HalGLOWeen at San Diego Zoo

Fridays–Sundays, October: Watch glowing acrobats, meet “spooky” animals, and dance to DJ beats at HalGLOWeen — the San Diego Zoo’s light-up Halloween celebration for the whole family.

Dates:
HalGLOWeen at San Diego Zoo
Location:
San Diego Zoo 920 Zoo Drive, San Diego

Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair

October 4-5: Event features live entertainment from artists and performers, alongside a variety of attractions such as Beer and Wine Gardens, game booths, and a dedicated Kid Country area with face painting, petting zoo, face painting and more. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Manhattan Beach
Cost:
Free

The Tamagotchi USA Road Trip at Irvine Spectrum

October 4–5: Decorate Tama cases, snap pics with characters, and check out exclusive merch at the Tamagotchi Road Trip stop in Irvine. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Irvine Spectrum Center 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Harvest Festival in Gardena

October 4: Celebrate fall with music, vendors, kids’ activities, and a cornhole tournament at Gardena’s Harvest Festival. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
City Hall Complex - Gardena 1700 W. 162 St., Gardena, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Battle of Dominguez Hill Reenactment in Rancho Dominguez

October 4: Come see a live reenactment of the Battle of Dominguez Hills. This historic event welcomes vendors, a taco truck, military encampments, activities, and, of course, a battle reenactment. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum 18127 South Alameda Street, Rancho Dominguez, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo

October 4: The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is back with an all-new search for a custom vehicle worthy of becoming a Hot Wheels® die-cast car. More contestants. More amazing builds. And of course, another big winner.

Dates:
Location:
Mattel Headquaters 2031 E. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo, CA
+ Google Map

Great Train Show at Del Mar Fairgrounds

October 4-5: Each show features hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits and more. Activities for kids include a riding train and interactive exhibits where kids can operated part of a layout or race model trains or cars.

Dates:
Location:
Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
+ Google Map
Cost:
$13

Mid-Autumn Festival at Mt Sac College

October 4-5: Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with food, shopping, and live performances in Walnut.

Dates:
Location:
Mt. San Antonio College 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Indian Food Festival in Los Angeles

October 4: Feast on Indian cuisine, live music, cooking demos, and DJs at the first-ever Indian Food Festival in Los Angeles.

Dates:
Location:
BeTRUE Studios 7225 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$9.99 – $20

Pumpkin Rescue at Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center

October 4: Rescuing your very own pumpkin from the floating pumpkin patch and decorate your rescued pumpkin. Afterward pumpkins can rest while participants swim in the pool. The inflatable slide will be out, and diving boards will be open! 

Dates:
Location:
Laguna Niguel Aquatics Center
Cost:
$10

Race Day at Sprinkles N Stuff in Lomita

October 4: Paint, design, and race your own car at Sprinkles N Stuff’s Race Day in Lomita.

Dates:
Location:
Sprinkles N Stuff 25626 Narbonne Av., Lomita, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$35

Moon Festival at Arcadia City Hall Lawn

October 4: Enjoy mooncake making, live entertainment, and kids’ activities at Arcadia’s Moon Festival. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Arcadia City Hall Lawn 240 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

International Observe the Moon Night at Orange Coast College

October 4: View the waxing gibbous moon through high-powered telescopes and engage with knowledgeable astronomy students and faculty, who will be on hand to share fascinating insights about the moon's craters, mountains, and seas. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Orange Coast College - Planetarium 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA
Cost:
Free

Autumn Festival at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Weekends, October 1-26: Celebrate the season with wildlife, special entertainment, and culinary comforts. Meet Robert the Zebra, Safari Parker, hoedown with not-so-scary scarecrows, enjoy live music, navigate through a maze, and more.

Dates:
Location:
San Diego Zoo Safari Park 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
+ Google Map

Laguna Beach Car Show

October 5: Enjoy a day in Laguna Beach for classic cars, bratwurst, beer, and live Oktoberfest tunes. Family-friendly fun with kids’ activities and coastal vibes.

Dates:
Location:
Laguna Canyon Road Lot 551 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$5

Hug & Groom Horses with Free Rein Foundation

FIRST SUNDAYS: Come learn, hug and groom rescue and therapy horses. You may meet playful mustangs, a feisty thoroughbred, or a big white mule.

Dates:
Location:
Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center 18381 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$25

Asian Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at Bowers Museum

October 5: Celebrate with live performances, art making, and a taste of mooncake. FREE.

Dates:
Location:
Bowers Museum 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA
Cost:
Free

Carnival Colossal in San Clemente

October 9–12: Enjoy rides, games, food trucks, beer gardens, and live music at San Clemente’s Carnival Colossal, with a special early hour for younger kids on Thursday.

Dates:
Location:
Vista Hermosa Sports Park 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA

Haunted Escape Room at the Mission Viejo Library

October 10-12: Test your problem-solving skills and your ability to work in a team while trying to escape the curse. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Mission Viejo Library 100 Civic Center, Missiosn Viejo
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest

October 10–12 & 17–19: Celebrate five years of Fall-O-Ween with costumes, photo ops, a straw maze, and a spooky scavenger hunt at Heritage Hill Historical Park. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Heritage Hill Historical Park 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest
Cost:
Free

Long Beach Zombie Walk & Halloween Party

October 11: Zombies take over Shoreline Village in Long Beach with a family-friendly Kids Zone, live music, spooky eats, costume contests, and the iconic Zombie Walk. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Shoreline Village 401-435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team does their best to keep event details accurate at the time of posting, but information can change without notice! Be sure to double-check with the event organizer before heading out. Kidsguide is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes on our calendar—we’re just here to help you find the fun!