The Best Way to Celebrate Halloween in Anaheim

Experience days filled with treats and nights filled with terrors. Halloween in Anaheim has all the screams your social calendar can handle. Check out what fun lurks in and around town!

Disneyland
The Happiest Hauntings on Earth can be found at the Disneyland Resort September 6-October 31, 2019! Snap a photo with the giant pumpkin Mickey on Main Street or grab an Instagram-worthy selfie with other spooky characters. Tempt your sweet tooth with pumpkin treats, and ride through Halloweentown as The Nightmare Before Christmas takes over the Haunted Mansion.
Oogie Boogie Bash

A Disney Halloween Party taking the place of Mickey’s Halloween Party, the Oogie Boogie Bash casts a spell on Disney California Adventure for this separate-ticket event offered on 20 select nights this fall. Be surrounded with villainous fun and new offerings like DescenDANCE Party, a new World of Color show called Villainous!, and a Mickey Mouse stage show.

Knott's Berry Farm
Frightening and fun festivities fill the days and the terrifying nights at Knott's Berry Farm this season. Knott’s Spooky Farm offers families an opportunity to celebrate with Snoopy and his pals with trick-or-treating through Ghost Town, The Monsters are Coming, Charlie Brown show in Camp Snoopy, and costume contest. Decorate cookies and pumpkins at the Calico Park Pumpkin Patch and visit the creepy crawlers in the Livery Stable. Perfect for ghouls aged 3-11, Spooky Farm celebrations are hosted Saturdays and Sundays, September 28-October 27 plus Halloween Day.

The fog rolls into Knott's Scary Farm select nights beginning September 19. Two new mazes, Origins: The Curse of Calico and Wax Works, join the horrific offering of mazes, scare zones, and frightful entertainment. Brian Henson presents "Puppet Up! Uncensored", a puppet improv show filled with adult comedy. Into the Fog, an art show inspired by Scary Farm, returns for a second year. More than 1,000 monsters await your arrival at Knott’s where nightmares never end.

Anaheim Halloween Parade & Festival
Spell-ebrate like a local at the Anaheim Halloween Parade & Festival on October 26. The Festival includes fun for the whole family with children’s costume contest and a Halloween Pooch Pawrade. After the festival, grab your ghoulfriends and enjoy the parade. Since 1924, Anaheim has celebrated with its own parade featuring unique floats, cars, bands and even a celebrity appearance or two. Starting on Broadway at 6 PM, the parade culminates on Center Street Promenade.

Adventure City BooTastic Halloween Party
Looking for a themed night for your lil’ monsters? Try the Adventure City BooTastic Halloween Party. On four select nights, Adventure City treats its guests to rides, a trick-or-treat street, Spooktacular Dance Party and more. Climb aboard the train for a Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Watch things materialize with a Mad Scientist Magician, too.

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor
Bearing the title of one of Time Magazine’s “Top 10 Most Haunted Places on Earth,” the Queen Mary is a spooktacular setting for a night filled with horror. Set sail this Halloween at Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary. Journey through six themed mazes, including the new Rogue where the Captain struggles to keep control of the ship. Heart-racing rides, killer DJs, and undead entertainment make for a night filled with seaside screams.

Happy Hallowiener Doggie Dress-Up and Kid’s Costume Party
Beers, brats, and barks are scheduled for the Happy Hallowiener Doggie Dress-Up and Kid’s Costume Party. A howling good Halloween is planned at Old World in Huntington Beach on October 27, 2019. There will be wiener dog races and costume contests for both dogs and kids.

Pumpkin Patches
Carve out some time to pick the perfect pumpkin around town. Catch a wagon to Tanaka Farms for a farm tour and pumpkin patch exploration. Local patches offer gorgeous gourds and games. Irvine Park Railroad host annual celebrations that include pumpkin shopping, face painting, train rides and carnival games.

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Visit Anaheim Staff Picks -Jessica Barganski

Jessica Barganski

TOP THREE TIPS ON VISITING ANAHEIM AND ORANGE COUNTY

• Fly into John Wayne Airport – it is truly a best-in-class airport experience!
• Uber has changed the game. While a car is nice to have, with rideshares easily available renting a car is no longer an absolute necessity.
• Orange County is full of hidden gems – some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. can be tucked away in the most unassuming places.

TOP THREE FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

• Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen (Old Towne Orange)
• Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens (Newport Beach)
• Bear Flag Fish Co. (Newport and Huntington Beach)

INSIDER TIPS FOR VISITING THE DISNEYLAND® RESORT

• Organize your FastPasses to maximize your day
• Pack snacks – Disney does allow guests to bring in some food (but not beverages)
• Use the single-rider line – often times you will still be able to ride with your group

TOP DATE NIGHT LOCATION

• Colony Wine Merchant (Anaheim)
• Lido Marina Village (Newport) – Zinque has a great ambience and view
• Pie Society (Costa Mesa) – speakeasy located behind Pitfire Pizza

FAVORITE ACTIVITY WITH FRIENDS

• Angels baseball game
• Duffy boat ride in Newport Harbor
• Beach bonfire 

Jessica Barganski, CTA
Manager, Strategic Alliance & Events
(714) 765-2937
jbarganski@visitanaheim.org

www.visitanaheim.org/

FREE RIDES AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

FRAN is the newest ticket to exploring all that Center City Anaheim has to offer. The app-based microtransit service, launched by the City of Anaheim and Anaheim Resort™ Transportation, provides Orange County visitors with Free Rides Around the Neighborhood (FRAN) to multiple stops throughout the Center City (CtrCity) area. Requesting a shared FRAN is completely free for passengers, so discovering landmarks in Center City has never been easier or more cost-effective.

