With Halloween just around the corner, Anaheim is pairing craft beer with a hauntingly good time. Firk Fest, or its full name Firkenstein Beer Festival, started as a cask-only festival. In its 8 years (with brief pausing for the pandemic), the SoCal event has drawn beer drinkers, brewers, and Halloween ghoulies together to enjoy brews and boos from local breweries.

2024 Firk Fest

Your haunted hops await in downtown Anaheim. Get the full details for 2024 Firk Fest.

• Saturday, October 5, 2024
• 4-8 PM
• 201 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim

Street parking is available. You can also find public parking for a small fee in the parking structure.

Attending from around Anaheim? Catch a free ride on FRAN, the all-electric fleet of micro-transit vehicles.

Firk Fest Breweries

The beer bash brings together local breweries serving unique sips just for the event. This year, you’ll find these breweries (and more!) at Firk Fest:

• Ambitious Ales
• Beachwood Brewing
• Barvus (NA
• Common Corners
• El Segundo
• Eureka Brewing
• Everywhere Beer Co
• Gamecraft Brewing
• Green Cheek
• Highland Park
• Honey Pot Meadery
• Horus Aged Ales
• Long Beach Beer Lab
• MacLeod Ale Brewing
• Radiant Beer Co
• RoM Brewing
• Santa Ana River Brewing
• Smog City Brewing Co
• Taproom Beer
• The Bruery
• Unsung Brewing
• Villains Brewing

Plus, you’ll get a welcome beer thanks to Windsor Homebrew Supply!

Firk Fest Tickets

Tickets to Firk Fest are available for those 21+ for $60, plus applicable fees. Buy your tickets before 9/21/24 for early bird pricing.

Get your Firk Fest Tickets

Tickets are also available for designated drivers.

Firk Fest Supports the Anaheim Halloween Parade and Fall Festival

Ghouls, rest assured that you’re good times do good for the community, too. Firk Fest proceeds support the Anaheim Halloween Parade and Fall Festival. The centennial tradition is a volunteer-run community event that brings tens of thousands of locals together for a full-day of Halloween fun.

Looking for more fun things to do in Anaheim? Pick up your copy of 100 Things to Do in Anaheim Before You Die today!

Save the date for Anaheim’s Firkenstein Festival and make this the hoppiest Halloween yet.

As a “Cube Creator,” or Discovery Cube ambassador, I receive complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What to Expect at Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube OC

This separate-ticket experience consists of two main parts: the pumpkin festival & the dance party. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy all of the Discovery Cube’s exhibits when you visit, including the newly updated Dino Quest.

Pumpkin Palooza Festival

The festival combines spooky season and science in a kid-friendly space! Your Pumpkin Palooza ticket will allow you to enjoy:

• Bumper Cars
• Mazes
• Pumpkinology 101 – Hands-on activities like creating glow-in-the-dark slime plus pumpkin demonstrations

Dance Party

Join your host Jack-o-Lynn for an electrifying Pumpkin Palooza dance party! The projected pumpkin personality leads the party with popular music mixed with Halloween favorites!

The dance party is great for everyone from little ones celebrating their first Halloween to big kids ready to shake their pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin Palooza Tickets

Your tickets include access to both the festival and the dance party. You’ll select your dance party showtime on checkout. This often sells out, so don’t wait to book your fun!

Presale Tickets

• Members can start buying tickets for $8 on 9/3/24.
• General admission tickets are available for $10 on 9/12/24. Don’t forget you need museum admission.

Regular Sale

Regular sale of Pumpkin Palooza tickets start October 4, 2024.

• Members tickets are $10 .
• General admission tickets are $12. Don’t forget you need museum admission.

2024 Dancy Party Showtimes

• Fridays through Sundays all October
• 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM

You’ll select date and time at checkout.

Sensory-Friendly Show: The Sensory Friendly show will take place on Sunday, October 20 at 9:45 AM.

Pumpkin Palooza Party Nights

In addition to the regularly scheduled daytime showtimes, the Discovery Cube OC also offers Pumpkin Palooza Party Nights after dark! On select nights, your visit is completed with a DJ spinning a wicked mix of monster mash-ups, eerie lights, and hauntingly good vibes!

