With Halloween right around the corner, spooktacular events are happening all over the city! We’ve listed the family-friendly fun below, in chronological order by city (below the top two featured events).
As always, please double check times and locations on the individual event sites before heading out. Also, please note admission costs where applicable.
Halloween Party on the Plaza, Saturday, October 25, 3-5 p.m., Domain II. Enjoy a FREE Halloween Party on the all-new Domain II plaza! Have fun with trick-or-treating, music by Superband, face painting, balloon twisting, a pumpkin patch, cake walks, crafts, prize giveaways and more. Costumes encouraged but masks permitted only on children ages 12 and under. No toy weapons, please. For updates, follow The Domain on Facebook and RSVP on the event page! You can also follow The Domain on Twitter. (1410 Century Oaks Terrace)
Halloween Hootenanny, Friday, October 31, 6-8:30 p.m., Thinkery. Join the Thinkery for Austin’s best family-friendly Halloween party. Celebrate from 6-8:30 pm with spooky science activities, not so scary Storytime and a pumpkin patch that the little ones will love. Come dressed in your Halloween best for a costume parade! While this is a candy-free event, refreshments, including food, beer, wine and kid-friendly drinks, will be available for purchase. This event is intended for children 6 months to 6 years old, but all ages are welcome. For more information, contact 512-469-6200. Cost: Member Child $15, Member Parent $12; Child $17, Parent $15; Children under 2 are free. Buy tickets now. (1830 Simond Ave.)
Austin
Pioneer Farms Haunted Trails, October 17-18 and 24-25, 7-10 p.m., Pioneer Farms. Experience Halloween like nowhere else in Texas! This year’s theme will be “Disappearance,” featuring a haunted trail where guests will help search for missing loved ones who vanished without a trace from the Sprinkle Corner village, at the hands of legendary Creatures of the Night. Admission is $12 per person. Reservations are not necessary. Hayrides and fortune telling booths available for extra fee. Food and drinks will be on sale in the Spook Town entrance village. (10621 Pioneer Farms Drive)
Halloween Tie-Dye Party, Saturday, October 18, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Austin Tie Dye Co. Dress up in costume and come enjoy indoor trick or treating, games, FREE face painting, and tie dye your own tshirt! Cost is $5 for 1 item, $10 for 2-4 items, $15 for 5-8 items. Guests can even purchase a shirt to dye for $10. (8222 N. Lamar, Ste F-60)
Steve Scott: Let the Hauntings Begin, Saturdays, October 18 & 21, 10 a.m., ColdTowne Theater. Steve the Improvising Poodle and his cast have discovered a group of ghosts living amongst them! Join them for this improvised, interactive comedy show for kids. Children and adults who wear costumes to the show will be invited to take a turn in our improvised Haunted House! Arrive early as space is limited. Cost: Pay what you wish. (4803 Airport Blvd.)
Halloween Movie Night at Torchy’s Tacos, Saturday, October 18, around 8 p.m., Torchy’s Tacos at The Trailer Park. Enjoy a night of kid-friendly vintage Halloween cartoons at the Torchy’s Trailer on South 1st, thanks to the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow. Seats are limited, but feel free to bring your own chairs. FREE admission and FREE queso for guests who come in costume! Parking is limited. (1311 S. 1st St)
The Little Gym at Lakeline Halloween Bash, Sunday, October 19, 3-6 p.m., The Little Gym at Lakeline. This costume party is FREE and open to everyone. The first hour (3-4 p.m.) will only be open for kiddos under the age of 3 (for safety). From 4-6 p.m. the event is open to all ages from 4 months to 12 years. FREE. (14010 U.S. 183)
BooFest, Friday, October 24, 4-7 p.m., Blanton Elementary. Come support Blanton Elementary School’s BooFest! There is fun for the whole family: haunted house, inflatables, hay ride, a toddler area, and over a dozen carnival booths! FREE to attend. Tokens sold onsite for games and concessions. Food for purchase. (5408 Westminster Drive)
Fright Night, Friday, October 24, 5-8 p.m., Dove Springs Recreation Center. FREE. (5801 Ainez Dr.)
Spooktacular, Friday, October 24, 5-8 p.m., Bullock Texas State History Museum. Discover the spooky side of Texas at this family-friendly Halloween extravaganza, featuring performances, games, interactive activities, art, and more for kids ages five and up. Come in costume for a special prize! FREE. (1800 N. Congress Ave.)
