Friday, March 29, 2024 Mar 29, 2024
60° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Things to Do in Dallas

Where to Celebrate Halloween 2013 in Dallas

By Liz Johnstone |
Image
Time for a werewolf bar mitzvah. Graphics by Renee Blostein.
All graphics by Renee Blostein.

Wondering where to celebrate your werewolf bar mitzvah this year? Here’s a list of the many Halloween happenings in bars, movie theaters, concert halls, and creepy abandoned buildings off Interstate 30.

halloween_bars_parties_dallas

Oak Lawn Halloween Block Party. This massive outdoor event boasts a costume catwalk, live music, and beer booths at every turn. If you intend to park, you should arrive early. Oct. 26, Cedar Springs Road.

Halloween Yappy Hour. Siskel and Dogbert. Anthony Weiner Dog. However you’re dressing your four-legged friend for Halloween, make sure you stop by for a pint during this all-breed “yappy” hour. The $10 cover includes a draft beer, $5 Greyhounds, and happy hour pricing after that ($1 off cocktails, wine, and beer by the glass). Proceeds benefit the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas. Come in costume, since there will be awards for “Best Pet Costume” and “Best Pet/Owner Costume.”  Oct. 26, Gin Mill.

All American Horror Story — An Asylum Theme Party. It was only a matter of time before someone used Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck’s twisted TV show, American Horror Story, as inspiration for a Halloween party. In this case, Candleroom draws from the series’ second season, Asylum, which takes place in a ’60s mental institution for the criminally insane. Remember the dress code (no shorts, no sneakers, no hats, no t-shirts). Wear your bonkers best. Oct. 26 & 31, Candleroom.

The Libertine’s Pumpkin-Carving Contest. Feeling a little stabby? We’re with you. Channel that excess energy into winning a $100 bar tab, which just so happens to be the prize for the best display of pumpkin artistry. Second- and third-place winners receive $50 and $25 tabs, respectively. Sign up at the bar before 7 p.m. to participate. Oct. 28, The Libertine.

The People’s Last Halloween Party. Mockingbird Station’s Halloween party includes complimentary snacks, craft cocktails (you get two free drink tickets upon arrival), live music, classic slasher flicks, and a fortune teller. DJ Blake Ward handles the creepy soundtrack. Oct. 30, The People’s Last Stand.

Halloween Hoedown. Celebrate the night of the spook with a costume contest (“hillbilly attire” is strongly encouraged), raffle, Halloween-inspired cocktails, and live music from Southern Renaissance. Best dressed winners will receive cash prizes of $200, $100, and $50. Oct. 31, Sissy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar.

Deep’owen. Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, which happily coincides with Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s regularly-scheduled brewery tour. That means extra treats–no tricks—for you. In addition to a commemorative pint glass, there will be prizes for best and worst costumes, live music from Loyal Sally, and an Easy Slider food truck on hand to curb any hunger pains. Oct. 31, Deep Ellum Brewing Company.

NYLO-Ween. The NYLO South Side Hotel hosts a costume contest at the rooftop bar. Stop by for drinks, dancing, and a fantastic view of downtown. Oct 31, NYLO Hotel South Side.

Haunted Sock Hop. Dem bones should feel like getting loose Mr. Rid and the kookiest Halloween tracks he can find. Costumes are encouraged. Oct. 31, Texas Theatre Bar.

The Golden Age Halloween Party. Green Bandana Group celebrates local hip hop with an impressive line up of artists of both the musical and visual variety. Expect performances by A.Dd+, Jenny Robinson, Lord Byron, and many more. You’ll also see the work of Fred Villanueva, Steph Hargrove, and Jordan Castilleja. Oct. 31, The warehouse next to the Dallas Contemporary.

Halloween Hootenanny With the Polyphonic Spree. The Polyphonic Spree’s large numbers and elaborate theatrics lend themselves pretty well to a holiday that often involves costumes, treats, and tricks. They’ll perform songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well as their own tracks. There will be a costume contest and door prizes, plus stick around for a midnight screening of the film. Nov. 2, Lakewood Theater.

halloween_movies_dallas

Hitchcocktober. The Angelika Film Center pays homage to the iconic director Sir Alfred Hitchcock, a man who always gives us goosebumps. Catch free screenings of his films, plus participate in Hitchcock trivia for the chance to win prizes. Catch North by Northwest and PsychoOct. 24 & 31, Mockingbird Station.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A newly engaged couple breaks down in the middle of nowhere and arrive at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter for assistance. Come dressed as your favorite character and get ready for serious audience participation. Oct. 25, Lakewood Theater.