• October 4 (Exclusive Member Event), 18, 29, 25, 26
• 6:30 & 7:30 PM

You’ll select date and time at checkout.

If you’re looking to carve out family time this Halloween, make sure to add Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube OC to your bucket list. For more information, visit Pumpkin Palooza at Discovery Cube.

As a Knott’s Ambassador, I receive complimentary admission. All thoguhts and opinions are my own.

While the theme park remains closed, Knott’s Berry Farm introduces Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween, the new event celebrating the Halloween season and the flavors of Fall. Taking place on weekends beginning September 25th -November 1st , guests of all ages can dress up in festive Halloween costumes, experience themed food and treats, trick-or-treating, exclusive event merchandise, local crafters and so much more.

Taste of Fall-O-Ween Food Items

Listed at their location, the Taste of Fall-O-Ween food items offer selections ranging from spicy to sweet.

Look for GF for gluten-free options and V for vegetarian selections.

• Butternut Squash Soup in a Bread Bowl with Chives
• Perilous Pizza-Pizza slice with Buffalo Chicken, Jalapeno’s, Ranch and Mozzarella Cheese
• Cauliflower Pizza Slice with a Vegan Cheese and Bell Peppers
• Boysenberry Smoothie-GF, V

• Asian Chicken Drumsticks

• MAD Shirley Temple, Grenadine, Sprite and a Cherry

• Pastrami Tater Tots, Hot Pastrami, Diced Garlic Pickles, Mornay Cheese Sauce over Tater Tots, served with Boysenberry Mustard
• Battered Buffalo Cauliflower Florets, Deep Fried Cauliflower BITES tossed in our House Buffalo Sauce over Spring Mix and Cotija Cheese

• Open Face Reuben Sandwich, Hot Pastrami on a Thick Rye Bread with Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut and Russian Dressing
• Pastrami Tater Tots, Hot Pastrami, Diced Garlic Pickles, Mornay Cheese Sauceover Tater Tots, served with Boysenberry Mustard
• Battered Buffalo Cauliflower Florets, Deep fried Cauliflower BITES tossed in our House Buffalo Sauce over Spring Mix and Cotija Cheese

• Graveyard Funnel, Chocolate and Vanilla Funnel Cake with Oreo Dirt Crumbles, Chocolate Ice Cream, a Chocolate Drizzle and Worms
• The Great Pumpkin Bun, Deep Fried Cinnamon Roll with a Pumpkin Icing and sprinkles
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle

• Graveyard Funnel, Chocolate and Vanilla Funnel Cake with Oreo Dirt Crumbles, Chocolate Ice Cream, a Chocolate Drizzle and Worms
• The Great Pumpkin Bun, Deep Fried Cinnamon Roll with a Pumpkin Icing and sprinkles
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle

• Spicy Sausage with a Bacon Onion Jam on a Hoagie Roll
• Corn on the Cob with a Spicy Hot Taki Mayo
• MAD Shirley Temple-GF, V

• Headless Meatball Sandwich, a Large Beef and Pork Meatball on a Hawaiian bun with Provolone Cheese in a Marinara Sauce with a Side of Sweet Potato Chips
• Vegetarian Meatball Sandwich, Plant Based Meatballs in a Marinara Sauce with Vegan Mozzarella Cheese and a side of Sweet Potato Chips
• Sweet Potato Waffle Chips with a Curry Mayo Dip -GF, V
• Blood Orange Lemonade-GF, V

• Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese with Bacon and a Panko Crumb Topping
• Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya with Diced Green Onions
• Assorted Boysenberry Beer-V
• Boysenberry Wine-GF, V
• Glass of Red or White Wine- GF, V
• Boysenberry Sangria –GF, V
• Seasonal Cider-GF, V

• Pumpkin Spice Churro Sticks with a Candy Corn Sugar and Bavarian Cream Dip
• “I See U” Sour Apple Cream Puff

