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Halloween is just around the corner, and Texas has plenty of ways to celebrate! From terrifying haunted houses and immersive mysteries to fall festivals, costume contests, and themed parties – we’ve rounded up Halloween events happening across the state, with options for families, thrill-seekers, and anyone just looking to get into the spooky spirit.
AUSTIN AREA
House of Torment
For those who want to live out their favorite horror films, the House of Torment in Austin delivers the scream park experience that you’ve been looking for. Open select nights through Nov. 8, 2026, this immersive walk-through pairs intense jump scares with interactive games to leave you screaming with the ultimate adrenaline rush. Here’s a quick look at the nightmares waiting for you.
The Main Attractions: Face off against cinema’s ultimate slasher in Jason Universe: Survive the Night, escape the biomechanical horrors of Site 505, confront an ancient cult in the Abandoned Manor, and brave the psychological sensory overload of Phobia.
Upgraded Experiences: Take a break from the scares with 5-minute mini escape games, blow off some steam with axe throwing, gear up to hunt zombies in a live simulation, or grab a thematic cocktail at a secret 21+ Nocturne Sanctum underworld bar.
Located at 2632 Ridgepoint Drive, online-only tickets start at $19.99, varying by night and time slot. Skip-the-line and fast-pass upgrades are heavily recommended for weekend slots – buy yours now at HouseofTorment.com.
Halloween Fun & “The Night Before Halloween” Bowling at PINSTACK
If you want to spend your Halloweekend racking up strikes instead of scares, head over to PINSTACK Austin! The Night Before Halloween Bowling night brings a full party vibe to the lanes with music, drinks, and a crowd dressed to impress. The venue is rolling out a special holiday perk: download their rewards app to claim a free festive Jack-O-Lantern pizza! You’ll have access to their two-story laser tag arena, bumper cars, and indoor high ropes course.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 (The Night Before Halloween Bowling runs from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.). Holiday pizza promos run all week through Oct. 31.
Where: North Austin (500 W. Canyon Ridge Drive).
Tickets: General facility entry is free (games/lanes are pay-as-you-go); secure your specific Night Before Halloween Bowling tickets online ahead of time.
“Spooky Night” Full Moon Zip at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Trade the traditional haunted house for a moonlit thrill ride soaring high above Lake Travis. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is hosting a two-night-only “Spooky Night” edition to their famous Full Moon Zip tours. The 3-hour guided experience includes headlamps, glow sticks, and a boat ride to Adventure Island. You’ll navigate hikes and soar canyons on 5 of the longest and fastest ziplines in Texas – with a few spooky Halloween surprises along the way. Tickets include all equipment, unlimited water, and all-day access to their private lakefront property packed with hammocks and games.
When: Friday, Oct. 30 (5:30 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.) & Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 (6:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Leander / Central TX (14529 Pocohontas Trail)
Requirements: Reservations are required; closed-toe shoes mandatory. Weight must be between 70 lbs and 250 lbs.
Tickets: $138 plus tax (Max 13 people per tour). Select “Full Moon Zip Tours” when booking online.
Pinballz Arcade Halloween Events & Fall Carnival
From family-friendly carnival rides to adult-only mixers, Pinballz is a one-stop shop for arcade-fueled Halloween fun with multiple spooky ways to win. Head down to Pinballz Kingdom in Buda for their multi-week Fall Carnival featuring thrill rides, classic games, and fair food favorites. All three Pinballz locations are hosting separate, free-to-enter costume contests, but at the Original Pinballz, the champion will walk away with a trophy and a $100 game card. You can also test your slasher film wits at Lake Creek’s Horror Movie Trivia Night for a shot at prizes and drink specials.
When & Where:
- Horror Movie Trivia: Oct 28 (7:00 p.m.) at Pinballz Lake Creek
- Fall Carnival: Oct 29 – Nov 15 at Pinballz Kingdom (Buda)
- Costume Contests: Oct 24 (8:30 p.m.) at Kingdom | Oct 30 (7:30 p.m.) at Lake Creek | Oct 30 (9:30 p.m.) at The Original Pinballz
- Monster Mash 18+ Mixer: Oct 31 (6:00 p.m.) at Pinballz Kingdom
Tickets: Contests and trivia are free to enter; Carnival ride tickets, food, and arcade games are pay-as-you-go. Learn more at pinballz.com.
Bat City Scaregrounds
Looking for another night full of Halloween frights? Bat City Scaregrounds in Buda (just south of Austin) brings three different haunted attractions for one admission – including the new Ritual, Castle Orlock, and Slaughter Mall 3D. Between the haunted houses, you can also catch live entertainment, roaming monsters, browse Halloween vendors, enjoy seasonal food, and plenty of photo opportunities to capture the memories.
When: Open select nights through Oct. 31
Where: 14101 S. Turnersville Road, Buda, TX
Tickets: Vary by date and are available at BatCityScaregrounds.com.
