If you're looking for a good ghost story, not only does Austin have some ghoulish ones to tell, the city is also full of festive ways to celebrate Halloween. From scary movies, haunted houses and parties at your favorite local bars to kid-friendly events like corn mazes and Boo at the Zoo, here are some favorite festive events, activities, and things to do for Halloween in Austin this October.
Halloween Parties and Events
10/1-31/2024
Twisted Carnival Pop-Up Bar
Gibson Street Bar
Gibson Street Bar's annual Halloween pop-up is back and visitors are in for the ultimate spooky experience. This year's theme, the Twisted Carnival, will feature sinister DJs, wickedly twisted cocktails, scary decor and more.
gibsonstreetbar.com
10/1-31/2024
Lefty's Shop of Horrors
Lefty's Brick Bar
Lefty's Brick Bar is completely transforming itself during October. Grab something eerie off the themed food & drink menu and get a picture in front of one of the multiple unique Instagrammable backdrops throughout the bar. In addition to transforming for Halloween, Lefty's is also hosting a variety of haunting happenings throughout the month so stop by for the Mystic Mondays, Trick or Trivia, Phantom Nights and Scene Kid Thursdays.
leftysbrickbar.com
10/1-31/2024
The Witch House
Cosmic Saltillo
Find this haunted speakeasy upstairs at Cosmic Saltillo. The bar features five themed cocktails and ghoulish decor adorns the walls of this intimate pop-up. Open Thursday through Sunday, don't miss out on this festive experience.
cosmichospitalitygroup.com/saltillo
10/8-31/24
Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar
King Bee
Black Lagoon, an international Halloween pop-up bar, is returning to Austin this spooky season. This goth, horror inspired bar will feature corresponding furnishing and entertainment as well as an extensive themed cocktail menu with drinks names like Book of Blood, Death Rattle and the Night Crawler.
blacklagoonpopup.com
10/10-28/24
Panic at the Paramount
Paramount Theater
For those who love classic Halloween movies and horror thrillers alike, you have to catch a flick at the Paramount this spooky season. Over five select dates, the theater will screen eleven themed movies from cult-classics like Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre to flicks for the whole family like The Nightmare Before Christmas.
austintheatre.org
10/14-31/24
Moe's Tavern Pop-Up
Nickel City
Nickel City is once again transforming into a Simpson-inspired pop-up this Halloween season. Moe's Tavern will take over the space with themed cocktails, Simpsons decor and tons of food pop-ups. Stop by for pizza from Side Eye Pie and El Pizza Boys, experience Japanese Omakase from Toshokan and oysters on the half shell from Austin Osyter Co.
nickelcitybar.com
10/15-31/24
Upstairs at Scaroline
Upstairs at Caroline
The Upstairs at Scaroline Halloween pop-up is back for another year. Stop by anytime while the pop-up is open to enjoy spooky decor, or stop by on October 26th for the official Halloween Party. Enjoy themed drink specials, a live DJ and social media giveaways. Costumes encouraged!
eventbrite.com
10/24-31/24
UNDEAD: Haunted House of Dances
Factory on 5th
Ventana Ballet returns this year for a spooky reimagining of the classic ballet Dracula. With two showings each evening, and a variety of seating options, all are guaranteed to have a haunting experience at this adults-only show.
ventanaballet.com
10/25/24
Spooky Silent Disco
The Belmont
Don't miss the Spooky Silent Disco at The Belmont with Quiet Events. Join party-goers decked out in their Halloween best singing, dancing and drinking with 3 DJs battling for your attention all-night long.
thebelmontaustin.com
10/25/24
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Party with Dinner Detective
Hotel Viata
Spend an evening immersed in secrets and suspicion as you try and uncover this classic Whodunit mystery, all while enjoying delicious cuisine. Hosted at Hotel Viata, the renowned Dinner Detective Troupe will take you on a sleuthing adventure that will get you in the spooky Halloween spirit and have you questioning, “Who did it?”
hotelviata.com
10/25/24
Spooktacular
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Get the whole family dressed up and head to the Bullock Museum in Central Austin for the annual Spooktacular. Experience spooky science displays, hands-on activities for the whole family, rock out to live music and more.
thestoryoftexas.com
10/26/24
Ghoul at Azul
Azul Rooftop
Head to Auzl Rooftop, Austin's highest rooftop bar located at The Westin Downtown, for the annual Halloween Party. Ghoul at Azul will feature spooky cocktails, costume contests with prizes and a live DJ.
eventbrite.com
10/26-27/24
Freaky Deaky Fest
Travis County Expo Center
Celebrate Hallow’s Eve with a dance on the dark side at Travis County Expo Center. Experience a mix of EDM, house and techno genres at this haunting two day music festival.
freakydeaky.com
10/27/24
Kalahari Spooktacular Halloween Event
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Dress up the family and head North to Kalahari for a spooktacular fun night filled with trick-or-treating, Halloween Build-A-Bear pop-up, hay maze, live music and more.
kalahariresorts.com
10/27/24
Freaky Floats
Austin Motel
Get freaky this Halloween with a poolside, sundown screening of Beetlejuice! at Austin Motel.
