
FALL FESTIVALS IN ORANGE COUNTY
The season of fall also known as autumn, even in a temperate climate like we have here in Orange County, brings about cooler temperatures, leaves turning colors and falling, some plants going dormant, and the equinox changing so that the long days of summer fade away, and our sunsets come much earlier that we hope. We turn our clocks back, and even on occasion light our fireplaces. And of course, it also brings Halloween and all its associated activities. Fall also brings an array of festivals which include Oktoberfest (see our list of Oktoberfest locations near you), Halloween, and arts & craft fairs. Below we have listed various locations where you and your friends and family can enjoy spending time together, building memories, and ushering in my favorite time of year.
The symbolism of fall represents growing cycles giving us ripeness and maturity. The harvests associated with fall declare abundance, prosperity & hopefully wealth. If we say spring is new birth, summer is youth, then autumn represents adulthood and maturity.
Some symbols of fall include:
Change: Autumn reminds us that nothing remains the same, and to embrace the present.
Mystery: Because of all the change, this presents a bit of mystery. Once we can accept change, then we are able to face our future without fear, knowing we can manage what is ahead.
Preservation: Just as squirrels gather their nuts in the fall in anticipation of winter, we too tend to start to spend more time indoors; giving us time to reflect on things of importance and hopefully spend more time with family.
Protection: As summer turns into autumn, we start to wear warmer clothes and begin to protect ourselves more from the elements. This helps us become more aware of our surrounding elements, and hopefully brings about a growth and awareness of ourselves.
Comfort: As we begin to retreat indoors, we pull out our favorite slippers and clothes, and blankets. We begin to create a comfortable place for ourselves, and our loved ones and we can also meditate on the things that make us feel comfortable and safe.
Balance: During fall we experience the autumnal equinox. This is the when the day and the night are exactly the same length. The sun shines directly on the equator, and the northern and southern hemispheres get the same amount of rays…thus creating perfect balance of the earth. We can learn from this and make sure that we balance our lives with work, play & spirituality.
Letting Go: Ahh….just the thought of letting go, seams to lighten my load. I take deeper, slower breaths. Just as fall let’s go of autumn leaves and long days, we too can learn to change what re can, and release the rest.
I hope this fall brings you health, contentment, and ample provision. Should you find you have more than you need, why not share with others less fortunate? Get out and take a walk and enjoy the beautiful changes that are taking place and smile and say hi to a passer-by. And give thanks for all that is good in your life.
Written by: Patricia Braun
Research Assistant: Erica Nielsen
FALL FESTIVALS IN ORANGE COUNTY
Aliso Viejo Oct. 10 Family Fun Festival 100 Park Avenue Website
Aliso Viejo Oct. 23 Fall Harvest Festival 6101 City Lights Dr. Website
Costa Mesa Oct. 8 Ultimate Art Wine Experience: Midnight Pumpkin Patch 1500 Adams Ave #109 Website
Costa Mesa Oct. 9 & Nov. 6 A Costa Mesa Craft Market 420 W 19th St. Website
Costa Mesa Oct. 13 Autumn Floral Arranging Workshop 1975 Placentia Ave Website
Costa Mesa Oct. 15 Ultimate Art Wine Experience: Spooky House 1500 Adams Ave #109 Website
Costa Mesa Oct. 17 Ultimate Art Wine Experience: Resting Pumpkins 1500 Adams Ave #109 Website
Costa Mesa Oct. 29 Ultimate Art Wine Experience: Cemetery in the Woods 1500 Adams Ave #109 Website
Cypress Oct. 9 & Nov. 6 Cypress Community Festival 420 W 19th St. Website
Huntington Beach Oct. 9-Oct. 10 Blow Me Candle Co Workshop- Halloween Candle 21080 California 1 Website
Huntington Beach Oct. 10 Arts & Crafts – SHOW 7561 Center Ave, # 49 Website
Huntington Beach Oct. 27 Paint your Pet Halloween Edition 209 Main Street Website
Irvine Oct. 10 OC Babes of Fall Fest 1621 Alton Pkwy Website
Laguna Beach Oct. 20 859 Laguna Canyon Road “How to paint pumpkins, bats & spooks” Website
Laguna Hills Oct. 17 Succulent Pumpkin Workshop 24100 Laguna Hills Mall -Floor 2 Website
Laguna Niguel Oct. 16 Halloween Snap & Treat 29751 Crown Valley Parkway Website
Newport Beach Oct. 16 The Female Maker Market: Curated Fall 3434 Via Lido Website
Orange Oct. 21 Succulent Pumpkin workshop 123 North Cypress Street Website
Orange Oct. 23 Harvest Fest 221 N Waverly St. Website
Rancho Santa Margarita Oct. 9-Oct. 10 Rancho Family Fest 30842 La Miranda Website
Rancho Santa Margarita Oct. 16 Harvest Boutique 30322 Via Con Dios Website
Santa Ana Oct. 16 Patches & Pins Expo Orange County “IT CHAPTER 2” 301 W 4th St Website
Santa Ana Oct. 17 Dia De Los Muertos 3101 West Harvard Street Website
Seal Beach Oct. 12 Pumpkin Decoupage 707 Electric Ave. Website
Tustin Oct. 16 Halloween Paint Night 1705 Flight Way Website
Yorba Linda Oct.27 Pumpkin Succulent Workshop 5091 Richfield Rd Website
If you have any events or festivals you would like to add, please let us know and we will be happy to do so!