Halloween in Houston

Haunted Hues
September 18 - November 1, 2026
The Color Factory 

Color Factory Houston invites guests to explore their vibrant halls reimagined with ghostly gradients, interactive installations, and plenty of spine-tingling photo ops. This year’s event celebrates the return of the iconic Color Factory Lobby Pumpkin, a Halloween-inspired confetti room, a gaggle of spine-tingling but playful spiders in the signature ball pit, hauntingly fun photo ops, and a Ghostly Gradient. Round up your favorite ghouls and goblins and get ready for the most colorful celebration of the season.

Pumpkin Planters
October 31, 2026 | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center 

What better way to celebrate fall than with pumpkins and wildflowers at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center? In this class, open to members and nonmembers ages 5+, participants will learn how to properly plan, plant, and care for three species of native plants in a cute artificial pumpkin container. The class will culminate in decorating individual mini-gardens with ribbons, glass pebbles, and more. Get your tickets today and be sure to wear clothes that can get a little messy!

Looking for spook-tacular fun for the whole family? Check out some of these family-friendly attractions and events.

Houston Pumpkin Festival
September 19 - November 8, 2026
Discovery Green 

 

Celebrate the magic of fall in downtown Houston as the Houston Pumpkin Festival transforms Discovery Green into a festive farmland of pumpkins, rides, and photo ops. Take in the city skyline as you walk through vibrant displays of pumpkins and gourds of all colors. The Houston Pumpkin Festival is the perfect destination for family outings, date nights, or festive gatherings with friends. Guests can go around on the carousel, explore the lake with boats, race down the 30-foot slide, bounce around the Jumpkin’ Pumpkin, and so much more. Don’t miss out on seasonal traditions filled with pumpkins, food, and attractions. Get your tickets now!  (Photo by Lance Childers)

Zoo Boo
September 25 - October 31, 2026
Houston Zoo  

Celebrate fall at the Houston Zoo with a month of fun complete with colorful pumpkins, seasonal décor, festive photo ops, animal-themed surprises, and special activities for the whole family. On select dates, extend the fun with extended hours and experience the spooky sparkle of glowing pumpkins, illuminated displays, and special nighttime experiences throughout the Zoo. Extended-hour highlights include Spooky Forest (opens at 5:00 p.m.), Ghost Town at John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, Glowing Pumpkins, making s’mores by the fire, and more!

Galaxy Frights
October 24, 25 & 31, 2026 
Space Center Houston 

Out-of-this-world Halloween fun awaits you and your crew at Space Center Houston at Galaxy Frights. Every year in October, Space Center Houston transforms into a launchpad for space-themed Halloween fun. Transport the whole family to explore the wonders of space–with a spooky twist. Show off your Halloween costumes, enjoy special activities, and more! Get your tickets today here.

Boo on the Boardwalk
Weekends in October, 2026
Kemah Boardwalk 

Celebrate 25 years of Boo on the Boardwalk this year! Enjoy Freaky Fridays, Scary Saturdays, and Spooky Sundays are all on the menu at Boo on the Boardwalk. The annual event returns to Kemah and is as scarily fun as ever. Every weekend is packed with activities, live music, haunted houses, movie screenings, an Oktoberfest celebration, and trick-or-treating at boardwalk stores. Get witchy with it! 

Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest
October 25, 2026 | 2:00 p.m.
Levy Park Conservancy 
 

 

The annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest, presented by H-E-B, returns October 25, kicking off at 2:00 p.m. at Levy Park! The tail-wagging good time event will kick off with a pup parade around the park at 4 p.m., followed by a free costume contest as pups and their humans strut the runway for the chance to win pup-tastic prizes. This year’s event will feature vendors featuring dog-related goods. Celebrate howl-oween with your furry friends! 

Scream on the Green
October 30, 2026 | 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Discovery Green

 

Get your Halloween costumes ready for a festive night at Discovery Green during Scream on the Green® on Friday, October 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The spooky celebration will feature a costume contest, living sculptures, games, spooky music, photo opportunities, and more. It’s a festive night in the park that’s perfect for getting dressed up and celebrating Halloween with friends and family.

Halloween Foam Party 
October 31, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
POST Houston 

Celebrate Halloween with a splash at POST Houston’s Halloween Foam Party on Saturday, October 31 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Skylawn. This all-ages event will feature purple and orange foam machines, family-friendly music, and costume contests. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online. Come dressed in your favorite costumes and get ready for a Halloween celebration that is sure to make a splash!

