The Best Halloween Events For Kids in Austin
Halloween is right around the corner! Don’t get scared–we’ve got all your ghoulish needs covered with this guide to a kid-friendly Halloween. Here’s a roundup of all the Halloween events for kids in Austin, perfect for finding the best events for kids of all ages.
Best Austin Halloween Events for Kids
Pumpkin Nights
Pumpkin Nights is daily from 6-11 p.m. on September 17 – October 31, 2026 at Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin. Walk through the (not very spooky) Halloween scenes, see the impressive lights displays, and all the entertainment like fire dancers, and more! They have amazing well-lit photo-ops throughout the event, some even with workers who will take your picture!
Boo At The Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is coming back to the Austin Zoo on Friday & Saturday nights in October from 5:45-9 p.m. No Oct 30 or 31 dates this year.
Come in costume, ride the haunted train, explore the haunted house, and see the animals at night! Bring flashlights! Children under 2 are free and must ride the train in an adult’s lap. If you prefer that your Under-2 have their own seat on the train, then please purchase an additional event ticket for them.
SAFE’s Truck-or-Treat 2026
Touch-A-Truck is now Truck-Or-Treat! October 24, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Q2 Stadium. Tickets are $20. VIP Hour ($50) is from 9-10 a.m. Kids can wear appropriate and non-violent Halloween costume and enjoy family-friendly fall activities, including crafts, candy, and more. The event also features live music, craft stations, and an Inflatable Zone where young explorers can jump, play, and slide on open-air inflatables, plus so much more.
Halloween Children’s Concert
The annual Halloween Children’s Concert with the Austin Symphony is October 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. at The Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin.
Enjoy music from composers like Tchaikovsky and Wagner in this Hallo-weekend musical event. This is an unforgettable Halloween event for kids near me–highly recommend for all Austin parents looking to enjoy an artistic evening.
Tickets start at $22.
Georgetown Trick or Treat Trail
Georgetown Trick or Treat Trail will take place on October 29, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown. A movie at the Legacy pavilion begins at 7 p.m.
This free family event is perfect for kids looking for some Halloween fun. Check out the candy and games at the trick or treat trail, and stay for a spooky movie after!
Downtown Round Rock
Hometown Halloween in downtown Round Rock is from 3-7 p.m. on Oct 30, 2026.
Kalahari Spooktacular
The Kalahari Spooktacular is October 24, 2026, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Kalahari Resorts (3001 Kalahari Boulevard) in Round Rock. Enjoy Halloween fun for the whole family at the Kalahari Spooktacular. They’ll have trick-or-treating, bounce houses, live DJ dance parties, tasty bites and drinks, and more! These are unmissable Halloween events for kids near me. Admission to the event is FREE, but some activities may require an additional fee. A $30 parking pass is required for the public.
Straw Fest
The annual Straw Fest is a free fall festival is October 25, 2026 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. It is held at the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum (605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin) The festival will have pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, games, and more. This is a must-do for anyone looking for fun Halloween events for children.
Fall Fun Festival
Fall Fun Festival is on October 28, 2026 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Old Settlers Park, 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
Come in costume and bring a canned good to donate to the Round Rock Food pantry! There will be carnival games for toddlers and preschoolers, hayrides, snacks, prizes, and fun entertainment for all to enjoy. Free event, with a suggested donation.
Volente Beach
Haunted Shores at Volente Beach October 1-31, 2026
Cedar Park: Milburn Park
Halloween Double Feature on October 30, 2026. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends! Movies begin at dusk. Concessions available for purchase, or pack your own snacks and drinks (no glass permitted). Movie titles will be announced soon.
Michael’s Stores Free Halloween Crafts for Kids
Yarn Wrapped Frame at Lil’ Witching Hours: Yarn Wrapped Frame on October 10, 2026 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Lil’ Witching Hours: Halloween Fest on October 17, 2026 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Lil’ Witching Hours: Chenille Stem Ghost or Spider on October 24, 2026 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes
Make a Haunted House on September 12, 2026 at 10 a.m. RSVP here.
Mexic-Arte Museum’s 43rd Annual Viva La Vida Festival and Parade
Mexic-Arte Museum’s 43rd Annual Viva La Vida Festival and Parade is on October 24, 2026 at 4th Street and Congress Avenue. This is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event. The festivities begin with a Grand Procession at 12 p.m. and activities will run until 6 p.m. Participants can enjoy the Mariposa Plaza with hands-on art activities, traditional foods, local artists, retail booths, a low-rider exhibition, and live performances throughout the day.
Trick Or Treat On The Trail
Trick or Treat on the Trail is Friday, Oct 30, 3036 from 6-8 p.m. at the Boggy Creek Greenbelt Trailhead.
