We all know that fall is more an idea that a reality here in Houston, but that doesn’t stop us from trying. Pumpkin patches, pumpkin spice lattes, and the occasional crisp autumn day, embrace it all this autumn in Houston with these 55 frighteningly fun things to do this October in Houston!
1. Watch a Movie at River Oaks Theatre
The beloved and historical River Oaks Theatre is officially coming back from the dead this October! The landmark theater will christen its return to the Houston cinema scene with a screening of Joker: Folie a Deux on October 3, followed with planned events for a 50th anniversary screening of Texas Chainsaw Massacre as well as The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
2. Enter Meow Wolf Houston’s Radio Tave
Houston will finally be able to experience the weird wonderland that is Meow Wolf this October! The experimental art collective venue has announced its October opening in Space City, promising a surreal radio station where visitors can traverse fantastical art pieces, explore hidden passageways, and solve interactive mysteries. If that weren’t enough, the venue will also feature a hidden psychedelic honky tonk inside the venue.
3-5.Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
Experience a magical spring here in Houston thanks to the amazing indoor and outdoor venues the city has to offer. Luckily, Fever Originals has brought its popular Candlelight concert series to beautiful venues for the season with concerts that include:
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at The Bell Tower on 34th
- Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at The Lone Star Flight Museum
6. Get your Tickets to Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience in Austin
Saddle up on your broomstick, throw some dust in the flue, or rummage out your port-key out from the closet; otherwise, do whatever you need to do to transport yourself to Austin this fall for Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.
Following a captivating season in Dallas, the experience is bringing the magic to the capital this season. Here, wizards and muggles alike can explore the grounds of Hogwarts interacting with magical entities like the Hippogriff, the Weasley family’s flying Ford Anglia, and more.
Furthermore, the experience will also feature a quaint little village where visitors can delight in food, drinks, and official Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts merchandise.
Get your tickets here!7. Dine in the Dark
Ever wondered what it is like to eat in the dark? Eminent psychologists have been advocating dining in the dark as the ultimate taste experience for many years. Studies show that 80 percent of people eat with their eyes; with that sense eliminated, the theory is that the other senses—namely taste and smell—take over to elevate your meal to a whole new level.
After donning your blindfold in the darkened, candlelit room, you’ll soon realise that focusing on taste and smell alone can be a truly enlightening experience—provided you’re not afraid of the dark!
8. Enjoy Concerts Under the Stars
As the sun begins its descent and the city’s lights steal the spotlight, an exquisite rooftop in the open air becomes one of the finest settings for embarking on an al fresco journey. In the current season, Houston’s Concerts Under the Stars are here to offer you all the urban rooftop charms you adore, along with live music spanning several decades.
9-10. Watch A Scary Movie Alfresco
Nothing says “Halloween” like watching a movie that will prevent you from sleeping for a week. Thankfully there are plenty of places in Houston where you can see such films in the company of a crowd, you know, strength in numbers.
- Rooftop Cinema Club of Houston is conjuring up a special batch of movies that will give you the heebie jeebies – the good kind.
- Located at Midway’s 150-acre East River development on 100 Bringhurst St., Moonstruck Drive-In screens a variety of 4K features on a 80 x 40-foot screen with a stunning skyline backdrop.
11. Quench your Thirst at Drunk Dracula
From the brilliantly boozy minds that brought you Drunk Shakespeare comes Drunk Dracula. The unpredictable and perhaps slightly debaucherous production at the Emerald Theater features a team of professional actors performing the classic Bram Stoker play after one of the actors consumes five shots. Drunk Dracula is a limited-time production running for four weeks only this October. Tickets are now on sale.
12. Enjoy Pumpkin Pandemonium at Pumpkins After Dark Houston
The award-winning, Canada-based Halloween experience makes its US debut in Houston this October. The larger-than-life event will take over Big Rivers Waterparks & Adventures on October 4 with over 10,000 pumpkins, soaring art installations, food, drinks, and all things Halloween.
