Spooky Month 2025 | OC Public Libraries

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Cookbook Author Nikk Alcaraz
Saturday, October 11 at 11:00am
San Juan Capistrano Library

From a young age, Nikk Alcaraz had a heightened appreciation for all things creative. Native to Santa Fe, New Mexico, he was raised by his grandmother who had an affinity for peculiar things. It was inevitable that her curiosity would rub off on him. Little did he know that that curiosity would follow him into adulthood and essentially become the inspiration for his career.

Nikk is a proud winner of “Craftopia” (a crafting competition on HBOmax) and recently was a series regular judge on Amazon’s Killer Cakes. His inaugural cookbook - Peculiar Baking: A Practical Guide to Strange Confections – is a bestseller and debuted to rave reviews. Nikk continues to enchant his audience through the lens by making creepy cakes, pies, and DIY’s.

Early arrival suggested. No registration required, all ages welcome. Complimentary books available, while supplies last.

For more information, call 949-493-1752 or email ocpl.sjc@occr.ocgov.com

This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

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Author Coltan Scrivner, PhD
Monday, October 27, 2025 at 6:30pm
Foothill Ranch Library

Dr. Coltan Scrivner is an author and psychologist at Arizona State University. He is an internationally recognized expert on morbid curiosity and the psychology of horror and true crime. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival, and the author of Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can't Look Away.

Complimentary books available, while supplies last. No registration required, all ages welcome. Early arrival suggested.

For more information, call (714) 566-3072 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com

This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

Crafty Adults – Spooky House

Thursday, October 2 @ 11:00am
Cypress Library
Transform an ordinary birdhouse into a haunted hideaway! Use paint, creepy-cute decorations, and your imagination to design your very own spooky creation.

Spooky Wreaths

Saturday, October 4 @ 11:00am
San Juan Capistrano Library
Celebrate the season with a festive craft, create a Halloween-inspired wreath full of spooky charm! Program recommended for ages 4–12.

After School Spooky Craft

Wednesday, October 8 @ 3:30pm
Westminster Library
Join us for a spooky good time! Create your own optical illusion craft with eyes that seem to follow you wherever you go!

Spiderweb Wreath

Wednesday, October 8 @ 4:00pm
Laguna Hills Technology Library
Creep into the Halloween spirit as we make spooky spiderweb wreaths! Perfect for decorating and showing off your crafty side.

Glow-in-the-Dark Treat Totes

Thursday, October 9 @ 3:30pm
Rancho Santa Margarita Library
Get creative and design your own glow-in-the-dark treat tote bag! Perfect for carrying all your Halloween goodies. Program intended for teens.

Crafty Adults – Haunted Birdhouses

Saturday, October 11 @ 3:00pm
Ladera Ranch Library
Get creative this Halloween season! Paint and decorate your own wooden Haunted Birdhouse. A perfect way to get creative with fellow adults.

Create a Spooky Book

Sunday, October 12 @ 2:00pm
Cypress Library
Give old books a spooky second life! Learn how to recycle and transform worn-out pages into eye-catching Halloween décor. Space limited to first 20 people. Program intended for adults.

Yarn Pumpkins

Tuesday, October 14 @ 4:00pm
Fountain Valley Library
Join us for a cozy craft session and design a garland of pumpkins using yarn. Perfect for fall decorating!

Teen Cryptid Craft

Tuesday, October 14 @ 4:30pm
Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
Teens are invited to design and create their own pocket-sized cryptid! From Bigfoot to Mothman to the Loch Ness Monster, let your imagination bring mysterious creatures to life.

Slime Time

Thursday, October 16 @ 3:00pm
Cypress Library
Get into the Halloween spirit by making your own spooky slime at the library! This hands-on program is recommended for children ages 7 and up.

Pumpkin Decorating

Thursday, October 16 @ 4:00pm
La Palma Library
Join us to decorate a pumpkin with craft supplies. Make it spooky or silly but most of all have fun! Pumpkins provided while supplies last, early arrival suggested.

Spooky Painting

Thursday, October 16 @ 4:00pm
Seal Beach Library
Create spooky paintings just in time for the season! Seal Beach Teen Volunteers can earn extra service hours for participating—and even more for bringing friends. Program intended for ages 12–17.

Pumpkin Decorating Party

Saturday, October 18 @ 10:00am & 3:00pm
El Toro Library
Join us for our Annual Pumpkin Decorating Party! Bring your own pumpkin or choose one provided by the library. Enjoy spooky tunes, light refreshments, and plenty of creative fun – while supplies last. Registration required.

Spooky Pumpkin

Saturday, October 18 @ 2:30pm
Brea Library
Get creative at the library by crafting your very own cardboard pumpkin! Program intended for adults. Registration required.

