Halloween is just around the corner, and there's so many ways to experience it in Orange County. You can spend the morning watching zoo animals dig into treat-filled pumpkins, the afternoon making creepy crafts, and still have time to browse a courtyard full of local makers. Most of it is free or nearly free, and none of it requires a long drive or a ticket you have to plan weeks ahead.
Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo, Orange
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
OC Zoo, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Activities are free with zoo admission of $2 per person, ages 2 and under free
This is the perfect Halloween outing for animal lovers. Kids ages 12 and under can join a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treat, and make spooky crafts, and throughout the day you can watch the zoo's animals receive treat-filled pumpkins, which is every bit as fun to watch as it sounds.
A few practical notes. No reservations are needed. Zoo coupons and free passes are not valid for this event, so plan on paying the $2 admission. Candy and scavenger hunt prizes are available while supplies last, and parking is $5 per car on weekends. If your kids are on the younger side, arriving earlier in the day tends to keep things calmer.
More info here.
Boo at the Bay, Newport Beach
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Free admission and free parking
If you want something a little different from the usual trick-or-treat, this is a great pick. The Muth Interpretive Center sits beside the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, and its family Halloween party leans into the nature theme with spooky story time, creepy crafts, wacky science experiments, hair-raising games, and a chance to meet some bizarre animals up close.
Costumes are encouraged, and the event features booths and exhibits from groups like the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, the Environmental Nature Center, and Critter Squad: Wildlife Defenders. Since both the event and parking are free, it is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly Halloween outings in Newport Beach.
More info here.
Halloween Market at Woodbridge Village Center, Irvine
Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Main courtyard, Woodbridge Village Center, 4820 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604
Free admission and free parking
For something more relaxed, head to the courtyard at Woodbridge Village Center, overlooking North Lake, where Modern Makers Mart hosts its Halloween Market. Expect dozens of handmade and small business vendors, live music throughout the day, and a free kids craft station, so younger ones have something to do while you browse.
It is a nice option if your family is not looking for a full-on Halloween production. You can shop local, pick up a few unique gifts or decorations, grab something to eat at one of the center's restaurants, and let the kids make something spooky. And because it runs both Saturday and Sunday, it is also the most flexible of the three.
More info here.
More Halloween Fun to Keep on Your Radar
If you want to keep the celebrating going, Woodbridge Village Center also hosts a Trick or Treat on Halloween afternoon, October 31, from 3 to 5 p.m., with a DJ. Downtown Anaheim holds its Fall Festival and Halloween Parade on October 24, and the Surf City Spooktacular takes over Downtown Huntington Beach on October 31. Times and details for some of these can change, so confirm with the organizer before heading out.
Quick Reference
Event | Date and Time | City | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Halloween Zoo-tacular | Sat, Oct 24, 10am to 4pm | Orange | $2 per person, parking $5 |
Boo at the Bay | Sat, Oct 24, 11am to 3pm | Newport Beach | Free, free parking |
Halloween Market at Woodbridge | Sat and Sun, Oct 24 to 25, 10am to 4pm | Irvine | Free, free parking |
Why I Love Halloween in OC
More commonly known activities for Halloween include bars, theme parks like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal, and tend to cater to adults. Many families feel restricted to door-to-door trick-or-treating. For the events in this list, I wanted to show you a handful of low-cost, low-stress ways to spend a Saturday with your family.
OC's holiday season is always bountiful. OC is not only about the beaches and the weather. It is the fact that there is always something happening close by, and it rarely takes much planning to be part of it. If you have a favorite Halloween tradition in OC that I missed, send it my way. I am always looking for the next one to try.
Event details are accurate as of publication. Always check the organizer's website before heading out.