bunkhousehotels.com
10/31/24
Costumes & Cocktails
Shangri-La
Don your best costume and head to Shangri-La on East 6th Street for themed cocktails, DJ sets, a costume contest and tattoos by Lonestartats.
instagram.com
10/31/24
The Gallery of Illusion: Sorcery, Spirits & Sweets
Chez Zee
Experience all things strange, unusual and sweet on Halloween Night at Chez Zee's annual Gallery of Illusions. The night will feature a one-of-a-kind show by local magician and hypnotist, Brad Henderson, and a deliciously sweet dessert bar and a variety of specialty craft spirits.
eventbrite.com
Haunted Austin
Tour the city in style and take a ride in the Haunted ATX Hearse Limousine to check out the landmarks in Austin that have officially been deemed haunted; such as the Clay Pit and the Littlefield House at the University of Texas.
For a supernatural experience year-round, Austin Ghost Tours offers small group, guided walking tours to some of the city's most haunted places, turning an evening stroll into a walking ghost story. Join the investigation to discover who is lingering among the streets and alleyways of historic, downtown Austin.
Even more spooky options are about with Austin Ghosts, offering nightly walking ghost tours through the Capital. Or, if you’d rather get your frights from home, try their Ghostflix, a live streaming ghost tour through Austin and other haunted sites around the country.
If you need a little liquid courage to face all the spooks and frights, join the Haunted Pub Crawl though the capital city's most haunted pubs and restaurants. Hear the terrifying tales of Austin's "old west" days, all while celebrating Austin's wild and weird history.
Find more haunted places and activities.
Fall Family Fun
Bring the kids in full costume to Boo at the Zoo (Saturday and Sunday from October 4-26, 2024), where they can experience the Austin Zoo in a whole new way: in the dark. A stroll through the “haunted zoo” will certainly scare, so ghosts and goblins of all ages enter if you dare. Limited tickets are available, so reserve your spot in advance today!
Back by popular demand, The Austin Symphony will be performing their annual Halloween Children's Concert on October 20, 2024. Come dressed in your Halloween best and enjoy the boo-tiful music for young eyes and ears!
Throw on your family costumes for the Halloween Carnival at the Neill-Cochran House Museum on October 27, 2024. Kiddos can enjoy crafts, trunk-or-treating, a bouncy house and more (for free!).
October brings a variety of Halloween-themed events to Austin. All things scary will be featured at the family friendly Pioneer Farms Pumpkin Nights, through October 31, 2024. The event will include a festive walking path featuring spectacular sights like 10-foot tall jack-o-lanterns, the world’s largest pumpkin guitar and more fun surprises designed and carved by artists. Throughout the month, you can also visit the historic living museum for daytime events like spooky ghost tours, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, a Dia de Los Muertos exhibit, and more. Buy your tickets in advance to reserve your spot!
If you're looking for a low-key autumn experience with plenty of room to explore, head to Sweet Berry Farm through November 3, 2024 (closed Wednesdays) for the annual Harvest of Fall Fun. Kids and adults alike will love the hayrides, Candy Corn Kid Maze, pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, face painting, crafts and more! In the heart of South Austin, check out the first annual Austin Pumpkin Festival. This interactive experience features stunning pumpkin displays to get that perfect fall photo, a ferris wheel with views of the Austin skyline, a massive corn pit to play in and so much more. The attraction will be open until October 27th, so be sure to grab your tickets today.
Get Your Screams
Scare enthusiasts looking for real fright should visit Scream Hollow just south of Bastrop. This October, experience 20 acres of outdoor frights and stroll through the Mansion of Terror Coven, take on the zombies in Lost Pines Asylum or creep your way through the Wicked Darkness Maze. No matter the route, be prepared to be genuinely scared. Groups are limited so plan your trip in advance.
Like a trip through a modern horror movie, terror is felt throughout the season at House of Torment. The horror destination features even more ghoulish attractions this year. Prepare to scream as you journey through elaborate sets and come face-to-face with monsters, zombies and ghoulish characters.
Don't miss the terrifying haunts at Bat City Scaregrounds just south of Austin in Buda. This immersive experience hosts three horrifying haunted houses including Slaughter Mall, Ancient Evil, and Castle Orlock. Make it through these haunting attractions and then rock out with live music stages, seasonal food vendors and more.
Día de los Muertos
From November 1-2, 2024, celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday that remembers loved ones who have passed. Several different cultural events throughout the month will feature a lineup of music performances, art exhibits and more.
The Mexic-Arte Museum will host their annual Día de los Muertos exhibition on display throughout the fall and winter season. This year's exhibition, Path to the Altar: Community Ofrendas, on display from September 27, 2024 - January 5, 2025, highlights the complexity of the holiday and power of bringing people together to celebrate.
The museum will also host its 41st Annual Viva la Vida Parade, Austin's largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos event on October 26. The event will feature hands-on art activities and artist demos, traditional foods, local artists and retail booths, a low-rider exhibition and live performances all day long.
For even more October happenings, check out our events calendar and check out our Ultimate Austin Fall Bucket List.
