Boo! CCI’s Got You Covered This October with Spooktacular Fall Activities!
- Estefania Rosas
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Okay, let’s be real: 2025 has been a lot. Between climate chaos, political drama, fashion trends flipping every two weeks, and the fact that I still can’t keep a plant alive for more than seven days, it’s safe to say we’ve all been through it. With everything going on, celebrating might feel kinda pointless or honestly, just exhausting (especially with midterms creeping up). And if you’ve been skipping Oktoberfest plans or Harvest Fest hangouts for a cozy night in watching Halloweentown and baking those nostalgic Pillsbury cookies, no judgment here.
But hear me out, you might actually want to add one fun fall thing to your calendar. Psychology Today says that celebrating (big or small) helps us slow down and appreciate the good stuff in our lives. It reminds us what we’re capable of and gives us something to look forward to which can boost our motivation and optimism.
So basically… science says you should celebrate this fall.
And since we’re responsible(ish) college students, we can totally justify our fall fun in the name of “academic enrichment.” As CCI students, there are plenty of ways to mix creativity with seasonal joy, so we made you a list to help you get started.
Interested in museum or curatorial studies? Then this might be right up your alley!
Dates: October 9, 16, 24, & 30, 2025
Duration: About 1.5 hours
First opened in 1936, the Bowers Museum has been a hub for art, culture, and history from around the world. But beyond its exhibitions, the museum also has a few ghost stories of its own. For decades, employees and visitors have shared tales of strange encounters in the galleries. Join Haunted Orange County’s Charles Spratley for an exclusive after-hours tour and uncover the spooky side of the Bowers Museum.
Ticketed Event: Members $40 | General $50 | Suggested for ages 12+
LOCATION:
Bower's Museum
2002 N Main
St Santa Ana,
CA 92706
INFORMATION:
714-567-3680
A restored 125-year-old Victorian home in the historic French park district of Santa Ana, the Vogel Victorian is the home of the Haunted Tea Parties.
Check their Calendar for Upcoming Events
LOCATION:
621 N. Spurgeon St.
Santa Ana,
CA 92701
INFORMATION:
714-643-5297
Date: October 26, 2025,
Duration: 5-9pm
A Dia de Los Muertos celebration and community altar (ofrenda) returns with live entertainment, food, vendors, community altar, arts and crafts and more!
LOCATION:
3101 W. Harvard St.
Santa Ana,
CA 92704
INFORMATION:
714 540-0404
Calling all Performing Arts students this one’s for you!
Dates: September 19- November 1, 2025
The zombie classic that started it all! A true cult classic - and one of the scariest movies of all time. The dead are walking, and hunger for human flesh. A group of panicked survivors are barricaded in a deserted farmhouse while the army of flesh-eating zombies hovers outside their door. This Halloween experience the bone-chilling terror on STAGE!
Warning - graphic violence, recommended for older audience.
LOCATION:
Maverick Theatre
110 E. Walnut Fullerton
INFORMATION HOTLINE:
714-526-7070
Dates: September 12 - November 11, 2025
Select nights
Care to join the VamPirates… as dinner? Set sail back to the 1800s aboard the ship of the infamous Captain Sebastian the Black for an interactive, family-friendly evening packed with adventure, romance, and spooky fun. While you enjoy a four-course meal so delicious it’s scary, you’ll witness aerial acrobatics, sword fights, daring stunts, and thrilling duels as Captain Sebastian’s crew of “Vampire Pirates” battles the fearless Vampire Hunter. The only question is can the Vampire Hunter defeat the VamPirates before becoming their next meal? It only takes one bite!
LOCATION:
Pirate's Dinner Adventure
7600 Beach Blvd Buena Park CA,
90620
INFORMATION/RESERVATIONS:
For reservations and showtimes,
please call (714) 690-1497
Students of agritourism could visit the following!
Date: Opens September through November 2, 2025
The world-famous University Pumpkin Patch is back, this year with a special collaboration with LA-based artist Steven Harrington! Enjoy wagon rides, acres of pumpkins, photo ops, barnyard animals, and seasonal treats. Tickets are limited on peak days, so book early to secure your spot! Tanaka Farms is one of the only farms in Orange County with a REAL pumpkin patch! They offer lots of activities, from wagon rides to arts and crafts!
LOCATION:
Tanaka Farms
5380 University Dr Irvine,
CA 92612
Film students can study the following!
Dates: October
This art-house cinema in downtown Santa Ana that shows a variety of independent, classic, and cult films that also hosts community events, cultural experiences, and film festivals. The Frida Cinema turns into the Art House of Horrors for the entire month of October, see their calendar for titles and times!
LOCATION:
The Frida
305 E 4th St #100 Santa Ana,
CA 92701
INFORMATION:
(714) 285-9422
Those students interested in Cultural Heritage have a lot to choose from!
Dates: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Times: 12:00-4:00 p.m
The Día de los Muertos Festival at the Muckenthaler will feature festive activities for the whole family, live music, local artisans, and arts and crafts for kids.
LOCATION:
1201 W Malvern Ave,
Fullerton,
CA 92833
INFORMATION:
(714)738-6595
Dates: November 1, 2025
Times: 3:30 – 7:30 PM
Come on out and enjoy free family activities, pop-up artist workshops, and live entertainment. Wander through a variety of vendors, enjoy tasty food with the FMC Beer Garden, and immerse yourself in the festival’s spirit.
LOCATION:
Downtown Fullerton Plaza
125 E Wilshire Ave,
Fullerton,
CA 92832
Students who enjoy history and restoration might enjoy…
Date: October 25, 2025,
Times: Classic Car Show 10am Fall Festival 11am-5pm, and Parade at 7pm
This festival which features a parade that has been in existence since 1923, boasts a mascot designed by the Walt Disney company for the city of Anahiem! The festivities include a classic car show, and a festival with unique local artists and small businesses booths, a costume contest, live performances, and even compete in a scavenger hunt! And finally a parade that features restored retro floats as well as community performers!
LOCATION(S):
Classic Car Show:
Center St Promenade,
Downtown Anaheim, CA
Festival:
Center Greens,
311 E Broadway,
Anaheim, CA 92805
Parade: The parade starts at the intersection of Anaheim Blvd and Broadway before turning left down Center St. Promenade.
And for those who want to stay close to campus, you can always check out these options!
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
Time: 4-7 pm
The streets surrounding the Old Towne Plaza are closed off to traffic and Old Towne merchants decorate their shops and local non-profit groups provide delicious food items and tasty treats for a nominal charge. Families are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes, and there will be a costume parade to show off all the best Halloween costumes to hit the city streets. There will be entertainment and games for everyone to enjoy and local non-profit groups will have food and drinks available to purchase for a small fee to feed all the hungry goblins.
LOCATION:
Old Towne Orange Plaza
1 Plaza Square Orange,
California 92866
Dates: Typically 3 nights Oct 29/30 and Nov 1st.
Moreno’s Restaurant holds an annual el Día de los Muertos celebration with Folklorico, Mariachi, Veracruz Music featuring Danzantes del Sol. Over dinner and drinks there is a celebration with face painting, treats and giveaway prizes.
LOCATION:
4328 E Chapman Ave,
Orange, CA 92869
INFORMATION
(714)-639-2181
Whether you’re exploring haunted museums, dining with VamPirates, or baking cookies in your coziest hoodie, remember celebration doesn’t have to be extravagant. Within the CCIs, it’s all about finding inspiration in the world around us and seeing how creativity weaves through every industry to shape a more vibrant, culturally connected world. After all, if science says we should celebrate, who are we to argue?