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Shop Halloween Deals →Every October, Orange County turns into a world of glowing pumpkins, creative costumes, and thrilling parades. Halloween in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most vibrant yet, with cities like Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Fullerton preparing unique celebrations that mix family fun with spine-chilling excitement.
The biggest spotlight is on the Anaheim Halloween Parade 2025, set to return with dazzling floats, marching bands, and thousands of costumed participants.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, filling downtown Anaheim with festive energy from morning to night.
This iconic celebration captures the true Halloween spirit of Orange County creative, community-driven, and packed with fun for all ages.
Halloween Events Orange County 2025
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade 2025 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, October 25 – Festival: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Location / Route | Starts at Anaheim City Hall, moves along Center Street Promenade, turns onto Broadway, and finishes near South West Street |
| Entry Fee | Free for all attendees |
| Duration | Approximately 2 hours for the parade |
| Main Attractions | Themed floats, costumed performers, marching bands, classic car show, pet and kids’ contests, live music, and local food stalls |
| Expected Attendance | Around 70,000 visitors |
| Organizer | Anaheim Fall Festival Committee |
This parade is one of the oldest and most loved community events in Southern California. It’s known for its lively local participation and nostalgic flair, combining traditional Halloween charm with modern creativity.
History & Origins
The Anaheim Halloween Parade has a rich and fascinating history that goes back over a century. It began in the early 1920s, when the city wanted to bring families together for a safe and joyful Halloween celebration.
What started as a small community gathering soon grew into a full-scale parade that attracted visitors from across Orange County.
Over the years, the event became a local treasure. Even during tough times, volunteers and local artists worked hard to keep it alive, crafting hand-built floats, puppets, and decorations that capture the heart of Anaheim’s creativity.
Today, it’s one of the longest-running Halloween parades in the United States, marking 102 years of tradition in 2025. The parade also honors Orange County’s culture of imagination and togetherness.
Every float tells a story from haunted houses and spooky forests to nostalgic nods to early Hollywood horror. Generations of families have participated in this celebration, turning it into a time-honored ritual that continues to unite the community every fall.
The Magic Behind the Event
What truly sets the Anaheim parade apart is its dedication to authenticity. It’s not run by corporate sponsors or marketing campaigns it’s powered by local hearts. Schools, art clubs, and family-owned businesses all contribute, making every float, costume, and performance feel personal.
This community-driven approach gives the parade its charming personality. You can see decades of craftsmanship in the detailed floats and handcrafted puppets. It’s a mix of nostalgia and new imagination where vintage parade styles meet contemporary creativity.
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Shop Halloween Deals →As the festival celebrates another year, 2025 promises new surprises, more performances, and a bigger crowd. The event continues to represent everything people love about Halloween in Orange County family joy, creativity, and that touch of spooky wonder.
Date, Time & Location Details
The heart of Halloween in Orange County beats loudest on Saturday, October 25, 2025, when the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade take over downtown Anaheim.
The daytime festival starts at 11:00 AM, offering music, family activities, and costume contests, while the main parade begins at 7:00 PM and runs until around 9:00 PM.
The parade starts at Anaheim City Hall and follows a vibrant route through Center Street Promenade, turning west onto Broadway, and concluding near South West Street.
This path is lined with cheering spectators, colorful floats, and lively performances, creating a magical nighttime experience under glowing streetlights.
If you want the best view, aim to arrive an hour early. The area around Center Street and Lemon Street offers excellent visibility for photos, while Broadway near Harbor Boulevard is known for high-energy performances and large floats. Families can settle near Anaheim Community Center for a calmer viewing spot.
How to Participate
Becoming part of the Anaheim Halloween Parade is easier than you think. The event welcomes individuals, families, schools, and community groups to join the fun. Registration for participants usually opens in mid-August through the official parade committee.
To walk in the parade, you’ll need a Halloween-themed costume, float, or group concept that fits the festival’s family-friendly theme. There’s no entry fee for most community participants, though early sign-up is encouraged because spots fill quickly.
