Halloween in Texas means more than just trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. This October, theme parks transform into pumpkin wonderlands, zoos stay open after dark, and museums host costume parties. Best part? These events skip the blood and gore in favor of silly monsters, candy, and memories your kids will talk about all year.
We’ve tracked down the best not-too-scary Halloween events across Texas where your little ghouls and goblins can celebrate without the nightmares. From morning pumpkin patches to evening train rides, here’s where to take your family this spooky season.
Houston: Halloween in the Big City
Houston Zoo Boo
Through October 31 | Included With Zoo Admission
The Houston Zoo trades scary for spectacular with a celebration that transforms the grounds into Halloween central. Kids wear costumes to explore carved pumpkin displays sponsored by Frost Bank, the massive Pumpkin Tree, and animal-themed Peek-a-Boo Pumpkins scattered throughout the zoo.
The genius here? Your kids still see lions, elephants, and gorillas while collecting Halloween memories. It’s two adventures in one, and the zoo’s commitment to “merry-not-scary” means even toddlers have a blast without hiding behind your legs.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030
- Hours: Regular zoo hours throughout October
- Tickets: Zoo admission required—purchase online to skip lines
- Best for: Ages 2-12
- Pro Tip: Visit weekday mornings for smaller crowds and better animal viewing
Pioneer Farms Pumpkin Nights (Austin)
Through October 31 | Multiple Dates
Walk through a festive path featuring 10-foot-tall jack-o-lanterns, the world’s largest pumpkin guitar, and artist-designed carved pumpkin displays. The outdoor trail format lets kids explore at their own pace, and the impressive scale of the pumpkin artwork creates wow moments worth the admission price.
The farm setting adds authenticity—this isn’t a mall parking lot setup, but a genuine working farm transformed into Halloween central.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin, TX 78754
- Hours: Evening hours vary—check website
- Tickets: Purchase online in advance
- Best for: Ages 3 and up
- Pro Tip: Bring a wagon for tired little legs on the walking path
Space Center Houston – Galaxy Frights
October 18-19 & 25-26 | Weekends Only
Space and Halloween collide at NASA’s visitor center. Kids explore space-themed Halloween activities, see astronaut training equipment, and learn about real spacecraft—all while wearing costumes. The combination of education and celebration means they’re having so much fun learning, they won’t even notice the science sneaking in.
Galaxy Frights adds special Halloween touches to the center’s already impressive exhibits. Think alien encounters (the friendly kind), costume contests with space themes, and trick-or-treating among the rockets.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058
- Hours: Check website for Galaxy Frights specific hours
- Tickets: Regular admission plus special event ticket—book ahead
- Best for: Ages 5 and up (space-obsessed kids of any age)
- Pro Tip: Combine with a tram tour to NASA for the ultimate space experience
Galveston Historic Seaport Fall Fest
October 18, 5-8 PM | FREE
Galveston’s maritime history meets Halloween at this waterfront celebration. Kids try the dunk booth, get faces painted, and explore the Haunted Harbor Tours (kid-friendly spooky, not terrifying). Parents sip local craft beers while watching harbor activities, and everyone enjoys the crisp sea breeze.
The free admission and waterfront location create a relaxed evening where families can explore at their own pace. The Seaport’s smaller scale means you won’t lose track of wandering children.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX 77550
- Cost: FREE
- Hours: 5-8 PM
- Best for: Ages 4-12
- Pro Tip: Come early to tour the historic ships before Halloween activities begin
Bullock Museum Spooktacular (Austin)
October 24 | Bullock Texas State History Museum
Free activities plus a scavenger hunt turn Texas history into Halloween adventure. Kids explore museum exhibits while completing Halloween-themed challenges, participate in spooky science displays, and enjoy hands-on activities designed for young learners. Live music adds festive atmosphere to an already engaging museum.
The free admission combined with educational value makes this a win-win: kids have blast while learning about Texas history and science concepts.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 1800 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
- Cost: FREE
- Hours: Check museum website
- Best for: Ages 5-12
- Pro Tip: Download the scavenger hunt before arriving to jump right in
Nature Discovery Center Fall Festival
October 25-26, 11 AM-4 PM | FREE Admission
This Bellaire gem offers free entry to a festival packed with fall fun. Kids decorate pumpkins, ride trains through the property, explore a trick-or-treat nature trail, and meet live animals. The outdoor setting means plenty of space to run around, and the focus on nature education adds depth to the candy collection.
