Grab your candy buckets and costumes – trunk or treat season peaks this week across Texas. All events listed alphabetically by city for easy searching.
The Story Behind Trunk or Treat
From Church Parking Lot to Texas Tradition
In 1994, kids at Hilldale Baptist Church in Center Point, Alabama lined up at car trunks instead of front doors, trading trick-or-treat for trunk-or-treat. That Birmingham News article documented what churches in Utah had quietly started a decade earlier—a Halloween alternative where minivans replaced porches and parking lots became neighborhoods.
Churches saw an opening. Razor blade rumors from the 1960s had parents spooked about strangers’ candy, even though those fears proved mostly unfounded. Churches already had the parking lots, the people, and the organizational muscle to pull off something different. By the mid-2000s, schools, police departments, and community centers joined in.
Why Texas Grabbed Hold
Texas runs on cars, church communities, and family gatherings. Trunk or treats hit all three. Our sprawling suburbs and rural stretches made door-to-door trick-or-treating impractical for many families. Now Texas communities host multiple events throughout October, letting families bounce from one celebration to another before Halloween even arrives.
Modern trunk or treats pack in bounce houses, food trucks, costume contests, and partnerships with first responders. What started as a simple church solution now brings whole communities together, whether you live miles from your nearest neighbor or just want your kids to meet the local fire chief.
What to Expect at Your First Trunk or Treat
Walking Into a Parking Lot Transformed
Picture this: SUVs and pickup trucks lined up in neat rows, trunks open wide and decorated like movie sets. One trunk recreates a pirate ship with treasure chests spilling candy coins. The next transforms into a mad scientist’s lab with bubbling dry ice. Your kids walk the rows collecting candy while volunteers in matching costumes hand out treats and compliments.
Most events run 2-4 hours in afternoon or early evening. Organizers mark one-way paths with arrows or cones so you flow through without backtracking. Nearly all events are free, though some request canned goods for local food banks.
The Energy You’ll Feel
Upbeat music fills the air. Families arrive in full costume—sometimes matching their decorated trunks. Little superheroes compare candy hauls between stops while parents chat with neighbors they haven’t seen since last year’s event. Volunteers beam when kids gasp at their elaborate setups. The whole scene pulses with that special Halloween excitement, contained and amplified in one concentrated space.
More Than Just Candy
Smart organizers know candy alone won’t keep families engaged for two hours. Look for live music or DJ performances on small stages, bounce houses and obstacle courses where kids burn energy between candy rounds, face painting stations with lines of eager children, pumpkin decorating tables covered in markers and stickers, and costume contests breaking down into age groups from toddlers to teens.
Food trucks park nearby offering everything from tacos to funnel cakes. Local organizations set up booths—fire trucks with doors open for climbing, police officers showing off patrol cars, nonprofits handing out safety information and freebies.
How Much Candy We’re Talking
Your kids will fill their bags in 30-60 minutes, collecting way more candy than a typical neighborhood route. Most trunks let kids grab 2-3 pieces, though generous volunteers sometimes toss in handfuls. The math works in your favor—less walking, more candy per stop.
Watch for teal pumpkins marking trunks with allergy-friendly alternatives like stickers or small toys instead of food. Smart planning for kids who can’t eat standard Halloween candy.
Getting Your Timing Right
Show up 15-30 minutes early for shorter lines and fully-stocked candy bowls. Early arrivals claim first spots at popular activity booths and photo opportunities. But arriving mid-event works fine—the energy peaks when crowds fill the lot and everyone’s in full celebration mode.
Plan for 1-2 hours total. That gives your kids time to hit every trunk, try the activities, grab food, and soak in the atmosphere without feeling rushed. Many families arrive hungry, eat from food trucks, then tackle the candy circuit as their evening’s entertainment.
The Community Connection
You’ll run into neighbors, meet parents from your kids’ school, and chat with families you’ve never met. Kids make friends between trunks, trading candy and comparing costumes. For families new to town, trunk or treats offer natural conversation starters and easy entry into community life.
Different Formats You Might Encounter
Some events let you drive through while volunteers deliver candy to your car window—holdovers from COVID that stuck around for convenience. Others arrange decorated stations along walking trails, mixing nature walks with candy collection. Themed events require all participants to match an overall concept like storybook characters or decades.
