Top 5 Halloween Events in Dallas 2026: Best Things to Do This Halloween
Looking for the best Halloween events in Dallas, TX for 2026? October is packed with Halloween activities ranging from free trick-or-treating and family festivals to haunted houses, Halloween nights at the Dallas Arboretum and a live production of Dracula.
With Halloween falling on Saturday, October 31, 2026, this year is especially good for making a full weekend out of the holiday.
If you're searching for Halloween events in Dallas, things to do in Dallas for Halloween, family Halloween activities, haunted houses near Dallas or things to do Halloween weekend in Dallas, here are five confirmed events worth putting on your calendar.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, TX 75201
FREE
One of Dallas' major family Halloween celebrations returns to Klyde Warren Park on Saturday, October 24.
The park's sixth annual Trick-or-Treating in the Park, presented by Kroger, invites families to dress up and head downtown for an evening filled with candy collecting, costume contests, games and family activities.
And don't leave when the sun goes down.
The evening is scheduled to include a nighttime showing of Toy Story 5 as part of Klyde Warren Park's Movies in the Park series.
This has also become a sizable Dallas Halloween tradition. Klyde Warren Park reports that more than 20,000 people attended the previous year's event.
The best part? Admission is free.
The event is officially confirmed by Klyde Warren Park for October 24 from 5–9 p.m.
Great for: Families, kids, costumes, trick-or-treating and anyone looking for a free Halloween event in Dallas.
Saturday, October 31, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sammons Park at the AT&T Performing Arts Center
2403 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
FREE with RSVP
Want something to do on Halloween Day in Dallas?
AT&T Performing Arts Center and the Dallas Police Department's Office of Community Affairs are bringing back Stage Fright: A Halloween Family Festival on Saturday, October 31.
This is much more than a quick trick-or-treat stop.
The currently announced activities include a costume contest, DJ dance party, petting zoo, creepy creatures from the Dallas Zoo, carnival bites and a spooky musical performance.
Kids can participate in the interactive “stick-r-treat” activity involving Dallas Police Department units, and choreographer Daunte “Cheesy” Borner is scheduled to teach guests iconic zombie dance moves.
The festival takes place at Sammons Park in the Dallas Arts District from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free with RSVP.
AT&T Performing Arts Center has confirmed the event both on its live event page and as part of its announced 2026–27 festival series.
Great for: Families looking for free Halloween activities in Dallas on October 31.
Opening October 3, 2026
Every weekend in October
8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Old City Park
1515 S. Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75215
Tickets: $40, purchased on site
Looking for something considerably scarier?
Junkyard Haunted House is taking over City Park, commonly known as Old City Park, for a huge Halloween attraction spread across the historic property.
Instead of walking through a single haunted house, visitors encounter seven haunted experiences across approximately 21 acres.
The announced haunted locations include:
Millermore Mansion
Renner School House
Pilot Grove Church
Blacksmith Area
Historic Train Depot
Sullivan House
Worth Hotel
The attraction uses historic buildings, live actors, theatrical effects, sound and other scare elements to turn the property into an immersive Halloween experience.
The organizer's current 2026 page says the attraction opens October 3 and operates every weekend throughout October from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Admission is currently listed at $40, with tickets purchased on site and no online sales.
Great for: Haunted-house fans, older teens and adults looking for a scary Halloween experience in Dallas.
Friday, October 23 & Friday, October 30, 2026
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218
Member exclusive ticketed event
For something more family-friendly, Halloween is coming to one of Dallas' most recognizable fall destinations.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is hosting BOO-tanical Trick or Treat inside the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden on two Friday evenings: October 23 and October 30.
The experience includes Halloween-themed educational activities, crafts, games and sweet treats throughout the Children's Adventure Garden.
Costumes are encouraged, and prizes are planned for some of the best costumes.
There is one particularly important detail to know before heading over:
BOO-tanical Trick or Treat is a Dallas Arboretum member-exclusive event.
The Arboretum also says the event will happen rain or shine and that costume masks and prop weapons aren't permitted.
Both 2026 dates and the 5:30 to 8 p.m. times are currently listed directly on the Dallas Arboretum's official event page, with tickets on sale.
And if you visit during October, the Halloween event overlaps with the larger Autumn at the Arboretum celebration, giving families another reason to explore the gardens during fall.
Great for: Dallas Arboretum members, families with children and anyone looking for a less-scary Halloween experience.
Friday, October 30 & Saturday, October 31, 2026
7:30 p.m.