Trail of Terror at Fieldhouse at the Crossover
Take a haunted walk through the trail at the Trail of Terror. September 19–November 1.
For little kids: Open from doors-6:30 PM nightly
Explore the trail with no live scare actors and take your time checking out the spooky sets, creepy details, and plenty of Halloween photo ops.
TRAIL OF TERROR AFTER DARK
7–11 PM weeknights
7 PM–12 AM Fridays + Saturdays
Enter the trail after dark for the full Trail of Terror experience, with live scare actors lurking around every turn, unexpected scares, and plenty of reasons to watch your back. 🌲👀🦇
Tickets on sale soon – stay tuned!
Kids Halloween Festival- Austin Japan Community
The annual Kids Halloween Festival is at Cat Hollow Park. Must purchase tickets in advance. October 11, 2026 from 1-3 p.m.
Halloween Market at Progress Buda
October 18, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Groundup Popups is having a Halloween Market at Progress Coffee in Buda.
Warren Wildflife Gallery Fall Festival
October 25, 2026 from 2-5 p.m. Face Painting
Balloon Artists
Caricatures
Food and Coffee booths
Costumes are encouraged!
City of Bee Cave Haunted Trail
Ages 12+ Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23.
City of Bee Cave Trunk or Treat
All ages, Sunday, October 25
Trunk Or Treat
Evo Cinemas Trunk Or Treat at EVO Cinemas in Kylo 6-8 p.m. on Oct 23, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
Pins & Wheels Halloween Party
The 3rd Annual Kid’s Halloween Party is taking over Pins & Wheels! Enjoy exclusive access to the entire facility plus trick-or-treating, a costume contest, face painting, a guest DJ & more! Get tickets here. October 31, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Spooky Movie Under The Stars
Hotel Transylvania Spooky Movie Under The Stars at Rudy Mendez Rec Center 7 p.m. – free! Bring blankets. Free popcorn too.
Dive-In Movie at the Fairmont Austin
Dive-In Movie Night at Fairmont Austin. Doors at 6:30 p.m., movie at sundown. Reservations required.
🎃 The Lineup
Oct 2 · Practical Magic (1998)
Oct 9 · The Addams Family
Oct 16 · The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oct 23 · Beetlejuice
Oct 30 · Hocus Pocus
Truck Or Treat at Hill Country Bible Church
October 25, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. Free and open to the public.
IKEA Halloween Party
Halloween Party at IKEA Round Rock in the IKEA Swedish Restaurant, Saturday October 31 from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
Costume Swap
Kids Halloween Costume Swap at Brentwood Social House 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Oct 11, 2026
Frightlandia
Frightlandia at the Wildflower Center is on Oct 25, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Included with admission. Live creature demonstrations. Come in costumes, trick-or-treat at the forts, grab a bite from local food trucks, explore the imaginative forts throughout the Family Garden.
Fright Night
Neighborhood Fright Night at Metz Park is on Oct 29, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. Free Trunk-Or-Treat for all, costume contest for ages 0-12 and of course, the infamous Haunted House! Walk through the haunted Mendez building if you dare. Cash event. Must purchase tickets for table games, concessions & haunted house. Tickets can be purchased in person with CASH beginning at 5:30pm. 6:00pm – Table games | Vendors | FREE trunk or treat | Door prizes 6:30pm – Haunted House & concession stand open 7:30pm – Costume contest | Prizes for 1st – 3rd Age categories 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 & 10-12
Hallo’s Eve
Hallo’s Eve at Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center is Oct 30, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. Get ready for a spooky evening of family fun! Join us for a carnival filled with games, candy, costume contests, and prizes. Inside the Spooky Gymnasium. Bring the whole family and show off your Halloween costume for a night of fun!
For more seasonal ideas, use our Austin Kids Fall Bucket List, compare Austin-area pumpkin patches, and find free fall fun with kids in Austin.
FAQ
What are some of the best free Halloween events for kids?
Austin Japan Community Halloween Festival, Georgetown Trick or Treat Trail, Kalahari Spooktacular, and Straw Fest are all FREE events.
Where should I take my toddler for Halloween?
Fall Fun Festival in Round Rock or Boo At The Zoo (free for under-2s) are great options for fun centered around younger kids.
Where can I take my kids for an educational Halloween experience?
Take them to the Spooktacular at the Bullock Museum for some great science-forward fun for kids!
I find that September is a great time to start finding some fun, engaging, and creative Halloween events for families near me. Not sure where to look? We’ve got you all month, whether you need help finding a carnival, a trunk or treat location, or another spooky event. Bring your little ghosts along with you for some of the best Halloween events for kids in Austin. Subscribing to my newsletter or following me on social media is the best way to stay up-to-date with all the latest Halloween news.
