What to Do for Halloween Entertainment in Houston, Texas

Once again I begin my quest for entertainment during a new holiday season in Houston. And again, similar to my search for adult, family or children's entertainment Labor Day weekend, I am overwhelmed with the wealth of opportunities available in my new city. Here are a few of the activities that I hope to be able to take advantage of and if you live here or are visiting the area maybe it can be a guide for you.

October 1st - 31st. Kemah Boardwalk hosts Boo on the Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is known year round to locals and visitors alike, for its family fun, entertainment, music, restaurants, shopping and rides. Amusement ride passes may be purchased for $16.99 for children and $18.99 for adults or for each individual ride. This year the activities for the Halloween season include a "Dungeon of Doom Haunted House," open daily, pumpkin decorating, mask making, trick or treating, and a great pumpkin weight contest. Music shows will vary throughout the month. A kids costume contest will be held on Oct. 28^th at 5 pm call 281-334-9880 for more details or visit their website.

Dewberry Farm - Brookshire
The farm is open from September 29- November 25 Saturdays 10:00 am-10:00 pm and Sundays 12:00 pm till dark and available by reservation only for groups during the week. The farm offers families an alternative to the scare and spook of other Halloween activities. Dewberry Farms offers a corn maze, a hayride, an interactive barnyard, a riding area of toys and wooden horses, pig races, singing chickens, rubber duck races, and mining for lost treasure. Amusements include a corn train, a hay mountain, pedal carts, calf roping and a giant slide. Parents take your children through a walk in the "Bloomin Blossoms" area which is a veritable fall flower frenzy (say that three times) with sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos and other flora and fauna. Children two and under are free, adults are $10.00 including tax, but be sure to take along lots of extra money as most of the amusements and activities are an additional charge.

October 17th, 7:00- 10:30 pm, Houston Zoo hosts Feasts with the Beast
Adult event that offers sample tastings from over 40 participating restaurants, two beverages sponsored by Budweiser and Yellow Tail, keeper chats, animal experiences, and live entertainment on three stages. Stage performances are by Yvonne Washington & the Mix, Nobody's Fool, and Urbana. Tickets are $75 for members and $80 for non members. The last day to purchase tickets online is October 10. Tickets at the door are $100 for members and non members alike.

October 17-31 Children's Museum of Houston
From October 17 to October 31, kids participate in costume contests, trick-or-treating, and other activities

October 21-22 and 27-28 Boo at the Zoo (Houston Zoo) sponsored by Fiesta Mart
Children can pick a pumpkin to decorate from the Pumpkin Patch, participate in a Monster "Mashquerade" where children can wear different animal masks. The "House of Slither" is a walk thru of one of the zoo buildings that will be featuring larger than life spiders and snakes. Children can visit the educational Lost Species Cemetery, ride the "Scareosel" and visit the animal themed "Trick or Trunk" stations. These activities are available from 9:00 am-5:00 pm on these days only. Discount coupons are available at Houston area Fiesta Marts.

October 25th Halloween Ghost Stories & Hayride -GalvestonIslandState Park
Phone: 409-737-1222
Galveston Island State Park will be hosting ghost stories around a campfire, a hayride through the park and along the beach along with treats for the children. Entrance to the State Park is normally $3.00 but you should contact them via telephone to confirm prices and times if you are interested in this event.

October 26^th The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Houston Symphony performs Hocus Pocus Pops- The Woodlands
A family friendly event that includes tricks, treats, and music with the Houston Symphony perform. Attendees are invited to wear their favorite Halloween costume. Pre-concert activities begin at 6 p.m. and the cost is $15/$10/ or Free Lawn. For information call 281-364-3010.

October 26^th and 27^th Lake Conroe Lions Fundraising 14th Annual BBQ Cook-off
You and your family and friends can enjoy great food, a BBQ cooking contest, hayrides, bonfire and ice sculpture as well as a Saturday night barn dance with the Dirty South Band.

October 28^thStar Fleet Entertainment Yachts
Star Fleet is hosting two cruises on Sunday the 28^th. The first is titled "Pirates & Princesses" for the entire family during the day. In the evening the adult's only cruise is titled Plunder and Pillage. The day cruise is $39.00/person and the evening cruise is $55.00/person and includes all food, drinks, and entertainment.

October 28th - 29th. The Houston Health Museum: A Healthy Halloweekend
Families can explore the Museum's newest exhibits, take a Healthy Habits class, tour the "Haunted Body Pavilion," participate in a costume contest, and pick up some fabulous treats-a healthy alternative to candy.

October 28th & 29^th The Houston Downtown Aquarium will be hosting a Monster Magic Weekend
Meet a mad scientist, drink beetle juice, visit the Harry Potter's castle, and participate in a costume and pumpkin painting contest.

Weekends in October

La Carafe will be hosting Séance's
Two sessions each evening. The evening will begin with a magic show by Scott Wells, snacks and cocktails to end with a séance session with Jamie Salinas as one of Houston's most haunted buildings. Cost is $20.00/per person.

ScreamWorld
ScreamWorld is in its seventh season of providing one stop haunted house shopping and has been selected by America's Best Haunts as one of the best haunted attractions in the United States. ScreamWorld is open weekends and the final week in October to provide the scariest experience in Halloween Haunted Houses. One building houses 5 haunted attractions and attendees move from one haunted experience to the other. The names alone are scary - with a Haunted Hotel, Edge of Darkness, Tobias Strange Family Cemetery and Maze of Maniacs. One price provides admission to all the exhibits. Cost of admission is $22.00 or $30.00 for express haunting (no waiting in lines and can enter as many times as you want during your visit). Sunday nights are family nights and entrance is $19.00, or students may attend on Thursdays for $17.00. Children under 12 are not admitted and I would not recommend this event as a family event. For more information and to get an online discount coupon visit their website.

Phobia: Haunted Houses
Two locations, one near 290 and West Rd and the other in Texas City provide seven scary attractions, mazes and haunted houses. This is definitely not a family event but adults, teens and college students who wish to press the limits of the Halloween experience may want to check out any of the amusements, maybe Claustrophobia, Asylum, or Clown Phobia sound like the experience to you. Ticket prices vary according to the number of experiences from $12.00-$40.00 for all five. For more information visit the website. Website warns this exhibit is not for children.

There is no end to the adult and family entertainment available in the Houston area this Halloween. Anyone can find exactly what they are looking for a night out with their date/spouse, the whole family or with a group of friends. With this schedule you can practically keep busy every weekend for a month or longer. Oh, the choices that are available in my new home town. Will I ever fail to be amazed by it all?