Hitchcock! Dial E for excited, because that’s what we are about this timely fusion of Hitchcock movies and music. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will play selections from the foreboding scores from Alfred Hitchcock’s best-known thrillers, such as To Catch a Thief and North by Northwest, and screen clips from each film above the stage. Oct. 25 & 26, Meyerson Symphony Center.

Dracula: The Music and Film. Robert Pattinson’s Edward might have weird glittery skin, but Bela Lugosi’s Dracula had serious teeth. Lugosi played Bram Stoker’s vampire villain in Tod Browning’s 1931 film. The original Count Dracula is charming, dangerous, and very, very thirsty, but up until 1998, the movie didn’t have an appropriately chilling score. The composer Philip Glass was commissioned, and he created a live orchestration that syncs up with the original film. In the spirit of All Hallows’ Eve, Glass and his ensemble will perform the score live while the film is screened above. Oct. 29, Bass Hall.

Rosemary’s Baby. It doesn’t get much scarier than a gaunt Mia Farrow stuffing raw meat into her mouth. The classic horror film is part of the theater’s Big Movie series. Oct. 29, Magolia Theatre.

The Tingler. This 1959 sci-fi horror flick about a pathologist who discovers a parasite that lives in the human vertebrae and feeds on fear is a perfect match for the Texas Theatre on Halloween. DJ Mr. Rid will spin camp horror records before and after the screening. Oct. 31, Texas Theatre.

Halloween. A psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood for the murder of his sister escapes and stalks a bookish teenage girl and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets. Oct. 31, Alamo Drafthouse Richardson.

Michael Jackson Sing-Along and Dance Party. Obviously, “Thriller” is on the musical menu. Oct. 31, Alamo Drafthouse Richardson.

halloween_kids_dallas

El Conde Dracula. The Ochre House puts a flamenco twist on the Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale, Dracula. The action takes place in a Spanish abbey where the count found his first bride, Lilith. Mina Harker, Van Helsing, and Renfield meet there, and Dracula returns to stake his claim. Oct. 22-25, Ochre House Theater.

Halloween Nights at the Dallas Zoo. Kiddos should arrive in costume for candy stations, a Monster Mash show, Animal Adventures, and more. Oct. 24-27, Dallas Zoo.

Thrilling Halloween Adventures. A costume contest, a musical treasure hunt, pirates, oh my. Dress your spookiest and prepare for an afternoon of seasonally appropriate music by Berlioz, Mussorgsky, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and more. Oct. 27, Meyerson Symphony Center.

Guns and Hoses Football Championship. It’s not necessarily Halloween-themed, but proceeds from this police vs. fire department football game benefit the families of members of both organizations who were killed this year in the line of duty. It’s a family event, so expect bounce houses, candy for kiddos who wear a Halloween costume, food, live music, and special NFL guests. Oct. 26, the venue formerly known as FC Dallas Stadium.

Día de los Muertos Workshop. There are plenty of spooky-looking skeletons to go around during Halloween season, but none of them can match the colorful, intricately detailed calaveras from the Day of the Dead. The Oak Cliff Cultural Center is hosting workshops to get you in the spirit for the Latin American holiday honoring loved ones who have passed away. Space is limited, so register online to save your spot. Oct. 26, Oak Cliff Cultural Center.

Ghouls and Graveyards. An all-teen cast will act out spine-tingling classics from authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and W.W. Jacobs, along with a few local urban legends.  Oct. 26 & 27, Dallas Children’s Theater.

Día de los Muertos Celebration. Celebrate Día de los Muertos with performances by Alegre Ballet Folklorico and Cuicani in Xochitl, and fill up on Day of the Day bread with hot chocolate. Be sure to check out the original altars on display in the gallery—each one is made by a local artist. Nov. 1, Oak Cliff Cultural Center.

halloween_haunted_houses_dallas

Thrillvania. The four haunted houses at Thrillvania aren’t for the faint of heart. Visit Verdun Manor, where a werewolf conducts experiments on unsuspecting travelers, or the Labyrinth of Terror, where you’ll see what the diabolical clowns find so funny. If you’re feeling especially brave, walk through a deranged psychologist’s Trail of Torment and make your way through Thorn Hall to the old stone church, where a deranged caretaker has been raising mutated vampire bats. We’d invest in a nightlight and a good night’s sleep before your visit. Chances are you’ll be up with nightmares for weeks. Oct. 25-Oct. 31, Thrillvania Haunted House Park in Terrell.

