If you love Halloween and live in Texas or plan to visit, you’re in luck! The Lone Star State has some of the most festive and spooky towns around.
Whether you’re looking for haunted houses, ghost tours, or family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone. Here are the best Halloween towns in Texas that you should add to your spooky season itinerary.
Best Texas Halloween Towns
Salado
Salado transforms into a haunted haven during Halloween. This charming small town is known for its “Tablerock’s Fright Trail,” an annual haunted trail event that offers spooky scenes and hair-raising tales.
Salado also hosts ghost tours throughout the season, highlighting its historic (and haunted) buildings. The town’s picturesque setting adds to the eerie atmosphere, making it a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts.
Granbury
Granbury is often considered one of the most haunted towns in Texas. During October, the town embraces its ghostly reputation with haunted tours, historical ghost walks, and even a Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts.
The Historic Granbury Square comes alive with decorations, and visitors can explore haunted sites like the Granbury Opera House.
For those looking for a mix of history and Halloween thrills, Granbury is the perfect destination.
Waxahachie
Waxahachie is home to Screams Halloween Theme Park, one of the largest Halloween attractions in Texas. Open on weekends throughout October, Screams offers multiple haunted houses, live entertainment, and a whole lot of spooky fun.
The town itself also gets into the Halloween spirit, with historic home tours and downtown decorated to celebrate the season.
Jefferson
Known as the “Most Haunted Small Town in Texas,” Jefferson fully embraces its spooky side during Halloween.
The city hosts the annual Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk, a guided tour through the town’s haunted locations.
For a unique experience, visit the Jefferson Hotel, known for its paranormal activity. Jefferson’s rich history and ghostly legends make it an ideal Halloween getaway.
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San Antonio
San Antonio offers a blend of history, culture, and Halloween fun. The city is famous for its haunted locations, including the Alamo and the Menger Hotel.
During Halloween, San Antonio offers ghost tours, haunted houses, pumpkin patches and events like Zoo Boo at the San Antonio Zoo for families. The River Walk also gets a Halloween makeover, making it a beautiful and spooky place to explore.
Galveston
Galveston is not just a beach destination; it’s also a Halloween hotspot. The island hosts ghost tours that delve into its haunted history, including tales of pirates, shipwrecks, and haunted mansions.
The Ghosts of Galveston tour is a favorite among visitors. For a family-friendly event, Moody Gardens hosts Ghostly Gardens, featuring trick-or-treating, crafts, and a costume contest.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels goes all out for Halloween with events like Gruene’s Ghost Tours and the annual Wurstfest, a German-themed festival that sometimes aligns with the spooky season.
The town’s mix of German heritage and haunted tales makes for a unique Halloween experience. Plus, the natural surroundings of New Braunfels add a touch of eerie beauty to the festivities.
Austin
As the state capital, Austin offers a diverse range of Halloween activities. From haunted houses to ghost tours, the city has something for everyone. “House of Torment” is one of Austin’s premier haunted attractions, providing heart-pounding scares.
The city also hosts numerous Halloween-themed events, including family-friendly activities, costume contests, and even spooky boat rides on Lady Bird Lake.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth celebrates Halloween with events like “Boo at the Zoo” and “Cutting Edge Haunted House,” one of the scariest haunted attractions in Texas.
The city’s historic Stockyards area also offers ghost tours that delve into Fort Worth’s Wild West history and its spookier side. With a mix of family-friendly fun and adult-oriented scares, Fort Worth is a top choice for Halloween festivities.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg combines Halloween with its German heritage to create unique celebrations. The town hosts the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, which often coincides with the Halloween season.
Visitors can enjoy German beer, food, and live music, all while taking in the town’s charming and slightly spooky ambiance. Haunted tours and Halloween events round out the October offerings in this Hill Country gem.
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From haunted trails to ghost tours, Texas has no shortage of Halloween towns that offer a mix of frights and fun.
Whether you’re in the mood for family-friendly activities or spine-tingling scares, these Texas towns have something to make your Halloween season unforgettable.
So grab your costume, gather your courage, and explore the best Halloween towns in Texas this year!
