Melissa Henning
Audio By Carbonatix
Get your costumes ready: Halloween season in Dallas-Fort Worth is officially upon us.
Of course, the entire month of October has become engulfed in spooky season — lingering hot weather doesn’t stop the screams around here. If you prefer to catch horror classics on the big screen, or spend every single day of this month living out your own Halloweentown fantasy in Denton, the haunts aren’t in short supply.
Below, we’ve rounded up 16 of the best Halloween and Day of the Dead events happening across North Texas through the coming weeks. You’ll find festivities fit for all tastes – and tolerances for spookiness – from places to grab a cocktail in costume, to family-friendly fun for the kids.
Friday, October 17
Movies on the Lawn: Halloweentown at AT&T Discovery District
308 South Akard St | 7 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy the seasonal classic “Halloweentown” on a 104-foot media wall under the stars, in the AT&T Discovery District. No outside food or drink is permitted, but we highly recommend grabbing a few bites from onsite Cowboy Chow, Grove Kiosk and The Exchange Hall. Admission is free; arrive early to snag an optimal viewing spot. RSVP online.
Friday, October 24
Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival
Downtown Denton Square | Times vary by date
Yes, we know Dia de los Muertos isn’t until November 1, but we aren’t the festival police. Although this annual multicultural celebration borrows its name from Mexican tradition, it also nods to Halloween and the fall harvest. Coffin boxcar races, performances by Cirque du Horror and a costume parade are just some of the family-friendly events spread throughout this three-day seasonal extravaganza. The best part? It’s free.
Saturday, October 25
Dallas Halloween Block Party
3900 Block of Cedar Springs Rd. | 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
One of the biggest and best free, annual celebrations returns to the heart of Oak Lawn. Strut your stuff down the street-lined runway in the middle of the Cedar Springs Strip — the costume spectrum here spans from the animal ears and lingerie combo to giant, fuchsia Furbys. Of course, neighborhood favorites like The Round Up and S4 host special contests, activations and more. This event is for ages 18 and up.
Dia de Los Muertos Parade and Festival
1500 Marilla St | 4 – 11 p.m.
Organized by Texas-based Día de los Muertos LLC, this festival aims to honor the past while celebrating the living with educational programming, live music and concessions. The parade starts at 7 p.m., and you can check out the route and get live updates on Facebook. This event is free to attend and open to all.
Trick-or-Treating in Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Frwy | 5 – 10 p.m.
Last year’s event drew more than 20,000 visitors to Klyde Warren Park, and with this year’s event promising candy galore and a nighttime screening of Wicked, we’re sure it’ll yield an even bigger turnout. At 11 a.m., food vendors, including the iconic Fletcher’s Corny Dogs and Dallas staple Mi Cocina, will set up shop on the West Lawn; at 5 p.m., the real fun begins with book giveaways, jack-o-lantern printmaking, and, of course, trick-or-treating. View a full event lineup here.
Double Wide Halloween Bash
3510 Commerce Street | 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
If you’re the type who started working on your Halloween look six months ago, Double Wide is the place to be this month. The Deep Ellum dive bar hosts a costume contest with a $500 cash prize. Plus, a slate of rock n’ roll tribute bands will be taking the stage at the bar’s attached garage venue. Meanwhile, DJs Gabe Mendoza and Joey Scandolous will keep the sounds going behind the decks. Did we mention 2025 Best of Dallas winner Bleach is hosting? Tickets are $20.
Friday, October 31
Dallasites101 Chills & Thrills Halloween Party at House of Blues
2200 North Lamar St | 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Bring your best costume for Instagram giant Dallasites101’s fourth annual Halloween bash – prizes will be awarded across multiple categories. If you don’t see yourself taking home the win for trendiest costume, though, you’ll have a chance to redeem yourself in a mummy-wrapping contest and onstage karaoke. Entry is 18+, and general admission tickets are $20.
