Halloween Festivities 2018

Halloween is on a Wednesday this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some spooky fun all month long! I’ve gathered a collection of events that will offer something to everyone. There’s lots of events in nearby Galveston, too, which gathers ghost hunters from all across the world every year. Check out the family-friendly events if you’re looking for some casual fun or get into the scary spirit with one of Houston’s many haunted houses.

Buzz intern Eli Maierson highlights all of the elements that are lethal to humans. (Photo: Ryan Chang)

Now-Jan 6: Death by Natural Causes @ Houston Museum of Natural Science 

This is an ongoing exhibition held at the Museum of Natural Science, but what better way to celebrate the creepiness of Halloween than by going to an exhibit about death? This exhibit may leave you feeling more fearful of everyday objects, but you’ll be in the Halloween spirit. (Buzz summer interns Eli Maierson and Ryan Chang explored this exhibit. See their recap here.) 

Oct. 1-31: Houston Ghost Tours @ Hermann Park 

Did you know that Houston Ghost Tours gives ghost tours year-round in Houston? Book your spot online for a 60-minute or 90-minute walking tour in Hermann Park.

Oct. 2-31: Hotel Galvez October Ghost Tour Dinners @ Hotel Galvez 

Starting at 6 p.m. every night in October, the historic Hotel Galvez in Galveston will host ghost tour dinners. You may have heard that this old hotel is haunted, but you’ll be able to experience the haunts for yourself on this 1.5 hour guided tour throughout the hotel, followed by a three-course dinner ($65/person). I don’t know about you, but I would come face-to-face with a ghost if I was promised a three-course dinner afterwards!

A series of 22 illuminated spheres transform Discovery Green and Avenida Houston into a magical moonscape. (Photo courtesy of Lucion)

Oct. 5: moonGARDEN presents “Goodnight Moon” @ Discovery Green 

Discovery Green’s newest installation, installed at the beginning of October, is hosting a pajama party from 7-9 p.m. on the 5th featuring milk and cookies and celebrity readers reading the classic book in various languages. The Astrological Society will be present with telescopes to look at the stars. moonGARDEN features 22 illuminated spheres with “shadow theaters” that present a show on each sphere.

Oct. 5-31: Phobia Haunted House @ 5250 S Sam Houston Parkway E., Houston, TX 77048 

Phobia is one of the scariest haunted houses in town, so go at your own risk! It is open every weekend in October and Tuesday the 30th and Wednesday, Halloween! Get your tickets at the door. Cash only.

Oct. 6: Movie Night on the Strand: Hocus Pocus @ Galveston’s Historic Strand 

Hocus Pocus is a family-friendly classic. Enjoy watching it on the Stand. 

Children's Museum of Houston hosts its Halloween Mash Bash on Oct. 31, 3-8 p.m. with a dance party, trick-or-treating and more Halloween fun.

 

Oct. 13-31: Halloween Monster Mayhem @ Children’s Museum of Houston 

Throughout the last half of October, the Children’s Museum will host trick or treating, slime activities, and weekly dance parties leading up to Halloween. On the 31st, the ultimate Halloween Bash will include pumpkin painting and a DJ. Check the event for specific times for each activity.

Oct. 13-31: Zoo Boo @ Houston Zoo 

Every weekend in October starting on the 13th, the Houston Zoo is hosting its annual Zoo Boo. Every year, this event features nighttime zoo hours, costumes, candy and more fun for the entire family. This year’s Halloween Zoovie Night takes place Oct. 27. 

Oct. 14: Halloween! By Galveston Symphony Orchestra @ The Grand 1894 Opera House 

If you want a classier side of Halloween, join the Galveston Symphony Orchestra at the beautiful and historic Opera House on the Strand in Galveston for a night of spooky tunes.

Oct. 14: Halloween Crafts with Cats @ El Gato Café 

This event, happening from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., will feature cat-related crafts and real cats! All craft supplies included in entry fee.

