Best Austin Halloween Parties and Events in 2022 Thrillist
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Various locations
Nothing says Spooky Season like a good scary movie—and, whether you're looking for a bloody horror slasher, or something more family-friendly, the offerings around Austin have you covered. First up is The Paramount Theatre's “Panic at the Paramount,” three nights of eerily-good double features going down on October 18th, 22nd, and 23rd. This reportedly haunted Austin landmark will not only be playing the classics, like The Shining and A Nightmare on Elm Street, it will also be hosting very special screenings of Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty and Bryan Bertino’s The Strangers, with the directors themselves. Then there’s the Haunted Drive-In series happening at the various locations of drive-in cinema favorite, Blue Starlite. Catch everything from Beetlejuice and Hocus Pocus, to late night showings of The Witch and John Carpenter’s The Fog. Last but not least, you can’t go wrong with the first-rate horror flick, Carrie. And, fortunately for fans of this quintessential Stephen King tale, arthouse movie spot, AFS Cinema, will be dropping the pig’s blood on the big screen on October 28th and 29th.
Cost: Price varies based on event; check individual links for more details. Meanwhile Brewing Company
Meanwhile Brewing
You may no longer be young enough to collect candy door-to-door, but this year, South Austin pint palace, Meanwhile Brewing, is making sure you still get a treat. Its dog-day celebration, the Werewolf Costume Contest, has all the elements needed to be a true bonanza of adorabless—one that is sure to drive your cute aggression into overdrive. The obvious draw is its three canine-focused costume contests with prizes for Scariest Scoundrel, Funniest Furry Friend, and Best Buds (which awards the top human-pet dress-up duo). But should your dog have the same aversion to outfits as they do to thunderstorms and vacuums, there’s still lots for the collar-only crew to enjoy as well including a pop-up market of pet-product vendors, pup photo booth, Halloween jams by DJ Greg Gioia, and a special Halloween dog-friendly ice cream from Besame.
Cost: Free
The Ballroom at Spider House
Although we all know the ultimate Halloween moves belong to the news-anchor behind the viral sensation, the KXVO Pumpkin Dance, the movement maestros in Austin-based professional dance company, Ventana Ballet, surely rank a close second. Witness their scary amount of talent with your own eyes as they perform their annual, immersive holiday-themed show: UNDEAD, Haunted House of Dance. During the showcase, 13 local professional theater and dance artists from multiple disciplines will cast a spell on the audience through their modern reimagining of a classic, Dracula. Be sure to get there early, as the interactive experience casts off the night with a “pre-show haunting” at the bar.
Cost: Tickets start at $22.50 per person. Extragrams
The Fairmont Austin
Let’s face it—you could use some serious tips on how to style that shake-and-go, Amazon-Primed, blonde wig you ordered for your Dolly Parton costume. Head to Fairmont Austin’s Halloween Drag Bingo Brunch to see how to tease it up like a pro. As if the already fantastic combination of mimosas, games, and drag queens isn’t killer on its own, the Halloween theme is sure to make the event even more hair-raising than your first sip of Champagne after a Saturday night spiral. In addition to prizes for Bingo winners, there will also be a special reward for the audience member who has the best costume.
Cost: No cover, but reservations are required and can be booked online.
Various locations
Back in the days of trick-or-treating, a Nerds Rope was all you needed to reach the heights of happiness—however, your adult self probably prefers a stronger buzz than a sugar high. That’s where Austin’s Halloween bar crawls come in. The 5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl on October 29th starts at Parlor & Yard, where you and your fellow mass of costumed merry-makers will make your way through drink special after drink special at various 6th-street haunts. And, you can even offset your excessive bar tab by winning the $1,000 grand prize in the Crawl’s costume contest. Should you crave an excursion which is a little less pint-driven and a little more paranormal, you can take some shots and stroll on the Austin Haunted Pub Crawl, which runs nightly through November. After kicking off the evening at the city’s most famous ghost hangout, The Driskill, you’ll make your way around town learning about, and chugging back Lone Stars at various local bars and restaurants that claim an otherworldly presence.
