Halloween in Houston

Not only does Houston have haunted houses, there are also drive-in movies, pop-up markets and more!

Pumpkin Planters
October 12, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Create a beautiful fall planter for your patio or yard! They'll provide all the supplies you need to prepare a festive container garden, including an artificial pumpkin container, three plants, soil, and decorations.

Haunted Hues
September 12 - November 3, 2024
The Color Factory

From September 12 through November 3, Color Factory is welcoming ghosts and goblins of all ages to experience HAUNTED HUES! HAUNTED HUES is a limited-time BOO-tacular event. Experience the happily haunted transformation of Color Factory’s interactive installations and immersive rooms with ghoulishly delightful new sweets to nibble, Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, pumpkin decorating and a yummy partnership with Juiceland. HAUNTED HUES will be all treats—no tricks—this Halloween season.

Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest 
October 27, 2024 | 4-6 p.m.

The annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest presented by H-E-B is back on October 29th from 4 to 6 p.m. at Levy Park! The event will kick off with a pup parade around the park, followed by a costume contest, in which contestants will strut the “runway” for the chance to win fantastic prizes. Kids will also have an opportunity to walk the catwalk. 

The costume contest has three new categories to pick from: 

• Spooky Season (anything fall or Halloween-related)
• From the Screen (any character or theme from TV or movies)
• Best Ensemble (must include three or more people and/or dogs in coordinating costumes)

Not a fan of the ghosts and the ghouls? Check out Houston's family-friendly attractions and events.

Zoo Boo
September 27 - October 31, 2024
Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo invites all little ghouls and goblins to celebrate fall festivities during its month-long Zoo Boo presented LyondellBasell. From Sept. 27 –  Oct. 31 guests can wear their best costumes for Houston’s favorite merry-not-scary Halloween event.  

Explore the Ghost Town located between Cypress Circle and the giraffe barn, see glowing pumpkins near Flamingo Terrace and check out the talking pumpkins located in African Forest.

Boo on the Boardwalk
Weekends in October, 2024
Kemah Boardwalk

Freaky Fridays, Scary Saturdays, and Spooky Sundays can only mean one thing... Boo on the Boardwalk is back and as hauntingly fun as ever. Every weekend is packed with activities, live music, and trick-or-treating at Boardwalk stores.

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

Houston Scream Fest
Every Friday & Saturday in October, 2024
The Houston Scream Fest is more than a haunted house; it’s a month-long festival. Shoot at walking-dead zombies with paintball markers, try to escape the asylum, scream your way through the castle of doom, and more. Also, enjoy live music and freak show performances. View the 2024 calendar here.

Haunted Trails
October 6, 13, 20, 27, 31, 2024
Walk the trails of Houston’s most thrilling outdoor attraction. Haunted Trails features detailed sets, zombies, clowns, and other creeps, body parts, creepy crawlers, and more. Find out what lurks beyond the trees on select weekdays, every weekend in October, plus Halloween night.

Houston Terror Dome
Weekends September - November, 2024. View detailed calendar here.
In its opening year, The Houston Chronicle billed the Terror Dome as the “Scariest Haunted House In Houston.” Get ready to scream your way out – if you make it that far. With new effects, rooms, and actors this year, Terror Dome is intense enough to satisfy the most demanding scaremonger. 

Phobia
Weekends in September, October and November, 2024
With eight 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. View the 2024 calendar here.

Explore all the excellent places around Houston to find a pumpkin to carve.

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

Discover the Halloween-themed events hosted by local eateries.

Dine in Costume at Phat Eatery, Get Free Roti Canai
October 31, 2024

Wear your costume to Phat Eatery for pre- or post-trick-or-treating fuel, and receive a free order of flaky, buttery roti canai with any food purchase. One complimentary roti order per table with costumes. Valid on Halloween only at the Katy and Woodlands locations. 

Fourth Halloween-iversary Party at Pier 6
October 26, 2024

Pier 6 will celebrate its fourth year in operation with another epic Halloween bash. This year, the themed costume party falls on Saturday, October 26. Get into the spirit with spooky decor, food and drink specials, candy for kiddos, plenty of live entertainment and more. Starts at 5 p.m.

Howl-oween Dog Costume Contest | October 24, 2024

Heights Beer Garden will host a Howl-oween Dog Costume Contest + Adoption Event, Saturday October 21st from 2pm-6pm. Entry fee is $20 and three winners will be awarded at 5pm, with all proceeds supporting HTX Dog Rescue (www.htxdogrescue.org). Enjoy raffle prizes, full menu and bar, rescue merchandise and adoptable dogs. 

Photos: Courtesy of attractions and venues mentioned on this page.