Halloween Trick or Treat Path and Carnival, Friday, October 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m, Northwest Recreation Center. All ages welcome. Admission is FREE. First 10 tickets are FREE; additional tickets can be purchased for $0.25 each. (2913 Northland Dr.)
Pumpkin Carving on the Dock, Saturday, October 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Enjoy face painting, games, prizes, food and music! Wear your costume! FREE. (1165 Angelina St.)
Dia de los Muertos Festival, Saturday, October 25, 12-10 p.m., Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center. Proceeds from the Dia de los Muertos Festival will benefit Easter Seals Central Texas’ mission of providing exceptional services to people with disabilities. Tickets $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Kids age 12 and under are free with paid adult. (2100 E. 3rd St.)
Monthly Movie Mania: Monsters, Inc., Saturday, October 25, 2 p.m., Milwood Branch. Monsters generate their city’s power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted. FREE. (12500 Amherst Dr.)
27th Annual Monster Concert & Carnival, Saturday, October 25, 3-8:30 p.m., Austin High. The carnival begins at 3 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of games, food/beverages, live bands, and other fun-filled activities, including the very popular (and scary!) “Haunted House.” There will be a costume contest at 5 p.m., so come dressed in your favorite outfit. For the schedule of the concert performances and costume contest, go to the Austin High School Orchestra website. Tickets for carnival games and food can be purchased for $1 each. Admission to the concert and carnival is FREE. (1715 W. Cesar Chavez)
Spooky Skedaddle 5K and Fun Run, Saturday, October 25, 3-7 p.m., Texas School for the Deaf. The Spooky Skedaddle includes the city’s only Halloween themed 5K, a 1K Fun Run, and family friendly entertainment to create Austin’s premier Halloween festival. Come join the fun, including FREE trick or treating! Proceeds from the event will benefit the Texas School for the Deaf Foundation and its mission to support the over 5000 deaf and hard of hearing children in Texas. Cost: $30 for the timed 5K race (discounts available for groups, includes t-shirt) and $3 for the 1K Halloween Costume Fun Run. Tickets for games cost $1 each (each game costs 1 – 3 tickets), and t-shirts will be for sale for $7. Admission to the festival itself is FREE. (1102 S. Congress Ave.)
Brentwood Halloween Carnival, Saturday, October 25, 3-7 p.m., Brentwood Elementary School. Come support Brentwood Elementary at the annual Haunted Halloween Carnival! Fun Activities: Haunted House, inflatables, Putt-Putt, and over a dozen carnival booths with prizes! Delicious food will be available for purchase from local vendors. FREE to attend. Tickets sold onsite for games and concessions. (6700 Arroyo Seco)
Spooktacular, Saturday, October 25, 5-8 p.m., Northwest Family YMCA. Join the Y for a safe and family friendly Halloween Spooktacular event featuring Haunted Candy Trail, Spooky Family Games, Face Painting, Pumpkin Patch, Zombie Cupcake Walk, Mad Scientist Lab, Arts & Crafts, Raffles & Prizes, Bandage Brigade, and Seton Hospital: Take 10 Compressions Training. FREE to community, but please bring 3 canned foods for the YMCA Food Pantry Drive. (5807 McNeil Dr.)
Trunk or Treat, Saturday, October 25, 4 – 7 p.m., Holy Word Lutheran Church. Safe, secure trick or treat option! Families go from trunk to trunk collecting candy, playing games and showing off their style. Prizes will be given for best costume and most festive trunk. To register your trunk, go to holyword.net. Even if you do not have a decorated trunk, come for an afternoon of food and fun! FREE. (10601 Bluff Bend Dr.)
Halloween Spooktacular, Saturday, October 25, 6:30 p.m., Dittmar Recreation Center. Dittmar Recreation Center‘s Halloween Spooktacular is back! The haunted house is bigger, the carnival has more games, and this year you can see the movie, Hocus Pocus. The carnival and haunted house will start at 6:30 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:45 p.m. All events are FREE to the public. Get scared with even more haunted house spine-tingling spooks than ever before. There is a scream around every corner. Don’t miss the fun! (1009 W. Dittmar Rd.)
Polkapocalypse, Sunday, October 26, noon – 5 p.m., Elisabet Ney Museum. Come to the Elisabet Ney Museum to hear Dallas-based Los Morales Boyz at noon; Austin’s own The Fabulous Polkasonics at 1:15; Conjunto Los Pinkys, also from Austin at 2:15, and Denton’s Grammy Award winners Brave Combo at 3:30. FREE. (304 E. 44th St.)
