Head downtown for the 2025 City of Houston Thanksgiving Parade this weekend. Photo by Jim McIngvale.
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in Houston: Thanksgiving Parade, The Nutcracker, and Holiday Celebrations
Let the kids get some energy out before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum
What's Open in Houston on Thanksgiving? Places Open for Family Fun
Let someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Houston
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Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston
It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Best Places for Santa Photos in Houston This Holiday Season 2025
College Station is perhaps the closest Christmas town to Houston. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland at College Station, Facebook
Top 10 Christmas Towns in Texas to Light Up Your Holiday Season
Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2023 photo © Richard Carson
18 Best Things To Do in Houston with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
See alligators in Beaumont, about 90 minutes from Houston. Photo courtesy of Gator Country Wildlife Adventure Park
Fall Day Trips From Houston for Families
Christmas trains near Houston 2025. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston in 2025
With activities for all, Texas Ren Fest is the largest Renaissance-themed attraction in the county.
Texas Renaissance Festival: A Magical Fall Tradition for Houston Families
Buffalo Bayou Park has trails, climbing structures, and skate park, slides, and more. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
Things To Do in Houston That Everyone Will Love - From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
There are plenty of choices for pumpkin patches near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Best Pumpkin Patches Near Houston for Fall Fun
Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
The 10 Best Free Hidden Gems for Kids in Houston
From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Houston This Fall 2025
Houston Fall festivals that are fun for the whole family. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for Houston Families
Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
Why HMNS at Sugar Land Is a Must-Visit for Houston Families
Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places to Earn Scout Badges in Houston
Unique Birthday Party Venues in Houston for One-of-a-Kind Birthday Parties
Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
Gymnastics Gyms in Houston: Places to Take Gymnastic Classes, Camps, or Open Gym
Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Where to Find the Coolest Arcades for Kids in Houston
The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
Best Mommy and Me Classes for Houston Babies and Parents 2025
Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
Houston’s Best Claw Machine Arcades Where Kids (and Parents) Can Actually Win
A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
Best Crafting Parties for Teens in Houston
See aquatic life without a fee at Sea Center Texas. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Keep Cool in Houston: Top Beaches, Swimming Lakes, Splash Pads, and AC Spots
Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
Fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues in Houston
These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids
Pick your own flowers at one of these Houston farms. Photo courtesy Summer Skye Gardens
Sunflowers, Tulips, and More Pick-Your-Own Flower Farms Near Houston
Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
Houston Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
Best Playgrounds in Houston: Destination Playgrounds Worth the Drive
NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
Explore the Best Science Museums in Houston for Kids: Educational Fun for All Ages
Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Neighborhood Guide: Things To Do in West University and Rice Village with Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
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Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
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New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
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Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
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MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
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There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
Kid-Friendly Salons and Spas Near Houston
Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
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Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
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It's the opening weekend of Zoo Lights! Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo
Zoo Lights, Astros Light Up the Park, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids

Top Free Halloween Events in Houston 2025

Scream on the Green is one of Houston's free Halloween events. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
Scream on the Green is one of Houston's free Halloween events. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
9/26/25 - By Rachael Cherry

Halloween is almost here, and Houston is jam-packed full of spooky, fun, FREE Halloween events in Houston for kids of all ages!

There are tons of Halloween events in Houston during the month of October, and of course, pumpkin patches to visit. Find it all in our Halloween Fun Guide for Houston. We even have adorable last-minute costume ideas. But if you've already overspent on the candy and costumes...read on for the very best FREE Halloween events in Houston and the suburbs.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Photo by Ally Noel
Photo by Ally Noel

Free Halloween Events Near Houston

Boo on the Boardwalk in Kemah

Kemah
Friday, October 3 - Friday, October 31, 2025 (Weekends)
The FREE spooktacular event includes creepy crafts, trick or treating, costume contests, special performances, and more ghoulish fun on Freaky Fridays, Spooky Saturdays & Scary Sundays. READ MORE

The Woodlands Boofest 2025

The Woodlands
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Get ready for a spooktacular time at The Woodlands' 2nd Annual BOOFEST—a family-friendly Halloween celebration packed with festive fun! READ MORE

Spooktacular at the Depot at Tomball Depot Plaza

Tomball
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Guests can enjoy Ghostbusters-themed games, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, local vendors, and more. READ MORE

Tricks & Treats in the Park at Buffalo Run Park

Missouri City
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Don't miss out on the spooky fun along the Tricks & Treats trail. There will be candy, games, costume contests, and so much more!  READ MORE

2025 KBR Kids Day at Buffalo Bayou Park

Downtown
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Kids Day at Buffalo Bayou Park is a free outdoor festival perfect for enjoying the cooler weather and quality time with family in nature. This year’s event celebrates the park’s 10-year anniversary and will be held at The Water Works. Families are encouraged to come in Halloween costumes and enjoy a full day of festive fun!   READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Hunt at Bellaire Town Square

Bellaire
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Don your Halloween best and hunt for toys, candy & prize-filled pumpkins. There will be music, prizes, face-painting, and more. READ MORE

Boos & Brews on 19th Street

The Heights
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Get into the Halloween spirit at this beloved Heights tradition! Along with seasonal brews, families can enjoy trick-or-treating for kids and costume contests for kids, adults, and even pets. Sip, stroll, and celebrate Halloween in one of Houston’s most festive neighborhoods. READ MORE

Halloween Happy House at Children's Museum Houston

Museum District
Thursday, October 23, 2025
‍Watch before your very eyes how the Museum magically morphs into the Happy House for a free, safe and friendly trick-or-treat party for your little ghosts, goblins and ghouls. Admission is FREE! READ MORE

Hocus Pocus Pops at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Woodlands
Friday, October 24, 2025
Get ready to kick the Halloween season off in style! Enjoy a haunting evening of plaza trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, spooky songs and a cacophony of costumes! It’s all the fun you’ve come to expect from a Pavilion performing arts show, with a creepy twist that’s just the right amount of scary for any family. READ MORE

Scream on the Green at Discovery Green - Cancelled

Downtown
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Scream on the Green returns with a costume contest, living sculptures, palm readers and psychics, games, music, and more. Plus, enjoy a screening of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. READ MORE

6th Annual M-K-T Hike, Bike & Fright Fest

The Heights
Saturday, October 25, 2025
  Give 'em pumpkin to talk about with M-K-T Hike, Bike & Fright Fest's 5th annual event packed with frightfully fun live entertainment, a sitewide HallowGreen Houston Plant Market, and a FREE kiddo and dog-friendly Trick-or-Treat Trail with stops for sweets and spooky surprises throughout M-K-T! READ MORE

Sea Center Spooktacular

Lake Jackson
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Join Sea Center Texas for the annual Halloween Spooktacular! READ MORE

Trick or Treat Trail featuring Monster Mash

The Woodlands
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Princesses, pirates, ghosts, and goblins are invited to don their costumes and enjoy a spooktacular celebration at the annual Trick or Treat Trail featuring Monster Mash.  READ MORE

Boo on the Bayou: Celebrating the Port in Your Backyard at the Houston Maritime Center and Museum

East River
Sunday, October 26, 2025
This special event invites families from across Houston to enjoy a unique blend of Halloween fun and maritime discovery. The event will feature a variety of hands-on activities and entertainment for kids of all ages. READ MORE

Howl-o-Ween Parade & Costume Contest at Levy Park

Upper Kirby
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Join the 8th annual Howl-o-ween Dog Parade and Costume Contest! The event kicks off with a pup parade around the park, all are welcome to join. READ MORE

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