This ghoulishly gloomy weather has us excited for spooky season and all of the wonderful Halloween events in and around Austin.  Mark your calendars for our Top Picks for Halloween Family Fun in 2023.  Also, check out our big list of Pumpkin Patches for more seasonal fun.

*Events are in order by date, with events with multiple upcoming dates first 

Straw Fest via UMLAUF FB

Halloween at the Hive @ The Hive at Bee Cave
Multiple upcoming dates | 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave
The Bee Cave Arts Foundation is hosting their Halloween at The Hive event for Kids on October 14-15, and 21-22 from 1 pm to 5 pm, and October 28 from 12 pm to 5 pm, at their gallery across from Barnes & Noble in the Hill Country Galleria.  Come in costume and enjoy hands-on art activities while raising money for the Mushroom House, an 8-foot-tall playscape that will feature mosaic tiles made by children.  Children’s admission is $15 and parents are free.  Guests can stop by to participate or get tickets in advance here.


Pumpkin Nights @ Pioneer Farms
Now through Monday, Oct. 30 | 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr.
Set out on a Halloween walking path at Pioneer Farms for Pumpkin Nights to discover bewitching art, thrilling fire shows, and more than 7,500 hand-crafted pumpkin displays. Tickets are limited and sold out last year – get yours here.


Boo at the Zoo @ Austin Zoo
Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 28 | 5:45 pm – 9 pm | 10808 Rawhide Trail
Take a stroll through the zoo at night! At this family-friendly event, you can explore the grounds at your leisure while hearing the nighttime sounds of the Zoo’s nocturnal animals. Feel free to pack a picnic (no glass) and dine in the Picnic Grove, or visit the concession truck for a special treat.  Tickets are $22 per person, and include Boo at the Zoo entry, unlimited visits through the Haunted House (as the line allows), and a seat for a reserved train ride. Children under 2 are free and must ride the train in an adult’s lap. For more info and to reserve your tickets, please click here.


Witches Ride, Roll & Stroll @ Live Oak Golf Course (Lakeway)
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 5:30 pm meet time, starts at 6 pm | 510 Lakeway Dr.
Join the City of Lakeway with your bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, skates, scooters, wheelchairs, golf carts, wagons, and plain ol’ walking feet on Live Oak Golf Course’s Driving Range. Lakeway Parks and Recreation will provide streamers, glowsticks, and tape to decorate your wheels for the “flight” down Lakeway Drive! The Ride, Roll, and Stroll will start at 6 pm.  Spectators are welcome to watch and catch candy along the way. There is no cost to participate, but please register here.


Halloween Children’s Concert @ Long Center
Sunday, Oct. 22 | 3 pm | 701 W Riverside Dr.
One of our favorite Halloween events is back again with delightfully, frightfully fun symphonic music! The Austin Symphony Orchestra presents its annual concert which will feature Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, brought to life with lively narration.  There will also be pre-concert activities for kids beginning at 2 pm on H-E-B Terrace featuring musical crafts and games, an instrument petting zoo, face painting, and more.  There’s also a costume contest and you can get more info here.  Tickets start at $15 and are available for purchase here.


Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus @ Mueller Lake Park & Amphitheater
Thursday, Oct. 26 | 6:30 pm | 4550 Mueller Blvd.
This free, outdoor movie is brought to you by the Austin Parks Foundation and will be featuring Hocus Pocus.  Pack a picnic, blankets, and lawn chairs.  Please note: glass and styrofoam containers are not permitted in any of the parks.


Brew and Boo via Arboretum


Trick or Treat Trail @ San Gabriel Park (Georgetown)
Thursday, Oct. 26 | 5 pm – 7 pm, Trick-or-Treat Trail | 7 pm Movie screening of Coco | 445 E Morrow St.
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department invites you to its Trick or Treat Trail in San Gabriel Park. This is a FREE and fun-filled family event. Get dressed up for candy, games, and fun! Stay after dark for a movie at the Legacy Pavilion. The trail runs from 5 pm- 7 pm and a screening of Coco starts at 7 pm.  There will also be food trucks and you can get more info here.