Austin Symphony Halloween Children’s Concert, Sunday, October 26, 2 p.m., Long Center. This year’s spook-tacular show is sure to have you shakin’ in your boots! Your little ghost or goblin will help haunt Long Center’s Dell Hall as the Austin Symphony presents its annual Halloween Children’s Concert, featuring mindchilling songs that are entertaining for all ages! The entire family is encouraged to join in on the fun and dress to impress in their favorite costumes while attending a concert full of “boo-tiful” music. Tickets are $8 for children, $12 for adults. (701 W. Riverside Dr.)
Visitors Symphony Concert, Sunday, October 26, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Akins High School Fine Arts Center. Cinematic Symphony welcomes the arrival of “Visitors” — music from your favorite alien movies, including “Predator,” “E.T.,” “Close Encounters,” and many more! Costumes welcome and encouraged for all ages. Contest, photo ops, and door prizes. FREE. (10701 S. First St.)
Horrendously Happy Halloween Movie: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, Monday, October 27, 6:30 p.m., Carver Branch. A bad scientist and wife, a mad scientist and skeleton, two aliens and their escaped pet are all searching for the elusive element “atmospheric.” Rated PG. FREE. (1161 Angelina St.)
Biscuit Brothers Halloween Party Open House, Wednesday, October 29, 10-11:30 a.m., Fine Arts Farm. The Biscuit Brothers Fine Arts Farm is now open, offering classes, camps and workshops for all ages. Check it out at the Halloween Party Open house with arts and crafts, a costume parade, and a movie-size projection of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! FREE. (6036 W. Hwy 290)
- Cepeda Branch – Wednesday, October 29, 5:30-7:15 p.m.
- Little Walnut Creek Branch – Thursday, October 30, 3:30-5 p.m.
- Ruiz Branch – Saturday, November 1, 2-4 p.m.
Halloween Spooktacular, Wednesday, October 29, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Givens Recreation Center. FREE. (3811 E. 12th St.)
Movies in the Park: Beetlejuice, Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m., Wooldridge Square Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and even a picnic dinner for a fun and relaxing evening under the beautiful Austin night sky. (900 Guadalupe)
Pumpkin Parade with Staci Gray, Thursday, October 30, 10:30 a.m., Lake Travis Community Library. Get dressed up in your best Halloween costume and come to the library for the annual Pumpkin Parade! Staci Gray will perform, then parade around the library! FREE. (1938 Lohman’s Crossing)
Creative Action’s Kids Ball, Thursday, October 30, 6-8 p.m., Central Market North. You are invited to Creative Action’s Kids Ball with treats, kid and family friendly activities, and dancing! Discover more about kindness, strengths, treasures, and creativity. Families are invited to build their own costumes through fun, interactive stations! The Kid’s Ball will also feature an original dance created by Creative Action students and Teaching Artists. Treat yourself to dancing and grooving to Austin favorite, White Ghost Shivers! FREE. (4001 N Lamar)
Trunk or Treat, Friday, October 31, 6-9 p.m., Wells Branch Community Center. Bring your trick-or-treat route by the Community Center parking lot off Klattenhoff Dr. for Trunk-or-Treat. Trunk-or-Treat is a great centralized and safe location for you and your kids to trick-or-treat on Halloween night. You will be able get candy, play games, get your picture taken in a photo booth and more. FREE. (2106 Klattenhoff Dr.)
Trick or Treat for Books, Friday, October 31, 6 p.m., BookPeople. Gather at BookPeople this Halloween for a storytime filled with our favorite type of treats – new books! Storytime will be in the 2nd floor amphitheater starting at 6 p.m., featuring stories full of monsters, ghosts, and witches (but none of them will be too scary). Then, at 6:30 p.m., join the costume parade around the store, where you’ll get your treat – a FREE book to bring home! This Halloween Party is perfect for witches and wizards ages 7 and under. FREE. (603 N. Lamar Blvd.)
Haunted House, Friday, October 31, 6 – 8 p.m., Dottie Jordan Recreation Center. Come and join us for a spooktacular time! We will have carnival games, snacks, a cake walk, music, and more. FREE. (3803 Loyola Ln.)
