Thrills and Chills for All

Not a fan of the ghosts and the ghouls? Check out Houston's family friendly attractions and events that are fun for the whole family.

Boo on the Boardwalk 
Oct. 7-31
For the entire month of October, Kemah is hosting Boo on the Boardwalk where families can enjoy an array of Halloween themed activities. For the braver souls, face the dungeon of doom while the kids enjoy the Little Boo Haunted Fun house. Other attractions include pumpkin decorating, live entertainment and costume contests.

Mummies of the World
Ongoing
The nationally recognized Mummies of the World: The Exhibition makes its debut at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this fall. Described as “fascinating, intriguing, and inspiring," by NBC, "absolutely extraordinary," by NPR, and having been visited by over 1.5 million people nation-wide, Mummies of the World will instill a sense of curiosity and wonder in each and every visitor. Come face to face with the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled.

Halloween Monster Mayhem
Oct. 11-Oct.31
Monstrous mayhem will be unleashed when the Children's Museum of Houston is transmogrified into the Monsters' Museum of Houston for three weeks of Halloween. From Oct. 10 to 31, 2015, we dare you to witness how monsters have rummaged, scoured, combed and turned the Museum upside down to make room for their monster lairs.

Hocus Pocus Pops
Oct. 7
For a delightful "exfearience," join the Houston Symphony for a Halloween event full of tricks, treats and enchanting music. The orchestra casts a spell on the audience with chilling music and spooky sounds that are guaranteed to scare your socks off. Daddies, mummies and all the little ghosts and goblins are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costume for a chance to walk on stage during the concert.

Zoo Boo
Oct. 14-31
The last three weekends in October, Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo turns in to a Halloween party. Explore the pumpkin patch, go "trunk"-or-treating, and participate in a costume parade while seeing the animals.

Tricks & Treats Among the Trees
Oct. 22
Kids and the young at heart are invited to a free trick-or-treat nature trail and Halloween fun with crafts, live creepy critters, games, hayrides, a critter storybook trail, and more. Costumed trick-or-treaters are encouraged! Proceeds from carnival-inspired games benefit Jones Park.

Halloween Car Show
October 22
8th Annual Halloween Car Show One day only! Come out and see more than 100 cars from classic to contemporary, from motorized to hoof, while helping to support local charities. Enjoy the fall festival atmosphere from 10 am - 3 pm on Saturday, October 25 with face painting and arts and crafts for the kids, great food including BBQ and cupcakes from local vendors, a live DJ, silent auction and more.

Dia de los Muertos at Lawndale Art Center
Oct. 20-Nov. 8
Lawndale Art Center is pleased to present its 28th Annual Día de los Muertos events, a celebration of the art, music and folklife of Mexico. For more than 20 years Lawndale has presented an annual open call, non-juried exhibition that celebrates the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos in a contemporary context.

ArBOOretum
Oct. 24
Head out to the Houston Arboretum for the annual Halloween event. Walk a forest trail with scattered trick-or-treat locations, activities and opportunities to learn about wildlife. Activities include hay rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, a cake walk, carnival games, face painting and pumpkin decorating.

Saengerfest Mini Monster Bash
Oct. 29
Halloween fun awaits you at The 6th annual Saengerfest Mini Monster Bash taking place on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m at Saengerfest Park. This free, spook-tacular festival will include assorted games and prizes, trick-or-treating at participating downtown businesses, face painting and a costume contest for children.

Moody Gardens Ghostly Gardens
Oct. 25
Drive out to Moody Garden's Halloween celebration for some free fun! Trick-or-treat throughout the complex, make creepy crafts and participate in a costume contest for a prize.

Traders Village Boo Fest
Oct. 30
Throw on your best Halloween costume and get ready to do the Monster Mash as Traders Village presents the annual Boo Bash, the biggest free spooktacular for kids in Houston. Boo Bash 2016 will present continuous live musical entertainment and activities, and monster-sized Trick-or-Treating.

Scream on the Green
Oct. 28
Discovery Green hosts Scream on the Green from 6-10 p.m. Enjoy live music, face painting, fortune tellers and dancing, and of course this year's feature film, Book of Life.

10th Annual Bayou City Outdoors Haunted Hike
October 28
Get your spooky with BCO as we hike and slither our way through Memorial Park with our closest pals on Halloween! We will nourish ourselves afterwards with pizza and beverages, for those who make it out of the forest. Tap into your inner wolf or go all vampy on us, or come as a traditional ghoul (or, hey, wear your office attire- that could be scary enough!) Leave the bars to the zombies and join us in the woods for some quality and creepy exercise and socializing at Memorial Park.

Day of the Dead/Dia de los Celebration
Nov. 5
Visit the National Museum of Funeral History on November 1 and 2 to learn more about the Latin customs surrounding the Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos and celebrations held for deceased loved ones.
 

Pumpkin Patches & Costumes

Picking the perfect pumpkin can be quite a task. Luckily, Houston is packed with patches all over the city. Try TGR Exotics, Old Time Christmas Tree Farm, or Dewberry Farm for prime pumpkin picking, hay rides and other activities. Searching for the perfect costume? Be sure and stop by Frankel's Costume Co.-- a Houston staple for Halloween fashion.
 

Scare Tactics

Looking for an adrenaline rush or just want to get into the “spirit” of the season, check out these haunted houses.

Houston Scream Fest
Thursdays through Sundays in October
The Houston Scream Fest is more than a haunted house, it's a month long Festival. Shoot at walking dead zombies in their zombie maze with paintball markers. Don't miss live music and freak show performances.

ScreamWorld
Oct. 1-31
Named the best haunted house in Houston by the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Press, Screamworld contains 5 attractions: The Maze of Maniacs, the Haunted Hotel, the Edge of Darkness, Jake's Slaughterhouse, and the Zombie Graveyard. Screamworld is open Thursday- Sundays in October.

Haunted Trails
Oct. 2-Oct. 31
Walk the trails of Houston's most thrilling outdoor attraction. The Haunted Trails' features include detailed sets, zombies, clowns and other creeps—body parts, creepy crawlers and more. Find out what lurks beyond the trees every weekend in October.

Houston Terror Dome
Thursdays and Weekends, Oct. 1 - 31
In its opening year, The Houston Chronicle billed the Dome the "Scariest Haunted House In Houston". The Terror Dome is intense enough to satisfy the most demanding scaremonger.

Nightmare on the Bayou
Weekends, Sept. 26-Nov. 1
Located directly beside Houston's oldest graveyard, Nightmare on the Bayou is the only attraction that is actually haunted by real ghosts! Aside from possible ghost sightings, the merciless actors torment visitors from beginning to end while the rooms, monsters, and mayhem will have you running for the exit.

Phobia
Weekends, Sept. 26-Oct. 31
With five haunts, Phobia can scare just about anyone. Features include the Mind Control haunt, Simon Fowler Woods, ClaustroPhobia, Darke Institute and Dawn of the Machine. The remodeled park boasts 30 acres of scare space.

5th Annual Haunted House at NMFH
Oct. 1-Nov. 2
The National Museum of Funeral History's 4th Annual Haunted House All month long you can get into the Halloween spirit and be "scared to death" at this family-friendly haunted house. Explore different scenes designed to give goose bumps to young and old alike while taking a light-hearted view of a usually very serious subject. The house is rated PG-13 and is recommended for children ages 12 and up.