North Texas doesn’t just do big hair and big football—we do big Halloween too! October in DFW means the calendar fills up fast with festivals, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treat trails.

North Texas doesn’t just do big hair and big football—we do big Halloween too! October in DFW means the calendar fills up fast with festivals, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treat trails. Whether you are looking for artfully arranged gourds, retro arcade gaming, indoor waterpark thrills, or a wild time at the zoo, the Metroplex has something for every family this season.

If you're hunting for the perfect mix of candy, costumes, and core memories, here are the absolute best all-ages things to do for Halloween 2026 in North Texas!

1. Autumn at the Arboretum: "Harvest Hues" (Dallas)

For the ultimate fall aesthetic, you can't beat the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. From September 19 through November 1, 2026, the 66-acre park transforms for its highly anticipated Autumn at the Arboretum festival.  

This year’s theme is Harvest Hues, featuring an incredible 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. The famed Pumpkin Village includes six distinct "Pumpkin Houses" inspired by modern and contemporary artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Rothko, and Piet Mondrian. It is visually stunning, highly interactive for kids, and guarantees the best family photo ops in all of Dallas.  

2. Fright Fest at Side Quest Arcade (Garland)

If you want to dodge the unpredictable Texas weather and do something totally unique, head to Firewheel Town Center in Garland. Side Quest Arcade is a massive "flat play" arcade featuring nearly 200 classic and modern machines, including an impressive lineup of 28 pinball tables. For just around $11.50, you buy a wristband that unlocks unlimited free play all day.  

The highlight of the season is their annual Halloween party, "Fright Fest at the Arcade", happening on Friday, October 31st. It is the ultimate family-friendly hangout where you can show up in your best costumes, enjoy a thrilling night of gaming, and win special prizes. They even have an endless soda fountain and all-day movie theater popcorn to keep your energy up while you chase high scores. You receive a FREE unlimited gameplay wristband if you show up in costume for Halloween 2026 which falls in a Saturday, so this makes it a great affordable option! 

3. Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine)

Why limit Halloween to one night? Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine celebrates all month long with their annual Howl-O-Ween event.  

It’s the perfect staycation for families who want to combine spooky fun with waterpark thrills. Throughout October, the lodge transforms into a "boo-tiful" wonderland complete with indoor trick-or-treat trails, Halloween-themed crafts, and their famous Monster Bash Dance Parties. Because everything is indoors, you never have to worry about a chilly or rainy Halloween night ruining the kids' costumes.  

4. Boo at the Zoo (Fort Worth)

A true North Texas staple, Boo at the Zoo at the Fort Worth Zoo is a trick-or-treater’s haven.  

Usually held during the final weekend of October, this daytime event blends wildlife education with Halloween festivities. Kids can wander the zoo in their costumes, hitting up treat stations scattered throughout the animal habitats, playing carnival games, and enjoying special themed animal enrichments. It’s a low-scare, high-fun environment that is perfect for toddlers and younger children who might find nighttime events a little too intense.