Halloween Hootenanny @ Thinkery
Friday, Oct. 27 | 6 pm – 8 pm | 1830 Simond Ave.
Get your family’s costumes ready to celebrate Halloween, Thinkery-style!  On Friday, October 27 from 6 pm – 8 pm, join in the fun for a Halloween Hootenany for ghouls and goblins of all ages.  Your family will get to experience the spooky, gross, and silly side of Thinkery with hands-on activities for all.  Read on for all the juicy details because this can’t-miss event is action-packed!  General admission is $30, Member tickets are $25, and babies 0-23 months are free with RSVP.  Grab your tickets here.


Annual Halloween Party @ Epic Fun
Friday, Oct. 27 | 4 pm – 7 pm | 7101 W, State Hwy 71 Suite D
Join Epic Fun for their annual Halloween Bash with lots of treats and surprises in store for kids and adults.  You’ll get to experience Austin’s best DJs on the decks, a costume contest (winner gets a drone!), raffles and prizes, trick-or-treat buckets, special deals, and as always, all the amazing games and attractions at Epic Fun!


Spooktacular @ Bullock Museum
Friday, Oct, 27 | 5 pm – 8 pm | 1800 Congress Ave.
Join the Bullock Museum in partnership with Girlstart for its annual FREE family-friendly Halloween celebration.  Put on your favorite ocean-themed costume and win prizes at an “under the sea” themed costume contest, judged by Dragon’s Lair! Enjoy Girlstart hands-on STEM fun for the whole family, and enjoy a thrilling after-hours adventure exploring the Texas History Galleries and rock out with School of Rock Austin’s house band, the B-Team. Check here for all the info.


Boo & Brew @ The Arboretum
Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4 pm – 6 pm | 10000 Research Blvd
Join the 6th Annual Boo & Brew at The Arboretum. At this free event, guests will enjoy a Candy Crawl, Music, Raffle, Swag Bags, Samplings, Vendor Booths, and more! This event is free with registration, and costumes are welcome.


Trick or Treat @ Hill Country Galleria (Bee Cave)
Saturday, Oct 28 | Noon – 3 pm | 12700 Hill Country Blvd.
You’re invited! Come celebrate Halloween with Hill Country Galleria. Arrive early, dress up in your BEST costume, pick up a festive pumpkin bag from the Central Plaza, and then stroll down Hill Country Boulevard to collect treats from your favorite retailers (*bags and candy while supplies last!)


Boo at the Zoo via Austin Zoo


Kids Ball 2023 @ Central Market North Lamar
Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5 pm – 7 pm | 4001 N Lamar Blvd.
Head out for some FREE Halloween fun filled with music and dancing, arts activities focused on sustainable creativity, and some friendly family competitions.  Plus, there will be creative reuse costume-making stations, a photo BOOth, three-legged races, a giant pumpkin rolling contest, and music by White Ghost Shivers!  RSVP here.


Booda Halloween @ Buda Amphitheater and City Park
Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm | 204 San Antonio St, Buda
Festivities include various costume contests, food vendors, candy vendors, a haunted maze, and more! Free and open to all!


Straw Fest @ UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum
Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 am – 4 pm | 605 Azie Morton Rd.  
Put on your best costume and join the UMLAUF for a family day of fall crafts, lawn games, pumpkin carving, a costume parade, a petting zoo, and more!  Admission is free, but some activities will require tickets for a fee. RSVP and get all the info here.


Halloween Carnival 2023 @ Neill-Cochran House Museum

Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 am – 3 pm | 2310 San Gabriel St.  
Grab your costume or wear your favorite comfy autumn clothes, and head over to the Neill-Cochran House Museum for an afternoon of Halloween fun. Kids can enjoy a Trunk-or-Treat, bouncy house, scavenger hunts, and more!  Latinitas will be leading an activity to make ofrendasin as a tribute to ancestors who have passed on in observation of el Día de los Muertos. This event is free and no registration is needed – just drop by at your leisure.  Get more info here.


Fall Fun Festival @ Old Settlers Park (Round Rock)
Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 9 am – 11:30 pm | 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd.
Join the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department for its annual Fall Fun Festival featuring carnival games for toddlers and preschoolers, hayrides, snacks, prizes, and fun entertainment for all to enjoy. Admission is free but please bring a canned good to donate to the Round Rock Food Pantry.

via Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department


Looking for even MORE Halloween events for families?
Please click here to view the full lineup