If you’re more into volunteering, you can help with float building, event setup, security, or cleanup. Volunteers often get early access to behind-the-scenes activities and official merchandise. It’s a rewarding way to experience the spirit of the festival while giving back to the community.
Participation Quick Guide:
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Shop Halloween Deals →- Registration: Mid-August – Early October 2025
- Entry Fee: Free
- Costume Rules: Family-appropriate; props allowed (no real weapons or sharp items)
- Float Requirements: Must follow size and safety regulations
- Volunteer Options: Parade setup, stage crew, cleanup, or guest management
Viewing Tips & Best Spots
Finding the right spot can make your parade experience unforgettable. Because the Anaheim parade attracts thousands of spectators, planning ahead is key.
- Arrive Early: Aim to reach the route by 5:30 PM to secure a good viewing area.
- Best Photo Spots: Center Street Promenade offers charming lighting and close-up shots of floats, while Broadway near Harbor Boulevard provides wide-angle views and energetic crowd scenes.
- Family Areas: Near the Anaheim Community Center and Center Greens Park, you’ll find family-friendly zones with food vendors, benches, and restrooms.
- Accessibility: The sidewalks along Center Street and Lemon Street have wheelchair-accessible spaces and low curbs, ideal for visitors needing assistance.
- Parking: Public parking is available near Anaheim City Hall, Center Street Parking Structure, and Downtown Anaheim parking lots. Arrive early, as spots fill up fast.
If you’re taking the bus or train, Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) connects directly to downtown. From there, it’s a quick rideshare or walk to the festival area.
A pro tip for photographers catch the first half-hour of the parade, just after sunset. The lighting is perfect for capturing both the glow of lanterns and the colorful costumes under twilight skies.
Costumes & Themes
Each year, the Anaheim Halloween Parade introduces a central theme that guides float designs and costume ideas. For 2025, the expected theme revolves around “Legends of the Night”, celebrating classic Halloween folklore, from witches and black cats to modern heroes and villains.
Visitors are encouraged to participate by dressing up in creative costumes. There are costume contests for kids, families, and even pets during the day festival. Judges typically look for originality, craftsmanship, and how well a costume fits the annual theme.
If you’re attending, think about costumes that are comfortable yet expressive, since you’ll be walking and standing for long hours. LED-lit accessories, group themes, and vintage horror looks are always crowd favorites.
Popular Costume Ideas for 2025:
- Retro Hollywood Monsters (Frankenstein, Dracula, Bride of Frankenstein)
- Fairy-tale villains with a spooky twist
- Glow-in-the-dark skeleton suits and LED masks
- Pop-culture icons like Wednesday Addams or Ghostbusters
- Pet costumes inspired by pumpkins, ghosts, and bats
Wearing matching family costumes is another big trend this year parents and kids dressing as themed characters, like a haunted circus or spooky toy family, make for adorable photo opportunities.
Entertainment & Highlights
Orange County’s Halloween celebrations aren’t just about costumes they’re a full sensory experience. The Anaheim Halloween Parade offers a night packed with entertainment that blends history, art, and family fun. Expect glowing floats, marching bands, giant puppets, and classic cars cruising through Broadway in style.
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Shop Halloween Deals →The festival before the parade hosts live music stages, children’s play zones, and a vintage costume showcase. You’ll also find local artisans selling handcrafted Halloween décor and themed treats. It’s a true community fair that continues to grow every year.
A new addition for 2025 includes a “Retro Horror Zone”, paying tribute to 1920s–1970s monster movies, plus interactive light shows for families to enjoy before the parade begins. After the parade, nearby restaurants and bars often extend the fun with after-parties, DJ nights, and costume meetups.
If you’re exploring other Orange County cities, you can also find mini Halloween festivals and parties across Fullerton, Costa Mesa, and Irvine from haunted walking tours to outdoor pumpkin light shows. Each city adds its own creative spin, but Anaheim remains the biggest and most beloved celebration.
Travel & Accommodation
If you’re traveling to Orange County for the Halloween festivities, getting around is simple and convenient. The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) connects directly to bus and train lines that drop you near downtown Anaheim. From there, the parade route is a short walk away.
