Tricks or Treats is a new event at Six Flags for kids too young for Fright Nights. (Six Flags Over Texas)
Discover 13 frighteningly fun (but not too spooky!) Halloween events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that the whole family will enjoy.
It’s almost Halloween (eek!). Our houses are decorated, our kids have their costumes picked out, and the whole family is chomping at the bit as we approach October 31. The main event isn’t for another few weeks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take the kids trick-or-treating a little early—and maybe snag a sweet or two for ourselves.
There are many fabulous Halloween events in North Texas that’ll give you a taste for all things eerie, scary, and strange. A drive-in movie, costume contests, Halloween trails, and more spooky fun await you below!
Whether you have older kids who want a fright or younger kids who appreciate the milder side of spooky season, check out these amazing Halloween events happening this month.
1. Trick or Treat Trail
When: Oct. 18, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Towne Lake Park, 1405 Wilson Creek Pkwy, McKinney
Part hiking trail, part eerie adventure, the Trick or Treat Trail in McKinney is a sweet start to spooky season! Everyone is invited to wear their Halloween costume and walk the 1.2-mile trail filled with surprises. Jump scares, magical moments, haunted décor, tons of candy—it should have been called the Trick and Treat Trail because you’ll get plenty of both here!
There will also be a live DJ, carnival rides, delicious food vendors, and a pop-up costume contest (perfect for those who don’t like the attention of strutting in front of judges).
2. Fall-O-Ween Drones & Bones
When: Oct. 18, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Dr, Sachse
The City of Sachse knows that to put on a good show, it’s all about the details. That’s why the Fall-O-Ween Drones & Bones event is so perfect. The city is bringing in the Wylie Acting Group to perform as scare actors in the haunted maze and professionals to put on a drone show to entertain and delight. Talk about your new favorite Halloween event!
This cool evening also has carnival games, caricature artists, pumpkin decorating, stage performances, and a Halloween movie.
3. Trunk or Treat Drive-in Movie
When: Oct. 18, 6-9:30 p.m.
Where: Joe Farmer Recreation Center, 1201 E Bethany, Allen
Two of our favorite fall activities combined into one? Yes, please! The Trunk or Treat Drive-in Movie starts by setting up your trunk and passing out candy to all the cute, costumed kids. (And walking around trick or treating with your own kids, of course.)
Afterward, climb back into the car and cozy up with your favorite snacks to watch Coco with the kids. And maybe if they fall asleep, you can even sneak some of their candy out of their baskets. We won’t tell!
4. Huffhines Harvest Fest
When: Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 1500 Apollo Road, Richardson
Spooky season wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Huffhines Harvest Fest. A local celebrity—J-Si of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show—is hosting a costume contest on Sunday for cash prizes. There is shopping from artisan vendors, along with gourmet foods and unique wares.
Because it’s a true fall festival, there will be pumpkins to decorate, scarecrows to dress, and more fun family games. Live music, a craft beer garden, and a petting zoo round out the cool weekend event.
5. Garland Graveyard Haunted House
When: Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Bradfield Recreation Center, 1146 Castle Drive, Garland
“Let’s go play in a haunted graveyard, kids!” is not something you usually say. But on Halloween, all the usual rules are off limits! The Garland Graveyard Haunted House event is a totally unique event.
After dark, you’ll walk through the graveyard, set up with witches, zombies, haunted pumpkins, and more spooktacular experiences. Although it’s lighthearted and designed for fun, this event may scare some younger kids, so use your discretion. (Note: you must bring two canned goods to be donated to the Salvation Army Corps of Garland for entrance.)
6. Goblins in the Garden
When: Oct. 24-25, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
Bring your little goblins (and witches and ghosts and any other costume your kid dresses up as) to Goblins in the Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. This fun event takes place at the Pumpkin Village in the evening, where you can walk through the garden and admire its ¡Mundo México! theme all lit up.
This Halloween event has trick-or-treating with kid-friendly Halloween music and plenty of photo opps. Kids will love singing and dancing with characters from Disney’s “Encanto” who will be roaming through the garden. There are also food trucks and fall-themed cocktails for those at least 21.
Even if you’ve seen these pumpkins during the day, this nighttime event will totally transform the garden—and you’ll love it as much as the kids.
