Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means the whole weekend belongs to costumes, candy and the question every parent asks by mid-October: where are we going? Here is the family-friendly side of Halloween in Dallas-Fort Worth, with no jump scares, no chainsaws and nothing that will keep a five-year-old awake at 2 a.m.
Boo at the Zoo at the Fort Worth Zoo is the one most families plan around. It runs Friday through Sunday, October 23 to 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. across the zoo’s 64 acres. Trick-or-treat stations are spread throughout the park, and each admission includes six treat coupons. There are Halloween-themed animal shows, strolling characters and a community Pumpkin Patch display near the Picnic Outpost where local artists and families show off their painted and carved pumpkins. Costumes are welcome and expected. Boo at the Zoo is included with regular zoo admission, which runs $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and children and free for kids under 3. The zoo closes early at 2 p.m. on event days to set up, so plan your arrival accordingly. The Fort Worth Zoo is at 1989 Colonial Parkway.
On Saturday, October 24, Klyde Warren Park hosts its sixth annual Trick-or-Treating in the Park from 5 to 9 p.m. It is free, it is downtown, and it draws a big family crowd every year. Kids trick-or-treat through the park, there is a costume contest and the evening wraps with an outdoor movie. The park is at 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway.
That same Saturday afternoon, the Meadows Museum at SMU holds its Family Day Trick or Treat from 2 to 4 p.m. It is completely free. Kids trick-or-treat through the museum, make art, listen to stories and explore the galleries in costume. Strollers are welcome and changing tables are available. It is a quieter afternoon, and a nice change of pace from the big outdoor festivals. The museum is at 5900 Bishop Blvd.
In Grapevine, the Trick ‘R Treat Trains run on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25. Kids ride in costume on a short Halloween-themed trip out of the historic Cotton Belt Depot. Departure times vary, so check the schedule before you go. Tickets have sold out in past years…