Halloween in Dallas-Fort Worth transforms the metroplex into a spooky wonderland. From haunted houses to family-friendly festivals, the area offers a diverse range of events to celebrate the holiday.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region boasts numerous Halloween attractions, including themed zoo events, costume contests, and festive pub crawls. These activities cater to all ages and interests, ensuring everyone can find something to enjoy during the Halloween season.
Visitors and locals alike can experience the holiday spirit at popular venues such as the Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Stockyards, and Dallas Farmers Market. These locations host special Halloween-themed events, combining traditional fall activities with unique, location-specific offerings that showcase the best of what Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer during this exciting time of year.
The Top Halloween Festivities in Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas-Fort Worth offers thrilling Halloween attractions for those seeking spine-chilling experiences. Two standout events combine elaborate set designs, professional actors, and immersive storytelling to create unforgettable scares.
Dark Hour Haunted House
Located in Plano, Dark Hour Haunted House delivers intense frights through its detailed sets and terrifying characters. The attraction changes themes regularly, ensuring fresh scares for repeat visitors.
Guests navigate through dimly lit corridors and encounter various nightmarish scenes. Professional-grade special effects, including fog machines and strobe lights, heighten the suspense.
Dark Hour employs skilled actors who stay in character throughout, creating an immersive horror experience. The attraction recommends a minimum age of 12 due to its intense nature.
Screams Halloween Theme Park
Screams Halloween Theme Park in Waxahachie offers five haunted houses within a single location. Each house features a unique theme, from a 3D clown maze to a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Between scares, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, games, and food vendors. The park’s carnival-like atmosphere provides a fun contrast to the haunted attractions.
Screams operates on weekends throughout October. Guests can purchase individual haunted house tickets or all-inclusive passes for multiple attractions.
The park caters to different fear levels, with some houses designed for intense scares and others offering milder thrills.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
Dallas-Fort Worth offers a variety of Halloween events suitable for the whole family. These activities provide safe and fun ways for children to enjoy the spooky season.
Boo at the Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo transforms into a Halloween wonderland from October 28-30. Children can trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, collecting candy at themed stations. Costumed characters roam the grounds, posing for photos with excited visitors.
The zoo decorates its habitats with festive Halloween touches. Families can enjoy special animal encounters and educational presentations with a spooky twist. Live entertainment, including magic shows and musical performances, adds to the festive atmosphere.
Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, but adults should avoid masks for security reasons. The event runs in the evenings, allowing visitors to experience the zoo in a unique nighttime setting.
Pumpkin Patch Adventures
Several farms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area host pumpkin patches and fall festivals. These events typically run throughout October, offering weekend fun for families.
Popular activities include hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. Children can pick their own pumpkins to carve or decorate. Many farms feature bounce houses, slides, and other inflatable attractions.
Some locations offer additional Halloween-themed elements like haunted houses or spooky trails designed for younger visitors. Face painting, costume contests, and fall-themed photo opportunities are common features.
Local favorites include the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch and Hall’s Pumpkin Farm in Grapevine. These venues often have food vendors selling seasonal treats like caramel apples and hot cider.
Cultural Halloween Celebrations
Dallas-Fort Worth embraces diverse Halloween traditions that honor cultural heritage and history. These events offer unique ways to experience the holiday beyond typical trick-or-treating.
Day of the Dead Festivities
The Latino Cultural Center in Dallas hosts a vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration. Colorful altars honoring deceased loved ones fill the space. Traditional Mexican folk dances and music performances entertain visitors throughout the event.
Local artists demonstrate sugar skull decorating techniques. Guests can try their hand at this iconic craft. Food vendors sell authentic Mexican dishes like tamales and pan de muerto.
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden also puts on a Day of the Dead event. Their celebration features a community ofrenda where visitors can add photos and mementos. Mariachi bands serenade attendees as they explore the decorated gardens.
Halloween Nights at the Dallas Heritage Village
Dallas Heritage Village transforms into a family-friendly Halloween destination. The historic buildings serve as a backdrop for spooky yet educational experiences.
Costumed interpreters lead lantern-lit tours through the village. They share ghost stories and Dallas folklore along the way. Kids can participate in old-fashioned Halloween games like bobbing for apples.
The village’s general store offers vintage candy for trick-or-treaters. Local artisans demonstrate traditional crafts with a Halloween twist. Visitors can try their hand at carving turnip lanterns, a precursor to modern jack-o’-lanterns.
Halloween Parades and Parties
Dallas-Fort Worth offers exciting Halloween parades and parties for revelers of all ages. These events combine costumes, music, and festive atmospheres to create memorable holiday experiences.
Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party
The Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party is a highlight of Dallas’ Halloween scene. This annual event takes place on Cedar Springs Road, transforming the area into a vibrant celebration. Thousands of costumed attendees fill the streets, enjoying live music, dance performances, and food vendors.