• Orange Sugar and Chocolate Fudge Cookiewich with Pumpkin Soft Serve Ice Cream
• Orange Creamsicle Icee Float-Orange Cream Icee with Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream
• Blood Orange Lemonade-GF, V

• Assorted Boysenberry Beer-V
• Boysenberry Wine-GF, V
• Glass of Red or White Wine-GV, V
• Boysenberry Sangria –GF, V
• Pumpkin Cider-GF, V
• Boysenberry Smoothie-GF, V

• Shrimp and Vegetable Curry bowl over Rice with Cilantro
• Assorted Boysenberry Beer-V
• Boysenberry Wine-GF, V
• Glass of Red or White Wine-GV, V
• Boysenberry Sangria –GF, V
• Pumpkin Cider-GF, V

• Acai Bowl with Pumpkin Granola, Banana’s, Berries and Almond Butter
• Boysenberry Smoothie-GF, V

• Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese with Bacon and a Panko Crumb Topping
• Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya

• Spicy Sausage with a Bacon Onion Jam on a Hoagie Bun
• Corn on the Cob with a Spicy Hot Taki Mayo

• Creepy Cheesy Burger Slider with Onion Rings, and a Knotty Sauce with some Fries
• Diablo Fries- French Fries, Chili, Shredded Cheese, Hot Cheeto Powder, Crispy Jalapeno Strips
• Vegetarian Slider with Cheese, Tomato and a Green Spinach Aioli on a Pretzel Bun-V
• Beeting Hearts Salad-Mixed Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Beets, Butternut Squash and Toasted Pepita’s with a Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Blood orange Lemonade-GF, V
• Assorted Boysenberry Beer-V
• Glass of Red or White Wine- GF, V
• Frozen Bloody Lemon Slime Margarita-GF, V

• Grim Reaper Sandwich-Prime Rib Sandwich, Shredded Cheese on A Hoagie Bun with a Horseradish Sauce-GF
• Burnt Ends Riblets on Garlic Mashers

• Assorted Boysenberry Beer -V
• Glass of Red or White Wine-GF, V
• Boysenberry Sangria-GF,V
• Pumpkin Cider-GF, V

• Graveyard Funnel, Chocolate and Vanilla Funnel Cake with Oreo Dirt Crumbles, Chocolate Ice Cream, a Chocolate Drizzle and Worms
• The Great Pumpkin Bun, Deep Fried Cinnamon Roll with a Pumpkin Icing and sprinkles
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle

• Orange Creamsicle Icee Float-Orange Cream Icee with Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream

• Hot Cheeto corn dog with Nacho Cheese Dip

• Orange Sugar and Chocolate Fudge Cookiewich with Pumpkin Hand Scooped Ice Cream
• Hocus Pocus Float, Fanta with Peach Sherbet

• Diablo Fries-French Fries, Chili, Shredded Cheese, Hot Cheeto Powder, Crispy Jalapeno Strips
• Jalapeno Poppers with a Chipotle Ranch
• Sweet Nachos, Boysenberry Flour Tortilla Chips with Cinnamon Sugar and a Boysenberry Jam Dipping Sauce

• Devil Dog, All beef Dog with Hot Peppers
• Chili Colorado Served with Mexican Rice, and a Flour Tortilla

• Cookies and Scream Whoopie Pie
• Coniferous Cannoli with a Pumpkin Mascarpone filling and Pecans
• Full Moon Mint Julep-Blackberry, lemonade, mint, lychee fruit floating as garnish
• Buenaveza Salt and Lime Lager -V
• Michelada

• Green Monster Chicken Tamale with a Green Chili Verde Tamale, Red Jalapeno Sauce, Cotija Cheese
• Grilled Chicken Taco with a Corn Salsa and an Avocado Crema on a Corn Tortilla
• Frozen Bloody Lemon Slime Margarita-GF, V
• Buenavela Salt and Lime Lager -V
• Michelada-GF, V

Tasting Cards

• Adult Tasting Cards (ages 12+) are $35, plus tax, and include 5 tastings.
• Junior Tasting Cards (ages 3-11) are $20, plus, tax and include 3 tastings and a trip through Camp Snoopy’s Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Tasting Cards should be purchased in advance at Knotts.com and will sell out!

