Taste of Santa Ana: Frights & Bites
A one-night Halloween-themed Santa Ana tasting event at MainPlace Mall, with VIP at 5 p.m. and general admission 6 to 11 p.m.
Plan your visit
- When
- Sat Oct 17, 2026. VIP 5pm; GA 6-11pm
- Where
- MainPlace Mall, 2800 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705
- Admission
- Ticketed. GA $59, VIP $99 (5 p.m. early entry), child 5 to 12 $15, plus fees, per the official site.
Official event website · Report a correction
Last source check: . Confirm the latest schedule and ticket availability with the organizer before you go.
What It Is
Taste of Santa Ana: Frights & Bites is a one-night Halloween-themed restaurant tasting at MainPlace Mall. The 2026 edition runs Saturday, October 17: VIP entry at 5 p.m., general admission 6 to 11 p.m. The format pairs tastings from participating Santa Ana restaurants with costume programming and bar service inside the Main Street / Macy's wing.
Why Go
The tasting format gives you a lot of Santa Ana restaurants in one evening without committing to a full meal at any. Costume programming makes it more event than dinner, which is the point. If you want to sample Santa Ana's dining range in one pass and were already looking for a Halloween-adjacent night out, the value is in the breadth.
What To Know Before You Go
Location: MainPlace Mall, 2800 N Main St, Santa Ana (Main Street / Macy's side). Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026. Hours: VIP entry 5 p.m., general admission 6 to 11 p.m. Tickets: Ticketed. GA $59, VIP $99 (5 p.m. early entry), child 5 to 12 $15, plus fees, per the official site. Costume rules: no full-face masks and no weapon props per the organizer. Pro tip: VIP buys the first hour before general admission opens, which is when the shortest lines and the fullest trays coincide.
The Honest Take
Tasting events live or die on the final vendor roster, and that is typically published close to the event. Buy on the strength of the format and the date, and treat the restaurant lineup as a pleasant unknown until the organizer posts it. Costume enforcement is real on the no-weapon-props rule; leave the realistic prop at home.