The party features a costume contest with prizes for the most creative and elaborate outfits. Local businesses join in the festivities, decorating their storefronts and offering special Halloween-themed promotions.
Safety is a priority, with increased police presence and designated rideshare pickup zones. The event typically runs from early evening until midnight, allowing partygoers to enjoy the full Halloween experience.
Monster Dash 5K
The Monster Dash 5K combines fitness and Halloween fun. This family-friendly event takes place in Fort Worth, attracting runners and walkers of all skill levels. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, adding a festive flair to the race.
The course winds through scenic areas of Fort Worth, often including landmarks or parks. Runners receive themed medals and t-shirts as mementos of their participation.
Post-race activities include a costume contest, live music, and refreshments. The event often partners with local charities, donating a portion of proceeds to community causes.
Kids can join in with a shorter “Fun Run” designed for younger participants. The Monster Dash 5K typically occurs on a weekend morning close to Halloween, kicking off the holiday celebrations in a healthy, active way.
Horror Film Screenings and Interactive Events
Dallas-Fort Worth offers an array of spine-chilling movie experiences and interactive Halloween events. Film enthusiasts and thrill-seekers can enjoy classic horror screenings and immersive cinema experiences at iconic local venues.
Texas Theatre Horror Movie Marathon
The historic Texas Theatre hosts an annual Halloween horror movie marathon. This event features a carefully curated selection of classic and contemporary horror films shown back-to-back.
Attendees can expect a mix of well-known favorites and cult classics. The marathon often includes interactive elements, such as costume contests and themed drink specials.
The atmosphere at the Texas Theatre adds to the spooky experience, with its vintage decor and rich cinematic history.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Events
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema locations in DFW organize special Halloween screenings throughout October. These events often combine film showings with interactive experiences.
One popular offering is their “Movie Party” series, where audiences receive props and participate in activities related to the film. For Halloween, this might include screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” or “Beetlejuice.”
Alamo Drafthouse also hosts themed dinners paired with horror films, offering a unique culinary and cinematic experience. Their commitment to a distraction-free viewing environment ensures an immersive horror movie experience.
Halloween Bar Crawls and Nightlife
Dallas-Fort Worth offers thrilling Halloween bar crawls and spooky nightlife experiences. Revelers can join festive pub tours or explore the city’s haunted history through guided walks.
Dallas Halloween Bar Crawl
The Dallas Halloween Bar Crawl transforms the city into a playground for costumed partygoers. Held in popular neighborhoods like Deep Ellum, the crawl typically runs from 4 PM to 11 PM. Participants enjoy drink specials and themed activities at multiple venues.
Tickets range from $12.99 to $35, with early bird discounts available. The event attracts hundreds of attendees, creating a lively atmosphere across participating bars.
Crawlers are encouraged to wear creative costumes and can compete for prizes. The exact route and participating bars are usually announced closer to the event date to ensure an exciting and unpredictable experience.
Ghosts of Dallas Tour
The Ghosts of Dallas Tour offers a spine-chilling journey through the city’s most haunted locations. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour combines historical facts with eerie tales of supernatural occurrences.
Participants visit infamous sites like the Adolphus Hotel and the Old Red Museum. The tour typically lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours, covering approximately 1 mile on foot.
Groups are kept small to maintain an intimate atmosphere. Guides use storytelling techniques to bring the city’s ghostly past to life. Reservations are recommended, as these tours often sell out during the Halloween season.
Food and Drink Specials for Halloween
Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants and breweries embrace the Halloween spirit with themed menus and spooky brews. Visitors can indulge in festive treats and potions across the metroplex.
Themed Restaurant Menus
Bread Winners Café & Bakery offers Halloween-themed cookies, cupcakes, and cake pops. Their special cookie platters feature 12 spooky designs for $48. Individual cupcakes are available for $5 each, while cake pops cost $3.
Another Round mini golf venue provides a 50% discount for costumed players during Halloween week. This deal combines fun and food savings for groups seeking a unique outing.
Several DFW eateries create limited-time Halloween menus. These often include pumpkin-flavored dishes, “bloody” cocktails, and desserts shaped like ghosts or monsters.
Halloween Brews at Local Craft Breweries
DFW craft breweries join the Halloween festivities with seasonal beer releases. Many taprooms host costume contests and offer discounts to patrons in spooky attire.
Popular Halloween brews often feature pumpkin ales, dark stouts, and amber lagers with names inspired by classic horror themes. Some breweries collaborate with local haunted attractions to create signature beers.
Tasting flights allow visitors to sample multiple Halloween-themed beers. Many breweries also offer take-home crowlers or growlers of their limited-edition Halloween brews for those who prefer to celebrate at home.
