It's Halloween time, which means that you can do whatever you want. Not really, but it feels like that sometimes. Halloween falls on a Thursday, which means that most of the partying takes place this weekend in a lead up to it. It basically gives you an entire week of spooky activities to take in. Happy haunting.
Friday, October 25
The Ballpark in Arlington hosts four nights of family-friendly fun with its “Trick or Tours” event featuring crafts, stories, games and treats for the young ones. Spend craft time in the press box, story time in the media room and get a picture of your child in the Texas Rangers dugout. After the tour, enjoy kid-friendly games on the concourse. The tours run on October 25 at 4, 6 and 8 pm; October 26 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 pm; Halloween night at 5:30 pm; and November 2 at 2, 4 and 6 pm. Tickets are $20 per child and $10 per adult with a 10 percent discount for multi-child families and Texas Food Truckin’ Fest attendees. To make reservations or for more info, call 817-273-5099 or email bball@texasrangers.com.
Saturday, October 26
Martin House Brewery in Fort Worth hosts a Boo-ery Tour from noon to 5 pm with live music, a costume contest and “a scary amount of beer.” For the price of $10, you get a pint glass and three Martin House samples — including a small-batch Halloween beer — plus access to a handful of up-and-coming breweries such as Grapevine Craft Brewery and Noble Rey Brewing Co. Kids are welcome, and candy ensures they stay hyper.
The Gin Mill teams up with the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas for a Halloween Yappy Hour from 4 to 6 pm on the patio. The pet-friendly event features a “Best Pet Costume” and “Best Pet/Owner Costumes.” Cost is $10 per person and includes a draught rotator, $5 Greyhounds and happy hour prices ($1 off cocktails, wine by the glass and beer). Tickets are available at the door.
The 2013 Halloween Block Party on Cedar Springs starts at 6 pm for a night of dancing, drinking and celebrating in the biggest block party in Texas. Hop from bars to clubs and back again in your most outrageous costumes. If you need a breather, step outside onto Cedar Springs for a beer from the many booths, or to take in the show on the costume catwalk in the middle of the street.
Shinsei hosts an After Dark Costume Party with DJ Andre stepping up to the table at 9:30 pm. Partygoers are encouraged to go all out with their costumes, and first prize for most creative costume is $150 to Shinsei. Enjoy drinks from the signature cocktail and bar menu. Entry is free.
Hotel Zaza makes it a spooky evening of fun and drinks with magicians and makeup artists for a party from 10 pm to 2 pm. Tickets are $75 and must be picked up at Hotel Zaza. There is also bottle service and table reservations. Call 888-880-3244 to RSVP.
Sunday, October 27
If you can recover for some Sunday funday, Hotel Zaza’s Sunday School is back in full force from noon to 2 pm with a multi-course brunch, a bottle of champagne per duo and entertainment to keep the party going. Seats are $50 per person, and you can RSVP at sbarr@hotelzaza.com.
Monday, October 28
Urban Taco brings the pumpkin to the cocktail with the SpookiRita. Available from October 28-31, the SpookiRita is a pumpkin pie frozen margarita rimmed with graham cracker crust crumbles. It is available at both the Uptown and Mockingbird Station locations for $5. Any guests that show up in costume receives one complimentary SpookiRita. Guests who change their costumes after every SpookiRita in hopes of getting more will probably be asked to leave.
The Ballpark in Arlington is also hosting a “Flashlight Fright” night for older kids and adults. A special nighttime tour of the ballpark, led only by flashlight, includes a trip to the Rangers bullpen, a walk around the warning track and a few surprising spookings. The tours are October 28-30 at 7:30 pm and are $14 per person. It’s BYOF; flashlights are not included. For more info or to make reservations, call 817-273-5099 or email bball@texasrangers.com.
Wednesday, October 30
The People’s Last Stand hosts The People’s Last Halloween beginning at 8 pm. Yours truly is co-hosting the event with Dallas Diva Farah Fleurima as guests snack on complimentary bites, sip the wide array of craft cocktails and enjoy music by DJ Blake Ward. There is also a fortune teller, and prizes are being awarded for the two best costumes. The event is free, and each guest receives coupons for two complimentary drink tickets.
Thursday, October 31
Sissy’s hosts its second annual Halloween Hoedown complete with live music and a bevy of cocktail options beginning at 5 pm. Bring your overalls and let your inner hillbilly out as the most imaginative hillbilly costume receives a special prize. If you’re not up for the country side of things, all costume wearers are entered into a raffle, and best dressed costumes receive $200, $100 and $50 in cash. Drinks are $8 and include Slaughtered Mule made with Titos, Texas Bloodhound made with Jim Beam Jacobs Ghost and Zombie Handshake made with Patron.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson celebrates Halloween in its own unique way with Alaween Halloween Carnival, complete with a Scooby Doo Mystery Machine Bounce House, pumpkin decorating, face painting, costume contest with prizes, DJ Playdate spinning spooky tunes, trick or treating in the theaters, classic Halloween TV specials on a loop, and Halloween-themed cocktails available for purchase for the parents in Glass Half Full and creepy crawly punch for the kids.
The Flying Saucer in Addison hosts its third installment of the Creature Feature series, A Nightmare on Ale Street, from 5 to 10 pm. The featured beers are Avery Mephistopheles, Ommegang Art of Darkness and Left Hand Wake Up Dead. The fire sale is Newcastle’s Werewolf. There is a $100 prize for best costume.
Saturday, November 2
The Polyphonic Spree presents the first Halloween Hootenanny. The performance features songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, something the band has done only once in the U.S. as a headline show. This is the last performance of Rocky Horror at Lakewood Theater of 2013. The Spree also performs some of its favorite songs, and the event includes a costume contest, door prizes and a post-concert screening of the movie.
Enjoy a full week of Halloween activities around town for all ages.