Games and activities cost extra, but even on a budget, your family can enjoy plenty without spending beyond concessions. The casual atmosphere lets kids move at their own pace without the pressure of timed events.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 7112 Newcastle Street, Bellaire, TX 77401
- Cost: Admission FREE; activities, games, and pumpkins priced individually
- Hours: 11 AM-4 PM both days
- Best for: All ages
- Pro Tip: Bring cash—some vendors may not accept cards
Levy Park Howl-o-ween Dog Parade
October 26, 2:30 PM | FREE
While primarily a dog event, this family-friendly celebration welcomes kids to watch hundreds of costumed pups parade around the park. After the dog parade, families can enjoy the park’s amenities and watch the costume contest. It’s a unique Halloween experience that combines pet love with festive fun.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 3801 Eastside Street, Houston, TX 77098
- Cost: FREE
- Hours: Starting at 2:30 PM
- Best for: All ages (especially dog-loving kids)
- Pro Tip: Arrive early for good viewing spots
Neill-Cochran House Museum Halloween Carnival (Austin)
October 27, 11 AM | Central Austin
This historic house hosts carnival games, Día de los Muertos-themed crafts, scavenger hunts, and friendship bracelet making in a relaxed neighborhood setting. The smaller venue creates an intimate experience where kids explore at their own pace without overwhelming crowds.
The Día de los Muertos elements introduce cultural traditions in an age-appropriate way, expanding Halloween beyond just tricks and treats.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX 78705
- Cost: Check website for admission details
- Hours: Starting at 11 AM
- Best for: Ages 4-10
- Pro Tip: Combine with lunch at nearby campus restaurants
1838 Menard House Trick-or-Treating (Galveston)
October 31, 5-6:30 PM | FREE
Galveston’s oldest residence opens its gates for trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. Kids collect candy from a genuine historic site while learning about early Texas history. The brief timeframe (just 90 minutes) means this works perfectly as a pre-neighborhood trick-or-treat warmup or an early evening activity before the big night begins.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 1605 33rd Street, Galveston, TX 77550
- Cost: FREE
- Hours: 5-6:30 PM
- Best for: All ages
- Pro Tip: Pair with dinner in Galveston’s historic district for a full evening out
Austin: Keeping Halloween Weird (But Kid-Friendly)
Boo at the Zoo (Austin Zoo)
Saturdays & Sundays, October 18-25 | Evening Hours
Austin Zoo transforms into a nighttime adventure where kids experience the “haunted zoo” after dark. Limited ticket availability creates an intimate atmosphere—you’re not fighting massive crowds to see exhibits. Kids wear costumes, animals display their nocturnal behaviors, and the after-dark setting adds just enough spooky atmosphere without scary actors jumping out.
The zoo’s smaller size compared to major city zoos means you can see everything without exhausted meltdowns. The focus on animal encounters over manufactured scares keeps the experience authentic to what zoos do best.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
- Hours: Evening hours vary—check website
- Tickets: LIMITED availability—reserve early
- Best for: Ages 4-12
- Pro Tip: Visit earlier in October before word spreads and sells out
Austin Symphony Halloween Children’s Concert
October 26 | The Long Center
Live classical music meets Halloween costumes in this interactive concert designed for young ears. Kids wear costumes, enjoy pre-concert activities, and watch professional musicians bring Halloween music to life. The costume contest adds extra excitement, and the cultural exposure introduces children to orchestral music in a playful context.
This is how you make classical music accessible—combine it with something kids already love (Halloween) and create an experience they’ll request again.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 701 W Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704
- Time: Check website for exact performance time
- Tickets: Purchase in advance—family concerts sell well
- Best for: Ages 4-10
- Pro Tip: Sit toward the back if your child might need to leave mid-concert
Dallas/Fort Worth: Big City Halloween Fun
Six Flags Over Texas Halloween
September 13-November 3 | Weekends Only
Six Flags splits Halloween into two experiences: family-friendly daytime activities and nighttime haunts. Bring kids during daylight hours for trick-or-treating, costume contests, fall treats, and Halloween shows without scary actors. The theme park rides add an extra dimension—where else can you trick-or-treat AND ride roller coasters?
The daytime-only strategy means you enjoy Halloween fun without exposing young kids to the intense haunted houses that emerge after dark.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76010
- Hours: Daytime only for young kids (check exact times)
- Tickets: Regular park admission
- Best for: Ages 4-12 (daytime hours)
- Pro Tip: Visit in September or early October before Halloween crowds peak
Meadows Museum Trick or Treat
Date TBA | Meadows Museum
Art comes alive as kids trick-or-treat with costumed characters inspired by the museum’s collection. Interactive activities throughout the galleries introduce children to art in a playful context, and the indoor setting provides a weather-proof Halloween option. Adults must accompany children, making this a true family experience.
The combination of candy and culture creates positive art associations—your kids might actually request future museum visits.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 5900 Bishop Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205 (SMU Campus)
- Cost: Check museum website
- Hours: Check website for exact times
- Best for: Ages 4-10
- Pro Tip: Parking on SMU campus can be tricky—arrive early or use rideshare
Klyde Warren Park Halloween
Date TBA | Downtown Dallas
Dallas’s beloved urban park hosts its first-ever costume contest along with trick-or-treating stations scattered throughout the space. The evening concludes with a lawn screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas under the Dallas skyline—a quintessential city experience.