7. Boo at the Zoo
When: Oct. 24-26; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth
What better spooky season party guests than wild animals? Hang out with alligators, elephants, lions, and approximately 7,000 other animals at the Fort Worth Zoo for their beloved Boo at the Zoo event.
Everyone’s encouraged to wear costumes to trick or treat for candy and little goodies. Zookeepers will be on hand to share terrifyingly cool facts about animals. And guests of all ages will be delighted by the Magical Monster Mash show, Dr. Suds Bubble Lab, and a puppet show from Renfield the Bat, among other activities.
Stay on the lookout for dancing skeletons hanging around the zoo and cool pumpkin artwork made by local creators. You’ve never seen a Halloween event like this before!
8. Halloween in the Park
When: Oct. 25, 5-10 p.m.
Where: Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Ln, Dallas
For one night only, Farmers Branch Historical Park transforms into a type of Halloweentown—complete with bounce houses and carnival rides, spooky characters roaming about, and live music.
There will also be food trucks for dinner at Halloween in the Park, so you won’t get too full on just candy. This fun-filled event is a great, low-key way to celebrate the holiday.
9. Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s Trick ‘R Treat Trains
When: Oct. 25-26
Where: Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District, 705 S Main St
Think: Agatha Christie-meets-the Polar Express on this whimsical Trick ‘R Treat Train hosted by the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
Wear your Halloween costumes, then board the historical train for a round-trip ride made even more magical with interactions from actors with the Grapevine Vintage Railroad Theatrical Players. There will be festive music, spooky décor, and more to create a one-of-a-kind experience the whole family will enjoy.
10. Boos & Moos at the Farm
When: Oct. 26, 4-7 p.m.
Where: 1666 FM 1141, Rockwall
Although the pumpkin patch at Huddin Homestead Fun Farm is open now through Nov. 9, the Boos & Moos at the Farm only takes place on Oct. 26. Kids can dress up to trick or treat with the animals at this unique event that’s even better than going door-to-door on Oct. 31.
Other times, you can go on pony rides, play fall activities and games, pet the animals, pick out pumpkins, and order grub from the onsite food trucks. It’s the perfect, interactive experience for animal-loving little ones!
11. Pumpkin Nights
When: Through Oct. 31; 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (weekdays), until 11 p.m. (weekends)
Where: Howell Farms, 4016 W Division St, Arlington
Looking for a place to bring older kids that’s not too scary? Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms is amazing. This entire event is full of the perfect spots for Instagram photos—the glowing pumpkin lanterns are a must-see!—plus it has tons of eerie vibes without the haunts.
Fabulous light displays across ten immersive pumpkin lands make this event stand out. Explore the Forbidden City, check out the Pirate’s Cove, and admire the 7,500+ hand-carved pumpkins. Even my little kids were in awe when I took them to this cool event. Their favorite part was the live fire show!
12. Tricks and Treats at Six Flags Over Texas
When: Through Nov. 2
Where: Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington
Older kids might be brave enough for Six Flags’ Fright Fest, but everyone else wants the Halloween fun without the terror. Enter: Tricks and Treats, a new family-friendly event designed with little ones in mind.
This event takes place at Six Flags, where you can see spooky shows, wear Halloween costumes, enjoy themed snacks, and go on rides—all before the sun sets and the monsters come out. Don’t forget to paint pumpkins and masks and go through the hay maze.
And if you do want to stay for after dark, you can get a “No BOO necklace” for little ones to ask the characters not to walk up to them during the event.
13. Spooktacular Nights at Yesterland Farm
When: Every Friday/Saturday in October, every Saturday in November; from dark to 10 p.m.
Where: 15410 Interstate 20, Canton
When the sun sets, Yesterland Farm transforms before your eyes into Spooktacular Nights. Things get downright creepy with zombie paintball, hayrides lit by glowing goblins, and a fun house from Chuckles the clown. There are creepy corn mazes, a Vertigo Vortex, fireworks, and more scary situations that might be too much for younger kids.
For less heart-racing fun, head to the regular Yesterland Farm, whch features three pumpkin patches, 40 rides, cute skeleton décor, and a non-spooky corn maze. Fun, monster-themed treats complete the fun daytime experience.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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