Get In The Spooky Spirit With Dana Point Halloween Contests, Events

DANA POINT, CA — Dana Point residents looking to get in the spooky spirit, mark your calendars. The City of Dana Point is hosting a slew of Halloween-centric events in anticipation of the upcoming season, and here's what you need to know.

This October, residents are encouraged to be a part of the Dana Point Spooktacular Porch Decorating Contest. To participate, residents must submit a photo of their decorated porch or yard to recreation@danapoint.org by Oct. 24.

Winners of the Spooktacular Porch Decorating Contest win $300 in gift cards to local Dana Point businesses, as well as eternal bragging rights.

For children, the city has a special contest in store: The Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest for Kids returns this year for children up to 12 years of age. Kids are encouraged to get creative with a pumpkin and submit a photo of their best-dressed gourd to recreation@danapoint.org by Oct. 24.

Winners for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest win a special Halloween gift basket, the city said.

Just a week before Halloween, the City of Dana Point — along with Dana Point Police Services — will host the Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat, running from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m at the Dana Point Community Center.

The day-long event takes place Oct. 22 and will include an elaborate Halloween maze, games, crafts, entertainment and treats for kids.

The Dana Point Police Services Trunk or Treat will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with candy for the kids at each display. At the Trunk or Treat, kids can meet bloodhounds, members of the sheriff's bomb squad, K-9 Units, mounted patrol and more.

A kid's costume parade will also take place the day of the event at 6 p.m.

Residents looking for more information about the events can reach out to the City of Dana Point Recreation Division at 949-248-3536.