Taste of Fall-O-Ween FAQ’s

For a socially distanced fall event for foodies, try the Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween.

DIY Felt Monster Pencil Toppers

Materials Needed:

Instructions:

Watch how easy it is to bring these monsters to life!

1. Place the monster pattern pieces over top of felt sheets in the color of your choosing.
2. Using fabric scissors, cut along the solid lines to cut out the pattern pieces.

5. Preheat the hot glue gun.
6. Carefully glue the smaller felt pieces (the eyes and mouth) to the largest felt monster piece pressing in place.
7. Glue the fringe pieces to the wrong side of the other body piece.
8. Apply a bead of glue along the outer edges of the smaller body piece leaving the bottom without glue.
9. Press the prepared monster 1 front piece to the back piece and press in place until the glue sets.

10. Carefully glue the smaller felt pieces (the eyes and mouth) to the largest felt monster piece pressing in place.
11. Glue the fringe pieces to the wrong side of the other body piece.
12. Apply a bead of glue along the outer edges of the smaller body piece leaving the bottom without glue.
13. Press the prepared monster 2 front piece to the back piece and press in place until the glue sets.

14. Carefully glue the smaller felt pieces (the eyes and mouth) to the largest felt monster piece pressing in place.
15. Glue the crown piece to the wrong side of the other body piece.
16. Apply a bead of glue along the outer edges of the smaller body piece leaving the bottom without glue.
17. Press the prepared monster 3 front piece to the back piece and press in place until the glue sets.

Get your free Felt Monster Pencil Toppers HERE.

Looking for more Monster Fun for Halloween?

Halloween is scary cute with simple DIY’s and even a few fun recipes. Make the holiday grrr-great!

Thank you, Smart & Final, for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Halloween is here, and the sweets are in endless supply. Finding healthier ways to celebrate the season is easy thanks to yummy recipes like this one for Healthy Halloween Monster Bites from Smart & Final chef Patricia Bannan.

Ingredients

Makes 4 bites

• 1 large green apple, cored and quartered
• 4 tbsp. Sun Harvest Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
• 2 tbsp. First Street Sliver Almonds
• 1 large strawberry, sliced lengthwise (to make 4 “tongues”)
• 8 First Street Mini Marshmallows
• 8 First Street Chocolate Chips

Directions

To make the “mouths” for your Healthy Halloween Monster Bites, you’ll start by cutting a sliver out of each quartered apple. This will open up the mouth.

Note: save the slivers for another snack to cut down on waste

Fill each “mouth” with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.

You can use the almonds to make “teeth” for your monsters. Push the slivered almonds into the apple on both the top and bottom. Then place a strawberry slice for a “tongue.”

To give your monster even more of a face, it’ll definitely need eyes! Slice a small bit off of one side of marshmallows. This will make the marshmallows sticky so they’ll stay attach to your apples. Attach two mini marshmallow “eyes.” Then, press a chocolate chip into each marshmallows, flat side outward.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean we can’t have fun, and it doesn’t have to be expensive! These Monster Bites were only $1.50 per recipe when the ingredients were all purchased at Smart & Final.

My youngest and I had a great time shopping for our healthy fall favorites.

What other fall foods will you find at Smart & Final?

Grab veggies like sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and beets. Carrots, squash, and parsnips are in stock, too!

There are tons of yummy apples and grapes on hand.

Plus, the pumpkins are in great supply. We picked up a pack of six pumpkins with paint, perfect for a fall art project. We also nabbed large pumpkins for our porch, too!

If you’re celebrating Oktoberfest, Smart & Final has brats that will be perfect for cheering “Prost!”

All of the best flavors of the season from Oktoberfest brats to healthy Halloween treats are at Smart & Final.

Are you ready to celebrate Halloween with healthy foods from Smart & Final? Share your favorite fall foods in the comments! W

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is Halloween! Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas fills our hearts with horror from Halloween to Christmas. We as a family look forward to the return of the Pumpkin King each year, especially at Disneyland.

