What: Halloween Nights at the Dallas Zoo
When: Thursday, Oct. 27th – Sunday, Oct. 30th @ 5:00PM – 8:00PM
Where: Dallas Zoo
650 South R. L. Thorton Fwy., Dallas, TX 75203
Why: The most family-friendly spooky place for little ghouls and goblins this month is at the Dallas Zoo, where the gates will creak open after-hours for Halloween Nights, presented by Texas Instruments. Dress your children in Halloween costumes, trick-or-treat at themed treat stations and catch special events and activities throughout the Zoo.
What: Decks in the Park – Halloween Edition
When: Thursday, Oct. 27th @ 6:00PM
Where: Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Decks in the Park will present their annual Halloween Bash. The event is open to all ages, and costumes are highly encouraged. In addition to live music from DJs, you’ll get a sneak preview of Red Bull Flying Bach show coming to the Majestic Theatre on January. There will also be an after party at the Foundation Room for those that want to keep the party going.
What: Grapevine Night Watchman Tour
When: Thursday, Oct. 27th – Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 6:00PM
Where: Grape Vine Springs Winery
409 Main St., Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Presented by Grape Vine Springs Winery. This hauntings and history tour features stories such as who robbed the bank on Main Street in 1932 and tales about which winery tasting room is haunted. The tour is a 90-minute walking tour through Grapevine and begins at Grape Vine Springs Winery.
What: Pocket Sandwich Theatre presents Dracula: The Melodrama
When: Thursday, Oct. 27th – Saturday, Nov. 12th @ 8:00PM
Where: Pocket Sandwich Theatre
5400 E. Mockingbird Ln. Suite 119, Dallas, TX 75206
Why: Pocket Sandwich Theatre will present Dracula: The Melodrama, written by Joe Dickinson and directed by Nick Haley. Dracula is another of the Pocket’s infamous audience-participation, popcorn-tossing, comedy spoofs, this time poking affectionate fun at Bram Stoker’s classic vampire horror story. The old bloodsucker faces garlic, stakes and popcorn in one of our most popular melodramas and just in time for the Halloween season.
What: Dia de los Muertos Outdoor Family Festival
When: Friday, Oct. 28th – Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 6:00PM – 9:30PM
Where: Artes de La Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts
1440 N. Main St., Ft. Worth, TX 76164
Why: This free family festival kicks off on Friday with a Dia de los Muertos art exhibition and a movie screening of the The Book of Life. The fun continues on Saturday with a drum and puppet procession from Marine Park to the Rose Marine Theater Plaza. The street festival is a happy and festive celebration with music, dancing, face painting and pan de muerto. Artisans and crafts people will be selling folk art and there will be plenty of activities for the children. Bring your friends and family to share in this rich Mexican tradition.
What: 13th Annual Ghost Tales at the Bath House
When: Friday Oct. 28th – Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 7:00PM -9:00PM (Sat: 2-3PM for Kids)
Where: Bath House Cultural Center
521 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas, TX 75218
Why: Friday/Saturday Night: An evening of ghost tales for older teens and adults presented by members of the Dallas Storytelling Guild. Saturday Afternoon: Spooky Tales for Kids. For elementary-aged children accompanied by an adult. The Dallas Storytelling Guild has been serving storytellers and story listeners in North Texas for over 25 years.
What: Halloween Party
When: Friday Oct. 28th @ 7:00PM -MIDNIGHT
Where: Free Play Arcade (Richardson)
1730 E. Belt Line Rd., Richardson, TX 75081
Why: The party will include a costume contest with a $100 first prize, roaming street magic and sideshow performances, a secret game release, two craft draft cocktail releases, ’80s horror movies and an ’80s Halloween playlist.
What: Thrillvania 2016
When: Friday Oct. 28th – Monday, Oct. 31st @ 8:00PM -MIDNIGHT
Where: Thrillvania Thrill Park
2330 Country Rd. 138, Terrell, TX 75161
Why: Thrillvania Haunted House Park, featured on The Travel Channel’s “Americas Scariest Haunted Attractions” and on Frighthouse on the DIY network, has been selected as one of the top haunted houses in the nation by Haunted House Ratings, Fangoria, Haunted Attraction Magazine, Readers Digest, MSN, AOL and America’s Best Haunts. Simply put, Thrillvania Haunted House Park is an entire night of pure terror and fun! Thrillvania Haunted House Park is comprised of 4 different haunted attractions on almost 50 haunted acres in Terrell, Texas (about 33 miles east of Dallas): Thrillvania Haunted House Park’s 3 Haunted Attractions Include: The World Famous Verdun Manor, Cassandra’s Labyrinth of Terror, Sam Hain’s Trail of Torment
What: American Psycho and Killer Young Professionals Dance Party
When: Friday Oct. 28th @ 9:30PM
Where: Texas Theatre
231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies. Come dressed to impress and get crazy as you flaunt your business card following the screening! Deejays Mama Dew and Michael J. Rox bring a killer ‘Young Professionals’ dance party, complete with plenty of Huey Lewis and the News, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston and all of your favorite cola-ed out 80’s jams!