Planet K Dia de los Muertos Texas Fireworks Display, Friday, October 31, 9:30 p.m., behind Krieg Field. Celebrate this Latin American holiday with Planet K’s annual 20 minute epic fireworks display. FREE. (517 South Pleasant Valley Rd.)
Dia de los Muertos, Saturday, November 1, 4 p.m., Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Celebrate the cycle of life remembering our loved ones with respect, honor and joy. Family activities, food, life music and dancing for the entire family. FREE. (600 River St.)
7th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Saturday, November 1, 6-9 p.m., Central Market North. Central Market presents the 7th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration with Acadêmicos da Ópera (Austin Samba School) and Las Monas de San Antonio for a family-friendly parade and dance celebration. FREE. (4001 N. Lamar Blvd.)
Bastrop
HalloweenFest, Friday, October 31, 5 p.m. – midnight, downtown Bastrop. This is a fun family event celebrating community! There will be haunted movie classics at the Opera House, games, trick-or-treating, a DJ at 921 Main so you can dance the night away, a costume contest for all ages and possibly a ‘Thriller’ dance event! FREE.
Bee Cave
Trick or Treating at the Hill Country Galleria, Saturday, October 25, 2-9 p.m., Hill Country Galleria. Join Hill Country Galleria for a special Halloween event with FREE face painting, FREE bounce houses, bungee jump, and of course trick or treating! The fun starts at 2 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater with kids entertainment, then trick or treating follows from 4-6 p.m. Make the rounds at over 100 stores and restaurants at the Hill Country Galleria to trick or treat! Be sure to wear your costume and stop by the Hill Country Galleria Guest Services booth to get a FREE trick or treat bag! FREE. (12700 Hill Country Blvd.)
Buda
Boo-da Halloween – Saturday, October 25, 5-7 p.m., Downtown Buda. FREE!
Cedar Park
Halloween ComicFest, Saturday, October 25, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Titan Moon Comics. Join our Halloween celebration and pick up free comics! Activities will include a costume contest, an artist booth, candy giveaways and a spooky Halloween raffle. We will also have a silent auction for a variety of pumpkins decorated by local CCP artists. All proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to a local charity. FREE. (1540 Cypress Creek Rd., Ste 108)
Simon Kidgits Club Spooktacular Carnival, Saturday, October 25, noon – 3 p.m., Lakeline Mall. Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls—oh my! Simon Kidgits Club® members and their parents are invited to attend Lakeline Mall’s annual Spooktacular Carnival event in the JCPenney Court. The spooky event will feature all sorts of frightfully-fun activities, from Halloween crafts and games to a bounce house and a balloon twister. Kids can get their face painted or stop by and get their picture taken with a Halloween backdrop provided by Noerr (fees apply). This event is free to Simon Kidgits Club members. Kids can join the club and join the fun for a $5 annual membership fee. (11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, in the JCPenney Court)
Mall Wide Trick or Treating, Friday, October 31, 5-8 p.m., Lakeline Mall. Bring the family to Lakeline Mall for a night of safe trick-or-treating. While you’re dressed for the occasion, bring your little ghouls and goblins to get their Halloween photo taken from The Noerr Programs (fees apply). The photo set will be located at the JCPenney Court. FREE. (11200 Lakeline Mall Drive)
Georgetown
20th Annual Hayride & Halloween Festival, Thursday, October 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Georgetown Community Center. Hayrides begin outside the Georgetown Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Ticket sales will STOP at 8:00 p.m. Hayride tickets are $2 for adults and children 5 or older. Children under 5 are $1. The Trick-or-treat Village will be set up in the Community Center front lawn from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with local businesses and non-profit organizations passing out candy. Trick-or-treat bags will be provided, or bring your own! Enjoy a FREE movie in the park at 6:45 with ParaNorman, and don’t forget to wear your favorite costume and enter the Costume Contest! The Carnival will be held inside the Community Center from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Carnival admission is FREE, but each booth or activity charges a fee to participate. (113 E. 8th St.)
Boo Bash, Friday, October 31, 5:30-8 p.m., Downtown Square. Main Street will be closed to traffic for costumed dancing in the streets to a live band. Plenty of food and shopping plus there will be trick-or-treating at participating stores. FREE. (103 W. 7th St.)