13. Experience Eternity at this Breathtaking Infinity Room Exhibition
To describe the glimmering works of Yayoi Kusama as “iconic” almost sounds like a disservice. Nothing less than mesmerizing, her kaleidoscopic infinity rooms have enchanted the world over, leaving those who’ve entered breathless, and those who’ve seen them secondhand taken with envy.
Now, Houstonians can experience the indescribable as MFAH becomes the new home of Kusama’s Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity.
14. Stroll through Houston’s Very Best Pumpkin Patches
Is there anything more representative of the fall season (outside leaves) than the pumpkin? Whether it’s sipping on a pumpkin spice late, digging into pumpkin pie, or re-reading instructions on how to properly carve a jack-o-lantern, the pumpkin is (literally, in the latter case) the face of autumn. Get your hands on one of your own at one of these bountiful pumpkin patches around Houston!
15. Breathtaking Places To See Fall Foliage In Texas
Let’s be real, the only way you can see fall colors in Houston is through filters and photoshop. Those that seek the upmost fall experience with breathtaking sights of blazen, changing leaves, will have to take their PSL to-go on a state-bound road trip. Here are the 10 best places in Texas to see fall foliage.
16. Scream at the Largest Horror Amusement Park In Texas
Houston Scream Fest, billed as the largest haunted amusement park in Texas, is coming back to life this October. The park is plagued with multiple haunted houses, a carnival-style midway, a zombie paintball course, live concerts, big screen horror movies, eats, and (free!) drinks Pre-sale tickets are now available at $10.
17. Fly into the Witch Market
Thorn and Moon’s Magickal Market is an enchanting monthly bizarre, a covent of charming vendors, witchcrafted goods, and occult oddities all (spell)bound together in one wickedly sweet atmosphere. The market takes place on the first Saturday every month, which in October, lands on the second!
18. Boo on the Boardwalk
Boo on the Boardwalk is back for another year and promises a bag of treats for all ages. On weekends throughout October, the Kemah Boardwalk will feature themed nights full of Halloween fun activities. Whether you shriek by for Freaky Fridays, Scary Saturdays, or Spooky Sundays, you’ll be in for a hauntingly good time, with live music, magic shows, and festive entertainment.
19. Go On a Daring Journey Of The Most Haunted Places In Texas
Gather around the campfire, folks, for Halloween season is here. Ushering in the celebration of all that is spooky, we’ve compiled a list of the most haunted places in and around Houston as well as the grim tales that beseech them.
20. Have Second Breakfast at the Hobbit Cafe
You don’t have to journey all the way out to Mordor to enliven your Tolkien-esque fantasies. Here in Houston, just southwest of Montrose is The Hobbit Café. Since 1972, the café has served all the hobbits, elves, wizards, and dwarves the best food Middle Earth, Houston has to offer.
21. Dance All Night at this Twin Peaks Nightclub
The public can now see what’s behind the red curtains at the new, Lynchian-inspired nightclub, Cherry. The darkly lavish new nightclub is a concept from Hospitable Viking the group behind The Commoner + The boulevardier, Rosemont, and the 006 Bar. It’s set in the two-story space formerly occupied by the Nightingale Room – which is rather appropriate all considering.
22. Revel in Houston Fall Festivals
Fall is here and it’s the time to dive into all the autumnal activities the season has to offer. In the Houston area, you can find a number of local farms that bring the best of the season – carnival games, pumpkin patches, and hayrides – into glorious fall festivals.
23. Enter the Black Lagoon at Nickel City
New Houston rum-focused patio bar Nickel City is transforming into a wickedly fun Black Lagoon pop-up this October. The Halloween takeover will comprise of immersive decor, spooky soundtracks, themed cocktails, and Wednesday Emo Nights.
24. Drink an Ale in a Beer Garden
Houston is home to a wide array of local craft breweries, and to enhance your brewery experience, we offer a charming assortment of beer gardens. Embrace the lovely weather by paying a visit to one of these captivating outdoor beer destinations!
