Anaheim Halloween parade parking is much easier when you choose a lot before you leave home. The parade steps off at 7pm on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Downtown Anaheim, and it costs nothing to attend, according to the official parade page. The quick version: park at the free Center Street Parking Garage or the free CarPark 3, pay for CarPark 4, or use the Anaheim High School overflow lot, which opens at 5pm. Stay out of the City Hall parking structure unless you are willing to remain until 9pm.
When is the Anaheim Halloween Parade in 2026?
Everything happens on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The official Anaheim Fall Festival site lists the daytime Fall Festival from 10am to 4pm at Center Greens, which it describes as "the beautiful city park next to Anaheim City Hall and the Downtown Anaheim Community Center." The Classic Car Show runs 10am to 4pm on Center St Promenade, and the parade begins at 7pm. Visit Anaheim lists the same date and times and notes that the event is free. The parade page calls it "a beloved hometown tradition run by local volunteers."
What is the Anaheim Halloween Parade route?
According to the official parade page, the route starts at the intersection of Anaheim Blvd and Broadway and turns left down Center St. Promenade. From there it continues down Broadway and finishes at the intersection of Broadway and West St. It helps to know the route when you pick a parking spot, because you want to end up close to where you plan to watch without having to cross the parade.
Where can I park for the Anaheim Halloween Parade?
The organizers list four official options on the parade page and repeat them on the Classic Car Show page:
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Center Street Parking Garage: free, located "On Center St. across from the Anaheim Downtown Community Center."
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Center City Parking (CarPark 3): free.
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Anaheim Parking Center (CarPark 4): paid. The organizers do not publish a parade-night rate, so expect to pay when you arrive.
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Anaheim High School overflow lot: opens at 5pm. The official site describes it as "a 10 minute walk from Anaheim High School south to the parade route."
Plan to arrive early. The local guide OC Drop warns that "Parking fills up fast for an event this size." If you are coming only for the evening, the overflow lot is a sensible backup once the downtown garages fill.
Can I park at Anaheim City Hall for the parade?
You can, but you probably should not. Organizers say there is no entry to or exit from the City Hall parking structure between 3pm and 9pm because of parade road closures (official parade page). If you park there for the afternoon festival and want to leave before the parade ends, your car is stuck until 9pm. That structure only makes sense if you plan to stay from the daytime festival through the end of the parade.
Are there road closures for the Anaheim Halloween Parade?
Yes. The organizers warn of "many road closures the day of the event" and ask everyone to "observe any special directions and pay attention to road closure signs" (official parade page). They do not publish a list of closed streets or a closure map, so allow extra time on the drive in and follow the posted signs and staff directions instead of your usual shortcut through downtown.
Where is the best place to watch the parade?
It depends on what kind of evening you want:
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Broadway: OC Drop says "Broadway offers long, open stretches for watching the parade go by" (OC Drop). The official car show page recommends the Anaheim High School overflow lot for anyone watching along Broadway, so this pairing makes sense if you arrive after 5pm.
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Near the English announcer: volunteers call the parade in English at the Car Show Stage, at Lemon and Center Street Promenade (official parade page).
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Near the Spanish announcer: a Spanish-language announcer is stationed in front of CarPark 3 along Center Street Promenade, which also puts you close to one of the free garages.
Standing near an announcer means you hear who each group is as it passes, which kids especially tend to enjoy.
Making a day of it
If you get downtown early for a good parking space, you can fill the day easily. Visit Anaheim says the festival includes local artists, vendors, live entertainment, kids' crafts, costume contests and the classic car show. The festival and car show end at 4pm, which leaves a few hours before the 7pm parade. Use that time for dinner downtown and to settle into a viewing spot along the route. Car show registration is sold out, per the official car show page, so this year the cars are for looking at only.
A reminder for visiting friends and family: this is a Downtown Anaheim community event. It is not part of the Disneyland Resort, and it has no connection to Walt Disney World in Florida.
A little history
The festival's history page explains that "In 1923, to steer the local kiddies' energies toward more wholesome fun, the local merchants association devised a Halloweentime festival." A nighttime parade followed in 1924, and according to the official site it "quickly became one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in the nation." Today the Anaheim Fall Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, according to its official site.
Before you go
Pick your garage or the overflow lot ahead of time, skip the City Hall structure unless you are staying until 9pm, and leave extra time for closures. Check the official parade page the week of the event for any updates from organizers. Enjoy OC also has a listing that matches the official parking list and times.
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