What: Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions with The Dallas Pops
When: Friday Oct. 28th @ 10:00PM
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park
909 1st Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions, a special concert event with the Dallas POPS, will fill the Music Hall at Fair Park with the sights and sounds of recent and classic Pokémon video games. Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions is for the entire family and is a must-see video game concert of the year, giving fans and newcomers of all ages the chance to experience the evolution of the Pokémon franchise like never before. This special Halloween Weekend show is the perfect place to dress up as your favorite Pokemon character and meet up with friends of all ages to catch, battle and trade Pokémon from your favorite games. All-new orchestral arrangements will be performed live by the Dallas POPS and carefully timed visuals draw from recent and classic Pokémon video games shown on larger than life screens that will fill the Music Hall at Fair Park.
What: Family Fun Weekend: Trick-or-Treat
When: Saturday, Oct. 29th & Sunday, Oct. 30th @ 9:00AM – 2:00PM
Where: Dallas Arboretum
8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX 75218
Why: Bring your own bag to trick-or-treat in the Dallas Arboretum’s Pumpkin Village. Face painting, pumpkin painting, Kindermusik and a petting zoo in the Pecan Grove are some of the activities geared for children. Singer-songwriter John Lefler will perform in the Val Late garden at 11 a.m. The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden features activities that include StickerTreating, Monster Plant Lab, Spooky Maze Scavenger Hunt and nighttime trick-or-treating from 6 to 9 p.m. Here’s a bonus for grown-ups: Come dressed in costume to pay the kid admission price.
What: Halloween Party and Costume Contests
When: Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Where: National Videogame Museum
8004 N. Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034
Why: The Halloween party will take place Saturday, with trick-or-treating all day. Additionally, the cosplay costume contests will take place at 5 p.m. (ages 13 and under) and 6 p.m. (ages 14 and up). Bonus points will be given to participants in videogame-themed costumes. Prizes include two family memberships to NVM (one membership per contest) and swag bags filled with cool museum merchandise. In addition, every game console and computer will feature a spooky game.
What: Steinfest 2016
When: Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 10:00AM – 11:00PM
Where: Downtown Plano
15th St. and K Ave., Plano, TX 75074
Why: Steinfest is an Oktoberfest-style event that celebrates outstanding beer, great food and the right kind of polka music to get you and your friends dancing in the street. This year’s Steinfest will include the finest beer, German-inspired cuisine, live music, an artist village of craftsman and makers, a wiener dog fashion show, keg bowling, a kid’s zone and a VIP beer garden. Attendees can purchase a VIP package for $40 which includes twenty food and beverage coupons, a commemorative stein, a Steinfest T-shirt and access to VIP beer garden with a private bar.
What: Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 11:00AM – 9:00PM
Where: Denton Courthouse Square
110 W. Hickory St., Denton, TX 76201
Why: Free, family-friendly outdoor fest celebrates the fall season, Dia de Los Muertos, and all things Halloween. Costumes are encouraged. Activities include Trunk-or-Treating for the kids; a pumpkin patch; games; salsa cook-off; street performers; vendor booths featuring local art, crafts, and food. The Coffin Races, a lantern-lit twilight parade and the Halloween musical Cirque du Horror are crowd favorites every year. The festival takes place at E. Hickory & Industrial in downtown Denton.
What: Noche de Calaveras
When: Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 6:00PM – 11:00PM
Where: Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St., Dallas, TX 75204
Why: LCC’s first Noche de Calaveras is a night to celebrate life while honoring the dead. The free, adults-only fiesta begins with an opening reception for our Day of the Dead artwork and altar exhibition from 6-7 pm. The event continues with artist booths, adult crafts and more. Dance to music by DJ duo, the Latin House Krew, and participate in the Calavera costume contest by dressing up in your favorite Día de los Muertos look.
What: Oaklawn Halloween Block Party 2016
When: Saturday, Oct. 29th @ 7:00PM – 2:00AM
Where: Cedar Springs at Throckmorton
3900 Block of Cedar Springs, Dallas, TX 75219
Why: Disgusting drinks and spooky snacks seem like kids’ stuff? If you’re looking for an otherworldly adults-only Halloween party, get ready let it all loose at the Oak Lawn Block Party. The 3900 block of Cedar Springs will be haunted by the sounds of a DJ as ghouls and gals eat and drink refreshments from service booths. Be warned: This bash is not for children, and not for the lazy costume planner either. Thousands of people are expected to attend, so it will be nearly impossible to find parking. (Try taking an Uber or Lyft.) You’ll need to start planning today if you want a chance to stand out among the fantastical costumes seen at the event
