North Texas venues offer 100 Halloween events across six cities

Community groups and businesses across North Texas have scheduled more than 100 Halloween events for the week ending Oct. 31. These activities range from free park festivals to adult-only train rides in six major areas.

The Colony and Frisco offer the most family-oriented options. Stewart Creek Park in The Colony hosts a free Family Fright Fest on Oct. 24 featuring hayrides and craft booths. Frisco Square hosts a trick-or-treat event from 1 to 4 p.m. on the same day, where children collect treats from businesses along Coleman Boulevard. The Frisco Heritage Center also opens its historic buildings for hands-on crafts and games.

Plano and McKinney focus on themed dining and parades. The R.I.P. Fest in Plano includes carnival rides and live performances in the Downtown Plano Arts District. Legacy Hall in Plano holds a free parade on Oct. 27 that includes a screening of Hotel Transylvania. In McKinney, The Yard serves a seasonal menu through Oct. 31, and the Spooktacular Brews and Boos Walk guides guests to more than 20 beverage stops in Historic Downtown McKinney on Halloween.

Dallas and Fort Worth provide large-scale public gatherings. Klyde Warren Park in Dallas hosts its sixth annual Trick-or-Treating in the Park on Saturday, which includes an outdoor screening of Toy Story 5. The Fort Worth Zoo runs Boo at the Zoo from Friday through Sunday, offering ticket holders six treat coupons and access to a pumpkin patch.

Organizers have set specific dates for these events to spread attendance across the final week of October. Truck Yard in The Colony and its Richardson location will hold a Halloween party on Oct. 24. The Spookeasy pop-up at Omni PGA Frisco Resort will serve themed cocktails through Nov. 1. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad operates a two-hour Witches' Brew Train on Oct. 30 and 31.

Most events require no advance purchase, though some offer paid food and drink menus. The Fort Worth Zoo ticket includes admission to the pumpkin patch and animal presentations. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad excursion takes place in vintage 1920s coaches and features Texas craft beer. These activities are scheduled to conclude by Nov. 1.

The event calendars are distributed across public parks, commercial districts, and private venues. Frisco offers a golf-themed Halloween Par-Tee at the PGA District. Celina hosts the Beware! of the Square festival with more than 60 market vendors. McKinney’s Stix Icehouse hosts a free Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 29 across its 14-acre property.