Some of Austin’s favorite bars, restaurants and destinations have some awfully spooky festivities happening this Halloween season.
From costume parties, haunted houses, themed baked goods from some of your favorite cafes, here are some of the best Halloween events and activities to enjoy on Halloween weekend in Austin.
Jump Ahead To
No tricks, just treats: Museum of Ice Cream is celebrating Halloween with a limited-time offerings October 28-31. Its 12 magical installations will be transformed into a haunted town with “spooktacular” ice cream treats that will be offered throughout the experience. Special halloween tickets are $49 and come with a trick or treating experience or a Pumpkin Spice Milkshake. All guests are encouraged to come in costume! Booooo(k) now at museumoficecream.com
From October 28 through Sunday, Oct 31, Bakery Lorraine will be offering a special Halloween menu, including a black cat tart for $6 made of chocolate mousse with a vanilla filling, a lemon mummy tart for $6 made of lemon curd topped with meringue and two chocolate chips for the mummy’s eyes, a chocolate caramel tart for $6 made of a caramel filling topped with chocolate ganache, a phantom of opera cake slice for $6 layered with pumpkin spice sponge cake and buttercream topped in a rich dark chocolate glaze, a voodoo doll gingerbread cookie for $5 made of gingerbread cookie dipped in rich dark chocolate, and a ghost moonpie for $5 made of home made graham cookies with a honey marshmallow filling dipped in a white chocolate.
Join Lone Star Court on Halloween night for their Party Under the Pavilion and immerse in Austin’s fa-boo-lous live music scene while enjoying delightful cocktails and bites from The Water Trough. The event is open to the public free of cover charge.
Chaparral Ice, located at The Crossover, will host Thriller Chiller on Saturday, October 30 starting at 4 p.m. The family-friendly event will get guests into the spooky spirit and include a free haunted house to explore and trunk -r- treating to stock up on your favorite Halloween treats. The young and young at heart can also participate in a costume contest, with the winners receiving a family 4-pack of skate passes. Guests can strap on a pair of ice skates during the Public Skate session from 4:45-7:15 p.m. or join Late Skate from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Photo Credit – John-Rogers
Ghost City Tours: For history buffs who want to step back in time and immerse themselves in the haunted tales of one of Austin’s most ‘spirited’ locations, guests can now book The Ghost City Tours package at the legendary downtown hotel, The Driskill. Along the tour, attendees will hear ghost stories like the tale of Jesse Driskill (who built the hotel in 1886). The historic hotel, which just unveiled its renovation of 14 guest suites by architect Clayton Korte last month, has this package available for the season leading up to Halloween. The offering includes a one-night stay in a spacious guestroom at The Driskill, two tickets to a citywide ghost tour guided by Ghost City Tours, $25 hotel credit at the famous Driskill Bar or 1886 Café, and a $10 VooDoo Donuts gift card. Book here.
Things are about to get ugly in a very, very adorable way. It’s time for our 4th annual #UglyDogContest. If your pup’s looks are a little “ruff,” you can submit them for one of 3 categories (Ugliest Dog, Best Costume, Best in Show). Winners will be showered in gifts, but the pawsitively best part is all funds raised will go to Austin Human Society.
Roosevelt is doing a themed Halloween Service on Sunday, October 31, featuring a special menu of spooky cocktails, shot, beer and wine specials! The bar will be decked out in ghoulish decor and classic horror films will play on the bar’s big-screen projector throughout the evening.
Hosted by the Mexic-Arte Museum, the Los Pueblos Originarios – Honoring the Dead – Continuing Traditions. The museum will also host its 38th annual Day of the Dead Exhibition, Nuestra Comunidad/Our Community – Memory and Remembrance, paying tribute to the tradition that celebrates the return of the dead by their families and friends. Both on display through November 22, 2021.
