Halloween Events Pack Abilene And Big Country With Costumes, Music, Food This October

Halloween is taking over Abilene and the Big Country! From haunted houses and creepy costume parties to trunk-or-treats, live music, pumpkin patches, and family-friendly festivals, West Texas is bringing the spooky season in a BIG way.

Whether you're looking to scare the living hell out of yourself, dress up the kiddos, or just stuff your face with Halloween candy (no judgment here), I've rounded up some of the coolest events happening around Abilene and the Big Country.

And we're keeping this bad boy updated, so check back often!

DRI Fall Fest & Pumpkin Patch: October 13–24

Location: 3602 N. Clack Street, Abilene

Get ready for some good old-fashioned fall fun with Disability Resources Inc.! This free celebration features pumpkins, hayrides, train rides, food trucks, vendors, face painting, games, and entertainment. It's a great way to celebrate fall with the entire family.

Boo at the Zoo: October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31

Location: Abilene Zoo

One of Abilene's favorite Halloween traditions is back! Boo at the Zoo transforms the Abilene Zoo into a family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring costumes, trick-or-treating, seasonal activities, and, of course, the animals.

Totally Rad 80s Prom Gone Bad: October 17

Location: Elks Art Center Ballroom, Abilene

Break out the big hair, neon colors, and questionable fashion choices because we're heading back to the '80s! This murder-mystery event combines retro prom vibes with a little Halloween-style mystery. Perfect for anybody looking for something different this spooky season.

Swenson House Spooky Soirée: October 24

Location: Historic Swenson House, Abilene

One of Abilene's most beautiful historic homes is getting spooky! The Swenson House is hosting its Old West-themed Spooky Soirée, complete with costumes, entertainment, and an opportunity to support the preservation of this incredible Abilene landmark.

The event also helps raise money for restoration efforts, including the historic arbor. And trust me, after touring this place myself, it's absolutely worth supporting.

AAOR Mummy Harvest Fest: October 24

Location: 626 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene

The Abilene Association of REALTORS is throwing a free family-friendly Harvest Fest from 4–6 PM. Expect candy, games, music, costumes, bounce houses, and free hot dogs.

Bring the kids, enjoy some Halloween fun, and maybe let them burn off a little energy before the sugar rush kicks in.

Spooky Family Fun Saturday: October 24

Location: National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene

Looking for something creative and Halloween-themed for the kiddos? The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature is hosting a special Spooky Family Fun Saturday with activities designed for families and young artists.

Halloween ArtWalk: October 29

Time: 5–9 PM Location: Downtown Abilene

Downtown Abilene is getting into the Halloween spirit with a special Halloween ArtWalk. Enjoy live pumpkin painting by local artists, music, games, food, vendors, and Día de los Muertos festivities at The Grace Museum.

It's a fantastic way to enjoy downtown Abilene while celebrating art, community, and Halloween.

Clue: An Arcade Mystery Dance Party: October 30

Time: 9 PM–2 AM. Location: Free Play Arcade, Downtown Abilene

Ages: 18 and older

Now THIS sounds like a hell of a time! Free Play Arcade is hosting an adults-only Halloween celebration featuring an interactive murder mystery, costume raffle, unlimited arcade games, cocktails, and dancing.

Haunted Abilene: October 30–31

If you're looking for something that'll make you scream like a little kid, Haunted Abilene might be right up your alley. Halloween weekend brings another opportunity to get your scare on.

Spooktacular at Cypress Plaza: October 31

Time: 4–8 PM Location: 101 Cypress Street, Downtown Abilene

Downtown Abilene is celebrating Halloween with a free Spooktacular at Cypress Plaza, presented by Blake Fulenwider. Enjoy trick-or-treating, live music, food trucks, vendors, and activities for the kids.

Big Time BOO Bash in Baird: October 31

Location: Baird, Texas

Baird is going all out for Halloween, and they're bringing some serious live music along for the ride! The Big Time BOO Bash features The Great Divide, No Justice, young rising star Sawyer June, and more.

There will also be food vendors, trunk-or-treating, a haunted hayride, and plenty of Halloween fun for the entire family.

Lone Star Powersports Annual Trunk or Treat: October 24th

Time: 2–4 PM; Location: 2565 S. Danville Drive, Abilene

Lone Star Powersports Abilene South is hosting its annual Trunk or Treat with decorated trunks, candy, costumes, and some seriously cool rides. It's free, family-friendly, and a great way to celebrate Halloween with the kiddos.

Other Haunted Happenings

Abilene and the Big Country have some seriously spooky attractions ready to test your nerves.

House of Horrors Abilene

Location: Doc's Bar & Grill, 2042 FM 1750, Abilene

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October, starting at 8 PM

Celebrating its 17th season, House of Horrors features Doc's Slaughter House and Hollie's Maze of Giggles. If creepy clowns and terrifying surprises are your thing, this one's calling your name! There's also a kid-friendly Zombie Hunter Maze on Sundays.

Haunted Abilene at the Swenson House

Location: Historic Swenson House, Abilene

Dates: October 30–31, 7–10 PM

The historic Swenson House is bringing some Old West-style scares to Halloween with creepy characters, local legends, and spooky surprises. There's also a less-scary experience planned for younger visitors on October 31 from 5:30–6:30 PM.

Forgotten Forest at Denton Valley Farms

Location: 8740 County Road 224, Clyde

Dates: Friday and Saturday nights in October, after dark

If wandering through a creepy forest sounds like your idea of fun, head to Denton Valley Farms near Clyde. Forgotten Forest features live scare actors, eerie structures, special effects, and a three-story haunted Victorian house.

The haunted trail costs an additional $15 with general admission, although some combo passes include it.

Haunted Cinema at Dyess Air Force Base

Location: Dyess Medical Group, 697 Louisiana Drive, Abilene

Date: October 23, 5:30–9 PM

Dyess is getting into the Halloween spirit with its Trunk or Treat Spooktacular, featuring a Haunted Cinema attraction, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, and plenty of candy.

Important: This event requires authorized base access and is not open to the general public.

What Halloween Events Are We Missing?

Here's where you come in. This is a running list, and I know more trunk-or-treats, haunted houses, fall festivals, and Halloween parties are happening around Abilene and the Big Country.

If your church, school, business, nonprofit, or community has something coming up, send it my way. We'll keep adding to this list right through Halloween.

Because around here, October isn't a month…It's a lifestyle. Happy Halloween!