DIY Candy Corn Monster Stuffie

Tuesday, October 21 @ 4:00pm
Foothill Ranch Library
Join us for a two-hour sewing workshop to make a Candy Corn Monster Stuffie! Perfect for practicing straight and curved stitches. Program recommended for teens and adults. Registration required on our online calendar.

Pumpkin Painting Party

Wednesday, October 22 @ 3:30pm
Ladera Ranch Library
Join us for our Annual Mini Pumpkin Painting Party! Bring your own pumpkin or pick one of ours, while supplies last. Decorate with sequins, sparkles, feathers, and more to create a pumpkin that’s perfectly posh or frightfully fierce.

Crafty Adults – Haunted House

Wednesday, October 22 @ 5:30pm
La Palma Library
Get crafty this spooky season! Create your own haunted house using fun supplies and a touch of imagination. A perfect way to celebrate fall and enjoy some festive creativity with fellow adults.

Macrame Ghosts

Thursday, October 23 @ 11:00am
San Juan Capistrano Library
Unwind with a festive craft, create a delightful macrame ghost to bring a handmade haunt to your Halloween decorations. Program intended for adults. Registration required.

Not-So-Spooky Crafts

Thursday, October 23 @ 3:00pm
Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library
Get in the spooky spirit with Halloween-themed crafts and activities! Decorate a skeleton mask, make a paper jack-o-lantern, guess the number of pumpkin seeds, and try a spooky search-and-find.

Pumpkin Decorating

Thursday, October 23 @ 3:00pm
Seal Beach Library
Get ready for Halloween by painting or decorating your own pumpkin! We’ll provide paint in every color, jack-o’-lantern face stickers, and more. Pumpkins and supplies included.

Pumpkin Decorating

Thursday, October 23 @ 4:00pm
Laguna Beach Library
Decorate a mini pumpkin your way and bring it home for spooky-season fun, while supplies last!

Crafty Adults – Spooky Crafting

Friday, October 24 @ 10:30am
Laguna Beach Library
Sip coffee, enjoy cookies, and spend a cozy fall morning decorating your own spooky or autumn-themed house. All supplies provided while they last.

Spooktober Days

Wednesday, October 29 @ 4:00pm
Cypress Library
Study and hang out at the library with friends while you learn how to sew a colorful felt sugar skull keychain. Plus, make your own DIY Harvest Hash Mix to snack on while you craft. Program intended for teens.

Witchy Crafts

Thursday, October 30 @ 11:00am
Cypress Library
Celebrate the season in magical style! Craft your own bubbling cauldron, shimmering potion, and witchy hat ornament to take home. Space limited to first 20 people. Program intended for adults.

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Have a fun-filled night at the San Juan Capistrano Library. This intergenerational event invites community members of all ages to come together in the library courtyard for movies after-hours. Don't forget to bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and favorite treat to enjoy during the film.
Complimentary concessions while supplies last.

Scooby Doo (2002) - Rated: PG
Fri | Oct 10 | 6pm

Casper (1995) - Rated: PG
Fri | Oct 17 | 6pm

San Juan Capistrano Library
949-493-1752

This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

The Addams Family, 2019 (PG)

Saturday, October 18 @ 2:00pm
Rancho Santa Margarita Library

The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993 (PG)

Saturday, October 25 @ 2:00pm
La Palma Library

The Addams Family, 2019 (PG)

Thursday, October 30 @ 4:00pm
Fountain Valley Library

Ghostly Giggles

Tuesday, October 7 @ 4:00pm
San Clemente Library
Join Wacko the Magician for a spooktacular Halloween magic show full of mind-bending tricks, silly comedy, and spooky surprises! After the show, show off your costume in our annual library parade and take home a goodie bag.

A Very Taco Halloween Magic Show

Thursday, October 9 @ 4:00pm
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
Join us for Christopher T. Magician’s hilarious and spooky A Very Taco Halloween Magic Show! This family-friendly performance is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Don’t forget your costume!

Incredible Edible Science

Thursday, October 16 @ 4:00pm
Laguna Beach Library
Ever wonder what makes popcorn pop or ice cream freeze? Cook up some frightfully fun experiments and learn how to create creepy-crawly gummy worms, ghostly sweet floss, and other wickedly delicious treats with the team from Full Spectrum Education.

Kids Imagine Nation – Halloween Party!

Tuesday, October 21 @ 4:00pm
Laguna Niguel Library
Get ready to sing, dance, and tell spooky stories with YouTube stars Kids Imagine Nation at Rachel’s Halloween Party!