Haunted Halloween 
October 31, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Houston Symphony 

Jones Hall invites you to bring your ghosts and ghouls for a morning of boo-tiful tunes and fang-tastic favorites, performed by our haunted Symphony dressed in full costume! Plus, come in costume and grab your Jack-O-Lanterns for in-hall trick-or-treating. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Halloween at City Place Plaza 
October 10, 24, & 31, 2026 | 8:00 p.m.
City Place Plaza 

Get ready for a little hocus pocus at City Place! Enjoy Pix on the Plaza featuring the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. Gather your favorite witches, warlocks and movie-loving friends for a spellbinding evening of outdoor cinema, festive fun and fall magic under the stars. Bring your blankets, grab a bite from a nearby City Place restaurant and settle in for a bewitching night of movie magic the whole family can enjoy!

Later in the month, bring the whole family for an autumn afternoon filled with seasonal magic, featuring a festive vendor market, a picture-perfect pumpkin patch, fall characters and plenty of fun for all ages. From strolling through the market to capturing sweet fall memories, everyone will find something to enjoy. Gather your friends and family, embrace the fall vibes and make memories together at City Place!

Finally, Join Lifestyle Revolution at CityPlace for a Spooktacular Halloween Trunk or Treat + Zumba Dance Competition on October 31st. This family-friendly Halloween celebration will create a centralized space where kids can enjoy a safe Trunk or Treat experience while families connect, shop local vendors, enjoy entertainment, and take part in Halloween-themed activities. The event will also feature a costume competition focused on creativity, effort, and family-friendly fun, along with a high-energy dance competition designed to showcase local talent and bring excitement to the community. Kids can enjoy a bounce house, games, and other fun children’s activities. Bring the family, dress up, grab some candy, and enjoy a Spooktacular time at CityPlace.

Hearts will race in these Houston-area haunted houses! Adrenaline rushes, all in the name of fun and frights, await at these Houston haunted houses.

13th Floor Haunted House 
Various dates September - November 2026

Houston’s ultimate haunted house experience awaits at 13th Floor Haunted House. Pick your poison and step into the Jason Universe: Survive the Night, Containment Sector 9, or Cannibals Crossing for a truly chilling visit. Grab a drink to calm your nerves at The Hideout: Secret Bar, chill out with some Mini Escape Games, axe throwing and more. Step into the world of the 13th Floor if you dare! 

Houston Scream Fest 
Every Friday & Saturday | October 2 - November 7 (and October 22, 28, & 29)

The Houston Scream Fest is a frighteningly good time and more. The largest haunted house in Texas offers free beverages, live concerts, carnival games, and plenty of frights for all ticket holders. Open rain or shine, visit this epic Halloween haunted immersive adventure if you dare!

Haunted Trails
September 26; October 2 - 3, 9 - 11, 16 - 18, 23 - 25, 29 - 31; November 1, 2026

The scariest haunted trail and hayride in Texas returns to Old Town Spring! Head out to the Haunted Trails and Hayride and board a hay wagon to the edge of the dark woods. There you will be left to venture into an eerie trail filled with immersive sets, live actors, frightening creatures, and the ghosts that haunt this town. There's no better time to face your fears than this Halloween season. The historical railroad hub dates back to the 1800s and is considered to be one of the most haunted towns in Texas. There's no better time to face your fears than this Halloween season!

Houston Terror Dome 
Weekends and Various Dates in September - November, 2026

The Houston Terror Dome is a one-stop-shop for frights and fun! Houston Terror Dome is more than just a Haunted House. The popular attraction has expanded to include new activities including axe throwing, paintball, escape rooms, a pumpkin patch, a souvenir shop, and more. Don't forget to stop by the Nightmare Alley Haunted Bar, serving beer and wine to customers 21+ and offering non-alcoholic beverages as well. The fun starts before you even enter the Dome, as the Live DJ and abominations entertain you—enter if you dare! See detailed schedule here [https://houstonterrordome.com/schedule.aspx]. 

Phobia 
Weekends and various dates in September - November, 2026

With ten haunts and two killer locations, Phobia offers haunted houses that are set up to scare just about anyone! With eight haunts located at Beltway 8, including Clown Mania and Mind Control, and two located at Kemah Boardwalk, including Doom and Darke Labs, Phobia haunts are relentless in their quest to provide the creepiest and scariest experience of your life! Grab your bravest friends and get ready for an evening that nightmares are made of!

Pumpkin patches are a festive way to get outdoors and celebrate fall with friends and loved ones! Houston offers a number of options worth visiting to find the perfect pick from the patch. Top spots worth checking out include Old Time Christmas Tree Farm (photo), Dewberry Farm, Blessington Farms, or Oil Ranch for prime pumpkin picking, hayrides, and other activities.