Halloween Happenings

The 10 best Halloween happenings in Austin, from spooky to fun

Immerse yourself in a different kind of haunted experience at Spider House Ballroom.

Photo courtesy of Ventana Ballet

Peak spooky season has finally made it to the city limits and there’s no time to waste. We’re making the case for locals and visitors alike to experience monster mashes, haunted happenings, and family-friendly festivities in the days ahead, and there’s something to pique every creepy interest. The amount of freaky fun activities happening in the city is downright un-boo-lievable. Check out these top 10 things to do in Austin this Halloween weekend.

For even more Halloween event listings, go to our calendar.

Thursday, October 27

Lone Star Court presents Howl-O-Ween
Enjoy the moonlight and have a howling good time with your four-legged companion in tow at Lone Star Court. Pet guests will receive treats in the courtyard while their human companions sip wine samplings from Wander + Ivy. The best dressed pups will also be entered into the costume contest, which includes take-home prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Howl-O-Ween admission is free and open to the public.

Wax Myrtle Halloween Pop-Up Bar
One of the city’s most beloved cocktail bars undergoes the pop-up treatment just in time for the most terrifying time of the year. Pop-up attendees can expect a curated cocktail list, spooky decor, and tarot card readings when they enter the House of Wax, located in the Muleshoe Room. Guests can also get lost in the macabre when they experience the TV wall installation playing old horror films on VHS. House of Wax will be open through Monday, October 31. Pop-up entry is free.

Friday, October 28

Ventana Ballet’s UNDEAD
Immerse yourself in a different kind of haunted experience, complete with masterful ballet skills and chilling choreography. Spider House Ballroom will transform into a dynamic, adults-only Halloween show featuring artists from Ventana Ballet performing in multiple dance disciplines. Upon arrival, guests will gather at the bar for pre-show hauntings and spirits of the alcoholic persuasion. Performances in the theatre will follow twice each night. The bar will remain open throughout the evening to fuel the fun. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Get tickets here.

Saturday, October 29

Trick or Treat Extravaganza at Music Lane
South Congress hotspot Music Lane is starting the Halloween weekend on a frighteningly good note. Attendees can stock up on sweet treats from participating area shops, explore the pumpkin patch at the Plaza, participate in costume contests, and try their luck at winning giveaway prizes. Parents can bring their kiddos and fur babies to the party for complimentary pet portrait sessions with renowned local photographer, Taylor Starcher. Extravaganza co-host Austin Human Society will also be offering on-site puppy and dog adoptions for those looking to expand their family with a new four-legged member. Entry is free and open to the public.

5th Annual Boo & Brew
Venture out to The Arboretum to experience a variety of thrills and chills throughout the North Austin shopping district during the return of Boo & Brew. Highlights of the afternoon event include live music by Matt Creaton, a DJ set, face painting, balloon art, raffle prizes, vendor booths, shopping specials, and more. Kiddos can enjoy a candy crawl from participating Arboretum retailers while adults sip on specialty cocktail samplings from Estancia Brazilian Steakhouse, Juliet Italian Kitchen, and The Cheesecake Factory. Guests are encouraged to don their Halloween costumes to get into the spooky spirit, and swag bags will be available to take home after the fun ends. Admission to this family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

ZaZa Halloween Bash 2022
Go down the rabbit hole at Hotel ZaZa Austin’s most fabulous Halloween fête. This year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland and guests are highly encouraged to dress the part. Your ticket includes party admission, a complimentary welcome cocktail, valet parking for one vehicle, and access to pop-up activations and snacks all night long. Bottle service and table service offerings are available upon request. This party is for adults 21 and over only. Get tickets here.

W Hotel presents Haunted Hotel
Party into the witching hour at the W Austin’s Red Room. Pick your poison from a selection of specialty Halloween-themed cocktails while you dance the night away to the live set of a DJ. At 11pm, guests can try their luck at winning the costume contest, which promises a bottle on the house for the winner. Additional highlights include complimentary tarot readings and Ouija boards. Admission is free with reservation. Save your spot here.

Sunday, October 30

Neill-Cochran House Museum presents Halloween Carnival
Round up the entire family for a day of not-so-spooky celebration at Neill-Cochran House Museum. Kid-friendly activities include scavenger hunts, a bouncy house, trunk-or-treating, and a variety of crafts and games inspired by the season. Visit the museum website for additional information. Admission is free and open to the public.

Fareground Screen on the Green Fall Feature
Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve with a free, outdoor screening of the cult-favorite film, Hocus Pocus at the Fareground plaza. Seasonal concession specials like happy hour drinks, cotton candy, and popcorn will be available for purchase in addition to the Fareground’s several restaurant counters. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and arrive ahead of the 8pm showtime to select their ideal viewing spot on the green. Screening tickets are free with a reservation. Click here to save your spot.