Cost: Price varies based on event; check individual links for more details. House of Torment
2632 Ridgepoint Drive
Nothing says Halloween more than being chased by strangers in costumes through a haunted house, and there’s no better place to get in the screams than North Austin’s House of Torment. With three different bewitching spaces to explore, frightful opportunities abound. This year’s themes include The Abominations, which features ancient beings looking to snack on humans, and Tormented, an all-star spook-tacular with fan-favorite ghouls from the attraction’s years past. Just remember—no pushing, even if they come after you with a fake chainsaw (eek!).
Cost: Tickets start at $24.99 per person. Austin Psych Fest Flickr/Roger Ho
Various locations
While it may not be the most traditional spooky activity, attending one of the shows that make up psych rock festival, LEVITATION, is for sure the most Austin thing to do on All Hallows Eve. Psych rock does carry some witchy vibes to begin with—and, considering the incredible lineup they have been able to conjure up this year, we wouldn’t be surprised if some serious magic was involved. While you can’t go wrong catching any of the shows, you don’t want to miss the Sunday set at Stubb’s by festival founders and city natives, The Black Angels. Their music will blow your mind and their energetic live show is bound to be a worthy way to cap-off your Hallo-weekend.
Cost: Prices of tickets for individual shows vary; check website for more details. Photo courtesy of The Surrealist Ball
Devil May Care
For those who love an excuse to put together a head-turning Halloween costume, the infamous Surrealist Ball at Devil May Care is the perfect chance for you to pull out the paper mache. Inspired by the 1972 Rothschild’s Surrealist Ball, your ticket gains you entrance to the year’s most lavish dinner-party—and, with the required dress code being “black tie, long dresses, and Surrealist heads,” you better have a ‘fit to match. While there, you’ll feast on a full menu of passed bites as a resident DJ spins tunes, not to mention indulge in five cocktails and a champagne toast, which is bound to supply you with enough liquid courage to ask for a masked stranger’s digits.
Cost: Tickets start at $95 per person. Photo courtesy of Spooky Silent Disco
The Belmont
Most rave outfits verge on costume anyway—so why not put those club kid boots to good use and hit up The Belmont’s Spooky Silent Disco? Pop on the provided headphones and dance the night away to three different DJs. One is playing EDM classics and Top 40 dance hits, another giving you all the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s throwbacks you crave, and the last serving straight-up hip hop and R&B. Plus, considering the music is playing in your headphones, and not on huge speakers, you won’t have to face the fear of ringing eardrums by the end of the night.
Cost: Pre-sale tickets run $20 per person, while tickets at the door are $25 per person. Barton Hill Farms
Barton Hill Farms
If your idea of October is a little less horror and a little more pumpkin spice, you can experience all the fall feels at Barton Hill Farms. Engage in Insta-worthy autumn activities, like picking out the perfect jack o’lantern from their pumpkin patch or finding your way through their themed, five-acre corn maze. After finding your way out reward yourself with a local craft beer or cider at their on-site bar, the Barton Hugel Apfelwein & Biergarten, while enjoyig live music at their outdoor stage.
Cost: Tickets start at $21.95 per person. Photo courtesy of South Congress Candy & Cocktail Crawl
Various locations
Swapping cocktails for candy, this trek around South Congress is sure to have you buzzing. Stop by Hotel San José for a Monster Smash and then hit Perla’s for the appropriately named Nightmare on South Congress Street before making additional stops at Joann’s Fine Foods, Neighborhood Sushi, and June’s. For those with kids or just love candy (i.e. everyone), there will also be traditional Halloween goodies at every location. Don’t forget to hit Jo’s the day before for the unveiling of the winner of their 5th Annual Ugly Dog Contest—we hear the completion is pretty “ruff.” Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.Molly Moltzen is a contributor to Thrillist.By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.
