Scott FeinblattIf you’re a Halloween fan, you’ve probably already gotten around to hitting Knott’s Scary Farm, Universal’s Horror Nights and/or other notable haunted attractions. If not, you’ve probably made plans to do so. However, there are plenty of haunts and other Halloween-themed activities right here, in and around Irvine for you and/or the whole family to enjoy. Irvine Weekly is proud to present this handy guide to local Halloween-themed events.
(Top image by Scott Feinblatt)
Just for the Kiddies
Costume Week at Pretend City
Oct. 21-27
What better way is there to learn than through having fun? We can’t think of one, and at Irvine’s nonprofit children’s museum, Pretend City, children can engage in hands-on learning experiences, educational games and role playing. Young visitors who dress up during Costume Week will be rewarded with a 25 percent discount off their second admission. Click HERE for details.
Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble Irvine 92618
Seasonal Family Fun
Irvine Park Railroad’s Pumpkin Patch
Now through Oct. 31
This one is great for kiddies – both young and old. Over the course of the month, the Pumpkin Patch at Irvine Regional Park will give folks opportunities to enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed events, including hay rides, arts and crafts, face painting, a haunted house, carnival games, you name it! Click HERE for details.
Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange 92869
Pageant of the Monsters
Oct. 26-31
This one also has it all for the whole family, but here, the arts take a turn for the serious. The Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, of Laguna Beach, will be hosting its returning Halloween-themed event, Pageant of the Monsters which will feature a haunted house, scarecrow competition, a make-your-own mask station, culinary delights, an alien autopsy, silent horror movie screenings, music, arts, activities, etc. This one is NOT recommended for children 5 and under. Click HERE for details.
Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Scary Screenings
National Theatre Live: Frankenstein
Oct. 28
Perhaps one of the greatest tales of horror ever told, Frankenstein has been the subject of dozens of films and has been a well-known component of pop culture since Boris Karloff starred as The Monster in James Whale’s 1931 Universal Studios production. This screening, however, is of a lesser known production – one that holds an impressive pedigree. Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game, Dr. Strange) stars as The Creature in a Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) directed stage play. The play was performed live in 2011, at the National Theatre, in London, and this is the film of that critically acclaimed show. Click HERE for details.
Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Train to Busan
Oct. 31
Zombie apocalypses, as they’ve come to be known, may have had their origins in Pennsylvania – where George Romero shot the seminal Night of the Living Dead back in 1968 – but they are hardly localized to the United States. Train to Busan is a 2016 action thriller from South Korea, directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi and Ma Dong-Seok. This film, which deals with a zombie outbreak on a train and the efforts to contain it, set records for audience attendance in South Korea. UCI’s International Film Club will present a screening of it on Halloween. If the film doesn’t cause you to lose your appetite, enjoy a lite lunch and discussion after the screening. Click HERE for details.
UCI McCormick Screening Room, 1070 Humanities Gateway, Irvine, CA 92697
Haunted Attractions
Boot Hill
Oct. 12-28 (Select nights only)
Regarded as Orange County’s most elaborate yard display, Boot Hill is an imaginative and intriguing home haunt. It is the annual site of the resurrected spirits of the Old West town of Bridgewood, who are now returning for the 19th year to terrorize guests. The event is free, but accepts donations that benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Is there anything finer than getting your scare on while helping children? We think not. Click HERE for details.
Gershon Dungeon
Oct. 28 and Oct. 31
Another home haunt of some renown, the Gershon Dungeon, has the distinction of being one of the largest and longest running home haunts in Orange County. On two evenings this Halloween season, the spirit of the cruel, legendary 17th century slave owner Guinivere Holt – who is said to have been awakened from her eternal sleep in 1991, when the creation of a swimming pool disturbed her resting spot – is expected to return from the grave to torment and perhaps reap new souls from amongst the living. Click HERE for details.
13861 Gershon Pl, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Sinister Pointe
Now through Oct. 31 (Select nights only)
This haunt is definitely not for the little ones! The creative team behind Sinister Pointe has been providing the residents of various Orange County cities with nightmares for decades. Now nestled in the Laguna Hills Mall, this haunt’s three floors and 150,000 square feet of attractions, scream zones, stage shows, games and exhibitions are just waiting to tear your soul apart! Click HERE for details.
Sinister Pointe’s Scary Place, 24100 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Party Time
YNK Halloween Pop-Up
Oct. 26
YNK (You Never Know) will be hosting a Halloween pop-up at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum’s M Club. For the occasion, the club will be decked out in spooky fashion. Enjoy designer cocktails and alcohol-filled candy at this holiday-themed event. Admission is free, but space is limited, so make sure to RSVP. Click HERE for details.
Marriott Irvine Spectrum, M Club, 7905 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
Eat, Drink, Be Scary
Oct. 27
This will be the fourth year for this annual costume party. Specialty cocktails will help set the mood as guests arrive, ready to compete in a variety of costume contests at the Hotel Irvine’s Red Bar and Lounge. Attendees are encouraged to wear scary and original costumes at this dance party mixer. Click HERE for details.
Red Bar and Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA 92614
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