Halloween Events and Activities In and Around Ventura County

Halloween season is upon us again! Halloween 2024 looks to be a fun time with this compilation of Halloween events taking place in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

Dates/times subject to change; contact event organizers to confirm. This list will be updated regularly. For calendar view, click here.

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

EVENTS COMING UP

Thu, Oct 31: SHINE Homeschool, Century Acadamy Trunk or Treat (12:30-2:30PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 31: Halloween Carnival in Oak Park (3:30-6:30PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 31: Halloween Carnival in Simi Valley (4-7PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 31: Haunted High Street Event in Moorpark (4-7PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Trick or Treat at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (4-6PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Trick or Treat at The Oaks Mall (4-6PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Halloween in the Park in Camarillo (5-8PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Trick or Treat Haunted House in Thousand Oaks (5:30-9PM)

Fri, Nov 1: Festival de los Muertos Event in Newbury Park (4-9PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at the Newbury Park Library (10:15AM-4PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Event at Santa Paula Art Museum (Noon-3PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Event at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula (11AM-5PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at the Oxnard Performing Art Center (4-9PM)

ONGOING EVENTS

Sep 28 to Oct 31: Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest on the Farm in Moorpark

Sept 27 to Nov 2: Reign of Terror Haunted House at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks

Sept 27 to Nov 3: Nights of the Jack Halloween Experience at King Gillette Ranch

Oct 11-13, 18-20, 25-27: Santa Paula Theater Center “Ghostwalk” Event

Oct 18-20, 25-27: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo (5-8PM)

Sept 13 thru Oct 28: Ghost Hunter’s Experience at the Simi Valley Town Center

Oct 3 to 27: Nightmare at Santa Town (Child-Friendly Haunt) at Simi Valley Town Center

Daily: Interactive Walkthrough at “The Best Halloween Store Ever” Thousand Oaks

Cool Residential Displays (Click links for footage and more info)

Residential display synchronized to music at 1455 Valley High, Thousand Oaks

“Blackwood Cemetery” annual display at home on Blackwood Street in Newbury Park

Golden Crest Avenue in Newbury Park (Cross Street Antelope Place)

Annual awesome display at this home on Yew Drive in Newbury Park

Camino Dos Rios west of Lynn Road in Thousand Oaks

Flaming Star and Shenandoah in Thousand Oaks

Bernadine St and Wauneta St in Newbury Park

Donald Avenue, just east of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park

Mapleleaf Ave west of Madrid Ave in Newbury Park

Orangewood and Felton in Newbury Park

507 Yarrow Drive in Simi Valley

Feather Ave near Hendrix in Thousand Oaks

Calle Pecos, west of Calle Yucca, in Lynn Ranch section of Thousand Oaks

Carob Drive, south of Borchard in Newbury Park

Lakota Loop Family-Friendly Walkthrough Halloween Experience in Simi Valley on October 26, 27 and 31 from 6:30-9PM.

Past Events

Thu, Oct 17: VC Dept of CSS 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat in Camarillo (4-6PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Trail or Treat at Camarillo Grove Park (10AM-1PM; $5 hike requires RSVP)

Sat, Oct 19: Free Pumpkin Patch at the Simi Valley Town Center (10AM)

Sat, Oct 19: Spooks by the Sea at Portside Ventura (Noon-5PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Harvest Festival at Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest and Trick or Treat Street in Thousand Oaks (6-9PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Rancho Simi Heritage Halloween and Magic in the Park (4-8:30PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Simi Valley YMCA Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat (3-6PM) (RSVP)

Oct 19-20: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sun, Oct 20: Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (10AM-5PM)

Mon, Oct 21: “Pick Your Own” Pumpkin Patch at Mizel Estate Wines (4-6PM)

Mon, Oct 21: Oxnard Police Department Halloween Spooktacular (5:30-7:30PM)

Wed, Oct 23: Halloween Celebration in Port Hueneme (5-8PM)

Wed, Oct 23: Trick-or-Treat at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (5PM) (RSVP)

Thu, Oct 24: “Pick Your Own” Pumpkin Patch at Mizel Estate Wines (4-6PM)

Fri, Oct 25: Spooky Swim at Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center in Camarillo (5:30PM) (RSVP)

Fri, Oct 25: City of Malibu Bu Bash Halloween Carnival (Ages 2-10) (2PM-Sunset)

Fri, Oct 25: Frankenstein Ball at Camarillo Community Center (5-7PM Age 50+)

Fri, Oct 25: Spooky Town at the Simi Valley Town Center (5-9PM)