25. Go on a Hike
Take advantage of the opportunity to explore, Houston. After enduring the most intense summer in Houston’s history, it’s a wise choice to relish temperatures below 90 degrees and discover the finest hiking spots in the Houston region.
26. Pixar Putt
Tee up with your favorite animated characters this October at the return of Pixar Putt. Rolling back into town on October 13, the imaginative experience at Sarofim Picnic Lawn at Discovery Green will be comprised of 18 whimsical holes inspired by Pixar’s beloved stories.
27. Visit this Historical Library
Crafted in the Spanish Renaissance fashion, the historic Julia Ideson Library showcases elements like Ionic columns, classical architectural embellishments, hanging chandeliers, vivid murals, and an intricately designed domed ceiling.
28. Roll through this Drive-Thru Haunted House Experience
Halloweens season has arrived. If you’re putting all things spooky in drive, make sure to cruise through Haunted Drive this October. This drive-thru haunted house experience in Cleveland, Texas, just a short drive from Houston, and features 1.5-mile long journey through terrific installations, a Michael Myers escape room experience, and Haunted Hayrides.
29-31. Cozy Up at Houston’s Best Coffee Shops
Thankfully, there are plenty of coffee houses scattered about the city for residents to take refuge, re-energize, and maybe eat a scone or two.
- Rev up your mornings at the motorcycle and coffee garage.
- Husband-and-wife caffeine team, Manuel and Martha Gil, have recently opened Segundo Lab inside Ironworks near downtown, bringing rich, creative java flavors to the Second Ward.
32. Dare Houston’s Scariest Haunted Houses
Test your courage this October with a walk-around Houston’s most terrifying haunted houses. In addition to spine-chilling mix of themed rooms and experiences, you can find a frightfully fun array of other Halloween activities ranging from zombie paintball, to escape rooms, sinister bars, and more!
33. Eat and Drink like a King at Southern Smoke Festival
The massive Houston food festival makes its return this October with some of the Houston culinary scene’s biggest stars. Patrons can enjoy food and drinks from over 70 of the industry greats as well as live music and more at Discovery Green.
34. Visit The Hidden Castle in Texas
A short drive outside of Houston in the small town of Bellville Texas lies a medieval castle equipped with a 3,000-pound drawbridge, moat, and a knightly guest quarters.
35. Embrace Everything Pumpkin
Beyond the Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts of the world, awaits a cornucopia of local bakeries, restaurants, and coffee shops that know how to enrich your autumn experience in Houston with all the season’s best flavors. (Trick or) treat yourself to 10 of our favorite spots to get fall treats in the city!
36. Sweeten Up at a Speakeasy
See what’s hiding behind the sliding doors, bookcases, and nondescript backrooms of these bakeries, record stores, and restaurants. Here, you’ll find some of the best speakeasies in Houston, from tiki bars, to chocolate shops, mezcal bars, and more!
37. Unwind Inside This Cozy Beer And Wine Bus
Parked on Montrose Blvd., Bacco Wine Garden is an intimate, fire-lit, two-story bar and patio that serves wine, beer, and an assortment of Italian comfort food. Beyond the wraparound balcony, there lies a dazzling wine and beer bus for patrons to share an even more intimate experience.
38-41. Hit the Dive Scene
Houston thankfully has plenty of places to take shelter in a flurry of rain: whether to escape the weather, shoot a round of pool, grab a cheap beer, or to play a song on a jukebox, consult this list to discover where to go.
- Those who leave up their festive decorations year round, like the people over at Grand Prize Bar, are complete freaking lunatics – and we love them for it.
- La Carafe Wine Bar is a historic haunt housed in a building that’s stood for over a century and remains to be the oldest in the city of Houston.
42-43. Or, Hit a Patio Bar
One surefire way to capitalize on the weekend, weekday, weeknight – really just any time – is to have a couple drinks amongst friends in the open air of a patio. Get out and about this season at some of our favorite watering holes in town
- Nestled on 1239 W 19th St. among a familiar crowd of patio bars – Preslee’s, McIntyre’s Heights, and Bungalow Heights– is a newcomer known as Moonshine Deck, a throwback Americana-inspired bar and kitchen with moonshine and whiskey to boot.