For drivers, major freeways like I-5 and SR-57 provide easy access to the city center. Parking garages near City Hall, Center Street, and Harbor Boulevard offer paid parking but tend to fill up quickly arriving before 4:00 PM is wise.
Visitors coming from other parts of California can consider staying overnight to enjoy the full festival. The best-rated hotels near the route include:
- The Westin Anaheim Resort – minutes from the parade route, family-friendly amenities
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham – affordable and close to Downtown Anaheim
- Hilton Anaheim – perfect for larger groups and weekend stays
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, nearby cities like Orange or Fullerton have boutique hotels just 15 minutes away. Public transportation and rideshares run frequently through the area.
Food & Local Experiences
No Halloween celebration is complete without tasty bites and spooky treats. The Anaheim Fall Festival transforms the downtown area into a mini food carnival.
Visitors can enjoy pumpkin-flavored pastries, caramel apples, street tacos, and hot cider booths. Local food trucks and dessert vendors line Center Street, offering Halloween-themed menu specials.
Nearby restaurants also embrace the spirit. Umami Burger often serves “Monster Bites,” while The Pizza Press introduces limited-edition “Ghost Pepper” pizzas for the weekend. Families can visit Anaheim Packing District, which stays open late during parade night a perfect stop for sweets, snacks, and themed drinks.
For adults looking for an evening out, The Fifth Rooftop Bar hosts costume-night cocktails with skyline views, while family visitors can explore Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash, just a short distance away.
If you’re exploring beyond Anaheim, cities like Irvine and Costa Mesa also host pumpkin patches, trick-or-treat trails, and farm-to-fork harvest festivals throughout October.
Safety & Rules
Safety is a top priority for the Anaheim Halloween Parade and surrounding events. Security teams and volunteers monitor the entire parade route to ensure a safe environment for families and visitors.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Bag checks may occur at festival entrances.
- No alcohol is allowed along the parade route, though licensed vendors operate in designated zones.
- Costume weapons or sharp props are prohibited.
- Pets must remain on leashes and are only allowed in pet-friendly areas.
- Parents should write their contact number on kids’ wristbands in case of separation.
Emergency medical stations and lost-and-found booths are placed near City Hall and Center Street. With proper planning, the event remains one of the safest large-scale Halloween gatherings in California.
Photography & Social Media Tips
If you love taking photos, this parade is pure magic for your camera. For the best lighting, capture shots between 6:45 PM and 7:30 PM, just as the parade begins under the sunset glow. Bring a fully charged phone or camera, and if you use flash, switch it off during live performances to avoid glare.
Some of the most photogenic moments come from the float lineup near Center Street, where performers pose before moving out. Try wide-angle shots for crowd energy and close-ups of costumes for Instagram-worthy results.
Suggested Hashtags:
#AnaheimHalloweenParade #HalloweenOC #SpookyOrangeCounty #FallFestivalAnaheim
Sharing posts on these hashtags often gets noticed by local pages and official accounts, so you might even see your photo featured!
Conclusion
Halloween in Orange County 2025 promises an unforgettable mix of creativity, family fun, and community spirit. Whether you’re watching dazzling floats at the Anaheim Parade, tasting fall treats downtown, or exploring haunted attractions in nearby cities, there’s something for everyone.
For over a century, the Anaheim Halloween Parade has celebrated imagination and unity and this year, it’s expected to be even bigger. If you’re planning a Halloween getaway, Orange County is your must-visit destination for thrilling parades, glowing costumes, and lasting memories.
FAQs
Yes, both the festival and parade are completely free to attend.
No tickets are required it’s open to the public.
Arrive by 5:30 PM for the parade to get a good viewing spot.
Yes, nearby city parking lots and garages are available, though they fill up quickly.
Yes, but they must be leashed and under control. Pet costume contests are part of the daytime events.
Absolutely. The entire event is designed for families, children, and community groups.
The parade continues in light rain, but severe weather may delay or reschedule portions of the event.