If you haven’t seen the film, Jack Skellington rules over Halloween Town, but is curious about the merriment of Christmas Town. The 1993 Tim Burton film follows him as he attempts to spread yuletide cheer to his Halloween town.

To celebrate the return of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, the iconic Haunted Mansion ride gets a seasonal overlay with Jack and his friends. Mickey Mouse and Jack Skellington are a perfect pair for celebrating this time of year!

These Mickey Mouse shaped Rice Krispies treats are decorated with Jack Skellington’s face. They’re perfect for any Disney fan who wants something a tad bit spooky!

Making these Mickey Mouse-shaped Jack Skellington Rice Krispies Treats is as easy as 1-2-3!

You’ll start by making Rice Krispies Treats using the simple recipe. Next, you’ll make royal icing. Finally, you’ll decorate your treats!

Time Hack: use store bought royal icing to save on time.

Step 1: Make Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies Treats Ingredients

• 3 TBSP unsalted butter
• 1 package marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

You will also need:

• Large saucepan
• Wax paper
• 13 x 9 in pan
• Baking spray
• Mickey Mouse Head cookie cutter

Instructions:

• Prep pan with cooking spray.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan on low heat. Slowly add the marshmallows. Stir the marshmallows until completely melted. Set aside.
• Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until all of the cereal is coated.
• Using wax paper, press the mixture into the pan. Cool.
• Carefully remove the Rice Krispies treats sheet from the pan.
• Use the cookie cutter to cut out Mickey’s head. Set aside.

Step 2: Make Royal Icing

Royal Icing Ingredients

• 3 large egg whites
• 1 tsp cream of tarter
• 3 C powder sugar
• 1 tsp pure almond extract
• black gel food coloring
• Black edible spray paint

You will also need:

• 2 disposable piping bags with number 2 tip
• 1 squeeze bottle

Instructions:

• Using a standing mixer, beat the egg whites, cream of tarter, powder sugar, and almond extract until combined, smooth and stiff with peaks (about 7 minutes)
• Scoop 1/2 C of the icing into a bowl and mix in a few drops of the black gel food coloring
• Scoop the black icing into 1 piping bag
• Scoop some white icing into the second piping bag
• Mix in 2 tbsp of water into the remaining white icing and pour into the squeeze bottle

Step 3: Decorate Your Treats

In between each step, you’ll want to let the icing set and dry.

• Line up the Rice Krispies Mickey heads on a waxed paper lined counter.
• Outline the Mickey head with the white icing. Let dry.
• Squeeze icing onto the center of the Mickey head. Use a butter knife to spread the icing on the Mickey head. Let dry.
• Using the black icing, pipe out Jack’s face. Let dry
• Use the black spray paint, spray the edges of the Rice Krispies treats for effect.

They’re perfect for a Nightmare Before Christmas movie night or any Halloween celebration. My kids love something special to celebrate each season, and these scream Halloween!

Looking for more Nightmare Before Christmas inspiration?

Stitch some something sweet with Sally Sugar Cookies.

If you’re having a party, make an inexpensive Nightmare Before Christmas Photo Backdrop and entertain the kids with a themed scavenger hunt. Have the kids hunt for things like a dog treat for Zero and soup for Dr. Finklestein in the free printable Nightmare Before Christmas Scavenger Hunt.

Do you love Halloween as much as we do? Share your favorite Halloween movie in the comments!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Each season is filled with magic at the Disneyland Resort. There’s nowhere merrier at Christmastime than at Disneyland, and it’s one of our favorite celebrations. But HalloweenTime at Disneyland is something you truly can’t miss.

We’ve been marking the girls’ growth against the giant pumpkin on Main Street their whole lives. In addition to the charming orange pumpkins that line the storefronts on Main Street, seeing the characters in Halloween costumes of their own always brings smiles to our faces.

Can we get some serious awww’s to Harper’s first Mickey’s Halloween Party? This blurry little babe is going to be 10 this year.

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A post shared by Melanie Walsh (@clementinecounty) on Oct 13, 2016 at 11:18am PDT

An extra special way we like to celebrate was to attend Mickey’s Halloween Party. When Disneyland expanded the fun to Disney California Adventure Park, it was truly something worth squealing about.