44. Transport Yourself To Madrid at this Clubby Restaurant
If you’re looking for a taste of Spanish cuisine, with the sight, sound, and feel of Madrilenian nightlife, MAD Houston is your ticket.
45. Gear up for Sweater Weather at Uniqlo
Often known as “the Japanese Zara”, Uniqlo is a favorite clothing line for self-proclaimed fashionistas. After much anticipation, the clothing company has announced opening dates for its two Houston locations at Memorial City Mall and First Colony Mall in Sugar Land this October.
46. Get Medieval at Ren Fest
The 48th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest renaissance festival in the nation, returns to Texas this October with a kingdom of entertainment for the whole family.
Every year since 1974 the town of Todd Mission travels back to the 16th century, becoming a bustling village filled to the brim with stages, shops, artisans, vendors, and no shortage of characters – from kings, queens, and knights, to fairies and elven-kind. It’s annual attendance clocks in around 500,000 visitors – making it the Nation’s Largest Renaissance Festival.
47. Elevate Your Lifestyle at these Houston Rooftop Bars
Nothing quite says “living the highlife” like clinking glasses on a city rooftop. Touch the sky this season with a brunch, evening, or nightcap on the most jaw-dropping rooftops in Houston.
48-53. Eat Your Heart Out
Houston’s culinary scene is a vast, rich landscape populated with delicious eateries, scrumptious bakeries, and Tex-Mex as far as the eye can see.
- Whether it’s a classic Neapolitan-style Margherita, a traffic cone-sized slice, or some warped creation piled high with everything and the kitchen sink – we don’t discriminate when it comes to pizza. Any way you slice it, here’s 10 of the best pizza parlors in the Houston area!
- Not all buffets are created equal. When seeking out a local in which to stock up on calories to last you the winter hibernation, we recommend heading to one of our 10 favorite all-you-can-eat buffets in Houston.
- Whataburger, Taco Bell, McDonald’s – the usual suspects when it comes to late-night munchies. Sometimes, though, you got to broaden your horizons, especially when a glorious late-night food scene of delis, pizzerias, taquerias await in the city of Houston.
- Hot, cold, rain, or shine, ice cream is a good call on any day. Here’s the scoop on where to find the best ice cream in Houston
- Like breakfast tacos, kolaches are synonymous with breakfast in Texas. Savory, comfortable, portable – perfect for an on-the-go breakfast, or bought-by-the-dozen hangover cure. Unlike similar handheld breakfast staples such as donuts, bagels, and croissants, it’s not so easy finding kolaches outside of Texas. We’d probably travel more if you could, but for now, we’ll stay here in Houston with our favorite comfort breakfast food on the go.
- Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of pie at our favorite diners in Houston
54. Watch El Clasico in Houston
Houston will host El Clasico for the first time this October. Hosted at NRG Park, Houstonians can watch two of Mexico’s titan soccer clubs Chivas of Guadalajara and Club América of Mexico City as they go head to head on October 13.
55. Get Weird at Houston Horror Market & Music Fest
Houston’s renowned Horror Film Fest is bringing back its annual Haunted Halloween Horror Market & Music Fest on October 26. Held at The Wildcatter Saloon, the event promises a thrilling mix of entertainment, including a live performance by the industrial metal band CROSSBREED. Attendees can also explore a diverse vendor market, connect with artists and filmmakers, and enjoy celebrity meet-and-greets. More exciting details will be revealed as the event approaches!
56. Hunker Down at this Zombie Apocalypse Pop-Up
Houston’s Popfancy Dessert Bar is back at it again this October with The Outbreak: A Zombie Apocalypse Dining Experience pop-up. Here, visitors can elude zombies and ward off the plague as they enjoy themed eats and drinks in an immersive decor.
See also: 19 Halloween events in Houston