19 Spooky Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Dallas
Boos, booze, and witches’ brews.
Every autumn, Dallas-Fort Worth becomes the site of one helluva hellmouth. Classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer lore aside, it’s hard to deny the sheer level of supernatural activity that gets unleashed on North Texans this time of year. We’re home to some of the largest haunted houses and sprawling terror-themed theme parks, but we’re also a wonderful place to experience a broad spectrum of creepiness, from spirited spirits experiences to musical productions. Read on for 19 can’t-miss events and attractions this side of the netherworld.
September 22 - October 31
Granbury
Superstar theater producer Brian Clowdus brings back last year’s sell-out creepfest that features the legend of the headless horseman in an experience that blurs the lines between art, theater, haunted attraction, and interactive experience. Upgrade to VIP for an intimate cocktail experience with music 30 minutes prior to the full experience inside the mansion.
Cost: Tickets start at $44 for adults.
Spooky cocktail time
Various dates
Fort Worth; Downtown Dallas; Grapevine
Some things are so scary they’ll drive you to drink, but you can get a jump on building up your liquid courage at one of several boozy boo-fests around DFW. House of Spirits: Volkov Manor downtown brings themed cocktails and black magic together. The Black Lagoon cocktail pop-up takes over Nickel City Bar in Fort Worth. And get your tickets now for the one-night-only Witches Brew Train inside historic rail cars departing from Grapevine.
Cost: Prices vary by event.
October 1 - 31
Oak Cliff
Not sure about you, but we find salvage yards rather creepy year-round. But for the month of October, one actual dumping ground transforms into a jump-and-scare experience filled with live actors and special effects galore. And who could resist the website’s encouragement to “Enjoy the junk”?
Cost: Donation-based admission.
September 30 - October 31
Fort Worth’s original haunted house experience takes over a 100-plus-year-old former military base and includes a 45-minute walk-through nightmare, a small-but-equally scary zombie outbreak attraction, as well as the all-new Beauty of Horror interactive art exhibit.
Cost: Tickets start at $39.
Live musical extravaganzas
Various dates
Quadrangle; Downtown Dallas; Plano
Watch some interesting creatures from the comfort (and safety) of a theater seat with a quartet of seasonally appropriate stage productions around the metroplex including Young Frankenstein and The Rocky Horror Show in Dallas, and Bride of Frankenstein Goes Malibu and Evil Dead The Musical in Plano.
Cost: Prices vary by event.
October 29
Oak Lawn
Head to the gayborhood for Dallas’ biggest outdoor costume party taking over Cedar Springs Blvd. and bleeding into each of the many LGBTQIA+ bars and restaurants along the strip.
Cost: The event is free to attend, cover charges vary by venu.
October 1 - 31
Forney
“Come Shoot Zombies.” That’s the invitation on Zombie Safari’s homepage and perfectly sums up the paintball experience that puts you in the middle of the action all over the property at Cousins Paintball.
Cost: Tickets start at $10 (rider only) and $25 (shooter).
October 1 - 31
Frisco
Riders Field comes to life (and death) with giant lanterns and lights in the shape of every horror icon imaginable, from Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees to Chucky and Frankenstein. A haunted hay maze, axe throwing, rides, and concessions round out the family-friendly activities.
Cost: Tickets start at $22.
September 23 - October 31
Plano
The Coven Awakens this year as the new witchy theme featuring 13 wicked members of the group unleashing terror on everyone who dares enter their domain. Go behind the scenes with a VIP add-on that includes two trips through the house, plus a dedicated lounge with snacks and drinks.
Cost: Tickets start at $40.
September 30 - October 29
Enter this multi-acre Halloween theme park for a full night of activities, including five haunted houses, food vendors, pubs, Scary-oke, stage shows, and tarot card readings among the dozens of offerings.
Cost: Tickets start at $42.
October 8 - 31
Terrell
A ghastly 50-acre property plays host to three haunted attractions, including the world-famous Haunted Verdun Manor where werewolves are ready and waiting to tear trespassers apart. Cassandra’s House of Clowns easily ties in with the manor for its depiction of all things sick and twisted.
