I love how every October, Houston turns itself into a spook-tacular playground. 2025 is no different with a lineup of Halloween parades, haunted trails, and family fun.
I’ll guide you through every event where to go, when it starts, and why it’s worth your time. I treat this guide like a ghost-buster’s map friendly, clear, and full of insider tips.
By the end, you’ll know which parade to catch, where to treat or trick, and how to enjoy the night without losing your costume.
Halloween Events Houston Dates, Parades, Routes
| Event Name | Date (2025) | Time | Location / Route | Highlights | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scream on the Green | Oct 25 (Sat) | 6–10 pm | Discovery Green, Downtown Houston | Costume contest + movie screening | Free |
| Mystical Parade of Boo | Oct 25 (Sat) | 6:30 pm | Historic Strand District, Galveston | Parade through downtown | Free |
| Hocus Pocus Pops | Oct 24 (Fri) | 7:30 pm (trick-treat starts 5:30 pm) | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands | Symphony concert + free candy treats | Free |
| Trick-or-Treat Trail (Woodlands) | Oct 26 (Sun) | 1–5 pm | Rob Fleming Rec Center, The Woodlands | Safe family trail, games, treats | Free |
| Boo on the Boardwalk (Kemah) | Oct 18 (Sat) | 6–10 pm | Kemah Boardwalk | Live music, themed atmosphere | Free |
| Pumpkins After Dark (New Caney) | Oct 9–31 | Evening hours | Big Rivers Waterpark | Lighted pumpkin displays, snacks | Ticketed |
History & Origins: Why These Events Happened
Houston Halloween events are traditions now, but they started small. The Mystical Parade of Boo began as a community street party around 2015. It grew fast because, well, who doesn’t love a spooky stroll with costumes and floats?
Scream on the Green began as a low-key downtown movie night with a costume twist. Now it’s a must-see: free, festive, and a great starter event for the season.
Over in The Woodlands, the symphony wanted a fun way to celebrate Halloween beyond classical concerts. Enter Hocus Pocus Pops and the Trick-or-Treat Trail a musical and family-friendly combo, all in one spot.
Kemah’s Boo on the Boardwalk plays up its marina charm. Live bands, boardwalk lights, Halloween décor it’s a casual night that feels like something you’d stumble upon and love.
Finally, Pumpkins After Dark at Big Rivers Waterpark began as a fill-your-October event. It adds glowing pumpkins and festival snacks to the park’s usual fun. I tried it one year I was more impressed than I expected.
Date, Time & Location Details
The Houston Halloween calendar is full, so knowing exact dates and times is key. The Scream on the Green event takes place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Street, Downtown Houston.
The entire park transforms into a costumed crowd, with the main stage set near the lake for contests and music.
The Mystical Parade of Boo happens in Galveston’s Historic Strand District on Saturday, October 25, 2025, stepping off at 6:30 pm.
While the 2025 route hasn’t been officially posted, past years have looped along Market Street, 20th Street, The Strand, 25th Street, and Santa Fe Place so expect something similar.
In The Woodlands, the Hocus Pocus Pops concert is on Friday, October 24, 2025, starting at 7:30 pm, with free trick-or-treating at 5:30 pm.
The location is the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive. Two days later, on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the Trick-or-Treat Trail runs from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Rob Fleming Recreation Center.
Kemah Boardwalk hosts Boo on the Boardwalk on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. The whole boardwalk area becomes a live-music, Halloween-themed street party. Up north, Pumpkins After Dark lights up Big Rivers Waterpark in New Caney from October 9 to 31, 2025, in the evenings.
How to Participate
Joining these events is easy, but a few have sign-up requirements. Scream on the Green has an open costume contest, but you’ll need to register in person early lines form quickly. Costumes should be family-friendly; no realistic weapons are allowed.
The Mystical Parade of Boo allows walking groups, floats, and performance troupes. Participation requires advance application with the Galveston Downtown Partnership.
There’s usually a small entry fee for parade floats, while walking participants may be free if they meet costume guidelines.
For Hocus Pocus Pops, you don’t need a ticket for lawn seating, but pavilion seating may require a free reserved ticket.
The Trick-or-Treat Trail is open to all children and their families no sign-up needed. Boo on the Boardwalk and Pumpkins After Dark are spectator events, with the latter requiring online ticket purchase.
Volunteers are welcome at most family events. Tasks range from handing out candy to helping with crowd management. It’s a great way to get involved and meet other Halloween fans.
Viewing Tips & Best Spots
For Scream on the Green, the best viewing is from the grassy hill facing the main stage. Arrive early to get a front-row picnic spot. Bring a blanket, as October evenings can get breezy.
The Mystical Parade of Boo offers fantastic photo ops along The Strand, where floats slow down for performances. If you prefer fewer crowds, stake out a spot near Market and 20th Street it’s often less packed but still lively.
At Hocus Pocus Pops, arrive before 5:30 pm to enjoy trick-or-treating and claim a central lawn spot for the concert. For the Trick-or-Treat Trail, start early to avoid candy shortages and lines for games.
For Boo on the Boardwalk, position yourself near the main stage for live music or along the water’s edge for atmospheric night shots. At Pumpkins After Dark, the best photos come about 30 minutes after sunset when the lights stand out against the sky.
