Taste of Santa Ana puts on a costume this year. The 11th annual tasting, themed Frights & Bites, sets up at MainPlace Mall on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with unlimited samples from more than 30 local restaurants, beer, wine, and spirits, and a night of 80s and 90s rock. General admission is on sale for $35.
The Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce co-hosts with the Power of One Foundation and the City of Santa Ana, with MainPlace Mall as presenting sponsor. Here is what is on the menu, what each ticket gets you, and the costume rules to read before you pick an outfit. Details are from the official site and ticket pages as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Saturday, October 17, 2026. The official site lists 6 to 11 p.m., with VIP early entry at 5 p.m. |
| Where | MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705. The event faces Main Street on the Macy’s side of the mall. |
| Highlights | 30-plus restaurants, beer, wine and spirits, M80’s Band, DJ Luigi, costumes encouraged |
| Tickets | GA $35, VIP $69, child (5 to 12) $15, on sale prices as of September 28 |
| Ages | VIP buyers must be 21 or older. Child tickets cover ages 5 to 12. |
| Official site | tasteofsantaana.net |
One heads-up on timing: the chamber’s event calendar lists 5 to 10 p.m., and Travel Santa Ana lists 6 to 10 p.m. The festival’s own site and ticket pages say doors at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. for VIP), so plan on those and check your ticket for the final word.
What’s on the menu
Every ticket includes unlimited tastings. The festival’s featured restaurant list, as posted on its homepage, leans hard on Santa Ana’s Mexican kitchens and bakeries:
| Craving | Featured participants |
|---|---|
| Mexican | Casa Ramos Cocina Mexicana (modern Mexican), Descanso Restaurant (plancha-style Mexican), Mi Casa Oaxaca, Pozolazo, Taco Nazo, Taqueria Zamora |
| Seafood and comfort food | Calilicious Crab and Brews, Polly’s Pies, Benji’s Deli, Pollo Campero |
| Something else | Citra Bar & Kitchen (Santa Ana fusion), Ramen Tatsunoya (Japanese ramen), Laventina’s Big Cheese Pizza (Italian), Macro Box |
| Sweets | Brotha’s Cookies, My Panecito (Mexican pastries), Rose Bakery Cafe, Corner Bakery |
| Drinks | Santa Ana River Brewing Company, plus Barmaid Beauties behind the bar |
| Students | High School Inc. Culinary Academy |
The site says 20-plus more kitchens are still joining. Participating restaurants also compete for a People’s Choice “Best Bite” award, so bring an opinion.
Tickets
Tickets are sold on the festival’s ticket page. Both adult tiers are currently marked down from their listed prices.
- General Admission, $35 (listed at $59): entry at 6 p.m., unlimited tastings, beer, wine, and spirits, live entertainment, face painting, and lawn games. No early entry or VIP areas.
- VIP Admission, $69 (listed at $99): early entry at 5 p.m. for an hour of tastings before the crowd, plus the VIP Tent with a full open bar and premier seating near the stage. Buyers must be 21 or older. Buying two or more takes 10% off each.
- Child Admission, ages 5 to 12, $15: full access to the main event and the tastings, without early entry or VIP areas.
The ticket pages do not say whether children under 5 need a ticket. Ask the chamber at (714) 541-5353 or info@tasteofsantaana.net before you go.
On stage
- 7 p.m., Main Stage: M80’s Band, playing 80s and 90s rock.
- 8:15 p.m., Night Market: DJ Luigi, spinning throwback Halloween songs until close.
Costume rules
Costumes are encouraged. The fine print is worth a read, because a few popular Halloween looks will not make it through the gate:
- No identity-hiding masks or face coverings. Show your face.
- No weapons, real or replica, including prop swords, toy guns, and anything that looks like a weapon.
- No silly string, confetti, powders, sprays, or blow horns.
- Nothing that blocks walkways. Oversized costumes or props that create a hazard or get in the way can be restricted by staff and security.
Event management and MainPlace Mall can deny entry or remove anyone whose costume, behavior, or belongings create a safety concern.
Getting there
The tasting is in the MainPlace Mall parking lot off Main Street, near Macy’s, at 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana. The festival has not posted parking, rideshare, or transit instructions. If you plan to drink, line up a ride home before the night starts.
Tips for the night
- Eat light at lunch. Thirty-plus tasting booths is a real dinner.
- Alternate drinks with water. Beer, wine, and spirits are included all night, which is exactly why pacing matters.
- Plan the costume around the rules. Face paint instead of a mask, and leave the prop weapon at home.
- Keep a note of your favorite bite. You will want it for the Best Bite vote and for your next dinner out.
Family notes
Travel Santa Ana calls the night family-friendly, and the ticket pages back that up with a $15 child ticket for ages 5 to 12, face painting, and lawn games. Kids get the same unlimited food tastings as adults. The event runs into the late evening, so younger kids may be ready to go before the DJ is.
Accessibility
The festival has not published accessibility details. Contact the Santa Ana Chamber at (714) 541-5353 or info@tasteofsantaana.net with questions.
Still to come
The full restaurant list (the site says 20-plus more are joining), parking and rideshare instructions, and the under-5 ticket policy have not been posted. The 824 Journal will update this guide when they are.
Sources
- Taste of Santa Ana, official site (date, hours, location, featured restaurants, entertainment, costume rules, sponsors)
- Taste of Santa Ana ticket options (GA, VIP, and child ticket details and prices)
- Taste of Santa Ana: Become an Exhibitor (Best Bite award, vendor count)
- Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce: Taste of Santa Ana 2026
- Travel Santa Ana: Taste of Santa Ana 2026
Featured photo: Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