Pumpkin Nights
If you want breathtaking Halloween visuals without the scares and nightmares, Pumpkin Nights is where you need to be! This massive family-friendly outdoor festival features 10,000 intricately hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. There’s nine immersive lands – including the fiery Forbidden City, a pirate cove, and the neon underwater world of Neon Reef. The trail leads into the festive Pumpkin Village, where you can see live fire dancers, professional pumpkin carving demonstrations, seasonal vendors, games, and cold fall brews.
When: Sept. 17 – Oct. 31, 2026 | Open daily from 6:00 p.m.
Where:
- Austin: Pioneer Farms (10621 Pioneer Farms Dr)
- DFW: Howell Family Farms (Arlington, TX)
Tickets: Prices vary by date. Weekdays start at $22 for adults / $16 for kids; weekends run $32-36 for adults. Little ones 3 and under are free. Advance online purchase is required.
DALLAS
A Party to Die For at Sheraton Dallas
Looking for a more sophisticated scare? Step inside The Parlor at the Sheraton Dallas’ sleek, speakeasy-inspired lounge for a mysterious, one-night-only Halloween celebration. The immersive Venetian-inspired masquerade challenges you to mingle with the masked suspects, gather clues, and unmask the killer before the time runs out. Tickets include the full guided mystery experience, a selection of chef-curated hors d’oeuvres and desserts, your very own masquerade mask, and complimentary self-parking. Be sure to dress to impress; the best one will get two free tickets to a future Mixology Monday experience. (21+ only)
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 | Doors at 6:30 p.m., Show from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dallas (400 N. Olive Street)
Tickets: Starting at $60 (Reservations required; book via Eventbrite / Sheraton’s ticketing link).
Y’alloween Block Party at Marriott Dallas Uptown
If you want to party in Dallas without the pricey ticket fees, head uptown Dallas for a free outdoor block party. Marriott Dallas Uptown is opening up its outdoor Y’all Plaza for a lively Y’alloween Block Party. The free, neighborhood-wide bash will feature specialty themed cocktails, festive food stations, and raffle prizes. Dallas musician Tell Runyan will take the stage to provide live music throughout the night. This is a great way to celebrate without paying a cover charge!
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Where: Uptown Dallas (Y’all Plaza at 3033 Fairmount Street)
Tickets: Free and open to the public (No reservations or admission fees required).
HOUSTON
Murder at The Marquis: An Old Hollywood Mystery
Ditch the screams for a night of glamour, suspicion, and suspense in Downtown Houston. Taking place on October 30 at Walker Street Kitchen at the Marriott Marquis Houston, you’ll spend the evening interrogating characters, unraveling alibis, and trying to solve a shocking murder before the killer slips away. The chef-curated menu features dishes like “The Butcher’s Mince” beef tartare and “Fowl Pla” duck and foie lollipops. Dressing up in your finest vintage cocktail attire or elegant mobster gear is highly encouraged!
When: Friday, Oct. 30, with 6:30 p.m. arrival and dinner and the murder mystery experience beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Guests can purchase tickets and learn more about the event HERE.
Black Lagoon Halloween Cocktail Pop-Up (Austin, San Antonio, DFW, & Houston)
If you want the eerie aesthetic of a haunted house but prefer a world-class cocktail over jump-scares, this dark, witchy lounge takeover is your perfect destination. The award-winning Black Lagoon pop-up takes over acclaimed local cocktail hubs and transforms them into goth wonderlands filled with coffins, giant spiders, and eerie soundscapes. The “Potions of the Damned” menu features custom drinks like the pumpkin-infused “Abyssa’s Obsession” and the “Bone Temple” fall margarita. You can even buy limited-edition, artist-designed glassware, like custom Octo-Witch mugs right at the bar to take a piece of the nightmare home.
When: Multi-week activations rolling out throughout October 2026.
Where (Texas locations):
- Austin: King Bee (East Austin)
- Fort Worth (DFW): Nickel City FTW
- Houston: Nickel City HTX
- San Antonio: Three Star Bar
Tickets: No general admission tickets or covers required to enter; drinks and collectible glassware are pay-as-you-go. Learn more at blacklagoonpopup.com.
WAXAHACHIE
Scarborough’s Hollow Fall Fantasy Festival
Wrap up your spooky season in the most magical way possible at Scarborough’s Hollow Fall Fantasy Festival in Waxahachie. The festival grounds are hosting an immersive, back-to-back spooktacular weekend on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 (1-9 p.m. daily) that transforms the enchanted village into a spooky paradise. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect across both days.
Halloween Day (Oct. 31): Features a costume contest, pumpkin coloring, roaming fantasy characters, and plenty of fall photo opportunities. Conquer the Rottingwood Cemetery Scavenger Hunt or brave your way through the terrifying Blackthorn Castle Haunted House. The first 500 kids also score a free trick-or-treat bag for village-wide candy hunting!
Día de los Muertos Day (Nov. 1): Features a community ofrenda to honor loved ones, live mariachi music, colorful face painting, sugar skull activities, and family costume contests.
Located at 2511 FM 66, adult tickets start at $29.70 and children’s tickets are $16.50 (ages 5–12), with free general parking included. Plan your visit at ScarboroughsHollow.com!
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Cover Photo Steven Van Elk for Pexels
Leean Vargas is the The Lone Star Low Down newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.
