Tanaka Farms pumpkin patchIrvine
late September into early November, daily 9 to 6 · check the date
Wagon rides out to the patch, a farm stand and roasted corn on weekends.
Fall in Orange County1 things
The ones people drive in from other counties for. Most of them run the whole season, so you don't have to pick a weekend yet.
The little stuff, by town0 things
The city Halloween parties and the trunk or treats and the free stuff. Cities post their 2026 dates late, so anything marked "check the date" gets fixed the second it's announced.
The cities post these in early November. Check back.
For the rest of your list
These don't need an address, tap them and they go on your list with everything else.
Christmas in Orange County2 things
Most of these post their 2026 dates in the fall, so these show last year's windows.
Festival of Lights at Dana Point HarborDana Point
mid November into early January · check the date
Lit up archways and glowing whale sculptures all along the harbor walkways.
Capistrano Lights at the MissionSan Juan Capistrano
late December (last year Dec 19 to 30) · check the date
The old mission all lit up for Christmas with programs for the kids.
Town Christmas stuff
The town stuff, and I'll add the tree lightings as the cities post them in November.
The cities post these in early November. Check back.
For the rest of your Christmas list
This is the at-home stuff, tap them and they go on your list with the lights and the train.
put it on the wall
Turn your Christmas picks into a real bucket list
Tap the lights and the trains and the town stuff you want and pick the Christmas design you like, and I'll hold onto your picks. The Christmas lists are coming soon, and the second they're up your picks drop straight into the slots.
Good any weekend0 things
The stuff that doesn't need a date, for the Saturday when nothing's going on.
Orange County fall and Christmas questions
Are the Dana Point Harbor lights free?
Yes, the Festival of Lights along the harbor walkways is free, usually mid November into early January.
who's writing this
Hi, I'm Amy.
We roadschool six kids out of a van. I'm just a mom with a Ford Transit and a lot of opinions about corn mazes, so if something on here is wrong, or your town's party is missing, email me at hello@bellebucket.com and I'll fix it.
put it on the wall
Turn your picks into a real bucket list
Tap the ones you want and I'll drop them onto whichever fall design you pick, then you add your own stuff (birthdays, carving pumpkins, whatever your family does). It prints big, like 24x36 big, and it hangs on the wall all season.