The Tim Burton film The Nightmare Before Christmas filled the park with just the right amount of spooky. Whether you’re a fan of film, of Halloween, or just all around Disney, you’re not going to want to miss this!

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

In place of Mickey’s Halloween Party, the Disneyland Resort is hosting Oogie Boogie’s Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. The unforgettable night of fun will be hosted at Disney California Adventure park on 20 nights.

Here’s What You Need to Know about the Oogie Boogie Bash

Separate-Ticket Event

Just like Mickey’s Halloween Party, this is an after-hours, separate-ticket event. The park closes to the general public, allowing Bash guests access to the celebration with reduced crowds and extra-special fun.

The celebration is conjured starting at 6 PM. Guests to Oogie Boogie Bash can enjoy the park for three hours before the party on Tuesday and Thursday nights (excluding October 29 and October 31), or four hours on Sunday nights (plus October 29 and 31). .

Tickets for the celebration go on sale for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa card holders on Tuesday, April 23. General public ticket sales begin Tuesday, April 30th.

You can purchase your tickets at http://Disneyland.com/HalloweenParty.

TIP: Tickets do sell out!

Treat Trails featuring Disney Villains

What’s Halloween without trick-or-treating? The Treat Trails are well stocked with the yummiest Halloween candy and healthier snack options. The Oogie Boogie Bash candy stations will feature your favorite Disney villains. Don’t forget to thank the Queen of Hearts for the treats or she may commend “Off with your head!”

Villainous! Nighttime Spectacular

Oogie has cast his spell over the park and has brought his villainous pals into the park. The World of Color will be bewitched in a new nighttime spectacular, “Villainous!” The storyline to the new show follows all-new character, Shelley Marie as she decides upon her Halloween costume. Her tale is brought to life with fountains, lights, lasers, projections, and special effects. Perhaps like Shelley Marie, there’s a little something villainous in all of us.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Year round, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is a favorite for wilderness explorers to roam and run. During Oogie Boogie Bash, the wooded area will be transformed to become a dreamlike environment filled with hauntingly beautiful colors, sounds, lights, and shadows.

DescenDance Dance Party

We’ve got all the ways to be W-I-C-K-E-D. Fans of the Descendants (i.e. my kids), will adore the dance party at the backlot of Hollywood Land. A spell is cast, summoning the Isle of the Lost dance crew who leads crowds in routines set to Descendants films. The party DJ will have you grooving all night!

Frightfully Fun Parade

For the first time in Disney California Adventure, guests will be treated to the “Frightfully Fun Parade.” The celebration is led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow who calls upon a cavalcade of characters. Will the villains disrupt the fun?

Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show

Fun for the whole family is kind of Mickey’s thing. Younger guests will say “Oh boy!” at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land. The interactive stage production invites guests to join Mickey and his pals for dancing, not-so-scary tales, and candy.

Character Encounters

Dressed in their own Halloween costumes, Disney characters are available for meet and greets throughout the park. In addition to the characters dressed up, this unique opportunity allows guests to dress up.

Looking for more Nightmare Before Christmas fun?

Make your own Sally Sugar Cookies for a dessert that will have you in stitches.

Want to bring the spooky decor home? Make an Easy Halloween Bat Wreath, inspired by the Carthay Circle facade.

Visiting Disneyland Resort during Halloween is a tradition of ours, and I know it’ll become one of yours.

Make sure to check out discount Disneyland tickets on Get Away Today for your visits to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Readers at Clementine County can get $10 off packages by using the code CC10.

Can’t wait to boogie with Oogie? Tell us what you’re most excited about in the comments!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I adore all things Halloween, and have been sharing some fun recipes all month long.  My daughters love to help eat the themed treats, but they love making them also!  With a preschooler as one of my assistants, I love recipes that aren’t too complicated and allow for a whole lot of creativity.