Fri, Oct 25: Spooky Swim at the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center (5:30-8:30PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Dia De Los Muertos Festival at Conejo Mountain in Camarillo (10AM-5PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Peace Pumpkin Fest in Camarillo (10AM-3PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest in Camarillo (10AM-1PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Camarillo Old Town BooFest Trick or Treating (Noon-4PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon)

Sat, Oct 26: Pumpkin Party at the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas (1-4PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Pumpkin Festival at Christ the King Newbury Park (2-6PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Parade of Freights Marketplace at Harbor View Park, CI Harbor (2-9PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Downtown Ventura Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating (3-7PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Spooktacular “Trunk or Treat” at Inside Car Guys Newbury Park (4-6PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Halloween Haunt in the Park at Plaza Park in Oxnard (4-7PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Fright Maze at Christ the King Newbury Park (5:30-9:30PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Songs, S’mores & Pumpkins at UMC of Thousand Oaks (6-8PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Frights (7PM)

Oct 26-27: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sun, Oct 27: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Strathearn Historical Park (11AM-5PM)

Sun, Oct 27: Seaside Trick or Treat at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon-2PM)

Sun, Oct 27: Trunk or Treat at Iceoplex Simi Valley (2:15-6PM)

Mon, Oct 28: Camarillo Police Department Trunk or Treat (6-8PM)

Tue, Oct 29: Trunk or Treat at Thousand Oaks Post Acute (5:30-7:30PM)

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

The star of the Halloween show is the pumpkin. According to my favorite resource Wikipedia, the name pumpkin originated from the ancient Greek word pepon ("large melon"). The French called it pompom. The British changed it to pumpion. Then American colonists changed it to pumpkin.

Pumpkins are gourd-like squashes and technically are a fruit. They can range in size from 1 lb to 1,000 lbs.

But who cares about all that...what we REALLY want to know is, where are the pumpkin patches in Ventura County and surrounding areas for the 2024 fall season!? Well, here are some choices...but make sure to call before you go for hours, etc.

OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Big Wave Dave's Pumpkin Patch will be operating one pumpkin patch this year at the Pacific View Mall in the Trader Joe's/Target parking lot from October 1st through October 31st, 2024. Free admission to the pumpkin patch, with kids’ activities, photo opps and more. Visit bigwavedaveschristmastrees.com/pumpkin-patch.html

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch at 3277 E. Ojai Avenue in Ojai will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm starting October 5 to October 31, 2024, They offer tiny to extra-large “Big Mac” pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn and seasonal produce. More details at boccalis.com/pumpkinpatch.html.

Prancer's Pumpkin Patch Santa Paula is located at 18540 East Telegraph Road and their Fall Fest will take place September 28 to October 31, 2024. Pumpkin patch events on weekends from 9am to 6pm with the following themes:

• 9/28-9/29: Heroes of the Farm

• 10/5-10/6: The Wild West

• 10/12-10/13: Animals of the Farm

• 10/19-10/20: Fiesta at the Farm

• 10/26-10/27: Harvest Fest

Fall fest includes 10 acres of pumpkin patch, wagon hay ride, corn field maze, farm games, live entertainment and more. Movie nights on Saturdays: 10/5 - Hocus Pocus, 10/12 - Hocus Pocus 2, 10/19 - Coco, 10/26 - Haunted Mansion. Admission $20 to $26 on weekends, $13 on weekdays. Ages 2 and under free. Check for details at prancersfarm.com.

Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch just east of the Simi Valley Town Center.

The 2024 Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark is back from September 28 to October 31 at 3370 Sunset Valley Road. Admission includes huge pumpkin patch, tractor-drawn wagon rides, corn maze, giant tractor display, hay pyramids, animal center, and many other family-friendly activities. Themed weekend events include animal shows, pig races, live performers, roaming entertainment and more. Weekday admission is $14 at the gate only. Weekend admission varies from $22 to $28 per person purchased online. Children 2 and under and parking are free. More details at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/fall-harvest.

The Underwood Farm Center in Somis at 5696 Los Angeles Avenue also has a pumpkin patch along with its year-round animal center. Open 9am to 6pm.

Mizel Family Foundation is hosting a “Pick Your Own” Pumpkin Patch in Hidden Valley on October 21 and 24 from 4-6pm. Learn more at THIS LINK.

