October in Southern California is a funny thing.
We may still be wearing shorts and running the AC, but we're also completely committed to pretending it's fall. Give us a pumpkin patch, some apple cider, and temperatures below 80 degrees, and we're happy.
Luckily, October is packed with reasons to get out of the house. From candlelit concerts and mountain apple country to glowing gardens, pumpkin farms, and an actual haunted ghost town, here are seven things worth adding to your Southern California calendar this month.
Candlelight concerts | Riverside
This one comes with a personal Navigate recommendation.
We recently attended Candlelight's Queen vs. ABBA concert, and the experience is seriously cool. The concerts take familiar music and completely reimagine it for a live string quartet, all performed in a venue illuminated by candlelight.
On October 16, Riverside gets 90s Hip-Hop on Strings at the First Congregational Church of Riverside, featuring music from The Fugees and Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Missy Elliott, Nas, Jay-Z, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Whether it's date night, girls' night or you're simply looking for something different, this one gets our vote.
See upcoming Candlelight concerts
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm | Temecula
If October had a Southern California address, Temecula Wine Country would make a pretty convincing argument.
Peltzer Pumpkin Farm is open throughout the season, but there's enough happening in October to make this much more than a quick pumpkin run. On Thursdays, they host free outdoor movie nights beginning around 7 PM, with Hocus Pocus October 1, Scooby-Doo October 8, ParaNorman October 15, Goosebumps October 22, and Practical Magic October 29. Bring blankets or low chairs and settle in.
There are also October Nights with live music on Fridays and Saturdays, plus food and plenty happening around the farm and winery.
See what's happening at Peltzer
Fall in Oak Glen | Oak Glen
We will happily take any excuse to head to Oak Glen in October.
The mountain setting, orchards, cider, and cooler air make it one of the closest things we have to a classic fall day in Southern California. One thing to know this year, though: unusual weather has significantly affected the 2026 apple crop at some Oak Glen farms, so check with individual orchards before heading up specifically for U-pick.
There's still plenty happening. Stone Soup Farm's Apple Fair runs October 3–4 and 10–11 from 10 AM–4 PM, with heritage apple tastings, cider pressing, chef tastings, crafts, seasonal gardens, and other harvest activities. The farm will also have pre-picked organic heritage apples available. Reservations are required.
Explore Oak Glen
Stone Soup Farm Apple Fair
Jurupa Valley Harvest Parade & Festival | Jurupa Valley
Saturday, October 10 | 9 AM–12 PM
This is good old-fashioned community fun—and it's free.
The morning begins with Jurupa Valley's Harvest Parade at 9 AM, while the festival at City Hall runs until noon. Families can enjoy a free pumpkin patch while supplies last, caramel apples, pumpkin decorating, inflatables, kids' activities, music and more.
Jurupa Valley Harvest Parade & Festival details
Carved at Descanso Gardens | La Cañada Flintridge
October 2–November 1 | 6–10 PM
This is the one for anyone who wants fall atmosphere turned all the way up.
After sunset, Descanso Gardens becomes a glowing pumpkin wonderland filled with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, giant carved displays, illuminated installations and seasonal surprises throughout the gardens.
Carved runs nightly from 6–10 PM, and because capacity is limited and popular nights can sell out, this is one October outing you'll want to plan ahead.
Explore Carved at Descanso Gardens
Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station Trunk or Treat | Moreno Valley
Monday, October 26 | 6–8 PM
Grab the costumes and candy buckets for a free local Halloween night with the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station.
Their annual Trunk or Treat brings families together for decorated trunks, costumes and plenty of candy at 22850 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos. One important detail for parents: Candy Lane ends at 7:30 PM, even though the event continues until 8 PM, so get there early enough for trick-or-treating.
Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station community information
Calico Ghost Haunt | Yermo
October 23–25 & October 30–November 1
And finally, why visit a fake haunted town when Southern California has an actual historic ghost town ready to lean ALL the way into Halloween?
Calico Ghost Town's annual Ghost Haunt returns for two weekends with a Miners vs. Outlaws theme. Expect trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin carving, live entertainment, haunted attractions and nighttime street scarers roaming Main Street. Additional attractions include haunted mine tours, ghost tours, train rides and the Mystery Shack.
And yes, dogs are welcome on leash. There are even Saturday dog costume contests, because apparently Calico understands exactly what October needs.
Plan your Calico Ghost Haunt visit
Make the most of October
One of the best things about living in Southern California is that an October weekend can look completely different depending on which direction you drive.
You can spend the afternoon in an apple orchard, watch a movie at a pumpkin farm, listen to 90s hip-hop played by a string quartet, wander through thousands of glowing pumpkins or go trick-or-treating in an Old West ghost town.
Our advice? Don't pick just one.
Get out there and enjoy October in SoCal.
— The Navigate Team