Morning and afternoon events cater to young kids who can’t stay up late. Evening events crank up the spooky atmosphere with lights, fog machines, and darker decorations.
Special Event Features
Sensory-friendly hours accommodate kids with autism or sensory sensitivities—quieter music, reduced lighting, calmer environments. Accessibility-focused events ensure wheelchair users navigate easily and provide accommodations for various needs.
Pet-friendly versions welcome costumed dogs and cats with separate contests for best pet costume. Expect leash requirements and water stations for four-legged attendees.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Trunk or treats trade neighborhood adventure for concentrated fun. Your kids won’t experience that same darkness mystique or door-to-door discovery, but they’ll enjoy supervised celebration with built-in safety. Think of it as Halloween’s greatest hits packed into one parking lot.
Texas October weather swings from scorching afternoons to chilly evenings. Most events proceed rain or shine unless severe weather threatens. Dress in layers and bring backup plans.
Popular trunks run out of candy before official end times. Don’t stress—it means great turnout. Kids arriving later still enjoy activities, entertainment, and the whole experience even if candy selections thin out.
Making Every Minute Count
Chat up the trunk decorators who spent hours and their own money creating magic for your kids. Your genuine appreciation fuels their effort and ensures they’ll return next year.
Jump into activities beyond candy grabbing. Those costume contests, games, and photo ops create memories your kids will treasure long after the candy’s gone.
Stick around through the whole event if you can. Some save the best for last—special performances, prize drawings, or community moments that reward families who stay engaged.
Consider decorating your own trunk next year. Experiencing trunk or treats from the giving side deepens your appreciation and strengthens those community bonds that make these events work.
Allen
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Address: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Allen, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Church community welcomes families for trunk-or-treating
Austin
All Saints Austin Trunk-or-Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 29, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Address: All Saints parking lot, Austin, TX
- Cost: Free
- Website: allsaintsaustin.org
- Details: Fourth annual event. Participants decorate car trunks and hand out treats. Includes bounce house and lawn games. Candy donations accepted until October 22.
Austin Baptist Church Trunk-or-Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Address: 7016 Ribelin Ranch Drive, Austin, TX 78750
- Email: [email protected] (Rachel Tovar)
- Website: austinbaptistchurch.com
- Cost: Free
- Details: Candy, pumpkin painting, snacks, trunk-theme design and costume contests. Candy donations accepted through October 19th.
Austin ISD Police Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Address: Nelson Athletic Complex, 7105 Berkman Drive, Austin, TX 78752
- Cost: Free
- Details: Sixth annual event with safe trick-or-treating, decorated police cars, officer interaction, and community partner giveaways
Balance Dance Studios Trunk or Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Address: Balance Dance Studios, Austin area
- Cost: Free admission (games and face painting available for small fee)
- Details: Benefits various Balance dance companies. Come in costume.
Boggy Creek Greenbelt Trick-or-Treat Trail
- Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
- Address: Boggy Creek Greenbelt Trailhead, Austin, TX 78702
- Cost: Free
- Details: Over 20 stations with candy, games, activities, and free health resources. Expect 10,000 pieces of candy plus monster mash blacklight dance party.
Fitzhugh Brewing Halloween Party
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Address: Fitzhugh Brewing, Austin, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Carnival games, kids’ trick-or-treat bags, creative craft corner, live music, and special food/drink deals
Neill-Cochran House Museum Halloween Carnival
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Address: 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX 78705
- Cost: Free
- Details: Trunk-or-treats, scavenger hunts, games, museum tours, and ofrenda honoring DÃa de los Muertos
The Austin Stone South Campus Fall Festival
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Address: The Austin Stone South, Austin, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Trunk or treat, games, food, and family fun
Travis County Sheriff’s Office Trunk-or-Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (while supplies last)
- Address: 5555 Airport Boulevard, Austin, TX
- Phone: 512-854-7786
- Cost: Free
- Details: Decorated sheriff’s units with officers handing out candy. Public parking at 5501 Airport Boulevard.