Cost: Tickets start at $49.
September 23 - October 31
Garland
The J&F House of Terror kicks off a new season at Firewheel Mall for select dates through Halloween. Step into the haunted maze, which, this year, includes an opening BLACKOUT weekend where visitors walk through the attraction with nothing but a glow stick. A Saturday-before-Halloween costume ball offers a chance to show off your outfit of the year.
Cost: Tickets run $22 per person. Costume Ball tickets are $45.
September 30 - October 31
Bedford
Get more BOO for your buck with three separate attractions for the price of one: Moxley Manor, Regan’s Revenge, and Big Top Terror. (Y’all have fun in that clown one while the rest of us head to the car.) Pro tip: Splurge on a FastPass to reduce your wait time.
Cost: Tickets start at $30 per person
October 5 - 31
Mockingbird Station
Catch the annual Angelika Dallas Sir Alfred Hitchcock film series with screenings The Birds, Rope, Dial M For Murder 3D, Sabateur, and O.G. slasher great Psycho.
Cost: Tickets are $13 and include reserved seating and alcohol for purchase.
September 24 - October 31
Arlington
Six Flags Over Texas transforms into 212 acres of terror in many forms, whether it’s being pursued by a chainsaw-wielding madman while you’re trying to buy a funnel cake or that split-second regret before the Titan’s 255-foot, 85 mph drop into total darkness.
Cost: Tickets start at $39.99 per person.
September 30 - November 5
Fort Worth
Looking for the largest haunted attraction in the world—located in an abandoned meat-packing factory, no less? Look no further than this multiple Guinness World Record holder with numerous levels, themes, and some of the most realistic special effects outside of Hollywood for a near hour-long test of your bravery and heart health.
Cost: Tickets start at $45 per person.
October 1 - 31
Denton
Kick things off in the house where Mary Parker murdered many, many people over the years before venturing through the graveyard, then onto specially equipped zombie assault vehicles where you can shoot the approaching monsters with paintballs—and the sound of your screams.
Cost: Tickets start at $22 per person.
November 1
Dallas Arts District
If you’re more of a timid soul and dislike disembodied discoveries, The Dallas Symphony Orchestra celebrates Día de los Muertos with traditional Latin American music and cultural experiences. It’ll be like Coco coming to life, except with (probably) fewer encounters with dearly departed relatives.
Cost: Tickets start at $10 per person.
October 31
Red Oak
Four times the scares await, including Reindeer Manor’s main attraction, a terrifying ghost infestation in a 112-year-old structure. Additional haunts include the 13th Street Morgue, the Dungeon of Doom, and The Bunker, where a biochemical outbreak has everyone freaking the F out. This will be the final Reindeer Manor event in this location after 49 seasons, but it will return next year someplace new.
Cost: Tickets start at $40 per person.
Now through Sunday, October 31
Plano
Somebody forgot to hit the snooze button, because the Coven Awakens this year with 13 witches running amok and wreaking havoc a la a deadly hocus pocus. Want to see the secrets behind the scares? A backstage tour on Halloween Day gives you a glimpse into how they make things go bump in the night.
Cost: Tickets start at $32 per person.
Now through Sunday, October 31
East Dallas
Keeping plants alive can be hard enough without an extra finicky one that needs human blood to survive. Catch an ’80s-themed musical version of Little Shop of Horrors on an outdoor stage followed by the ghostly variety show, The Bippy Bobby Boo Show: Again! Again! on a second stage. It all goes down at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre, where you can bring a picnic, your own wine or beer, and a blanket or lawn chair (chairs are also available to rent) for one or both shows.
Cost: Tickets run $20 per person, per show (enter code DOUBLEFEATURE for $5 off).
Now through Sunday, October 31
Fort Worth
Explore the main haunted attraction, a 45-minute spine-tingling affair, but don’t forget to check out the smaller, Zombie-infested attraction, OUTBREAK (how appropriate). New this year is an interactive horror art exhibit to class up your experience just a tiny bit.
Cost: Tickets run $49 per person.