Austin s Coolest Halloween Parties and Events This Month
From hellish horror films and werewolf costume contests to boo-zy bar crawls celebrate the spooky season
By Molly Moltzen Updated on 10/13/2022 at 3:18 PMPumpkin Nights A surefire way for a Texan to mark the passing seasons in any given year is, undoubtedly, the speciality, holiday-themed items that suddenly materialize in the aisles of H.E.B. So, those piles of pumpkins and torso-sized bags of candy, obviously, signal the start of the spooky season—which reaches its pinnacle on Halloween. This year, October 31st occurs on a Monday, putting an unfortunate, work-week wrench in any aspiring werewolf’s plans to stay up all night and howl at the moon. But don’t stress. There are still plenty of terrifyingly fun events happening around Austin around All Hallows Eve. Whether you're looking to watch a whole stash of monster movies, or smash back some monster-sized drinks, our hand-picked list will give you all the deets you need to pick your poison. And, regardless of your plans, just remember—discounted chocolate hits the shelves on November 1st.Hellish Amounts of Horror Films
October 18 - October 30Various locations
Nothing says Spooky Season like a good scary movie—and, whether you're looking for a bloody horror slasher, or something more family-friendly, the offerings around Austin have you covered. First up is The Paramount Theatre's “Panic at the Paramount,” three nights of eerily-good double features going down on October 18th, 22nd, and 23rd. This reportedly haunted Austin landmark will not only be playing the classics, like The Shining and A Nightmare on Elm Street, it will also be hosting very special screenings of Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty and Bryan Bertino’s The Strangers, with the directors themselves. Then there’s the Haunted Drive-In series happening at the various locations of drive-in cinema favorite, Blue Starlite. Catch everything from Beetlejuice and Hocus Pocus, to late night showings of The Witch and John Carpenter’s The Fog. Last but not least, you can’t go wrong with the first-rate horror flick, Carrie. And, fortunately for fans of this quintessential Stephen King tale, arthouse movie spot, AFS Cinema, will be dropping the pig’s blood on the big screen on October 28th and 29th.
Cost: Price varies based on event; check individual links for more details. Meanwhile Brewing Company
Werewolf Costume Contest
October 26Meanwhile Brewing
You may no longer be young enough to collect candy door-to-door, but this year, South Austin pint palace, Meanwhile Brewing, is making sure you still get a treat. Its dog-day celebration, the Werewolf Costume Contest, has all the elements needed to be a true bonanza of adorabless—one that is sure to drive your cute aggression into overdrive. The obvious draw is its three canine-focused costume contests with prizes for Scariest Scoundrel, Funniest Furry Friend, and Best Buds (which awards the top human-pet dress-up duo). But should your dog have the same aversion to outfits as they do to thunderstorms and vacuums, there’s still lots for the collar-only crew to enjoy as well including a pop-up market of pet-product vendors, pup photo booth, Halloween jams by DJ Greg Gioia, and a special Halloween dog-friendly ice cream from Besame.
Cost: Free
UNDEAD Haunted House of Dances
October 28 - 29The Ballroom at Spider House
Although we all know the ultimate Halloween moves belong to the news-anchor behind the viral sensation, the KXVO Pumpkin Dance, the movement maestros in Austin-based professional dance company, Ventana Ballet, surely rank a close second. Witness their scary amount of talent with your own eyes as they perform their annual, immersive holiday-themed show: UNDEAD, Haunted House of Dance. During the showcase, 13 local professional theater and dance artists from multiple disciplines will cast a spell on the audience through their modern reimagining of a classic, Dracula. Be sure to get there early, as the interactive experience casts off the night with a “pre-show haunting” at the bar.
Cost: Tickets start at $22.50 per person. Extragrams
Halloween Drag Bingo Brunch
October 30The Fairmont Austin
Let’s face it—you could use some serious tips on how to style that shake-and-go, Amazon-Primed, blonde wig you ordered for your Dolly Parton costume. Head to Fairmont Austin’s Halloween Drag Bingo Brunch to see how to tease it up like a pro. As if the already fantastic combination of mimosas, games, and drag queens isn’t killer on its own, the Halloween theme is sure to make the event even more hair-raising than your first sip of Champagne after a Saturday night spiral. In addition to prizes for Bingo winners, there will also be a special reward for the audience member who has the best costume.
Cost: No cover, but reservations are required and can be booked online.
Boo-ze your way through the city on a bar crawl
Various datesVarious locations
Back in the days of trick-or-treating, a Nerds Rope was all you needed to reach the heights of happiness—however, your adult self probably prefers a stronger buzz than a sugar high. That’s where Austin’s Halloween bar crawls come in. The 5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl on October 29th starts at Parlor & Yard, where you and your fellow mass of costumed merry-makers will make your way through drink special after drink special at various 6th-street haunts. And, you can even offset your excessive bar tab by winning the $1,000 grand prize in the Crawl’s costume contest. Should you crave an excursion which is a little less pint-driven and a little more paranormal, you can take some shots and stroll on the Austin Haunted Pub Crawl, which runs nightly through November. After kicking off the evening at the city’s most famous ghost hangout, The Driskill, you’ll make your way around town learning about, and chugging back Lone Stars at various local bars and restaurants that claim an otherworldly presence.