The hotel will be hosting a Halloween Haunted Carnival at The Upside on Saturday, October 30 from 8pm until midnight. The event will include haunted decor, delicious drink specials all night long, a costume contest and plenty of spoooooooky & fun festivities brought to you by @faire_folks_market, including juggling by @hand.onmyballs, Halloween flash tattoos from @cowgirlufo, custom terrariums & crystal balls by @belljarcrystalarium, colorful art by @sunshinedimension & @emilyaniart, tarot reading by @queenofwicksatx, and so much more.
Field Guide Festival kicks off tonight, October 29 with a sold out event at Rain Lily Farm and will continue tomorrow, October 30th with a day of events at Fiesta Gardens including a Sun Rise Run + Revival Brunch, All Day Grazing event, Farmer’s Market, symposiums, live music and more. At each event, ticket holders will find fresh ingredients grown and harvested by local farmers and prepared by beloved chefs from around the city. Tickets for Saturday are available at fieldguidefest.com.
One night of Halloween just isn’t enough and Gibson is making sure you get your fix all month long at Nightmare on Gibson St. Come get BOOzed up with cocktails (plus dry ice punch on weekends) and food from the Luke’s Inside Out trailer on the patio.
Cosmic Coffee’s Cosmic Halloween will take place ‘Thursday, October 28 hosted by Austin’s own DJ Mel. Celebrations will kick off at 4 pm followed by a costume contest for dogs and their owners at 6:30 p.m. Participants will have the chance to win special Cosmic, Shakey Graves and Roughhouse merch prizes. From 5-7p.m. Good Party ATX will be on site to do free dog tarot card readings with donations going towards the Central Texas Food Bank.
This October The Soup Peddler is offering a new smoothie to raise funds for Austin Pets Alive! From October 15 to 31, the Monster Mash will be available at every Soup Peddler location to celebrate Halloween.
Meanwhile Brewing will host a Werewolf Costume Ball on October 29, 2021. Bring your pups out for a costume contest for doggies and owners, with fun prizes, dog treats, and local vendors. Saturday and Sunday will feature Halloween concerts featuring songs with a spooky twist as well as costume contests and fun games.
EVO is offering Halloween programming all month long at EVO Belterra Village including a Fright Night Film Fest, pumpkin carving, specialty cocktails and more. Starting Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, families can bring chairs and blankets and settle into EVO’s outdoor bier garden each weekend for a free screening of a family-friendly Halloween movie. Moviegoers can order food and drinks from the outdoor bar and are encouraged to dress in their Halloween best. A costume contest will be held at each of the screenings with the opportunity to win a private screening package, and those who check in on social media using #EVOFrightNights will have their names entered to win a $100 EVO gift card.
credit Matt Lankes
Pumpkin Patch & Halloween Bash – Check out the pumpkin patch on site everyday, where adults & kids can purchase a pumpkin and get 50% off a round of mini-golf. On October 30, Halloween Bash will feature a performance from the band Hair Metal Giants, plus a costume contest for all ages, live face/body painting, pumpkin painting, and more surprises.
Boo Bash on the Lawn – The Hill Country Galleria will be hosting a Halloween event on October 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Central Plaza Lawn. Guests can enjoy children’s entertainer Joe McDermott, balloon artists, characters in costume, Halloween treat bags (while supplies last), and more. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their best costume to enter the virtual costume contest and win a special surprise. Kim Ortiz Photos will be hosting a dog costume contest so furry friends are welcome to tag along as well.
Goga Goat Yoga Halloween Edition – YOGA & GOGA’s monthly goat yoga sessions continue in October with special Halloween-themed editions. There will be two 40-minute classes on Saturday, October 9 and October 23: one at 10 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. Guests are welcome to wear costumes or just enjoy the goats in theirs. Tickets are required for each person attending classes, regardless of age (10+). Only those participating in class with a ticket will be allowed inside the studio during the classes. Unlimited monthly members at YOGA & GOGA may show up to any of the times list.
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New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…