Moody Performance Hall
2520 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
Halloween in Dallas doesn't have to mean trick-or-treating or haunted houses.
For a completely different Halloween weekend experience, Avant Chamber Ballet presents Dracula at Moody Performance Hall on October 30 and October 31.
Artistic Director Katie Puder's production combines ballet and theatrical storytelling with Philip Glass' dramatic score performed live.
The production uses contemporary costumes and scenery while drawing upon Glass' score originally composed to accompany the classic 1931 Dracula film.
It's a gothic Halloween experience designed for both established ballet fans and people looking for something unusual to do over Halloween weekend.
The production is recommended for audiences ages 10 and older.
This one has especially strong confirmation: Avant Chamber Ballet's current 2026 to 27 performance schedule lists Dracula at Moody Performance Hall for October 30 to 31, while the AT&T Performing Arts Center's current event listing independently confirms 7:30 p.m. performances on both nights.
Great for: Halloween date nights, performing-arts fans, older families and anyone looking for a sophisticated alternative to the typical haunted attraction.
Which Dallas Halloween Event Should You Choose?
The variety is what makes Halloween in Dallas particularly fun in 2026.
Families wanting free trick-or-treating can head to Klyde Warren Park on October 24.
If you want a free Halloween Day festival, Stage Fright takes place on the morning of October 31.
People looking for scares can visit Junkyard Haunted House throughout October, while Dallas Arboretum members have two opportunities to experience BOO-tanical Trick or Treat.
And for a Halloween date night or performing-arts experience, Dracula gives you something completely different on October 30 or Halloween night itself.
Dallas Halloween Events 2026: Dates at a Glance
October 3 onward: Junkyard Haunted House opens, with events every weekend in October.
October 23: BOO-tanical Trick or Treat at the Dallas Arboretum.
October 24: Trick-or-Treating in the Park at Klyde Warren Park.
October 30: BOO-tanical Trick or Treat at the Dallas Arboretum + Dracula at Moody Performance Hall.
October 31: Stage Fright at AT&T Performing Arts Center + Dracula at Moody Performance Hall.
That gives Dallas residents and visitors Halloween activities throughout nearly the entire month rather than limiting the celebration to October 31.
What Are the Best Free Halloween Events in Dallas?
Two of the events on this list are particularly good options if you're trying to celebrate without spending much.
Trick-or-Treating in the Park at Klyde Warren Park is free, while Stage Fright at the AT&T Performing Arts Center is free with RSVP.
Both are designed around family-friendly programming and take place in central Dallas.
What Are the Best Family Halloween Events in Dallas?
For younger children, consider Trick-or-Treating in the Park, Stage Fright or BOO-tanical Trick or Treat.
Families with older children may also consider Dracula, which is recommended for audiences ages 10 and older.
Junkyard Haunted House is specifically designed to scare visitors, so parents should consider whether an intense haunted attraction is appropriate for their children before attending.
When Is Halloween 2026?
Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2026.
That creates an excellent opportunity to turn Halloween into an entire weekend, with Dracula scheduled Friday and Saturday and Stage Fright happening Halloween morning.
Several other events on this list take place the previous weekend or throughout October, so you don't have to wait until Halloween itself to celebrate.
Things to Do in Dallas for Halloween 2026
Whether you're searching for Dallas Halloween events, Halloween activities near Dallas, free Halloween events in Dallas, Dallas haunted houses, Halloween events for kids, Halloween date ideas or things to do in Dallas Halloween weekend, October 2026 offers something for almost every type of celebration.
You can trick-or-treat downtown, spend Halloween morning at a family festival, walk through historic haunted buildings, explore a botanical Halloween experience or dress up for a night at the ballet.
Just remember that event schedules, ticket availability and weather policies can change. Check directly with the organizer before leaving home, particularly for outdoor events.
Stay Active This Fall with AqilFitness
Halloween is meant to be enjoyed. A few pieces of candy or a night out don't need to derail your fitness goals.
If fall has you thinking about getting back into a consistent routine, AqilFitness Training Solutions provides personalized fitness coaching for people throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
AqilFitness training services include personal training, weight-loss coaching, muscle building, body recomposition, athletic performance training, general fitness and macro coaching.
Whether you're trying to lose weight, become stronger, improve athletic performance or simply establish a fitness routine you can stick with, your training should be built around your individual goals.
Enjoy Halloween. Explore Dallas. Stay active. And when you're ready to work toward your next fitness goal, connect with AqilFitness Training Solutions.
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