Monday, October 31

Haunted Halloween at the Estate
The Commodore Perry Estate welcomes families to its historic grounds to celebrate Halloween in all its autumn splendor. Tiny ghosts and goblins are encouraged to wear their costumes while they explore the Mansion Inn, the Sunken Gardens, and more haunted hideaways throughout the property. Activities like trick-or-treating at Lutie’s, pumpkin painting, and pastry decorating are on the agenda for both children and grownups to enjoy. Palm reading sessions, a larder and cheese spread by Chef Susana Querejazu, and adult beverages will also be available for a well-rounded night of thrills.

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High Score

Austin named the nation's pickleball capital in industry report

Photo by Henry Selis Photo

Other Racquet Social Club is back after city woes.

It's no secret that Austinites love pickleball. A new study proves just how much by ranking Austin the No. 1 city for pickleball in the whole country. Dallas and Houston also made the top 10 at Nos. 3 and 8, respectively.

The report was published by TeachMe.To, an online marketplace for learning sports (and sometimes music) from private instructors. It used data from its own platform, USA Pickleball, Places2Play, local pickleball associations, and more. It also referred to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America, with a growth rate of 223.5 percent over three years.

Similarly, TeachMe.To ranked Austin as the fastest-growing city for pickleball, and citing this as the main reason for the overall title of "the nation's pickleball capital."

It name-checked the Austin Metro Pickleball Association (AMPA) — with approximately 3,000-3,500 members — and the Austin Pickleball League (APL), estimating that overall, "15,000-20,000 people play pickleball at least occasionally in the greater Austin area." About half of those players — about 8,000-10,000 people — play at least twice a month.

The report did not include gender data on Austin, specifically, but it did note that not only are two-thirds of pickleball players female; women's involvement in the sport is also growing 50 percent faster than men's.

New courts everywhere
This probably isn't a surprise to people who have noticed the number of courts opened around Austin in recent years. By 2024, TeachMe.To's data shows 32 dedicated courts in Austin, and thanks to with a utility rate of 92 percent it doesn't look like that'll be slowing down.

In the summer of 2023, the online booking platform Swimply noticed how many pickleball courts there were in Austin compared to such great demand, and added courts to its service. In fall 2023 and summer 2024, at least two important developments expanded that availability: Other Racquet Social Club opened as a friendly, country club-like neighborhood option, and national chain The Picklr announced it's bringing five locations to Austin and Round Rock.

Perhaps because Austin is such a food-obsessed city, there seems to be some growing opportunity for food and beverage hospitality around pickleball, too. Other Racquet recently started hosting the Bill's Dips food truck, a spinoff of the popular downtown restaurant Bill's Oyster; and a pair of bars with pickleball courts, Drifters Social Coffee & Cocktails and The Pickle Pub, also opened in South Austin this year, with strong online ratings already.

The trend has even reached into real estate (see this cute house with its own pickleball court) and inspired athletes to introduce similar sports to the local market, as in the case of the padel club Paddle39. TeachMe.To's report also mentioned tech companies adding pickleball to their campuses.

Aside from growth, the study also considered lesson activity (including information about teacher availability and diversity of clinic offerings), infrastructure, community vitality, the tournament scene.

Austin had the highest concentration of all the cities of players under 40 (65 percent), as well as the highest share of national lesson bookings. At 16.90 percent, that means about one in six of the pickleball lessons contracted through this platform were in Austin. Lesson demand, the report says, is growing 125 percent year-over-year.

Elsewhere in Texas
Dallas was No. 3 thanks in part to its "central location" according to the report.

"The city's 45 dedicated courts and 85 [percent] public accessibility rate have fostered one of the most active competitive scenes in the country, with 8,500 registered league players," it says. "The combination of strong tournament presence, extensive infrastructure, and a 112% growth in lesson bookings solidifies Dallas as a powerhouse in the national pickleball landscape."

Houston made No. 8 with an emphasis on integrating pickleball with other sports.

"The city's 22 dedicated courts have seen a 92% increase in lesson bookings, driven by innovative programming that includes the nation's first corporate league system," it says. "Houston's success in integrating pickleball into existing sports infrastructure while maintaining 72% year-round utilization demonstrates a sustainable model for rapid growth."

Overall predictions
After laying out data about the top cities in pickleball, the report made some predictions. As the Austin newcomer mentioned above believes, the report also thinks padel is the next big thing. It also guesses more cities will act like Houston by focusing on hybrid facilities.

It also expects to see an expanded professional circuit and mainstream coverage, more technology used on the court, a rise in the prevalence of young players, and more opportunities in corporate wellness and real estate. "Dedicated pickleball facilities will become as common as swimming pools in luxury developments," it says. Texans will be the judge of that one.

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Halloween Happenings

The 10 best Halloween happenings in Austin, from spooky to fun

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Austin named the nation's pickleball capital in industry report

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