Check out our list of upcoming events for this Halloween season.

BY By Danielle Perry

October 13 - 2008 8:45 AM

Courtesy of Roger's Gardens/Keane Eye Photography

A sample of Gene Granata's work

ooking for some real scares or for more of a family event? You'll find both in our list of Orange County Halloween events.

Pumpkins with Gene Granata
October 18 at 9 a.m. at Roger’s Gardens
Join host Gene Granata for a lecture and demonstration of his skills, detailing every aspect of pumpkin carving. Free admission.
Located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar, (800) 647-2356, rogersgardens.com

8th Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest
October 30 at 4 p.m. at Roger’s Gardens
Show off your pumpkin decorating skills. Entry is free; be ready for judging by 4 p.m.
Located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar, (800) 647-2356, rogersgardens.com

6th Annual Haunted House
October 24 and 25 from 6-10 p.m. at SOKA University
The ghosts and goblins of SOKA Student Union’s Club Senate will frighten you at every corner of the “Crypt.” Recommended for ages 10 and up. Admission is $5. For younger tricksters a “Kid’s Trail” is open from 3-5 p.m. Admission is $3. All proceeds go to participating SOKA clubs.
Located at 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (888) 600-7652, soka.edu

11th Annual Trick or Treat Festival and Halloween Hearse Show
October 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Orange County Market Place
Bring the whole family for freakish fun with vampires, Dr. Demento and more. Free trick-or-treating for kids in costume and face-painting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy watching the renowned Farmer Mike carve the faces of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain on giant pumpkins. Watch the 9th Annual Hearse Procession and Show featuring Dr. Demento as grand marshal. Admission is $2. Free admission for children under 12.
Located at 88 Fair Drive, Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, (949) 723-6616, ocmarketplace.com

Haunted Gardens
October 24 and 25 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Fullerton Arboretum
The spirit of Halloween is alive in the Haunted Gardens at the Fullerton Arboretum, where vampire guides lead willing bodies through dark trails full of cemeteries, witches, skeletons, and ghouls. Advanced reservations and ticket purchases are encouraged. Tickets for children 12 and under are $6 and for teens and adults are $10 in advance; $10 for children and $13 for adults at the door. A Children’s Party will be held both days from 1-3 p.m. for kids ages 3 to 6, including a costume parade, pumpkin patch tours games and more. Tickets are $6 for children 3-5; adult admission is free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Located at 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, (714) 278-4002, fullertonarboretum.com

Photo By Rod Veal/The Orange County Register

Halloween Haunt at Knott's Scary Farm

Halloween Spooktacular
October 18 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Orange County Performing Arts Center
Gut-twisting tunes are piped through the new William J. Gillespie Concert Organ by a mysterious phantom at this pacific symphony concert. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets range from $18-$35 a seat.
Located in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 556-2787, ocpac.org

Main Street Halloween Celebration
October 31 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Huntington Beach
The perfect Halloween event for families and children of all ages, this annual Halloween celebration features trick-or-treating, rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin carving, and much more. Everyone is encouraged to dress up; free admission.
Located on Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach, (714) 969-0795

Halloween Masquerade Ball
9 p.m. October 31 to 2 a.m. November 1 at Irvine Marriott Hotel
One of OC’s favorite Halloween extravaganzas, this mysterious masquerade ball features six themed ballrooms with disc jockeys and live performances, a costume contest and more. Tickets are $30 for general admission or $75 for VIP entry; tickets are more expensive at the door. 21 and over.
Located at the Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karmon, Irvine, 949-553-0100, http://halloween.owlus.com

Boot Hill
October 24-26 and November 1, 7-10 p.m.; October 29 and 30, 7-9 p.m. at a residence
The legendary cemetery, Boot Hill, rises from the fog for its ninth year at the residence of 16 Goldenrod. The unearthly spirits from the Old West town of Bridgewood will materialize for four spooky nights, bringing to life the old church and cemetery that once occupied the land. Come here the tales of Jedediah Smith, whose ghost is said to still roam through the decaying grounds of Boot Hill. Admission is free; donations are accepted with proceeds going to Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Located at 16 Goldenrod, Irvine, 818-633-0300, inprogressproductions.com/boothill.html

Halloween Haunt
October 15-19, 22-26, 29- November 1 at Knott's Scary Farm
Professional “scare-masters” have transformed the old Knott's Berry Farm into Knott's Scary Farm for another year. A 160-acre living horror movie, Haunt is made up of 13 mazes, seven shows, scare zones, and 1,000 monsters roaming for their next victim. Admission ranges from $47.99 pre-sale to $52.99 on the day of the event.
Located at 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (714) 220-5200, knotts.com

BOO at the Zoo
October 18-19 and 24-26 from 5:30-8 p.m.
Family-friendly costume fun awaits at the Santa Ana Zoo, where kids can enjoy a non-scary evening of trick-or-treating, educational programs and a costume parade. The event also features a “Teen Scream” haunted house for older audiences who want a thrill. Admission is $10 general and $5 for members. Children under age 2 admitted free.
Located at 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 836-4000

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch
Through November 2, 10 a.m. daily
By far, one of the best pumpkin patches around, with fun-filled activities like train rides, hay rides, a haunted house, a hay maze, pony rides, face-painting (weekends only), picture stands, the Orange County Zoo, and more. Admission is free; prices for all other activities vary.
Located at 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, (714) 997-3968, irvineparkrailroad.com