The free admission and central location make this accessible for families across the metroplex without committing to theme park ticket prices.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, TX 75201
- Cost: FREE
- Movie time: Check website (typically around dusk)
- Bring: Blankets, treat bags, lawn chairs
- Best for: Ages 5-12
- Pro Tip: Nearby paid parking garages offer validation—check the park’s website
Grapevine Vintage Railroad Halloween Train
Multiple dates in October | Historic Grapevine
Kids board a historic steam train for a Halloween-themed journey complete with candy, Halloween songs and stories, and a genuine vintage railroad experience. The combination of trick-or-treating and train riding creates novelty—most kids don’t regularly ride trains, making this feel extra special.
The enclosed setting means weather won’t ruin your plans, and the short duration keeps attention spans from wandering.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 709 S Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051
- Tickets: Purchase in advance—trains sell out
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour
- Best for: Ages 3-10 (train-obsessed kids of any age)
- Pro Tip: Combine with exploring Grapevine’s historic downtown before or after
Heard Natural Science Museum Haunted Night Hike
Multiple dates | Ages 3+
This hour-long nature walk introduces kids to nocturnal animals like bats, invertebrates, and reptiles in their natural habitats. Expert guides teach about “creepy creatures” while kids experience the outdoors after dark in a safe, educational context. The spooky subject matter fits Halloween without resorting to fake scares.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX 75069
- Tickets: Registration required—limited spaces
- Duration: 1 hour
- Best for: Ages 3+ (nature-loving kids especially)
- Pro Tip: Bring flashlights and wear closed-toe shoes
San Antonio: Southern Texas Spookiness
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – Tricks & Treats
Select Days, September 6-November 2 | Daytime Hours
San Antonio’s Six Flags creates a brand-new family festival with an over-the-top Trick-or-Treat Trail, the Heebie Jeebies and Haunted Hollywood shows, and a costume contest. The daytime scheduling means families enjoy theme park thrills without the nighttime scare actors.
Autumn-themed crafts, festive fall foods, and world-class roller coasters combine for a full-day adventure that justifies the theme park ticket price.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 17000 I-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257
- Hours: Select days—check calendar
- Tickets: Regular park admission
- Best for: Ages 4-14
- Pro Tip: Visit in September for lower crowds before October rush
San Antonio Zoo Boo
Through October 31 | Regular Zoo Hours
For a full month, San Antonio Zoo adds Halloween magic to regular visits. Kids wear costumes for free trick-or-treating from 4-5 PM most days (through October 30). The zoo stays open until 9 PM on Halloween night itself—extended hours create a special finale to October celebrations.
The zoo’s commitment to “more treats than tricks” means even sensitive kids enjoy the festivities. Animal encounters, themed decorations, and costume-wearing create photo opportunities at every turn.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 3903 N St Mary’s Street, San Antonio, TX 78212
- Free trick-or-treating: 4-5 PM, through October 30
- Halloween night hours: Until 9 PM on October 31
- Tickets: Zoo admission required
- Best for: Ages 2-12
- Pro Tip: Visit mid-week in September for smallest crowds
Morgan’s Wonderland Halloween Bash
Select Days, September 27-October 31
This inclusive, accessible theme park welcomes everyone for Halloween celebrations. Free face painting, costume contests, and complimentary candy stations create a truly accessible Halloween experience. Kids with disabilities often struggle with traditional Halloween events—Morgan’s Wonderland removes those barriers.
The park’s commitment to inclusion means children of all abilities enjoy the same activities together. Families dealing with mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, or cognitive disabilities finally have a Halloween event designed with their needs in mind.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 5223 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio, TX 78233
- Hours: Select days—check calendar
- Tickets: Regular park admission
- Best for: All ages and abilities
- Pro Tip: If you’ve never visited Morgan’s Wonderland, this is your chance to discover an amazing resource
San Antonio Botanical Garden – BOOtanica
October 25 | Botanical Garden
Kids wear costumes to walk a trick-or-treat trail through the botanical gardens. Hands-on nature activities combine candy collection with plant education, and the outdoor fall foliage creates a beautiful backdrop for photos. The garden’s smaller capacity compared to theme parks means a more relaxed pace.
What You Need to Know:
- Address: 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209
- Hours: Check website for exact times
- Tickets: Purchase in advance
- Best for: Ages 3-10
- Pro Tip: Visit the garden during regular hours first if your child is nervous about new places
Natural Bridge Caverns – Fall Cavern Bat Fest
Weekends in October | FREE Event
Every weekend in October celebrates Texas’s famous bats with complimentary seasonal activities. Kids learn about these important creatures while enjoying fall-themed fun at one of Texas’s most impressive natural attractions.
What You Need to Know:
- Location: Natural Bridge Caverns
- Cost: FREE activities (cavern tours separate)
- Best for: Ages 5+
- Pro Tip: Combine with a cavern tour for full day adventure
Making the Most of Halloween Season
Halloween in Texas offers something for every family—from free community festivals to theme park extravaganzas, from educational museum events to outdoor nature adventures. The key is matching the event to your kids’ ages, interests, and spook tolerance.
Start planning now. Mark your calendars. Buy tickets early for popular events. And get ready to create Halloween memories that’ll last long after the candy’s gone.
Happy haunting, Texas families!
