Craving pumpkins, exploring corn mazes, enjoying fall foliage, visiting haunted houses, and going trick-or-treating are all great ways to celebrate Halloween and fall season… But fortunately for us, there are some other activities that are even more fun than that: a massive Halloween parade!
One of the oldest in the country, and actually the oldest in all of California, has been celebrated since the 1920s. We’re talking about the famous Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade.
Over a century of tradition
The Anaheim Fall Festival began in 1923 as a community effort to curb Halloween mischief. The following year, a nighttime parade was added, drawing over 20,000 attendees to watch the procession led by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson, The Fullerton Observer explains.
Since then, the parade has become a beloved tradition, earning the title of the oldest Halloween parade in California and one of the oldest across the country, according to Forbes.
The 2025 edition of the Halloween Parade
This year, the festival is celebrating 102 years of history, at the Center Greens right in downtown Anaheim, with free admission. Among the many activities, attendees can expect the highly anticipated Classic Car Show.
This part of the event will feature American-made classics from 1923 to 1975, in a long-standing tradition bringing together a colorful mix of timeless classics, vintage favorites, and meticulously restored rides that are sure to draw car lovers from across the region.
The festival offers a variety of fall-related activities for all ages. From the Kiddie Costume Contest and Doggie Costume Contest to a scavenger hunt where participants can collect stamps at various “Treat Stops” throughout the festival and downtown area, with a chance to win exciting prizes!
As the sun sets, the Halloween Parade begins! This beloved tradition is a 1.2-mile-long procession celebrating Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and the harvest season. Expect to see elaborately decorated floats, marching bands, and costumed participants. The parade starts at the intersection of Anaheim Blvd and Broadway and proceeds down Center Street Promenade to Broadway and West Street.
📆 When: Saturday, October 25, 2025 (parade starts at 7 pm)
📍 Location: Downtown Anaheim