North Texas venues finalize 215 Halloween programs for final week

North Texas residents face a crowded choice of activities for the final week of October, with venues in six cities scheduling 215 distinct Halloween events. The lineup ranges from free community gatherings to paid dining experiences, requiring families and adults to select between dozens of options before the holiday. The events are concentrated in The Colony, Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Dallas, and Fort Worth, with specific dates and times assigned to each activity.

The Colony offers a mix of free and paid experiences. Stewart Creek Park hosts Family Fright Fest on October 24, featuring hayrides and trick-or-treating at no cost. The same day, Truck Yard holds a Halloween party at its six Dallas-Fort Worth locations, including Richardson, with a limited-time drink menu and costume contests. Later in the week, Grandscape hosts Emo Night Brooklyn on October 29 and a family trick-or-treat event on Halloween evening.

Frisco provides multiple venues for families. Halloween Par-Tee at the PGA District offers pumpkin putting and golf cart trick-or-treating. Heritage Halloween at the Frisco Heritage Center decorates historic buildings for crafts and games. Frisco Square hosts Trick or Treat the Square from 1 to 4 p.m. on October 24, featuring wagon rides and treat collection along Coleman Boulevard. The Spookeasy pop-up at Omni PGA Frisco Resort pours themed cocktails through November 1.

Plano and McKinney focus on specific themed venues. The Rest in Plano Fest takes over the Downtown Plano Arts District and Haggard Park on October 24 with carnival rides and live performances. Legacy Hall hosts a free trick-or-treat parade on October 27 following a Hotel Transylvania screening. In McKinney, The Yard serves a seasonal menu through October 31, including a vodka-spiked cold brew that benefits a local dog rescue. The Stix Icehouse holds a Trunk or Treat event on October 29 on its 14-acre property.

Dallas and Fort Worth offer large-scale public events. Klyde Warren Park in Dallas holds its sixth-annual Trick-or-Treating in the Park on October 24, including a Toy Story 5 screening. The Fort Worth Zoo runs Boo at the Zoo from October 30 to November 2, with admission covering treat coupons and a train ride. Downtown Celina hosts its Beware! of the Square festival on October 24, featuring more than 60 market vendors and a haunted manor.

Adults seeking a dining experience have limited options. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad operates a Witches' Brew Train on October 30 and 31. The two-hour round trip in 1920s coaches includes Texas craft beer and spooky entertainment. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, and the route covers the vintage railroad tracks connecting Grapevine and downtown Fort Worth.