Families boogie with Jack-o-Lynn the giant pumpkin during the 11 a.m. dance party at the Pumpkin Palooza held at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Jessica Camarena, right, peeks around Benjamin Carrillo’s side to catch the attention of her children, Kiana and Kayden Carrillo, in the alcove of a pumpkin-themed photo wall during the Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Oliver Castillo calls a display creepy as he exits the harvest maze with his parents, Christina and Israel Castillo, at this year’s Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers raise their hands as Discovery Cube staff members Noah Rembert and Kirk Beatty conduct the puking pumpkin experiment with elephant toothpaste during a Pumpkinology 101 science showcase for this year’s Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Jaiden Ihda collects candy to give to trick-or-treaters after the conclusion of the 11 a.m. dance party during the Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Foam spills from a carved pumpkin’s mouth during a Pumpkinology 101 session demonstrating how elephant toothpaste can help make a pumpkin puke during the Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Milena Bernache, second from left, measures her height against a tower of pumpkins as her family, Nestor, Mia, and Marisol Bernache look on during the Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees enjoy the bumper cars beneath a large blow up pumpkin during the Pumpkin Palooza held at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Luna Ryan places a toy pumpkin atop different pedestals to see if different types of food and food containers are organic during the Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
A pumpkin monster greets Pumpkin Palooza visitors at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Will Hong, left, helps his son, Sean Hong, look at a pumpkin while Hazel Hong scoots around and Kaiya Harvey scoots towards her dad, Christopher Harvey, during this year’s Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Dhruv A., whose family chose to withhold his last name, reaches for candy atop a trick-or-treating table during this year’s Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Piles of candy wait to be taken by trick-or-treaters during this year’s Pumpkin Palooza at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, California on Oct. 3, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Pumpkin Palooza has returned to the Discovery Cube Orange County, mixing spooky Halloween fun with science and eco-friendly lessons.
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Open weekends through Nov. 1, Pumpkin Palooza features a new collaboration with OC Waste & Recycling, which manages Orange County landfills, and is spotlighting how organic waste — such as Jack-o-Lanterns after Halloween — and recyclables can be kept out of landfills.
There is a harvest maze that “guides children and families through an organic discovery journey” and the Pumpkinology 101 Lab that shows the chemistry behind decomposition. On Nov. 1, Pumpkins with a Purpose invites visitors to the Discovery Cube to bring their decorated pumpkins for composting.
“Educating our communities about state-mandated waste diversion and recycling is essential,” said Tom Koutroulis, director of OC Waste & Recycling, in a statement. “Families can learn about organics recycling and composting while enjoying fall-themed activities. From proper curbside sorting to understanding what belongs in the organics bin, the Discovery Cube team makes sustainability education fun and engaging.”
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There are also small rides and games, trick-or-treating and dance parties throughout each day.
Pumpkin Palooza hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekend day through Nov. 1; it requires an additional ticket. For information and tickets: discoverycube.org/orange-county.
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