The city is crawling with spooky events all weekend long. Celebrate Halloween with family-friendly festivals or don your face paint at the Viva la Vida Festival and Parade. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.
Thursday, October 27
Alamo Drafthouse presents Halloween Spelltacular
Kick off the weekend's festivities with a screening of Hocus Pocus at Palm Park. Spelltacular attendees can enjoy broom races, food trucks, a candy corn wading pool, and more. Come dressed to thrill and enter the costume contest for a chance to win cool prizes. The event is BYOB and kid-friendly.
Friday, October 28
Bullock Texas State History Museum presents Spooktacular
The Bullock Museum invites children and their parents to the annual Spooktacular celebration. Guests to this free party will get the opportunity to create glow-in-the-dark art, experiment with "bony" science, and move their owns bones to some spooky tunes. Exclusive after-hours access to the museum's exhibits will also be available.
Lick Honest Ice Creams presents Ladies of the '80s Birthday Bash
Lovers of costumes and cold confections absolutely must attend this birthday soiree. In honor of the shop's five-year anniversary, Lick is throwing an epic party at Spiderhouse Ballroom with 1980s-themed drink specials, drag performances, and, ice cream.
The W Hotel Austin presents Dia de Los Muertos
On Friday and Saturday, celebrate Day of the Dead at Trace restaurant and the Living Room bar with a special holiday menu, complimentary tastings of Mezcal El Silencio and Milagro Tequila cocktails, face painting, flower stations, and mariachi music.
Saturday, October 29
Austin Sunshine Camps presents Fall Festival
Keep the weekend kid-friendly at the Austin Sunshine Camp's Fall Festival at Zilker Park. Attendees can enjoy activities like face painting, a cake walk, hay rides, a bounce house, and more. Kiddos and parents are encouraged to show Halloween spirit in their costumes. This is a frighteningly fun fest that even the littlest Austinite in your family is sure to love. Admission is free, but bring cash for food truck fare and carnival games.
Mexic-Arte Museum presents Viva la Vida Festival and Parade
The city's longest-running Day of the Dead celebration returns for another memorable grand procession and street festival. Artist vendors, live music, food trucks, and community altars will line the streets from Congress Avenue to San Jacinto Boulevard. This year the free festival has expanded to Brazos Hall where attendees can enjoy even more fun.
Mike Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes
Comedian Mike Birbiglia brings his modern-day joke-telling to the Paramount Theatre for one night only. Purchase your tickets and laugh along to his all-new material.
The 8th Annual Zombie Ball
Make your way to the monster mash of the weekend at ACL Live. Morris Day & The Time and The Suffers will blaze the stage for a ghoulishly good evening of music, burlesque dancing, and aerial acrobatics. Come in your scariest duds and try your luck at winning the King & Queen of the Zombies costume contest.
Sunday, October 30
Texas Monthly presents TMBBQ Fest
The glory of Texas barbecue will be on full display at the Long Center. Sample smoked delicacies from the best spots in the Lone Star State along with sweet treats from beloved Texas eateries. Your ticket includes samples from joints like Franklin Barbecue, Freedmen's, and more. General admission and kids' tickets are still available.
Monday, October 31
Blanton Museum of Art presents Blood for Dracula
End your All Hallow's Eve with the Blanton's free midnight screening of the 1974 film Blood for Dracula, a cult classic horror produced by Andy Warhol.
This weekend is filled with spooky fun.