Oct. 19: Full Moon Fest @ Colonial Park 

City of West U hosts its annual fall festival on Oct. 19, which includes pumpkin decorating, face painting and costume contests. Families should come dressed in costumes and ready to celebrate fall.

Oct. 20: Houston Halloween Fest @ 19th Street in the Heights 

Hosted by The Houston Zombie Walk (just when you thought you’d heard everything…), Halloween Fest will take place from 5-10 p.m. and will feature live music from The Spazmatics. There will be a beer garden, vendors, food trucks and a Kids Zone. Kids’ activities include face painting, trick or treating, and so much more. Kids under 11 get in free and adults pay $10 for general admission. The event is rain or shine.

ArBOOretum, the Arboretum's biggest family event of the year, features fun fall activities for all ages including live animals, pumpkin decorating and Houston’s only Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. (Photo courtesy of Houston Arboretum & Nature Center)

Oct. 20: ArBOOretum @ Houston Arboretum & Nature Center 

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the Arboretum will be hosting its annual event with pumpkin decorating, face painting, food trucks, train rides, reptiles, and much more. This event has all the things you need to celebrate Halloween and even things you didn’t know you needed (reptiles? Hmm).

Natalie and Dane Schmitt pose with sons Henry, 3, and Adam, 1, in the pumpkin patch at Nature Discovery Center's Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar) 

 

Oct. 20-21: Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival @ Nature Discovery Center 

Nature Discovery Center is hosting its annual fall festival, which includes pumpkins, festival games, horse-drawn wagons, food trucks, a bounce house, obstacle course, and more. Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is free (games, activities and food cost a varying number of tickets). Families will love bringing their little pumpkins to this event.

Oct. 25: The Great Pumpkin Hunt @ Bellaire Parks and Rec 

Bellaire Parks and Rec hosts its annual Halloween event, The Great Pumpkin Hunt, on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating, face painting, live music, popsicles and a moonwalk.

Join this citywide Halloween celebration at Discovery Green. (Photo: Katya Horner)

Oct. 26: Scream on the Green @ Discovery Green 

Scream on the Green is Houston’s annual costume contest and Halloween party. From 6-10 p.m., enjoy live dance performances, music, costume contests, living statues, a live showing of E.T., prizes, candy and more. Not yet convinced? Pets are welcome and there is a dog costume contest, too.

Oct. 27: West U Halloween Dash 5K Race and Texas Children's Hospital Kids' Fun Run @ City of West U 

Dash along the streets of West U in the Halloween spirit. There will be a 5K race (including a stroller/dog division!), a non-competitive, 1 mile kids’ fun run and costume contests.

Oct. 27: Monster Mash 5K/10K @ Karbach Brewery 

Dress up in your favorite costume and take on a 5K or 10K starting at Karbach Brewery. Registration includes two free drink tickets!

Oct. 27: Spirits and Skeletons @ Houston Museum of Natural Science 

Starting at 8 p.m., join the HMNS for a Halloween party with DJs, food trucks, and an open museum waiting for you to explore it! Costumes encouraged.

Oct. 27: Freaky Deaky Texas 2018 @ Sam Houston Race Park 

Freaky Deaky is an EDM-based music festival that encourages festival goers to dress up in their Halloween gear while enjoying live performances from Kaskade, DJ Snake, Excision, Porter Robinson and more.

 

Oct. 31: Halloween Trick or Treat @ CityCentre 

CityCentre is hosting a trick or treat event with candy at different retailers from 5-7 and live music and dancing until 8 p.m. Bring your own bag for collecting candy!

Oct. 31: Movies at Miller: Poltergeist @ Miller Outdoor Theatre 

At 7 p.m. on Halloween, Miller Outdoor Theatre will be hosting a free, non-ticketed showing of Poltergeist. Event is rain or shine.

More Events

See our event calendar for all upcoming events.