Costumes ready? Candy buckets at the door? Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, this year, giving Houston families a whole weekend to celebrate. And there’s no need to wait until dark: several local destinations are handing out treats during the afternoon, with crafts, costume contests, and entertainment adding to the fun.
Halloween at the BOO!seum — Children’s Museum Houston
Swap the neighborhood candy route for a museum adventure at Children’s Museum Houston. Its Halloween at the BOO!seum celebration features five candy stations alongside hands-on exhibits, seasonal activities, and spooky science fun. The festivities culminate in Monster Mayhem on Halloween, when the museum stays open until 8 p.m.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat at CITYCENTRE
Get a head start on Halloween at CITYCENTRE, where participating shops and restaurants will welcome costumed candy collectors on Friday evening. Look for festive balloons outside the doors to find the treat stops, then head to The Plaza for spooky tunes and a Halloween performance at 7 p.m.
The event takes place rain or shine, making it an option for families who want an organized route before Saturday’s festivities.
Boo on the Boardwalk
Make a day of it by taking your little monsters to Kemah Boardwalk, where Boo on the Boardwalk celebrates its 25th anniversary this October. Participating retail stores will hand out treats on Halloween from 2–8 p.m., with crafts, a balloon artist, and a Haunted DJ adding to the afternoon festivities.
The children’s costume contest starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by live music from the Boogie Man Band from 6–10 p.m. Public Halloween festivities are free, though rides and certain attractions cost extra.
Halloween in Old Town Spring
Old Town Spring’s annual Halloween celebration turns an afternoon shopping stroll into a candy-collecting adventure. Children can wear their costumes and visit participating shops for treats, making this a daytime alternative to a late-night neighborhood outing.
Bring a candy bag and allow time to wander between the independent stores rather than expecting every business to participate.
Halloween Trunk-or-Treat at Houston Food Bank
Houston Food Bank’s East Branch is hosting a daytime celebration with decorated trunks, candy, and plenty to keep children entertained between treat stops. The lineup includes a DJ, yard games, face painting, balloon twisting, a bounce house, a photo booth, and a costume contest with prizes.
Food will also be available to purchase at the Texans Cafe. Check the organizer’s participation requirements before heading over.
The Heights
The Heights remains an option for families looking to combine neighborhood Halloween decorations with a traditional trick-or-treating outing. Choose a manageable area to explore rather than trying to cover the whole neighborhood, and stick to homes clearly welcoming visitors.
River Oaks
River Oaks is another neighborhood featured in the original guide for its Halloween displays and trick-or-treating appeal. Make the decorations part of the adventure, but skip the expectation of a particular candy haul: individual homeowners decide whether to participate and what to give out.
Halloween SpookTacular – The Woodlands Children’s Museum
The Woodlands Children’s Museum is expanding its Halloween SpookTacular into a two-day celebration this year. Designed especially for children ages seven and under, the event trades big scares for guided art projects, child-friendly games, and performances by Monty the Magician.
Friday’s schedule includes slime-making and SpookTacular Storytime, while Saturday brings pumpkin-lacing and monster-door-hanger crafts. Advance tickets are recommended because capacity is limited. The published 2026 announcement does not confirm trick-or-treating, so treat this as an activity-led Halloween outing rather than a guaranteed candy stop.
Scream on the Green at Discovery Green
Downtown’s annual Halloween party returns with costume contests, games, music, living sculptures, and photo opportunities. It’s a free way to show off those costumes a day before Halloween, especially for families who want a celebration without committing to a paid attraction.
Drive the 3100 block of Robinson Road for over-the-top Halloween decorations and free trick‑or‑treating.
The 3100 block of Robinson Road in Quail Valley, Missouri City transforms into “Nightmare on Candy Cane Lane” each Halloween with elaborate inflatables, graves, and yard displays. The neighborhood hosts free trick-or-treating on October 31, with the road closed to cars from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.
