Courtesy of Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade.
Southern California has plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, but few events have as much history as the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade. The annual tradition returns to downtown Anaheim on Saturday, October 24, 2026 with family-friendly activities throughout the day and a Halloween parade in the evening.
A Halloween tradition dating back more than a century
The Anaheim Fall Festival began in 1923 as a way to discourage Halloween mischief. The following year, organizers added a nighttime parade that attracted more than 20,000 spectators. Baseball legends Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson led the very first procession.
Today, local volunteers and community organizations continue the tradition, celebrating Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and the harvest season.
What to expect at the 2026 Anaheim Fall Festival
The free festival returns to Center Greens, the park next to Anaheim City Hall and the Downtown Anaheim Community Center. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can enjoy live entertainment, local artists, kids’ crafts, food vendors, sweet treats, and a scavenger hunt.
There will also be costume contests for children and dogs, along with the Anaheim Classic Car Show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Halloween parade begins at 7 p.m.
The evening Halloween parade is the highlight of the celebration, featuring decorated floats, marching bands, and costumed participants.
The parade starts at Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway, turns onto Center Street Promenade, and continues along Broadway before ending at West Street.
Volunteer announcers will provide commentary in both English and Spanish. The English announcer will be at the Car Show Stage near Lemon Street and Center Street Promenade, while the Spanish announcer will be near CarPark 3.
For more details, visit the official Anaheim Halloween Parade website.
📅When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍Where: Center Greens and downtown Anaheim, California