Celebrate Fall Activities with OCWR

Pumpkins in a pile — Fall Events Banner (6).png

Celebrate the season with OC Waste & Recycling! This fall, families can enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities that bring sustainability to life.

OC Waste & Recycling is proud to partner with Discovery Cube OC to inspire eco-friendly habits that last well beyond the fall season. From the spooktacular Pumpkin Palooza festival on weekends in October to the post-Halloween Pumpkins with Purpose pumpkin collection event on November 1, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Join us on October 10 in Kids Village at the Irvine Global Village Festival for family-friendly, recycling-focused games and more!

Experience our fun fall activities to enjoy in Orange County!

1. Pumpkin Palooza

Weekends in October at Discovery Cube OC

Calling all witches, wizards, ghosts, and goblins! Get ready for a spellbinding good time this October at Discovery Cube Orange County's annual Pumpkin Palooza presented by OC Waste & Recycling. This event is packed with two floors of thrilling activities, a frightfully fun dance party, and a festival full of spooky science.

Returning to Pumpkin Palooza this year is Pumpkin Paths, an interactive maze that transforms into a one-of-a-kind adventure! Armed with a special pumpkin device, guests will uncover spooky surprises and hands-on lessons about sustainable living along the way. The journey wraps up with a glowing finale and a gift of wildflower seeds to take home, so the fun (and sustainability) continues long after you leave the maze!

Pumpkin Palooza is the perfect Halloween bash for all ages, happening Saturdays and Sundays from October 3 through November 1. See event information here.

Pumpkin Palooza is a seasonal, special event that requires a separate ticket in addition to general admission to the Cube. The County of Orange sponsors a coupon for one free child admission to the Cube with a paid adult that can be used during these seasonal events. See details below.

General Admission: $27 for adults, $24 for children (learn more about the County-sponsored free child admission coupons below)
Pumpkin Palooza: $12 per person; timeslot reservation required

When purchasing online, be sure to select both your General Admission ticket and your preferred Pumpkin Palooza date and time.

The County of Orange provides Free Child Admission Coupons for Discovery Cube OC all year long.

Each coupon allows one free child General Admission ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Coupons must be printed and presented at the ticketing desk.
Pumpkin Palooza admission is not included. An additional $12 per person is required to enter the seasonal festival.
Pumpkin Palooza entry is based on availability. Multiple time slots are offered throughout the day.
Purchase Pumpkin Palooza Tickets

County Pumpkin Palooza vouchers may be redeemed at the Discovery Cube OC ticketing desk.

Each voucher is exchanged for one General Admission ticket and one Pumpkin Palooza ticket (no charge to enter).
Pumpkin Palooza entry is based on availability. Multiple time slots are offered throughout the day. Reserve your timeslot at the ticketing desk.
Parking not included ($10)

PUMPKIN PALOOZA:

Dates: October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31, November 1
Location: 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Festival Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Dance Party Times: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Sensory-Friendly Show: Sunday, October 18 | 9:50 AM

PARKING INFORMATION:

Parking Lot A: 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Closest Freeways: 5 Freeway, 22 Freeway
Parking Fee: $10, available for purchase onsite or online and not included with vouchers or coupons

For more information visit DiscoveryCube.org.

2. Pumpkins with Purpose

Free Event, no general entry admission to the Cube is required to participate!

Sunday, November 1, in the main parking lot at Discovery Cube OC

Don’t toss your holiday pumpkins - compost them instead! ️Visit Discovery Cube OC on Sunday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the Pumpkins with Purpose event. Drop off your Halloween pumpkin for composting and receive a free child admission coupon with the purchase of an adult ticket. OC Waste & Recycling will be on hand to answer questions about organics recycling. Event is located at Discovery Cube main parking lot at 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Give your pumpkin new life by composting and receive a treat! Composting helps create nutrient-rich soil and gives organic waste like pumpkins a new life.

3. Irvine Global Village Festival

OC Waste & Recycling is excited to participate in the 2026 Irvine Global Village Festival, celebrating the diverse cultures and communities of Orange County! Join OCWR in Kids Village for hands-on activities games and educational materials that make learning about waste reduction, recycling and composting fun for the whole family.

In partnership with Orange County Department of Education's Inside the Outdoors, OCWR will also be promoting Project Zero Waste, highlighting its free, standards-aligned environmental curriculum and landfill field trip opportunities for schools across the County.

Event Details: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Great Park, Irvine

Learn more: https://cityofirvine.gov/irvine-global-village-festival

4. Marine Flare Collection

Do you have unused or expired marine flares? Dispose of them safely for free on Saturday, October 24, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. OC Residents & Boaters: Safely dispose of expired marine flares at a free collection event. Staff will collect items directly from vehicle trunks. OC Waste & Recycling will be joined by OC Health Care Agency, offering a free bilge pad exchange, and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary (Partner Dockwalkers), providing free CA Boaters Kits, boating safety info, and E-flare discount coupons (while supplies last).

When: Saturday, October 24, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where: 2901 Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA