Orange County's Best October Events

Check out the most anticipated events happening across Orange County this October, from charitable events to StyleWeekOC and the Newport Beach Film Festival.

StyleWeekOC will take over Fashion Island with chic styles, panel discussions and more from Oct. 16 to 20. PHOTO BY ALLEN LING

10/16-10/20

Fred Tomaselli: Second Nature

Curated by Rochelle Steiner, Southern California artist Fred Tomaselli’s new exhibition marries art, nature and pop culture through 50 new and recent works. Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, lagunaartmuseum.org

“Irwin’s Garden” (2023) by Fred Tomaselli will be on display at the Laguna Art Museum from Oct. 6 to Feb. 2. PHOTO BY DAN BRADICA STUDIO

10/8

DARTS Speaker Series: Jennifer Gracie

Fresh off the release of her new book, The Art of Gracie, creative director Jennifer Gracie discusses the design, inspiration and legacy of Gracie, the family-run company renowned for its handpainted wallpaper. 9:15 a.m., Regal Edwards Big Newport, Newport Beach, decorativeartssociety.net

Gracie creative director Jennifer Gracie will lead the DARTS Speaker Series on Oct. 8. PHOTO BY DAVID ENGELHART

10/9

32nd Annual Harvesters Fashion Show and Luncheon

Join the Harvesters for a Champagne reception, a stunning Balmain runway show produced by South Coast Plaza, and a gourmet lunch to support Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County’s mission to ensure nutritious food access for all. 10 a.m., Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, feedoc.org/harvesters

Watch models work the runway at the 32nd annual Harvesters Fashion Show and Luncheon. PHOTO BY JOHN ECKMIER

10/10

Big Brothers Big Sisters 60th Annual Gourmet Dinner

Celebrate the next Joel K. Rubenstein Award winner at an exclusive evening featuring a scotch bar, cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and live auction. 5:30 p.m., Newport Beach Country Club, ocbigs.org

10/10

CHOC Let’s Talk: Mental Health Luncheon

Saddleback Church founders Rick and Kay Warren will be honored during this annual luncheon featuring moving discussions about mental health. 10:30 a.m., The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, choctalks.org

10/12

Vision of Peace 20th Anniversary Gala Celebration

Hosted by KTLA reporter Gene Kang, this elegant evening will support the Soka University Scholarship Endowment Fund through a lively cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and a performance by singer Tia Simone. 5:30 p.m., Founders Hall Art Gallery at Soka University, Aliso Viejo, soka.edu

10/12

2024 Night of Miracles Gala

Help raise funds for critically ill children and their families during this formal affair, highlighted by a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, dinner and live entertainment. 5:30 p.m., Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Dana Point, miraclesforkids.org/events

10/15

Ladies Luncheon Newport Beach

With an exclusive look at Monique Lhuillier’s fall 2025 collection during a stunning fashion presentation, this uplifting afternoon of lunching and luxury will benefit research to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 11 a.m., Shady Canyon Golf Club, Irvine, cureduchenne.org/events

10/16

2024 Home Opener: Anaheim Ducks vs. Utah Hockey Club

Experience the excitement of Anaheim’s 2024-25 home opener as the Ducks take on Utah, featuring the debut of the hockey team’s refreshed logo and new primary jerseys. 7 p.m., Honda Center, Anaheim, hondacenter.com

10/16-20

StyleWeekOC

Join fashion enthusiasts and industry experts for five days of celebrating fashion through exclusive panel discussions, in-store parties and much more. Fashion Island, Newport Beach, fashionisland.com

10/17-19

Eric McCormack and Laura Bell Bundy

Known for his Emmy-winning role on NBC’s Will & Grace, Eric McCormack joins Tony-nominated powerhouse Laura Bell Bundy for three nights of Broadway hits and chart-topping tunes. 7 p.m., Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org

10/17-24

Newport Beach Film Festival

With 100 feature films, 30 short films and plenty of parties, this 25th annual festival invites movie lovers to celebrate independent and international cinema right here in Orange County. Multiple locations, Newport Beach, newportbeachfilmfest.com

10/19

A Walk Among the Stars Fashion Show and Gala

Emmy Award-winning news anchor Cher Calvin will host this glamorous fashion show and gala benefiting the St. Jude Memorial Foundation. 5:30 p.m., Anaheim Marriott, stjudememorialfoundation.org

10/19

The Make-A-Wish Gala: A Parisian Masquerade

Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire invite partygoers to help make the wishes of critically ill children come true during this Parisian-themed night of dining, dancing and philanthropy. Masks are encouraged! 5:30 p.m., Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach, wishgala.org

10/24

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: An Evening

Conversation with Ina Garten In celebration of her new memoir, celebrity chef and author Ina Garten will share engaging stories from her life and career as the beloved Barefoot Contessa. 7:30 p.m., Segerstrom Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org

10/25

Love Tribe Lounge Gala

Sponsored by Balmain, this glamorous evening will be chaired by Jim and Julie Ann Ulcickas with Lance and Laura Lee Brown. Explore the mystique of Africa while bolstering the Love Tribe Project’s mission of bringing clean water and education to communities in need. 5:30 p.m., Lido House, Newport Beach, lovetribeproject.com/events

10/27

Spider-man Across the Spider-verse in Concert

This Academy Award-winning film will be brought to life by a live DJ, orchestra, and percussion and electronic musicians as its visuals roll on the big screen. 2 p.m., Segerstrom Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org

10/29-11/3

Hadestown

Tony- and Grammy-winning musical Hadestown returns to the Segerstrom Hall stage to welcome fans old and new alike to its mythological storytelling and unforgettable score. Segerstrom Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org