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 hands-on lessons in the Healthy Kitchen all month long, and the post-Halloween Pumpkins with Purpose composting event on November 1, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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 fourth 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.
New 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 4 through October 26.
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: $25 for adults, $22 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 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
- Location: 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
- Festival Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (extended museum hours on event days)
- Dance Party Times: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.
- Sensory-Friendly Show: Sunday, October 19 at 9:45 a.m. (select at checkout)
PARKING INFORMATION:
- Parking Lot A: 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
- Parking Lot B: 2525 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. Healthy Kitchen
Month of October
Also new this year, families can stop by the Healthy Kitchen for a tasty twist on sustainability education. Here, kids will learn why composting their pumpkin is so important, explore eye-opening facts about food waste, and discover how zero-waste practices can help protect the planet. Through hands-on demonstrations and interactive lessons, guests will see how small steps in the kitchen can make a big difference in reducing food waste and supporting a greener future.
Healthy Kitchen is accessible with a General Admission (GA) ticket.
3. Pumpkins with Purpose
Free Event, no general entry admission to the Cube is required to participate!
Saturday, 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 Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 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 2525 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.
4. OC Waste & Recycling’s Compost Giveaway
Saturday, November 15, in Brea, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano
Celebrate America Recycles® Day with OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) at the county-wide Community Compost Giveaway! This compost is high-quality and recycled from residential green waste. It’s certified by the US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance (STA). Using compost helps protect the environment, conserve landfill space, and enrich home gardens.
When: Saturday, November 15 | 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Orange County residents can pick up free, ready-to-use compost at one of three greenery locations:
- Bee Canyon Greenery (Frank R. Bowerman Landfill) — Bring your own containers or heavy-duty yard waste bags and a shovel to collect compost.
11002 Bee Canyon Access Rd., Irvine - Valencia Greenery (Olinda Alpha Landfill) — Pre-filled compost bags available (limit 4 per household), while supplies last.
1942 N. Valencia Ave., Brea Capistrano Greenery (Prima Deshecha Landfill) — Bring your own containers or heavy-duty yard waste bags and a shovel.
32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano
Note: Event is subject to weather.