Costumes & Themes
Houston Halloween events are all about creativity, so costumes are more than welcome they’re expected.
Scream on the Green doesn’t have a set theme, so you’ll see everything from spooky vampires to hilarious pop-culture mashups. I’ve personally seen a full “Space Cowboy” squad, and yes, it worked.
The Mystical Parade of Boo often leans toward classic Halloween styles with elaborate masks and group ensembles. If you want to stand out, coordinate with friends and go for something bold and bright LED accessories work wonders after dark.
At Hocus Pocus Pops, many kids come dressed as their favorite movie or fairy-tale characters. Parents often match themes for a full family look. The Trick-or-Treat Trail is perfect for comfortable, movement-friendly costumes since there’s a lot of walking and game participation.
Entertainment & Highlights
If you’re chasing variety, Houston has it all. Scream on the Green offers a big costume contest, live DJs, and an outdoor movie think festival vibes without the ticket price. The crowd energy builds as the night goes on, making it a great warm-up for Halloween week.
The Mystical Parade of Boo is the big visual spectacle. Floats decked out in lights, performers on stilts, dance troupes, and themed vehicles roll through the Historic Strand District. It’s like Mardi Gras got a Halloween makeover.
Hocus Pocus Pops mixes symphony music with sing-along favorites. The Trick-or-Treat Trail keeps younger kids busy with candy booths, inflatable games, and photo areas. Over in Kemah, Boo on the Boardwalk layers in live music with a carnival feel, while Pumpkins After Dark turns the evening into an illuminated art walk.
Travel & Accommodation
Getting to these events is straightforward if you plan ahead. Downtown Houston’s Scream on the Green is easily accessible by METRORail, with parking garages nearby. For the Mystical Parade of Boo, parking in Galveston can be tricky arrive at least an hour early or use park-and-ride shuttles.
If you’re traveling in, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) are the closest major airports. The Woodlands is about 30–40 minutes north of Houston, so consider booking hotels in that area for back-to-back event days.
For those wanting to make a weekend of it, downtown Houston hotels offer easy access to Discovery Green. In Galveston, look for accommodations near The Strand to avoid traffic after the parade.
Kemah has waterfront hotels for a boardwalk weekend, while New Caney visitors can find budget-friendly stays along I-69.
Food & Local Experiences
One of the best parts about Halloween in Houston is the food scene around these events. Scream on the Green has food trucks lined up along the park think tacos, BBQ sliders, and Halloween-themed cupcakes. I never skip the kettle corn stand; it’s a personal tradition.
In Galveston, the Mystical Parade of Boo takes you through The Strand, where restaurants and bars run specials. Many have sidewalk seating, so you can enjoy gumbo or a local brew while the parade rolls by.
Kemah Boardwalk is already known for seafood, and during Boo on the Boardwalk, you’ll find seasonal treats like pumpkin-spiced funnel cakes.
Up in New Caney, Pumpkins After Dark sells snacks and hot drinks perfect for keeping warm while exploring the glowing displays.
Safety & Rules
Most Houston Halloween events are family-friendly, but safety rules keep them that way. Costumes should avoid realistic weapons or sharp props. Large bags may be subject to checks, especially in downtown areas like Discovery Green.
The Mystical Parade of Boo can get crowded, so keep kids close and agree on a meeting spot in case you get separated. If you’re attending events at night, reflective tape or glow accessories make it easier for others to spot you.
Weather in late October can swing from humid to cool check the forecast and dress in layers. And yes, comfortable shoes matter more than you think when you’re standing for hours.
Photography & Social Media Tips
For great shots, aim for Scream on the Green around sunset golden hour light plus costumes equals magic. If you’re at the Mystical Parade of Boo, position yourself near turns in the route; floats slow down there, giving you time to frame the shot.
The Trick-or-Treat Trail in The Woodlands is perfect for candid kid photos. Just remember to ask parents before snapping shots of children you don’t know.
For Pumpkins After Dark, bring a camera that handles low light well; the glowing pumpkins deserve more than a blurry phone shot.
Check official hashtags like #ScreamOnTheGreen or #ParadeOfBoo before posting tagging helps your photos reach fellow fans and sometimes gets featured by event organizers.
Conclusion
Houston’s Halloween lineup in 2025 isn’t just about costumes and candy it’s a mix of music, lights, parades, and community fun.
Whether you’re watching the Mystical Parade of Boo roll past Galveston’s historic buildings or lounging on the grass at Scream on the Green, there’s something for every style of celebration.
I’ve shared dates, times, routes, and insider tips to make your night as smooth (and spooky) as possible. Now it’s your turn pick an event, grab a friend, and make some Halloween memories.
If you’ve got your own tips or great photos from past years, drop them in the comments I’d love to see them.
FAQs
Most are free, like Scream on the Green and Boo on the Boardwalk. Pumpkins After Dark is ticketed.
Some events allow leashed pets (like Kemah Boardwalk), but parades often restrict them for safety.
Only Pumpkins After Dark and certain pavilion seating at Hocus Pocus Pops require tickets.
At least 30–60 minutes early, especially for parades and concerts.
Yes, but it can fill fast. Consider public transit or rideshare for downtown events.
In designated vendor areas only. BYOB is generally not permitted.