Foothill Ranch Library.
When: October 30, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 855-8072
‘Spooky’ Owl Craft
Take the kids to make a paper bag puppet at the Library of the Canyons.
When: October 30, 10:00 a.m.. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 649-2216
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.
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