When Woman’s World asked if I’d like to preview a copy of Celebrate Fall! so I could share a recipe with you, I was thrilled.  Filled with 93 recipes perfect for fall, you’ll find Halloween treats, scrumptious apple recipes, and things to make your Thanksgiving even more delicious.

I appreciated a variety of seasonal options, plus choices for each skill level.

Easy Monster Cookie Pops Recipe

Makes 14 cookie pops

 Ingredients:

• 1 roll Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough
• Craft sticks (flat with rounded ends)
• 1 12 oz. vanilla frosting
• Food coloring
• 1 tube black decorating icing
• Assorted candy

Baking:

The original recipe called for 1 roll of Pillsbury refrigerated peanut butter cookies.  I swapped in sugar cookie dough instead because one of my girls isn’t a big fan of peanut butter.  Either would work deliciously though!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cut cookie dough roll into 14 slices.  Roll slices into balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Arrange 7 of the cookie dough balls in a circle 3 inches apart, making sure to leave at least 2 inches to the edge of the cookie sheet.  Carefully and securely insert a craft stick into each ball with the sticks pointing to the middle.   Repeat on second cookie sheet.

Bake cookies for 12-18 minutes, until golden.  Cool for 2 minutes, and then transfer to wire racks to continue cooling.

Decorating:

Divide frosting into 4 bowls.  Add food coloring to each bowl and mix thoroughly.  We opted for purple, green, blue, and orange.

Add assorted candies to make your faces as creepy or cute as desired!  Black licorice, mellowcreme pumpkins, candy eyes, and sprinkles are great options!  We loved monsters with mismatched eyes, so we paired a sliced marshmallows with black icing pupils with a candy eye.

Each of my kiddos showed their own creativity when designing their monsters.  I’m not sure what to name this original creation by Poppy.  Maybe Sprinkle Snot?

I can’t wait to make even more of the yummy recipes like the Jack-O’-Lantern Brie, Spider Web Pot Pies, and the most amazing Haunted House Cake.  If you’re looking for appetizers, cocktails, desserts, and more, look for the glossy on newstands NOW!

Celebrate Fall! Giveaway

To ensure your holidays are  sweet with just the right amount of spooky, I’m thrilled to be able to offer two (2) readers a copy of Celebrate Fall! with Women’s World seasonal magazine.

To enter:  Leave a comment below sharing your favorite thing about fall!

That’s it!  On Sunday, September 23rd, two readers will be randomly selected by Random.Org to receive a complimentary issue of the magazine, with a retail value of $9.99.

Don’t forget to share your favorite thing about fall to be eligible!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Halloween is pretty much the best day ever.  You get to wear cute things and people hand you sweets all day.  What’s not to love? Because I’m obsessed with Halloween, I’ve been sharing recipes to celebrate the spookiest holiday of them all and totally love this one.  These Monster Eye Donuts are an easy way to begin your day.  A baked vanilla donut is iced and decorated to resemble a vein-filled monster’s eye.  Or perhaps it’s my eye when I haven’t had my Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Monster Eye Donuts Recipe

Ingredients:

Makes 15 donuts

• 1 c flour
• 1/3 c sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp unsalted sweet cream butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 c + 1 1/2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare your donut pan by greasing with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine your dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a smaller bowl, combine your melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract.  Whisk until combined.

Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until well combined.

Pour donut batter into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Let donuts cool for 6 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

Once your donuts are baking, you can get started making the white icing for your donuts.

Icing & Decoration Ingredients:

• 4 c powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp clear corn syrup
• 1/2 c whole milk
• 1 tsp clear vanilla extract

For Decorations:

• red & black gel food colorings
• 2 disposable piping bags
• orange and green candy melts

Decorating Instructions:

Using a stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, corn syrup, milk, and vanilla. Typically vanilla extract is dark in color, but did you know they also make clear vanilla extract?  It’s perfect for keeping your baking colors as pure as possible.

You’ll be using your icing to both cover the donuts and also to make the veins and pupils for your eyeball donuts.

Scool 1/4 c of the prepared icing into two bowls.  Add drops of red coloring to one and black to the other.  Fill your disposable piping bags with these and set aside.