Beaumont
Beaumont Police Department Halloween Party
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Address: 255 College Street, Beaumont, TX 77701
- Cost: Free
- Details: Safe Halloween celebration hosted by police department
Bee Cave
Hill Country Galleria Trunk or Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Address: 12700 Hill Country Boulevard, Bee Cave, TX 78738
- Cost: Free (no tickets required)
- Details: Collect candy from decorated trunks along Hill Country Boulevard. Check out the classic car show.
Buda
Booda Halloween
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Address: Buda Amphitheater and City Park, 204 San Antonio Street, Buda, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Trick or treat with local businesses and nonprofits, games, costume contests, library stories, and food trucks
Creedmoor
Mama Mary’s Farm & Pumpkin Patch Annual Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Address: 5701 Williamson Road, Creedmoor, TX
- Cost: Included with general admission
- Details: Sixth annual event. Trunk or treat laid out across trucks and tractors for fall-forward Halloween experience.
Denton
FUMC Denton Trunk or Treat: Share the Harvest
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Address: First United Methodist Church, downtown Denton (off the square)
- Cost: Free
- Details: Trunk-or-treating, bounce houses, carnival games, face painting. Bring non-perishable food donations to fight local hunger.
El Paso
Barnett Harley Davidson Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Address: 8272 Gateway Boulevard East, El Paso, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Kids and pet costume contests, music, and food trucks
Euless
Euless Community Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Address: 2701 Rio Grande Boulevard, Euless, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Community gathering for family fun
Frisco
Heritage Learning Academy Trunk or Treat
- Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Address: Heritage Learning Academy, Frisco, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Morning Halloween celebration for early learners
Primrose School of Frisco West Trunk or Treat
- Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Address: Primrose School, Frisco West
- Cost: Free
- Details: Evening celebration at educational center
Georgetown
Georgetown Trick or Treat Trail
- Date: Thursday, October 24, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Address: San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Fill treat bags, then head to Legacy pavilion for Goosebumps (PG) movie screening
Houston
Children’s Museum Houston Trick-or-Treat Party
- Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Address: 1500 Binz Street, Houston, TX 77004
- Website: cmhouston.org
- Cost: Check website
- Details: Museum magic meets Halloween with interactive experiences
Discovery Green Halloween Celebration
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Address: Discovery Green, downtown Houston, TX
- Website: discoverygreen.com
- Cost: Free
- Details: Costume contest, palm readers, psychics, music, living sculptures, games, and free outdoor movie screening
Levy Park Dog Parade & Costume Contest
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Address: Levy Park Conservancy, 3801 Eastside Street, Houston, TX 77098
- Cost: Free
- Details: Watch dogs strut in costumes during entertaining parade
Lake Brownwood
Lake Brownwood State Park Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Address: Lake Brownwood State Park, TX
- Phone: (325) 784-5223
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost: Free with non-perishable food donation OR twin bed-in-a-bag set
- Details: Campers decorate sites and pass out candy. Creepy Crawlies with Ranger George, family photo booth. Free campsites available for participants.
Lake Dallas
Lake Dallas Trunk or Treat
- Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Address: Lake Dallas City Park, 101 East Hundley Drive, Lake Dallas, TX 75065
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/groups/268102005634925
- Cost: Free
- Details: Costume contest with judging 5:00-6:30 PM. Winners announced next day on Facebook (don’t need to be present to win).
McKinney
PetSuites McKinney Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Address: PetSuites McKinney, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Pet-friendly trunk-or-treating
Montgomery
Hope Church Montgomery Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM
- Address: Hope Church Montgomery, Montgomery, TX
- Website: hopemontgomery.com/events/trunk-or-treat-2025
- Cost: Free
- Details: Trunk-or-treating, inflatables, games, and food. Wear favorite non-scary costumes.
