OXNARD — Halloween is around the corner, and Oxnard is preparing to welcome visitors to the city with “Spooktacular” events from haunted haunts, to trick or treating fun and nail biting tours!
Grab a friend and dare to enter the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (PACC) who will present “Spooked – Movie and a Fright”, a free screening of the legendary Phantom of the Opera followed by a Ghost Tour & Hunt led by PACC staff and Ojai Paranormal Investigators (OPI). The two-part event takes place on Saturday, October 20 and for the first time in its 50-year history the PACC will reveal to the public the stories and unexplained occurrences that have haunted its campus at night. The Phantom of the Opera inspired in part by historically morbid events at the Paris Opera during the 1800’s, will be presented at 7 p.m. The Ghost Tour & Hunt will follow where visitors will get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the inner bones of the theater while looking out for a spectre, orb or spirit! The tour will begin at 10 p.m. and the cost is $10 for students 13 years and older and $20 for adults.
The spirit of Halloween continues at the Halloween Haunt in the Park, a kid-friendly all-thrills event taking place on Saturday, October 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard. Kids can come dressed in their costumes and participate in a contest to win prizes. The contests start at 5:30 p.m. beginning with ages 3 and under, followed by 4-12 and 13 and above. Highlights also include a Trick-or-Treat Village complete with games, tricks and goodies plus a variety of free activities including bounce houses, face painting, games, hands-on crafts, music, themed movie clips and more.
A Catholic celebration of All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the life of the deceased with prayers, music, dance at Alters held on Saturday, October 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Santa Clara Cemetery. The event is presented by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and includes food, live performances, art exhibits and booths.
Old fashioned Halloween fun can also be found at Pumpkin Fun Day taking place on Sunday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the weekly Farmers’ Market in Channel Islands Harbor. Activities include a pumpkin decorating contest, trick or treating, children’s costume parade & contest. Visitors will also find a bountiful harvest from local farmers and fresh seafood from the local waters. Arts & crafts, food, and live music are also part of the festivities.
Experience Trick or Treating in a different way at the Collection at RiverPark on Tuesday, October 30. Families can grab a passport map and head out to the many participating merchants who will hand out goodies. Once passports are complete, visitors can enter to win prizes in the “Spooktacular Collection Grand Prize”.
For more information on Oxnard’s Halloween events, contact the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545.
About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau: Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.