A guide to the best Halloween events and activities Houston has to offer!

Halloween is right around the corner and Swoon wants to make sure you’re spooked about it! All around Houston are fun family-friendly events that will make your Halloween a blast. From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating, Halloween holds many fun activities.

Haunted Houses

Scream World

For those who are into the frightful parts of Halloween, Houston has numerous haunted houses that will leave you screaming. Voted the number one haunted house in Houston, Scream World gives you five attractions all in one purchase. With three haunted houses, an outdoor maze, and a graveyard, Scream World will leave you with tingles down your spine. Located just off North Sam Houston Parkway, this haunted house is spooky, www.screamworld.com.

Houston Scream Fest

Another haunted house that will get you into the Halloween spirit is Houston Scream Fest. It isn’t just any old haunted house, it’s a festival and the largest haunted house attraction! They offer free beverages, live concerts, carnival games, and screen horror movies. The fest has spooky mazes and many houses with realistic props. You won’t have to worry about a long wait because they designed their fest to send groups in faster than any other haunted house. Also, Houston Scream Fest workers will tone down their actions to an appropriate level in the appearance of children. Scream Fest is family-friendly and a great time, www.houstonhauntedhouses.com.

The Haunted Trails

There’s no better way to face your nightmares then at The Haunted Trails. With two attractions in their location, the creatures come out to give you a thrill. As you lurk through the darkness, prepare to see many terrifying creatures along the way. With an extra $10 you can purchase a speed pass which will let you sneak past most of the lines, www.thehauntedtrails.com.

Haunted houses aren’t for everyone, but there are still countless  Halloween events to attend in Houston!

On October 19th, the Houston Zombie Walk will be hosting their annual Halloween festival. The festival is located on 19th street and all proceeds go to their Too Guel for School Education fund. They feature many activities for your entire family, including live music, food, a kids costume contest and more! There is a kids section with many free activities like face painting and arts and crafts. This festival will put everyone in the Halloween spirit, www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-houston-halloween-festival-tickets-62887035817.

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center also has many fun Halloween activities available. The Arboretum offers trick-or-treat nature trails, train rides, live reptiles, a petting zoo and pony rides, pumpkin decorating, face painting, food vendors, and much more. For only a $20 entrance fee and free for members, bring your costumes and family for the fun Halloween activities, www.houstonarboretum.org/events/arbooretum-2019.

There’s also Halloween events at the Zoo! From October 11- 27, visit the family-friendly Zoo Boo festival at the Houston Zoo. Fun fall festivities like pumpkin patches, a monster mural, and a spooky stamp station are all available at Zoo Boo. Kids are encouraged to attend in their best costumes. Every Zoo Boo activity is included with the paid admission into the zoo, www.houstonzoo.org/events/zoo-boo-2.

Of course, one of the best things about Halloween is trick-or-treating around your neighborhood. The Children’s Museum of Houston wants to make sure you do it the right way. Be aware of the weather and prepare for the worst. Also, be aware of the traffic and know how busy the streets will be on Halloween. Safety is the most important part of trick-or-treating. Always think about the neighborhood and people around you. Lastly, manage your time well. Make sure you can see and be seen, www.cmhouston.org/trick-or-treat-in-houston-halloween.

To celebrate the holiday and support a great cause, the Children’s Museum is hosting it’s Wicked Gala on Saturday October 12th. For the most anticipated Halloween party of the year come dressed in your favorite costume or black tie. All funds raised will go to support year-round education programs for children. Come ready to enjoy the evening and wicked dance party, www.cmhouston.org/give/gala.