The 2024 Calabasas Pumpkin Festival is planned for Sunday, October 20th from 10am to 5pm at De Anza Park. Event will feature pumpkin patch and plenty of other fun activities. $10 per person in advance online. $15 at the gate. Kids under 2 are free. www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com

The Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch will be back this year at 450 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd (at Hodencamp) in Thousand Oaks from October 1-31, 2024. Hours are 3-9pm Mon-Thu, 3-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. Closes at 7pm on 10/31. Free admission. Rides and attractions priced separately. www.seasonaladventures.com/thousandoakspumpkins

The Simi Valley Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch is also back this year at 1898 Simi Town Center Way from October 1-31, 2024. Hours are 3-9pm Mon-Thu, 3-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. Closes at 7pm on 10/31. Free admission. Rides and attractions priced separately. www.seasonaladventures.com/simivalleypumpkins

McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins is located at 5100 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Call 805.644.1235. They are open the entire month of October from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $2. Tractor ride is $2. Hay Maze is $2. Check their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/mcgrathgreatpacificpumpkins for updates.

Pumpkin Patch at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3947 W. Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. October 21 through 31, 2024, Mon-Fri 2-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun noon-7pm and Oct 31 9am-4pm. They will also be hosting a free Pumpkin Fest event from 2-6pm on the 26th. ctknp.com/pumpkin-patch

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch has locations next to the Whizin Market Square at 28900 Roadside Drive and at the corner of Kanan and Agoura Roads. They are both now open.

Support Our Troops Through the Halloween Candy Buy-Back Program

At Halloween, many of us anticipate massive stockpiles of sugary sweets in our households.

As an alternative to consuming all this candy, consider donating it to our troops overseas. You may think, do we really want to send all that junk food to throughout the world? Sure! Everyone enjoys a treat! And truth be told, the troops themselves don't eat all this candy...much of it they enjoy sharing in the communities they patrol.

The Halloween Candy Buy-Back Program has partnered with Operation Gratitude and local dental practices to channel your candy stockpile to our troops. Local dentists "buy" back Halloween candy in exchange for cash or other items. The candy is shipped to Operation Gratitude and other U.S. Military support groups and in turn it is sent overseas, to children of deployed service members, wounded warriors, veterans and first responders.

There are nearly a number of local Ventura County dental practices participating in this program. Just visit www.halloweencandybuyback.com and enter your zip code for these or other locations throughout the L.A./Ventura County area.

Each practice has their own buy-back incentives. so make sure to call to learn more about their program and related time frames (usually the first several days after Halloween).

The Pumpkin Chucker at the Pumpkin Patch at Faulkner Farm in Santa Paula

A trebuchet is a catapult that works by using the energy of a raised counterweight to throw a projectile. It was popular in medieval times for hurling large stones and missiles. It became obsolete in the 15th century with the introduction of gunpowder.

However, in recent years, the Pumpkin Chucker at the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch in Santa Paula has brought this ancient projectile thrower back into the spotlight!

For $5 (or 3 for $10), visitors to the pumpkin patch can select a small pumpkin that is carefully placed into a launch position on the Pumpkin Chucker, ring the Pumpkin Chucker bell, then pull the rope that triggers a 500 lb counterweight that projects the pumpkin 200 feet away towards a target.

In our recent visit, I was surprised to experience about a 45 minute wait for the Pumpkin Chucker! But that didn't seem to bother anyone, as everyone enjoyed watching the airborne pumpkins and cheering as they came close to the target. It was so popular in fact that I think this could be a great year-round business opportunity...flinging pumpkins, watermelons, canteloupes and other worthy produce!

Pumpkin commencing its 200 foot flight from the Pumpkin Chucker

The Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch, run by the Rotary Club of Santa Paula since 2007, is typically open on weekends in October each year. Learn more at www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com.

Pumpkin Chucker target area and post-flight remnants of pumpkins at Faulkner Farm

'Twas the Night Before Halloween in the Conejo Valley

Twas the night before Halloween and all through the sky,

In Conejo Valley, the clouds stopped by.

While witches were not seen as sunset arrived,

Tomorrow's the big day, we won't be deprived.

Of ghosts and gobblins and skeleton costumes,

Mummies, vampires, creepy dark, lost tombs.

We look forward to young trick or treaters at night,

As the Kit Kats and Snickers and SweeTarts delight.

If the trend continues from Halloweens past,

Our candy supply at night's end will be vast.

Which is good considering I have a sweet tooth,

Reese's are my weakness to tell you the truth.

So as the clock ticks towards this favorite day,

There is just one thing more I want to say.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is Near, Black Cat Has No Fear!

I came across these really neat photos via a friend in Facebook. Los Angeles based digital special effects designer David Ridlen was outside his home a few weeks ago and noticed his neighbor's cat Lucy was perched on top of their chimney. And the moon floated directly above the fearless feline. Amazed at what a great image that was, David scrambled and grabbed his HD video camera and snapped these still shots.  Though the resolution of the shots is not high, it certainly turned out some really cool shots for this home stretch into Halloween! I love these pics!!

 

 

For nearly 40 things to do through Halloween weekend, CLICK HERE!