North Texas venues host 215 spooky events

Businesses across North Texas have locked in a dense schedule of Halloween programming for the final days of October. The calendar spans six cities and includes 215 distinct events. Operators are targeting families, adults, and pet owners with activities that range from trick-or-treating routes to themed dining experiences.

In The Colony, Stewart Creek Park hosts Family Fright Fest on Saturday, Oct. 24. The free event features hayrides, games, and crafts. Truck Yard is holding its annual Halloween party the same day. The event includes a limited-time drink menu and costume contests at all six of its locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including a new outpost in Richardson. Grandscape will host Emo Night Brooklyn on Thursday, Oct. 29, followed by a family-friendly Trick or Treat Extravaganza on Halloween evening.

Frisco venues are offering golf and heritage themed options. The PGA District hosts Halloween Par-Tee, which includes pumpkin putting and trick-or-treating from decorated golf carts. The Frisco Heritage Center features decorated historic buildings and hands-on crafts. Frisco Square hosts Trick or Treat the Square from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, offering carnival games and wagon rides. The Spookeasy pop-up at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa will pour themed cocktails through Nov. 1. The Star’s Little Stars Halloween returns to Tostitos Championship Plaza on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for a free morning of games for children ages five and under.

Plano and McKinney are focusing on nightlife and pet-friendly activities. R.I.P. Fest takes over the Downtown Plano Arts District and Haggard Park on Saturday, offering carnival rides and live performances. Legacy Hall hosts a free Trick-or-Treatery Halloween Parade on Tuesday, Oct. 27, which includes a screening of Hotel Transylvania. In McKinney, The Yard serves a seasonal menu through Oct. 31, featuring drinks that benefit Cody's Friends Dog Rescue. The Stix Icehouse holds a free Trunk or Treat with Macaroni Kid on Thursday, Oct. 29. The Spooktacular Brews and Boos Walk will guide costumed guests to more than 20 beverage stops in Historic Downtown McKinney on Halloween.

Fort Worth and Dallas are offering large-scale public events. The Fort Worth Zoo runs Boo at the Zoo from Friday through Sunday. Admission includes six treat coupons, a pumpkin patch, and keeper chats. Klyde Warren Park in Dallas hosts its sixth-annual Trick-or-Treating in the Park on Saturday. The free event includes book giveaways from Book Drive for Kids and an outdoor screening of Toy Story 5. Downtown Celina's Beware! of the Square festival runs the same day, featuring a haunted manor and more than 60 market vendors. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad will operate its Witches' Brew Train on Oct. 30 and 31, offering a two-hour round-trip excursion in vintage 1920s coaches.