Wicked Fun Awaits at This Epic Spooky Season Event!
Spooky season is officially upon us! And while we just began celebrating, Anaheim has been prepping for this spooktacular month since springtime. Magic is in the air, but bewitching parade floats don’t build themselves overnight. The annual Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade is just around the corner, so save the date for Saturday, Oct. 26. With elaborate costume contests, scavenger hunts and mystical fun, this is the Orange County event of the season!
This historic festival has taken place for a whopping 101 years. Back in 1923, merchants came together to host the first festival in hopes of alleviating town mischief and connecting the community. For one day, Center Street Promenade turns into a carnival that is so fun, it’s frightful. Every character you can imagine, from Bob the Builder to Barbie, will be strolling the streets of downtown. It’s a day to celebrate with the community, and the entire Halloween event is coordinated by the Anaheim Fall Festival’s nonprofit. Jody Daily, creative director and interim president of the nonprofit, explains, “Halloween is a big community holiday. You don’t go to Grandma’s house and have dinner… It’s trick or treating, seeing your neighbors and exploring your neighborhood. That’s the real magic behind it.”
Starting at 11 a.m., the promenade will transform into a makers market mixed with all things spooktacular. Local artisans sell vintage goods, street-food vendors ensure no goblin goes hungry, and guests can expect wickedly wonderful jewelry and collectibles galore. Local tattoo artist and coveted festival vendor Evie, aka Pigeon, will also be showcasing handmade goods, so look out for her cat cart!
The festival is known for showcasing local makers, and attendees have made this Orange County Halloween event a tradition on their calendars.
Daily says, “Part of the fun is that we continue to hold on to our artists, and so year after year, they come up with new ways to honor the festival and the parade by making merchandise based on some of our characters.”
As for food and beverage, attendees can nosh on award-winning smashburgers from El Brewjo and treat themselves to “eerie-sistible” fall flavors from local ice cream shop Tocumbo. Plus, the root beer garden is all the buzz, and the tacos can’t be beaten!
While there are many vendors to explore, don’t get too distracted before the costume contest. The prize is a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, after all! The children’s contest kicks off at noon on the main stage, and registration opens at 11 a.m. Meanwhile, the dog competition takes place at 3 p.m. on the second stage. Pro tip: The judges love homemade costumes!
Once a winner is crowned and contestants clear, local musicians and performers take the stage. Think DJs spinning records on gramophones, Dixieland jazz and, of course, spell-binding magic! The local museum will be open for tours, and Bob Baker Marionette’s puppet shows are not to be missed. The afternoon flies by faster than a witch on a broomstick, with so much to explore!
A favorite from past festivals is also coming back from the dead. The scavenger hunt is returning, so come ready to play detective. A passport of clues will lead families all around downtown Anaheim, and participants may find themselves at the Anaheim Packing District for a sweet treat or city hall for a photo op. Collect six stamps to be entered to win Disneyland® Park tickets!
Festivities end at 5 p.m., but don’t be scared—the fun is far from over. When the clock strikes 7 p.m., the parade will make its 100th-year debut at Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway. While you wait for the show, grab a bite at one of Anaheim’s downtown eateries or camp out early for a front-row seat. Local marching bands and Folklorico dancers lead the way in honor of Dia de los Muertos. Andy Anaheim (the local mascot and fan favorite) will be next in the lineup.
Daily explains that community effort behind the scenes is what makes the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade so special.
“It’s a fun community-building project, and that’s the real magic behind it,” he explains. Even the mayor is known to work in the warehouse where the floats are built!
Sit back, enjoy the show, and be sure to check the festival website for tips and special experiences. See you there in your spookiest attire!
