In partnership with
Halloween Favorites
Halloween Family Festival
Location: Central Park, 30842 La Miranda, Rancho Santa Margarita
Date: Thursday, October 31, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Bring the family for an afternoon of trick-or-treat booths, carnival games, bounce houses, and costume contests for kids and pets. This free city event is a longtime favorite for families who want festive fun before the evening trick-or-treat rush begins.
Halloween Storytime & Boo Bash Costume Party
Location: Ladera Ranch Library, 29551 Sienna Pkwy, Ladera Ranch
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Enjoy a cozy, kid-friendly afternoon at the library with Halloween-themed storytime, crafts, and activities perfect for little ones. Stay for the Boo Bash Costume Party featuring games, a mini costume parade, and prizes for creative outfits. This family-friendly event is ideal for parents looking for something festive yet calm before the big Halloween weekend.
Trunk or Treat
Location: Sendero Field, Rancho Mission Viejo
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A community favorite where families decorate their car trunks and hand out candy to local trick-or-treaters (yes, that’s trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks). With music, games, and a costume contest, it’s a fun and easy way to kick off the Halloween week!
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Halloween Feature
Ghost Walk
Location: Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano
Date & Time: View October and November availability HERE (they have a 7:30pm slot on Halloween!)
Take a step back through time with a ghost walk along the oldest occupied neighborhood in California. Tales of ghostly legends, incredible history, and modern haunted experiences come alive through stories only OC Ghosts & Legends can tell. Experience the haunted history of San Juan Capistrano on this guided evening walk through the historic Los Rios District. Hear eerie stories of the town’s past, explore centuries-old buildings, and enjoy the atmosphere of one of California’s oldest neighborhoods under the glow of lantern light. Perfect for parents who want a little Halloween magic without the sugar rush, this tour blends local lore, history, and mystery for an unforgettable fall night.
Family Festivities
Harvest Festival
Location: Calvary South OC, 1311 Calle Batido, San Clemente, CA 92673
Date: October 31, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A free family carnival featuring rides, games, a petting zoo, face painting, and classic fall treats like popcorn and cotton candy. Kids can enjoy safe trick-or-treating while parents take in the festive community atmosphere. It’s one of South OC’s best family events to wrap up the fall season.
Pet Parade & Costume Contest
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Dana Point Harbor
Families and their four-legged friends can show off their Halloween spirit with this lighthearted pet parade and costume contest along the waterfront. Prizes for best pet & owner lookalike, and most creative costume.
Mommy & Me Halloween Party
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Kaleidoscope Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA
Join @OCMomWalks for a fun, early-morning Halloween event designed for moms and little ones. Expect trick-or-treat stations throughout the mall, costumed activities, music, photo moments and a light brunch-style vibe. It’s the perfect gentle start to Halloween week, something festive, social, and manageable before the big night.
I cannot wait to see the costumes this year! It’s truly my favorite part of the night. I’m sharing a few throwbacks of ours below. Hit reply and send your best costumes pics from this year!
The year my daughter insisted on being Luigi…and I was a very pregnant Princess Peach.
Last year we were in a very BIG Frozen phase…
For the Adults
Hall-O-Wine at Frisby Cellars
Location: 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point Harbor
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sip wine on the waterfront patio at Frisby Cellars during their annual Hall-O-Wine celebration. Enjoy live music, a costume contest, and good vibes overlooking the harbor. Whether you pop in after trick-or-treating with the kids or make it a full evening out, this event is the perfect mix of festive and relaxed.
Vine Restaurant & Bar
Location: 211 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672
Why go: This upscale yet approachable spot blends wine country flavors with a coastal vibe. Expect locally sourced, seasonal dishes, a thoughtful wine list with over 25 selections by the glass, and warm, intimate lighting that makes any night feel special. The garden patio is perfect for a relaxed but elevated evening out.Rosewood Social
Looking Ahead
Turkey Trot
Earn your feast this Thanksgiving.
📅 Thursday, November 27, 2025
📍 Dana Point Harbor
Start Thanksgiving morning right with the 48th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot — choose from a 5K, 10K, Combo 15K, or the Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble. The course is USA Track & Field certified and views are stunning. Expect festive energy: costume contests, a health & fitness expo, and local vibes. Best part? Your entry supports community charities.
🎟️ Register & details: turkeytrot.co
Whether you’re trick-or-treating with little ones or heading to a neighborhood get-together, soak up every bit of it. This season only lasts a blink, and it’s worth slowing down for the small stuff, the sound of leaves under sneakers, the glow of porch lights, the laughter echoing down your street. However you celebrate, make it fun, simple, and just spooky enough.
I want to hear from you!
What’s your family’s favorite Halloween tradition that you look forward to each year? Reply directly to this email and let me know!
That wraps up this week’s edition.
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