This city is good. I mean really good at celebrating holidays – especially Halloween – Austin has TONS of great events from charming the little ones to scaring the pants off of the big kids!
We narrowed it down to 10 must-do Halloween events for all ages in the Austin area:
Boo at the Zoo!
October 11th & 12th and 18th & 19th and 25th & 26th, 2013 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy after hours at the zoo! Come dressed in costume and make sure to bring a flashlight to see the animals at night. Take a ride on the Haunted Train, all decked out for Halloween. Tickets are $12.50 and include a train ride. Purchase tickets in advance through the website. So fun to see the zoo at night!
Haunted Trails
October 18th & 19th and 25th & 26th, 2013 7 PM – 10 PM
Walk the 3/4 mile trail all decked out for the holiday with spooky scarecrows, lanterns, historic haunted houses, story-tellers, and more! Hear Edgar Allan Poe tales and watch “lantern-lite” movies from the 1800’s. Fortune tellers & hayrides are available for an additional fee. Admission is $12.
Run for All Festival & 5K
Texas School for the Deaf
Saturday, October 19, 2013 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
This is Austin’s only Halloween-themed evening 5K and movie screening. Come in costume! Runners and walkers of all ages welcome. Registration for the 5K is $30 and includes all festival events. Spectator tickets are $10. (1102 S. Congress Ave)
Texas School for the Deaf
Saturday, October 19, 2013 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
This is Austin’s only Halloween-themed evening 5K and movie screening. Come in costume! Runners and walkers of all ages welcome. Registration for the 5K is $30 and includes all festival events. Spectator tickets are $10. (1102 S. Congress Ave)
Salado’s Halloween Fright Trail
October 26 & 27, 2013 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Talk a walk along this spooky trail and see scenes from chosen classical tales of terror and Grimm’s Fairy Tales will be reenacted for both the young and the young at heart. $3 per child, $5 per adult
Spooktacular Bowling
Mel’s Bowling Alley, Georgetown
October 26, 2013 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Come enjoy a family fun evening with bowling, Costume Contest, Ghostly Drink & Food Specials, and the “Gutter Mansion” – Mel’s Haunted house. Admission includes 2 games, shoe rental, and a goodie bag. $10 per person
Halloween at the Y
Old Settler’s Park, Round Rock
October 26, 2013 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Come to one of the largest Halloween events in Central Texas, this festival includes carnival games, inflatables, rides, climbing walls, FREE Halloween candy, music, prizes, concessions, and more. There will also be a fun costume contest! Admission is $5 per person
Fright at the Museum
October 27, 2013 1:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Dress up your kiddos and bring them down to dig in the dinosaur graveyard. Learn the mysterious side to Texas Natural History…from frightful fish to slithery snakes to creepy bugs – tons of fun for the whole family. Museum admission is free.
Halloween Children’s Concert
October 27, 2013 2:00 PM
A family fun “spook-tacular” show featuring chilling songs for everyone. Come dressed in your best costume! What a fun way to get you in the spirit! At the Long Center for Performing Arts, tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children.
Goblins in the Garden
October 27, 2013 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Come dressed in your costume and enjoy fun events such as the “Not-So-Haunted-Tower where Botanica the herbal witch casts her magic plant spells” and the Owl Prowl scavenger hunt in the gardens. Dress up as an insect from the Butterfly Garden and get to march in the parade at 6:00 PM. Arts & Crafts, snacks, and plenty of great photo opportunities. $9 per Adult, $3 children 5-12
Fall Fun Fest
Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock
October 31, 2013 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
A fun fall Superhero-themed festival featuring pre-school & toddler carnival games, hayrides, and fun entertainment. Trick dogs, juggling, uni-cycling, and more fun to be had! Bring canned goods to donate, as all donations benefit the Round Rock Serving Center. Free Admission
For a really BIG list of October fun, head on over to Free fun in Austin’s list of 2013 Fall Festivals & Halloween Events.
Don’t forget that we have already lined up the Best Pumpkin Patches in Austin for you. And check out the Top 5 Corn Mazes in Texas as well!
Lastly, make up your own spooky visit to an actual ghost town in Manor, TX – read about our experience here.
Have a Spook-tacular Halloween!!
My favorite fall activity is eating and drinking all of the yummy fall treats…think cider, caramel apples, pumpkin bread….yum!