Dallas-Fort Worth Halloween Events 2009

Besides the famous (or infamous?) horror flick Texas Chainsaw Massacre, what else does the Lone Star state has to offer for the Halloween season? The answer is: a lot! Halloween is as exciting as any events such as Christmas and Easter that cities big and small cook up their own special Halloween activities. Perhaps the most exciting way to participate in the Halloween events of 2009 is to step right here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area -- where haunted houses, Halloween theme parks, Halloween parties, and all related events are all within easy driving distance.

The Halloween events for 2009 in Dallas-Fort Worth are in such wide variety that I've come up with a comprehensive guide for everyone who wants to join the fun. Word of caution: Some of these events and places can be extremely scary for young children so be sure to pick the ones appropriate for your family members' ages!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS

Boo at the Zoo - In Texas cities such as Fort Worth or San Antonio, ordinary tourist attractions transform into scary but kid-friendly Halloween venues. Fort Worth, for example, holds its 18th annual Boo at the Zoo with puppet shows, mazes, live animal shows, and musical acts. The zoo promises six fun nights full of Halloween treats. You can purchase their tickets online or by phone when they go on sale on October 2.

Creepshow - The Kettle Art in Dallas holds it own Halloween art gallery exhibit starting October 24 until the 3oth. Admission is free. The Creepshow gallery will showcase Halloween masks and paintings and is located at the Deep Ellum area. You can check out their Halloween events website at http://www.kettleart.com.

Pumpkin Parties and Festivals - No denizen of the Dallas metroplex has lived in this area without having ever seen the freshest collection of produce in the Dallas Farmer's Market. This Halloween 2009, they will hold the Annual Pumpkin Party on the 18th of October. The Dallas Arboretum is another eager participant for the Halloween season. Their own great Pumpkin Festival will last until mid-November.

HALLOWEEN PARTIES

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a listing of Halloween parties held at popular nightclubs. Adults have a chance to join in the fun by wearing ghoulish costumes and getting wicked until the late hours of the night. In Dallas, Trees and Buddha 9 will hold parties from 8 pm until 2 am. For those who would like to party in Fort Worth, Scat Jazz Lounge will cater to your Halloween Eve dancing. Additionally, what better place to find free live music events than in Halloween theme parks themselves? Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, for instance, holds its yearly Howl-o-Ween top 10 countdown at the Fright Fest's Majestic Theatre. They perform songs by Aerosmith, KISS, Kelly Clarkson, and other popular and classic rock bands. If street dancing is your thing, you can join Mr. Six Spectacular Street Party, where a mix of favorite Halloween party music will rock the night.

THEME PARKS

Scaregrounds - Three Halloween haunted houses and the FestEvil make Scaregrounds one of the biggest Halloween attractions in Dallas. Your admission ticket can take you to the Hallucinatorium, the Terrortorium, and the Necrotorium in one scary night. The Scaregrounds ticket costs $20 but you can print a discount coupon off their website at http://www.dallasscaregrounds.com/home2009.html. The spooky theme park also offers group discounts.

Tayman Graveyard - Boy Scout Troop 202 presents four haunted attractions in Cedar Hill, Texas. Although a combo pass costs $30, the Tayman Graveyard offers $20 for the weekend access to Tayman Funeral Home, the Haunted Mineshaft, the Haunted Hayride and the Sinister Swamp. They also let guests park for free and ride the shuttle to reach the Graveyard and get the scare of their lives!

Fright Fest - The ultimate Halloween playground could just be Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. Haunted houses, shows, and thrill rides will fill your night with hair-raising fun. Studio 13's Scarroplex brings movie creatures to life and relives the scariest movies ever shown. An adventure at Skullduggery will let you discover the haunted story of pirate Captain Corpius. Clowns will find amusement in frightening the hell out of guests at Bloody Mary's Circus of Fear. Apart from street partying and live rock bands featured in Mr. Six Spooktacular and Howl, the Fright Fest is also proud to present Arania's Nightmare, Dead Man's Party, and the Final Freak Out to keep the fear factor running until the park closes.

Screams - Halloween in Texas wouldn't be without another hotspot: the Screams in Waxahachie. Located just 30 minutes south of Dallas-Fort Worth off I-35E, the Screams theme park will let you in the five haunted attractions for the price of one ticket ($21.99). The park features such exciting haunts such as Castle of Darkness, 3D Pirates of Peril Point, the Arcane Asylum, the Death Trap Maze, and the Ghoulish Graveyard. The creators of Screams did a fantastic job of creating the atmosphere of fright that they even let you in on the secrets of how monsters were made.

HAUNTED HOUSES

Cutting Edge - Considered as the biggest haunted house in the world, Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth will blow your mind. Boy, does it ever feel good to get scared out of your wits once a year! You can check out a quick preview of Cutting Edge and ticket prices at http://www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com/cutting.cfm. Haunted house reviews dubbed Cutting Edge as the longest adrenaline rush your money can buy -- with great attention to detail and quality special effects, no doubt visitors will never forget the thrill of setting foot on this Halloween haunted house. And yes, they even feature the Texas Chainsaw Massacre ghosts as well!

Slaughterhouse - No, this is not a world war novel scene where butchered pigs could be seen mingling with humans in an underground warehouse. In fact, this is way more graphic. Slaughterhouse in Dallas breaks new ground with the scariest experience you could ever have in your Halloween trip. It is located next to the historic west end in downtown Dallas. Regular admission costs only $16 but you can call for VIP tickets in advance. See http://www.weslaughter.com/html/sneak/index.html for a sneak preview.

Hangman's House of Horrors - Fort Worth's top Halloween haunted house is definitely the Hangman's House of Horrors. Apart from the half-hour tour of the house, they also feature The Labyrinth, The U.N.D.E.A.D and The 3-D Mansion. Just like other Halloween theme parks mentioned above, they also add fun to the tour by setting up live bands and karaoke, as well as rides, games, and what else but food! Hangman's is charity-driven. This famed Fort Worth haunted house will open on September 25th through Halloween eve.

Halloween events 2009 in Dallas-Fort Worth are celebrated so elaborately that it may be difficult to pick the best attraction for your family. Most of these parks will open on the last week of September and may last until mid-November, so you have fairly enough time to decide. Just make sure you take plenty of precaution, wear your spookiest costume, and bring your bravest selves when you do check out and these hotspots. Happy Halloween!