To cover your donuts, take your cooled donuts and dip into your icing.  Place the icing-covered donuts on a wire rack.  It’s best to put a cookie sheet underneath the wire racks to catch excess icing. Let the donuts dry for about 20 minutes.

Place a candy melt in the center of your donuts.  Using your black icing, make a black pupil on top of the candy melt.

Using the red icing, make zig zags going from the bottom of the donut towards the center.  Continue making “veins” with the red icing to fill donut.

Using the black icing, pipe a black circle onto the candy melt to serve as your pupil.  Continue decorating donuts, until you’ve finished all 15.

Once decorated, you’ll probably want to set aside two for yourself.  After all, they’re baked so they’re a better option than fried donuts.  Plus, all that milk in the recipe is full of calcium so you can pat yourself on the back for strengthening your bones one donut at a time.

Looking for more Halloween fun?

Nightmare Before Christmas Rice Krispies Treats

We had a Nightmare Before Christmas themed sleepover & it was scary fun! These treats were so simple to make!  Read the post to get my hack that made these possible in minutes.

But that’s not all, there’s even more Nightmare Before Christmas fun!

• Easy Nightmare Before Christmas Photobooth
• Printable Nightmare Before Christmas Scavenger Hunt
• Easy Halloween Bat Wreath

Halloween is a favorite holiday around here in Clementine County with all the sweet treats and spooky decor.  Do you love Halloween, too?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Each day at the Disneyland Resort is downright magical.  Disney days are how we track the seasons here, and how we celebrate the holidays. One of my favorite times to visit the resort is during Halloween.  It’s the perfect blend of holiday spirit and Disney magic. Plus, all that CANDY!

Mickey’s Halloween Party is a separate ticket event, inviting guests to trick or treat their way through the Disneyland Resort.  In addition to “treat trails,” guests enjoy the themed decor, seasonal food offerings, and ghoulishly costumed characters.  It’s been part of our holiday tradition for years now.  How cute is my lil’ skeleton?  She’s going to be 9 in just a few weeks!

‘s

A post shared by Melanie Walsh (@clementinecounty) on Oct 13, 2016 at 11:18am PDT

After almost a decade of fun, we are continually thrilled by the fun presented each year!

As a mama, there’s a balance between tradition and new experiences.  Disneyland gets that!  I look forward to our picture in front of the great pumpkin!

Mickey’s Halloween Party 2018 Dates

For 15 spooktacular nights, Mickey hosts a special Halloween Party after hours.  The parks close early to guests, so those attending Mickey’s Halloween Party can creep and crawl throughout the lands.  Tickets SELL OUT!  So it’s imperative that you get them early if you are planning on attending.  Get your tickets here.

Some important dates to remember:

• June 5: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members
• June 12: Tickets on sale to general public
• Mickey’s Halloween Party 2018 dates: Sept. 19, Sept. 21, Sept. 24, Sept. 26, Sept. 28, Oct. 2, Oct. 5, Oct. 9, Oct. 12, Oct. 16, Oct. 19, Oct. 23, Oct. 26, Oct. 29, Oct. 31

Last year was the first year that the fun spilled into both parks!  As a huge Nightmare Before Christmas fan, I love the themed fun of Disney’s California Adventure.  Oogie Boogie has overlayed the park with swarms of bats and other Halloween decor.

(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

You won’t want to miss Cars Land celebrating Haul-O-Ween as Radiator Springs turns into Radiator Screams.  There you can take a spin on Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and dance over to Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.  The fun doesn’t stop there are Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! gets an overlay of its own each night into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark.

Looking for more Disney Halloween fun?

Easy Halloween Bat Wreath

This easy DIY wreath was inspired by the bats descending upon Disney’s California Adventure Park.

Easy Nightmare Before Christmas Photo Backdrop

Planning a Nightmare Before Christmas party? Make an easy DIY photo backdrop for just a few dollars!

Nightmare Before Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Nightmare Before Christmas Rice Krispies Treats

We are so excited about Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort!  For more information on Mickey’s Halloween Party, check out the Disneyland website.

Share your favorite Halloween traditions in the comments!