What to do During Halloween Time in Newport Beach
This October, Halloween in Newport Beach is transforming the city into a playground of spooks, sweets, and seasonal magic! Whether you’re looking to parade your costume, pick the perfect pumpkin or chase a little frightful fun, the city’s local spots are ready to welcome you with cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and plenty of Halloween cheer. From family-friendly adventures to grown-up thrills, we’ve conjured up the ultimate guide to the best Halloween activities and events in Newport Beach to celebrate Spooky Season in style.
Once Upon a Nightmare Before Christmas
Where: Once Upon An Island
When: Oct. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31
For the first time ever, Jack Skellington and Sally have broken in and taken over Christmas. Once Upon a Nightmare Before Christmas is a live, theatrical Halloween experience at Once Upon an Island. Kids and grown-ups journey together through Santa’s North Pole, meet Jack, Sally and Zero, and help set Christmas right. It’s playful and a little spooky, never scary, and it runs on five dates only, October 17 to 31.
Spooky Saturday Halloween Movie Nights
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach is getting in the spooky spirit with Halloween movies every Saturday. The movies will play in the amphitheater, and exclusive spooky-themed cocktails and food menu will be available for purchase. On October 17, the film will be Scream, and on October 24th, the film will be Nightmare Before Christmas.
Where: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
When: October 17 & 24
50th Annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch
Where: Environmental Nature Center
When: Oct. 18
Nothing says fall quite like a trip to the pumpkin patch. On Oct. 18, the Environmental Nature Center is celebrating 50 years of its annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch with an afternoon of quintessential autumn fun. Pick out a pumpkin, grab a bite from local Orange County eateries and make your way through the Craft Crawl before checking out nature-inspired games and live performances at the Fire Circle Stage. Admission is free, and proceeds from the festivities support the ENC’s environmental education programs—so you can soak up all the fall feels while supporting a good cause.
9th Annual Halloween Spooktacular
Where: Mariners Park
When: Oct. 24
Grab your costumes and get ready for an afternoon of frightful fun at Mariners Park. The 9th Annual Halloween Spooktacular returns Oct. 24 with trunk-or-treating, a haunted maze, carnival games, pumpkin decorating and plenty of activities for the little ones. Between bounce houses, music and local food trucks, be sure to show off your Halloween best during the costume contests, with categories for spooky, funny and creative looks—plus duos, families and even four-legged friends. The best part? This festive neighborhood tradition is completely free to attend.
Boo at the Bay: Family Halloween Party
Where: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
When: Oct. 24
Join the October festivities at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a family-friendly Halloween party! Read spooky stories, make creepy crafts, conduct wacky science experiments, play spooky games and meet bizarre animals. Participants are encouraged to attend in costume. The event will also feature booths and exhibits from nature-minded community partners, including the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, the Environmental Nature Center, and Critter Squad: Wildlife Defenders. The event and parking are free, so come one, come all!
Halloween Trick or Treating & Dive-In Movie at Pendry
Where: Pendry Newport Beach
When: Oct. 27
Get your trick or treating done early at Pendry Newport Beach. On Tuesday, October 27, families are invited to trick-or-treat their way through the poolside cabanas, collecting treats and connecting with neighbors along the way from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Costumes are encouraged for guests of all ages!
As the sun sets, the pool transforms into an open-air theater for a Halloween Dive-In Movie, with Coco playing poolside under the stars.
Halloween Classics at The Lido Theater
Where: Lido Theater
When: Various dates in October
Spooky season is taking over the big screen at the Lido Theater with a lineup of cult favorites and Halloween classics all October long. Catch Hocus Pocus on Oct. 5, 29 and 31, embrace the camp with Death Becomes Her on Oct. 12 or revisit Tim Burton favorites Edward Scissorhands on Oct. 14 and The Nightmare Before Christmas on Oct. 28. For something a little scarier, The Shining hits the screen Oct. 26, while night owls can close out the month with The Rocky Horror Picture Show—complete with a live shadow cast—on Oct. 30. Popcorn, costumes and a little nostalgia? Consider your October movie nights handled.