Lakeway
The Great Goblin Glow, Saturday, October 18, 7-9 p.m., Lakeway City Park. Celebrate the season as hot air balloons illuminate the night sky. Children from around the area are invited to wear their costumes and enjoy an evening featuring candy, glitter tattoo artists, a juggler, balloon twisters, SpinOut Swings ride and listen to DJ StratKat spin some records. Available for purchase will be delicious Papa Murphy’s Pizza. IceCream4U and Kona Ice Austin will provide food/drinks for purchase and KettleKing will cook up delicious caramel corn for your enjoyment! Don’t forget to see the live bats exhibit and venture into Lakeway’s own Dead End Cemetery! Please, no dogs at the park on this night. FREE. (502 Hurst Creek Road)
Leander
Firehouse of Horror, Saturdays, October 18 & 25, 5:30-10:00 p.m., Leander Fire Department. Leander Fire Department will offer carnival style games, vendors, food, a haunted house, silent auction and more at this family event. All proceeds go to the Leander Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets for games start at just $.50 and touring the Firehouse of Horror is $5. (101 E Sonny Drive)
Pflugerville
Halls of Horror Haunted House, October 17-18 and 24-25, 7-11 p.m., Green Red Barn. Enter if you dare. Not only is it a chance to prove your bravery… this haunted house benefits local food pantries as entrants provide either a donation of either $2 or canned goods. Not recommended for children under age 10. (901 Old Austin Hutto Road)
Trick or Treat Trail, Friday, October 31, 5-8 p.m., Hawaiian Falls. LeadChurch will host a special Halloween event as part of the Hawaiian Falls Pfall Pfestival. Admission is FREE. Activities cost $1-$8. Coupon here. (18500 N SH 130 SVRD SB)
Round Rock
Trunk or Treat, Saturday, October 18, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Seton Medical Center Williamson. This family-centered event encourages active participation for children with various disabilities or limitations. Trick or Treat from car to car, trunk to trunk. Costumes encouraged. Bring your trick or treat bags. FREE. (201 Seton Pkwy)
The Little Gym of Round Rock Halloween Bash, Friday, October 24, 5-7:30 p.m., The Little Gym of Round Rock. This costume party is FREE and open to everyone. The first hour (5-6 p.m.) will only be open for kiddos under the age of 3 (for safety). From 6-7:30 p.m. the event is open to all ages from 4 months to 12 years. FREE. (3203 S. IH-35)
Monster Mash Zumba Bash, Friday, October 24, 6 – 8 p.m., Main Street Plaza. Join us for the Monster Mash Zumba Bash on Friday, October 24 at 6:00pm at Main Street Plaza! It’s that time of year to awaken from your slumber and head down’n’shimmy shake those ole bones to the smooth sounds of eerie infectious, haunting melodies… your heart racing, your soul lifting and body moving as you party the house down with ZUMBA! Door prizes, light refreshments will be provided. Come in your best dressed Halloween Spirit! Register at the Round Rock Recreation Center website. FREE.
Halloween Extravaganza, Friday, October 24, 6 – 8 p.m., Safari Champ. Visit this indoor playground for a special spooky event! The program includes taking a picture with the witch, a fortune teller, a fabric ghost and mummy craft, face painting and Frankenstein pudding cups. Cost: $12 per child age 2 and up; $8 per child age 12-23 months; $8 + the hourly rate for drop-in child. (1400 East Old Settlers Blvd # 200)
Halloween at the Y, Saturday, October 25, 2-9 p.m., Dell Diamond. Enjoy carnival games, inflatables, rides, and climbing walls, free candy, music, prizes, costume contests, concessions and more. Admission is $6 per person. Parking at the Dell Diamond is free. (3400 East Palm Valley Blvd.)
RCRG Track-or-Treat & Costume Parade, Sunday, October 26, 11 a.m., Austin Sports Arena. Join the Rockin City Roller Girls for a track-or-treat and costume parade at the RCRG derby bout. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Adult tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. (3918 Gattis School Rd)
Tricks or Treats All Day Long, Friday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Kaleidoscope Toys. Stop by the store for yummy treats all day long! (110 N IH-35, Ste 375)
Trunk or Treat, Friday, October 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Exchange Church. Join The Exchange Church on Halloween for giveaways, games, food, candy, and lots of fun! FREE. (Church parking lot, 1601 S. IH 35, Ste. 305)
Dia de los Muertos Festival, Saturday, November 8, 6 – 10 p.m., Centennial Plaza, Round Rock. Participants are encouraged to dress up and join the procession to be part of the celebration. Parade starts at Prete Plaza on Main Street. FREE. (301 W. Bagdad)
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