Scary Stories Spooky Fortunes

Tuesday, October 21 @ 4:30pm
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
Craft your own DIY Magic 8 Ball and get answers to life’s mysteries! Share your favorite scary stories, movies, or shows while enjoying snacks. Program open to tweens and teens in grades 6-12.

Monster Bash

Wednesday, October 22 @ 3:30pm
Rancho Santa Margarita Library
Calling all ghouls and ghosts! Test out your Halloween costume and enjoy festive activities, a costume parade, and tricky treats! Parade starts at 4 PM.

Spooky Trail Mix: Food Literacy for Littles

Thursday, October 23 @ 11:00am
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
Stop by the library to create your own spooky trail mix using chocolate, mini marshmallows, pretzels, raisins, and cereal. Program may not be suitable for those with food allergies.

Spooky Terrariums

Thursday, October 23 @ 4:00pm
Fountain Valley Library
Celebrate the spooky season with a craft that’s both creepy and creative! Join us to build your own Halloween-inspired terrarium filled with festive flair. All supplies provided, while supplies last.

Spookyville

Thursday, October 23 @ 4:30pm
Villa Park Library
Get into the spooky spirit with an evening of games, a hands-on craft, and Halloween-inspired karaoke! Fun for all ages!

Spooktacular Trivia Night

Thursday, October 23 @ 5:00pm
Garden Grove Chapman Library
Calling all teens and adults! Test your knowledge of all things Halloween in a night of spooky trivia.

Haunted Escape

Tuesday, October 28 @ 3:30pm
El Toro Library
Enjoy a spooky escape room experience for the whole family! Solve creepy puzzles and work together to find your way out—if you dare. Space is limited. Program best suited for ages 4 and up.

Teen Halloween Bash

Tuesday, October 28 @ 4:00pm
Tustin Library
Join us for a chilling night of thrills with Teens from the Crypt — a spine-tingling escape room challenge, creepy-cool crafts, and ghoulishly good refreshments. Program intended for teens. Costumes welcome (not required)!

Halloween Magic Show

Wednesday, October 29 @ 3:00pm
El Toro Library
Enjoy an afternoon of spooky surprises as California Joe dazzles the audience with mind-bending magic tricks, playful comedy, and interactive fun. Space is limited.

Boo Bash Costume Party

Wednesday, October 29 @ 3:30pm
Ladera Ranch Library
Join us at the library for Halloween fun—and another chance to show off your costume! Families of all ages are welcome, and everyone is encouraged to dress up.

Monster Mash

Wednesday, October 29 @ 5:00pm
Garden Grove Chapman Library
Get crafty at the library as we celebrate Halloween for all ages! Costumes encouraged, but not required.

Spooky Gingerbread Houses

Wednesday, October 29 @ 5:00pm
San Juan Capistrano Library
Unleash your inner architect of fright as we craft eerie gingerbread mansions decorated with spooky sweets and Halloween magic! Program intended for ages 10–18.

Storytime + Black Light Boogie Party

Wednesday, October 29 @ 5:30pm
Westminster Library
Join us for songs and stories that will get kids excited to rattle their bones! Stick around for a glowing black light dance party.

Owl Day

Thursday, October 30 @ 11:00am
Library of the Canyons
Join us for an all-day owl celebration with crafts, riddles, and fun. At 11am, explore owl habitats with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. At 2pm, solve owl riddles and join a picture hunt for treats. Stop by anytime to make an owl puppet.

Haunted Gingerbread House Decorating

Thursday, October 30 @ 4:00pm
Laguna Beach Library
Get creative this spooky season! Build and decorate your own haunted house—then enjoy your tasty creation. While supplies last.

Costume Candy Walk

Thursday, October 30 @ 4:30pm
Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
Dress up in your favorite costume and join us for our annual Candy Walk! Enjoy festive Halloween music and win little treats along the way. Costumes encouraged!

Vampire Spooktacular Storytime

Tuesday, October 21 @ 10:30am
San Juan Capistrano Library
Celebrate Halloween with our family-friendly storytime series! Featuring spooky (not scary) books, songs, and early literacy fun, followed by a craft (make your own bat headband at 11AM). Costumes are encouraged, but not required!

Halloween Spooktacular Storytime

Tuesday, October 28 @ 10:30am
San Juan Capistrano Library
Celebrate Halloween with our family-friendly storytime series! Featuring spooky (not scary) books, songs, and early literacy fun. Stick around for the Trick-or-Treat Parade at 11:00 AM. Costumes are encouraged, but not required!

Spooky Pajama Storytime

Thursday, October 30 @ 5:30pm
Brea Library
Celebrate the season with a special evening storytime at the library! Children of all ages and their caregivers are encouraged to wear pajamas or come in costume for a festive experience!