Cost: Price varies based on event; check individual links for more details. House of Torment
House of Torment
Open through November 52632 Ridgepoint Drive
Nothing says Halloween more than being chased by strangers in costumes through a haunted house, and there’s no better place to get in the screams than North Austin’s House of Torment. With three different bewitching spaces to explore, frightful opportunities abound. This year’s themes include The Abominations, which features ancient beings looking to snack on humans, and Tormented, an all-star spook-tacular with fan-favorite ghouls from the attraction’s years past. Just remember—no pushing, even if they come after you with a fake chainsaw (eek!).
Cost: Tickets start at $24.99 per person. Austin Psych Fest Flickr/Roger Ho
LEVITATION
October 27 - October 30Various locations
While it may not be the most traditional spooky activity, attending one of the shows that make up psych rock festival, LEVITATION, is for sure the most Austin thing to do on All Hallows Eve. Psych rock does carry some witchy vibes to begin with—and, considering the incredible lineup they have been able to conjure up this year, we wouldn’t be surprised if some serious magic was involved. While you can’t go wrong catching any of the shows, you don’t want to miss the Sunday set at Stubb’s by festival founders and city natives, The Black Angels. Their music will blow your mind and their energetic live show is bound to be a worthy way to cap-off your Hallo-weekend.
Cost: Prices of tickets for individual shows vary; check website for more details. Photo courtesy of The Surrealist Ball
The Surrealist Ball
October 27 - October 30Devil May Care
For those who love an excuse to put together a head-turning Halloween costume, the infamous Surrealist Ball at Devil May Care is the perfect chance for you to pull out the paper mache. Inspired by the 1972 Rothschild’s Surrealist Ball, your ticket gains you entrance to the year’s most lavish dinner-party—and, with the required dress code being “black tie, long dresses, and Surrealist heads,” you better have a ‘fit to match. While there, you’ll feast on a full menu of passed bites as a resident DJ spins tunes, not to mention indulge in five cocktails and a champagne toast, which is bound to supply you with enough liquid courage to ask for a masked stranger’s digits.
Cost: Tickets start at $95 per person. Photo courtesy of Spooky Silent Disco
Spooky Silent Disco
October 28The Belmont
Most rave outfits verge on costume anyway—so why not put those club kid boots to good use and hit up The Belmont’s Spooky Silent Disco? Pop on the provided headphones and dance the night away to three different DJs. One is playing EDM classics and Top 40 dance hits, another giving you all the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s throwbacks you crave, and the last serving straight-up hip hop and R&B. Plus, considering the music is playing in your headphones, and not on huge speakers, you won’t have to face the fear of ringing eardrums by the end of the night.
Cost: Pre-sale tickets run $20 per person, while tickets at the door are $25 per person. Barton Hill Farms
The Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch
Every Saturday - Sunday from October 1 - November 6Barton Hill Farms
If your idea of October is a little less horror and a little more pumpkin spice, you can experience all the fall feels at Barton Hill Farms. Engage in Insta-worthy autumn activities, like picking out the perfect jack o’lantern from their pumpkin patch or finding your way through their themed, five-acre corn maze. After finding your way out reward yourself with a local craft beer or cider at their on-site bar, the Barton Hugel Apfelwein & Biergarten, while enjoyig live music at their outdoor stage.
Cost: Tickets start at $21.95 per person. Photo courtesy of South Congress Candy & Cocktail Crawl
South Congress Candy & Cocktail Crawl
Monday, October 31Various locations
Swapping cocktails for candy, this trek around South Congress is sure to have you buzzing. Stop by Hotel San José for a Monster Smash and then hit Perla’s for the appropriately named Nightmare on South Congress Street before making additional stops at Joann’s Fine Foods, Neighborhood Sushi, and June’s. For those with kids or just love candy (i.e. everyone), there will also be traditional Halloween goodies at every location. Don’t forget to hit Jo’s the day before for the unveiling of the winner of their 5th Annual Ugly Dog Contest—we hear the completion is pretty “ruff.” Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat.Molly Moltzen is a contributor to Thrillist.By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.