Costume Shops and Contests
Dallas-Fort Worth offers an array of costume shops and creative competitions for Halloween enthusiasts. From boutiques stocking unique outfits to contests showcasing imaginative designs, the metroplex caters to those seeking the perfect Halloween look.
Best Costume Boutiques
Dallas Vintage Shop stands out as a premier destination for Halloween costumes. Located in Plano, this store boasts an extensive collection of period-accurate and themed attire. Customers can find everything from 1920s flapper dresses to futuristic space suits.
Costume World in Fort Worth specializes in theatrical and high-quality Halloween costumes. Their knowledgeable staff assists in creating custom looks for those seeking something truly unique.
For last-minute shoppers, Spirit Halloween pop-up stores appear throughout DFW each fall. These temporary shops offer a wide selection of ready-to-wear costumes, accessories, and decorations.
Most Creative Costume Competitions
The W Dallas Rooftop Halloween Masquerade Party hosts one of the city’s most anticipated costume contests. Participants compete for prizes while enjoying panoramic views of the Dallas skyline.
Dallas Farmers Market organizes a Pet Costume Contest, allowing furry friends to join in the Halloween fun. Pet owners showcase their creativity with adorable and often hilarious costumes for their four-legged companions.
Echo Lounge’s Halloween party features a costume contest with multiple categories. Attendees can vie for titles such as “Most Original,” “Best Group Costume,” and “Scariest Ensemble.”
Halloween Decorations and Home Haunts
Dallas-Fort Worth residents take Halloween decorations seriously, transforming neighborhoods into spooky spectacles. Ambitious homeowners create elaborate displays and haunted attractions in their yards and garages.
Neighborhood Decoration Tours
Preston Hollow and Plano stand out as top destinations for Halloween decorations. Residents compete to create the most impressive displays, featuring animatronics, light shows, and themed scenes. Popular streets become makeshift attractions, drawing crowds of onlookers.
Some neighborhoods organize official decoration tours. Local groups often compile maps highlighting must-see houses. Visitors can drive or walk through these areas to admire the creative and eerie displays.
DIY Haunting Tips
Creating a home haunt requires planning and creativity. Start by choosing a theme, like a spooky graveyard or mad scientist’s lab. Use affordable materials like foam board, PVC pipes, and thrift store finds to build props and sets.
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood. Colored bulbs, strobes, and blacklights can transform ordinary spaces. Sound effects add another layer of immersion. Consider using motion sensors to trigger scares as visitors approach.
Safety is paramount. Ensure all walkways are clear and well-lit. Use flameless candles and LED lights to reduce fire risks. Test all electrical setups before opening night to prevent malfunctions.
Safety Tips and Guides for Halloween Night
Halloween night in Dallas-Fort Worth can be thrilling, but safety should remain a top priority. Parents and guardians should accompany young children during trick-or-treating activities.
Ensure costumes are visible in the dark by using reflective tape or glow sticks. Opt for face paint instead of masks to maintain clear vision while walking.
Stay on well-lit streets and use sidewalks when available. Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
Carry flashlights or glow sticks to increase visibility. Remind children to never enter a stranger’s home or car.
Inspect all treats before consumption. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious items.
Drivers should exercise extra caution on Halloween night. Reduce speed in residential areas and watch for children darting between parked cars.
Consider attending organized events at local community centers or malls as safer alternatives to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating.
Set a curfew for older children and ensure they have a fully charged cell phone for emergencies.
Teach children how to call 911 in case of an emergency. Provide them with important contact information.
By following these safety guidelines, families can enjoy a fun and secure Halloween experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Post-Halloween Events and Candy Buybacks
Halloween festivities extend beyond October 31st in Dallas-Fort Worth. The area embraces cultural celebrations and offers opportunities to repurpose excess candy.
Dia de los Muertos Parades
Dallas-Fort Worth honors Mexican heritage with vibrant Dia de los Muertos parades. These events typically occur in early November, featuring colorful floats, traditional costumes, and folk dancers.
Oak Cliff hosts a popular parade along Jefferson Boulevard. Attendees can expect live music, face painting, and altar displays.
Fort Worth’s Dia de los Muertos parade takes place in the Stockyards district. The event includes mariachi performances, sugar skull decorating, and local food vendors.
Both parades welcome community participation. Families often dress up and join the processions, creating a lively atmosphere.
Local Dentists’ Candy Buyback Programs
Several Dallas-Fort Worth dentists organize candy buyback initiatives after Halloween. These programs encourage children to trade excess candy for cash or small prizes.
Participating dentists typically offer $1 per pound of unopened candy. Some practices add toothbrushes or dental care products to the exchange.
The collected candy is often donated to troops overseas or local charities. This effort supports both dental health and community giving.
Buyback events usually run for a week after Halloween. Interested families should check with local dental offices for specific dates and details.