If you have little ghosts and goblins running around the house, you probably are knee deep in costume shopping and are in pumpkin carving mode.

It’s a three-step process at our home.

1. Dust off the decorations
2. Get the best pumpkin for carving
3. Find the perfect costume

My kids start dragging out the decorations from closets mid September.  I think it has something to do with going back to school, and having that one date circled on the calendar.

The next item on our list is finding a great pumpkin.

Fall Fair and Pumpkin Patch

We will do that on October 13^th, at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach.  From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the center will hold its Fall Faire and Pumpkin Patch.   They have pumpkins of all shapes and sizes for sale and there will be a variety of crafts for children, face-painting, Henna tattoos, story time, games, pony rides and petting zoo.

There will also be food from several local restaurants including Avila’s El Ranchito, Blue Water Grill, Haute Cakes, Kean Coffee, Roman Cucina, Sensitive Sweets, Shirley’s Bagels, Whole Foods, Z Pizza, and the Pizza Bakery.

Costume shopping will be a whole other event, with multiple stops at various stores.  Of course my kids need to figure out what they want to be first.

Family Fright Zone Friday

One other event that I know they will love is Family Fright Zone Friday at the Fun Zone at ExplorOcean Friday October 25^th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

My kids will dig this because it’s like celebrating the big holiday twice!

The Family Fright Zone Friday is a great event for kids of all ages.  Show up in your costume and enjoy a fun trick-or-treat time with the witches, wizards and ghosts.  There will also be spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, face painting, magic shows, and live entertainment for the whole family.

All activities are free for members, and $5 for non-members.

Blackie’s Classic

For those who like to hang ten dressed up in costumes, Blackie’s classic Halloween surf day is coming.   Saturday, October 26^th surfers wearing all kinds of outfits will be carving up the waves at 22^nd street.

In the past, we’ve seen superheroes and ghouls paddling out to sea.   Last year someone even donned the make up of Gene Simmons from KISS, while another painted his face like the character from the movie Beetlejuice.

The event is free and people start gathering at 7 a.m.

CdM Halloween Costume Ride

And for those who prefer their costumed fun on land, then there’s the Halloween Costume Ride in Corona del Mar Saturday, October 26^th.   This 6-mile ride begins at the Newport Beach Civic Center.

Prizes will be given for the best costume, but organizers ask that no masks be worn, due to safety concerns.

This will be a slow paced ride so cyclists of all ages can participate.

Everyone along for the ride will enjoy a spooky treat as they ride past the haunted houses of Corona del Mar.