Día de los Muertos at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
301 Flora St | 7:30 p.m.
Take a seat for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s annual Dia de Los Muertos concert. Though traditional Latin American music is the main event, you won’t want to miss the decorated ofrendas and other surprises in store. Award-winning ensembles Mariachi Los Unicos and Mariachi Lone Star will take the stage, too – the former is comprised of Dallas middle school students, while the adult members of Lone Star are all Greiner Middle School alumni. Tickets start at $37.
Joe Bob’s Spooktacular Indoor All-Night Halloween Jamboree at the Texas Theatre
231 Jefferson Blvd | 7 p.m. — 7 a.m.
When we say all night, we mean it: from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., enjoy five full-length horror movies, short films, a live spook show and costume contest at Oak Cliff’s iconic Texas Theatre. Purchase a VIP package for early entry and a photo with horror hosts Joe Bob and Darcy the Mail Girl themselves. This event is for ages 18 and up.
Nightmare on Main Street at The Village
5670 Village Glen Dr. | 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
The Village will transform its Over Under sports bar and La Mina underground restaurant into a true “Nightmare on Main Street,” complete with live music and custom themed cocktails. The highlight of the night, though, is the $1,500 costume contest, for which you can qualify by RSVPing. Bring your loudest group of friends – the winners will be selected by crowd decibel level. It’s free to RSVP, but additional drink packages are available for purchase. 21+.
Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets
1902 Main Street | 4 – 7 p.m.
Downtown Dallas Inc.’s seventh annual Halloween event presents the perfect opportunity for families to trick or treat with the city skyline as a stunningly spooky backdrop. Put on your silliest or spookiest costumes to enjoy live, family-friendly entertainment in Main Street Garden Park. Admission is free, though downtown parking is paid.
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Locations vary | 4 p.m. – 12 a.m., Friday and Saturday
Your ticket to this two-day crawl includes two to three drinks or shots, access to exclusive food and drink specials (with no cover at all partner venues) and after-party entry. You choose whether you want to crawl in Deep Ellum or Lower Greenville. 21+. Mark yourself as “going” on Facebook so you don’t miss an update.
W Dallas Halloween Rooftop Masquerade Party
2440 Victory Park Ln | 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
This party might have the best views you’ll find all Halloweekend. Sitting 33 stories above the city, the W Dallas Hotel’s Altitude rooftop will be decked out with photo ops scored by Dallas’ scarily good DJs. Though party favors are complimentary for all, a VIP ticket gets you two hours of prepaid premium drinks and access to a private bar. 21+. General admission tickets start at $36.04.
Saturday, November 1
Dia de Los Muertos Festival at the Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This annual exhibition showcases beautiful altars paying tribute to the departed of local artists and community members. Local vendors, live music performers and arts & craft activities will also be on-site for perusal. Admission to this spirited celebration of remembrance is free and open to the public.
Ongoing
Boo! at Galleria Dallas
13350 Dallas Pkwy | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays
Check in… if you dare. Though the BooMont Hotel – “Boo!” for short – is located on the third floor of the Galleria, this immersive experience will transport you back a hundred years in time. Founded in 1901 by oil tycoon Rupert BooMont, a series of mysterious events led the hotel to close in 1925; as guests, you’ll get to investigate whether the rumors of hauntings hold any weight. With no gore in the hotel’s 13 public rooms and interactive spaces, it’s a kid-friendly outing, but check the event’s website for the adults-only schedule. Tickets start at $15 for kids 12 and under, and $25 for kids over 13 and adults.
Dark Hour Haunted House
701 Taylor Dr, Plano | 6:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. Fridays through Sundays
As DFW’s top-rated haunted house, Dark Hour is not for the faint of heart. During your 30-minute trek through the manor, you’ll meet creatures including spider-ish Corva Hyve, and child-eating witch, Hella Ween. Thrive off jumpscares? Extend the tour by purchasing a VIP ticket. Kids under 12 enter for $40, while adults are $50.