Hangman’s House of Horrors. In case you thought life was a fairy tale, Hangman’s is here to prove you wrong with terrifying riffs on “Pinocchio,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Hansel and Gretel” (already scary, when you think about the Brothers Grimm original), and others. It’s “Unhappily Ever After.” And this really is the end for Hangman’s, since North Texas’ most charitable haunted house will go out of business after 25 years. The attraction relies on volunteers, and proceeds are donated to various nonprofits. Through Nov. 2, 2013 N. Forest Park Blvd in Fort Worth.

Cutting Edge Haunted House. Butchered human corpses going ’round on a conveyor belt is just one horrific sight during this multi-level haunted house inside an old meat-packing factory. It’ll take you 55 terrified minutes to get all the way through (assuming, of course, you survive). Through Nov. 2, 1701 E. Lancaster Ave. in Fort Worth.

Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus. This creeptastic maze of murderous clowns is the new kid on the haunted house block this year. Visitors will experience 29 trailers filled with circus-themed gore, lights, and animatronics. When the clowns get hungry, chaos will reign. Through Nov. 2, 8225 Esters Blvd. in Irving.

halloween_dfw_dallas

Boo at the Zoo. Halloween-themed fun includes a magic show, a pumpkin patch, carnival games, a costume parade, and treat stations. Some activities require coupons, so save the six you get when you purchase your zoo admission. Oct. 25-27, Fort Worth Zoo.

Howl-oween. Indiana Bones. The Wizard of Paws. Woofgang Amadeus Mozart. The possibilities are endless, but you get the point. Enter your pup in the canine costume contest at The Break Bar and Grill for a chance at doggy fame—categories include Cutest, Most Original, and Best Overall. While you’re at it, try the Monster-rita and Bloody Mary specials. Proceeds from the festivities support Operation Kindness, a local nonprofit that helps animals without a permanent home. Oct. 26, The Break Bar and Grill in Addison.

Halloween Bash Costume Contest. Just because you’re too old to ask your neighbors for free candy doesn’t mean you should overlook the year’s spookiest holiday. Rockin Rodeo is giving away $500 in cash for the sexiest, scariest, and most creative costumes—that’s a treat if we ever saw one. Even if you’re not one of the lucky few to take home a grand prize, count on drink specials, music, and dancing the entire night. Oct. 26, Rockin Rodeo in Denton.

Trek or Treat 5K and Fall Festival. Come in costume for this spooky annual tradition, which includes a 5K (the perfect exercise before consuming mass quantities of candy), live music, hayrides (1 p.m.-4 p.m.), rubber duck races, and trick or treating. Oct. 26, Watters Creek in Allen.

Monster Dash. There’s the treadmill—lifeless, lonely, and too far away from the TV for you to appreciate all the gory details on The Walking Dead. And then there’s the Monster Dash, a combined fun run, costume contest, and Halloween party. The treadmill doesn’t stand a chance. Find a costume, throw on your running shoes, and head to LaGrave Field for a good time. Depending on how much of a better runner than us you are, register to run a half marathon, 10k, or 5k route. Oct. 27, LaGrave Field in Fort Worth.

Spooky Symphony. It’s not every day that you can attend a concert dressed in a full-fledged Batman suit or a princess gown. Kids and kids-at-heart can put on their best costumes to see the Plano Symphony Orchestra perform Halloween classics along with your favorite songs from Star Wars and Harry Potter. Stop by at 2:15 for crafts, hands-on musical activities and an interactive iPad center. Oct. 27, Charles W. Eisemann Center in Richardson.

Post compiled with assistance from web editorial intern Paulina Lopez and interactive designer Renee Blostein. If you’d like to submit an event for consideration, please send a civilized, de-fanged email to [email protected]. I’ll update throughout the week.

Related Articles

Image
Arts & Entertainment

Here’s Who Is Coming to Dallas This Weekend: March 28-31

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend. Pencil in some live music in between those egg hunts and brunches.
Image
Arts & Entertainment

Arlington Museum of Art Debuts Two Must-See Nature-Inspired Additions

The chill of the Arctic Circle and a futuristic digital archive mark the grand opening of the Arlington Museum of Art’s new location.
By Brett Grega
Image
Arts & Entertainment

An Award-Winning SXSW Short Gave a Dallas Filmmaker an Outlet for Her Grief

Sara Nimeh balances humor and poignancy in a coming-of-age drama inspired by her childhood memories.
By Todd Jorgenson
Advertisement