Murphy
Murphy Skele-bration
- Date: Thursday, October 24, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Address: Murphy City Hall Complex, 206 North Murphy Road, Murphy, TX 75094
- Cost: Free (vendors charge for services)
- Details: Sugar stroll (trunk or treat), costume contests (kids, dogs, tweens, teens, groups), face painting, games, haunted maze, inflatables, and fire show
Pasadena
Texas Chiropractic College Trunk-or-Treat
- Address: 5912 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX 77505
- Cost: Free
- Details: Community event with candy, costumes, games, and festive fall activities
Plano
St. Andrew UMC Trunk or Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 27, 2025
- Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Address: St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 West Plano Parkway, Plano, TX
- Website: standrewmethodist.org
- Cost: Free
- Details: Creatively decorated car trunks and bounce houses before dark
Richardson
Canyon Creek Project Trunk or Treat
- Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Address: Canyon Creek Project, Richardson, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Afternoon trunk-or-treating in the community
Round Rock
Round Rock Fall Fun Festival
- Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Address: Old Settlers Park, 3400 East Palm Valley Boulevard, Round Rock, TX
- Cost: Free (suggested canned good donation for food pantry)
- Details: Carnival games for toddlers and preschoolers, hayrides, snacks, prizes, and entertainment
San Antonio
Transplants for Children Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Address: Colonial Hills United Methodist Church, 5247 Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio, TX 78230
- Website: eventbrite.com (search event name)
- Cost: Free
- Details: Over 30 trunks, trunk decorating contest, costume contest. Fun for entire family.
The Colony
The Dog Stop Trunk or Treat
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Address: The Dog Stop, The Colony, TX
- Cost: Free
- Details: Dogs and their families celebrate Halloween together
Wichita Falls
Mustang Village Apartments Inaugural Trunk-or-Treat
- Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Address: West Parking Lot, 5005 Lake Park Drive, Wichita Falls, TX
- Facebook: Search event page for updates
- Cost: Free
- Details: Face painting, hair tinsel, fire and police department guests, prizes, games, decorated trunks from local businesses. Trunk decorating contest with prizes from Crumbl Cookies, Beb’s Flower Shop, Cinemark.
Multi-Day/Regional Events
Armstrong Community Music School Annual Halloween Spooktacular
- Date: Sunday, October 27, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Austin area
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
- Details: Live music, hands-on instruments, spooky ukulele lessons, story time, arts and crafts, trick-or-treat trail, costume fashion show, monster mash dance party
FuelFest Dallas-Fort Worth
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Time: Starting at 1:00 PM
- Website: fuelfest.com
- Cost: Varies (check website)
- Details: Fast and Frightening Kids Trunk or Treat (ages 12 and under), all-ages costume contest, massive car show with Conway The Machine performing live
Immanuel Lutheran Church Trunk or Treat
- Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Austin area
- Cost: Free
- Details: Community church event with treats and fun
Realty Texas SPOOKtacular Trunk or Treat
- Date: Thursday, October 24, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Texas (check website for specific location)
- Cost: Free
- Details: Epic photo ops at haunted Halloween backdrop, games, candy from eerie themed trunks
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Event Conduct & Etiquette
Respect the Space Trunk or treats happen in parking lots where volunteers spend hours decorating. Walk carefully around vehicles and decorations. Keep children from climbing on cars or touching decorations without permission.
Follow the Flow Most events create a one-way path through the parking lot. Follow directional arrows and stay in line. This keeps things moving smoothly for everyone and prevents crowding.
Be Courteous Say “thank you” at each trunk. If a trunk runs out of candy, smile and move on – volunteers often spend significant money stocking their trunks. Many events last only 2-3 hours, so candy goes fast.
Costume Guidelines Many events request non-scary costumes, especially church-sponsored trunk or treats. Skip masks that cover your entire face – organizers need to see participants. Avoid weapons (even toy ones) and overly gory costumes.
Age Appropriate Most trunk or treats welcome all ages, but some specify age ranges. Respect these limits – they help organizers plan candy quantities and age-appropriate activities.
Stay Supervised Parents and guardians should accompany children throughout the event. Even in controlled parking lots, kids can dart between cars or wander off.