How to Request a FRAN
Visitors can score a shared ride aboard one of the colorful black and orange sustainable electric vehicles on-demand. Get started by downloading the CtrCity Anaheim mobile app, a free smartphone application available on Android and Apple devices. After registering for an account, the easy-to-use dashboard offers the current average wait time and options to request a FRAN or explore nearby destinations.

The free app puts visitors in total control of their ride. After selecting a pick-up spot and destination, passengers are prompted to enter the number of adults and children—up to five passengers—and confirm if they have a mobility device and/or stroller.

Where to Ride
The fleet of 10 electric vehicles connects some of the most popular destinations across Center City Anaheim. Since FRAN provides on-demand rides, it doesn’t follow a fixed route like typical public transportation systems. Its service area stretches the corridor known as Center City (“Ctr City”), with fixed pick-up and drop-off points clustered along Anaheim Boulevard.

Eight destinations are currently available, with two planned for launch in August 2019. Check out the guide below for a curated list of nearby shops, restaurants and activities to explore.

• The Circle Stop: Lace up a pair of skates and step into the rink for a public skating session at Anaheim ICE, or shop a curated collection of home goods and apparel at the RARE boutique.
• Center Street: Grab a quick bite on the go at Good Food, a mini food hall with walk-up restaurant options like Healthy Junk, Cervantes Mexican Kitchen and K&A Cafe.
• Carnegie Plaza: MUZEO is an Anaheim institution celebrating local arts and culture in a series of unique exhibits spanning two galleries.
• Kraemer: Take a quick walking tour to snap a photo outside the Samuel Kraemer Building, the first high-rise in Orange County and a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Also nearby is the downtown Community Center, which houses Center Gallery’s rotating exhibition of works by local artists.
• City Hall: For any official government business, this is the closest stop to Anaheim City Hall.
• Electrica: Coming August 2019
• Farmer’s Park:The grassy Farmer’s Park area is home to the newly opened Cultivation Kitchen, a locally-sourced, organic restaurant located inside a beautiful greenhouse. Right next door, visitors can also grab a beer at the revived pre-Prohibition Anaheim Brewery.
• Packing House: A crown jewel of Orange County’s culinary scene, the Packing House brings together some of region’s most popular chefs and mixologists under one roof where they serve up creative food and drink options with communal spaces to sip, savor and people-watch.
• MAKE: The MAKE building is a hub for dining and entertainment where visitors can get an eclectic taste of Anaheim. There’s something for everything at this makers’ haven, including cheese and a vino tastings at Pali Wine Co., craft beers at the superhero-inspired Unsung Brewery, and finger-lickin’-good barbeque at Jav’s BBQ.
• Leisuretown: Coming August 2019

“Now that the FRAN fleet has hit the street, you can experience so much more during your visit to CtrCity,” says Diana Kotler, Executive Director of Anaheim Resort™ Transportation. “A night at the museum can turn into dinner and drinks with just a few taps on the Anaheim CtrCity app. Minutes later, you'll be on your way in an all-electric, six-passenger vehicle including a friendly and knowledgeable driver. Whether you are looking to explore the area, or just need a ride back to your car, you'll be sure to have a FRAN-tastic experience!”

For more information on FRAN, visit CtrCity Anaheim or get started by downloading the FRAN app for Android or Apple.

www.visitanaheim.org/

ORANGE COUNTY SURF STYLE

The 42 miles of award-winning coastline have created a pioneering surf scene in Orange County over the last century. Local style takes its cues from the sun and surf, with laid-back looks found in shops throughout Anaheim and beyond.

“Surf culture in OC is so rich,” says Shauna Jackson, of Styled by SJ. For visitors in search of outfits that borrow inspirational from SoCal's surf and skate scene, she recommends the nearby Outlets at Orange as an affordable spot for one-stop shopping.

"There are so many stores at the Outlets at Orange that have the surf gear and looks," she explains. "PacSun and Tilly's are great, for example, because they’re multi-vendor — they carry [brands like] Roxy, Billabong and so many others."

From all-ages swimwear at department outlet stores like Saks Off Fifth to classic surf brands like Hurley, there's no shortage of shops at the center to score great savings on quintessential SoCal style. Discover some of the must-have surf apparel and accessories for a summertime escape in Anaheim.

For Her

"If I’m coming to SoCal, I want to be light and keep with the coastal, airy sunkissed look and feel," Jackson says. “Women should always have a great cover-up — a white cover-up that’s crisp and airy and makes you feel like you’re on vacation."

California surf brand O'Neill has plenty of options when it comes to cover-ups and swimsuits. Try a one-piece — especially if you’re surfing.

To accessorize with an on-trend straw beach bag or hat, Jackson also recommends the H&M outlet store that carries picks for women, men and kids. For summertime footwear, check out Steve Madden's ample sandal offerings or grab a pair of essential flip flops.

For Him
"Really good trunks that are durable, heavy duty and will last in the ocean are important," Jackson says, suggesting a visit to a specialty surf wear shop like Hurley to browse a multitude of brands.

To wear during a boogie-boarding or surfing session, seek out a rashguard that will protect from the sun and any abrasions. Tilly's has a selection of popular surf brands like Billabong and Rip Curl.

Another SoCal essential is a lightweight hoodie for those early morning surf sessions. "In California, it can get colder just like that," Jackson says. "Having a sweatshirt is so important when the fog burns out."

Men can accessorize as well with bright, fun towels found at O'Neill or pair of shades from the outlet mall's Sunglass Hut. Jackson also recommends Original Penguin for original pieces like dapper fedoras that can take a casual beach outfit from day to night.

Lastly, for men and women alike, Jackson reminds visitors to remember their sunscreen. You can pick up this summertime essential while shopping at the Outlets at Orange — stop by Nordstrom Rack for any last-minute needs like a bottle of SunBum.

www.visitanaheim.org/