What to Bring
Essential Items
- Trick-or-treat bags or buckets (sturdy ones – you’ll collect lots of candy)
- Comfortable shoes for walking on pavement
- Light jacket (October evenings get cool)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Water bottles (kids get thirsty)
Helpful Additions
- Camera or phone for photos
- Portable phone charger
- Backup outfit for toddlers (crafts and face painting get messy)
- Stroller for little ones who tire easily
- Folding chair if you arrive early and need to wait
- Cash for food trucks, games, or activity fees
If Requested
- Canned goods or food donations
- Specific items mentioned in event details
Don’t Bring
- Pets (unless specifically noted as pet-friendly)
- Large bags or backpacks that block walkways
- Your own decorations or props
- Outside food and drinks if vendors are present
Want to Participate? How to Set Up a Trunk
Check Requirements Contact event organizers 2-3 weeks in advance. Most events require registration, and spaces fill quickly. Ask about setup times, electricity availability, and any theme requirements.
Candy Planning Budget 200-500 pieces of candy depending on event size. Buy individually wrapped candy only. Skip homemade treats – health codes and allergy concerns make these problematic. Consider offering non-food items like stickers, glow sticks, or small toys for kids with allergies.
Decorating Your Trunk Choose a theme and bring it to life. Popular themes include movie characters, storybooks, superheroes, fall harvest, or spooky (but not scary) scenes. Secure all decorations so they don’t blow away or fall on children. Use battery-operated lights instead of open flames.
Setup Essentials
- Arrive 30-60 minutes before start time
- Bring extension cords if you need power
- Set up a folding table in front of your trunk for candy display
- Create clear pathways around your vehicle
- Test any lights or effects before kids arrive
- Have a helper – trunk or treating solo gets exhausting
During the Event Stand near (not in) your trunk. Make eye contact with kids and parents. Engage with costumes – compliments make the experience memorable. Let kids take 2-3 pieces unless organizers specify otherwise. Keep your area clean and organized.
Safety for Participants Close your trunk if you need to leave your spot. Never start your vehicle during the event. Keep hazards like sharp edges, hot equipment, or electrical cords away from children.
Staying Safe at Trunk or Treats
Before You Go Walk through the costume with your child at home. Make sure they can see clearly, move freely, and won’t trip. Add reflective tape to dark costumes. Apply any face paint before arriving – this reduces lines and exposure to shared materials.
Arrival Safety Park in designated parking areas away from the trunk or treat zone. Hold young children’s hands while walking through parking lots. Watch for vehicles – not all cars participate, and some may be moving.
During the Event Stay together as a family group. Establish a meeting spot in case someone gets separated. Keep phones charged and ringer volume up. Watch children closely near vehicle bumpers and between cars.
Allergy Awareness If your child has food allergies, carry their medication. Check candy before eating. Many events now participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, offering non-food treats for kids with allergies – look for teal pumpkins at trunks.
Candy Safety Inspect all candy before children eat any. Throw away anything unwrapped, opened, or homemade from unknown sources. Check for choking hazards – hard candies pose risks for children under 3.
Weather Preparedness Check forecasts before leaving home. October weather changes quickly. Bring rain gear or umbrellas if needed. Know where to find shelter if severe weather develops.
Emergency Information Point out event staff, security, or police officers to your children. Make sure kids know their full names, your phone number, and what to do if lost. For children too young to remember, write your phone number inside their costume or on their arm with marker.
Medical Needs Bring any necessary medications (inhalers, EpiPens, etc.). Know where first aid stations are located. Alert event staff if your child has special needs that might require accommodation.
Leaving Safely Count your group before leaving. Check that you have all belongings. Walk children back to your vehicle – don’t let them run ahead through parking lots. Wait until you’re completely out of the event area before letting kids dig into candy.
After the Event
Candy Management Sort candy at home in good lighting. Let kids choose favorite pieces but set reasonable limits. Consider donating excess candy to organizations, troops overseas, or dentist buy-back programs.
Gratitude If you got contact information, send a quick thank you to organizers. Post positive comments on event pages. Your feedback helps volunteers know their effort mattered and encourages them to host again next year.
Photos & Memories Share photos (with permission) on social media, tagging the event and thanking organizers. These memories become family treasures and promote future events.
Contact & Updates
Most events post updates on Facebook and community pages. Search the specific event name to find current details, weather cancellations, and last-minute changes. Many events are hosted by churches, schools, and community organizations that welcome volunteers and trunk decorators. Consider volunteering next year – trunk or treats rely entirely on community participation to succeed.
