Halloween Events San Antonio: 2023 Spooky Activities

Bursting with Spanish Missions and finger-licking good Tex-Mex cuisine, the Alamo City is always a treat. However, come spooky season this sparkling Texan gem comes alive with pumpkin patches, costume parties, and parades.

Follow along to learn everything you need to know about Halloween San Antonio.

No matter if you are a family of four looking for fun or hoping to stretch your legs with a BOO-tiful 5k run, there are Halloween San Antonio activities and attractions for all.

Brave blood-curdling screams and sinister sideshow performers at a renowned haunted house. Or, treat your tot to a wild night of creatures and trick-or-treat adventures at the San Antonio Zoo.

Carve your own gorgeous gourd, or participate in the pumpkin mazes and Sesame Street Halloween parades at SeaWorld.

Ready to partake in the best Halloween events in San Antonio? Read on…

San Antonio Halloween Events

Seaworld San Antonio Halloween

Everyone’s favorite marine mammal park is chock full of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters, up-close animal encounters, and seasonally spooky events. Whether you are a wee minnow or a shark looking for hair-raising scares, SeaWorld San Antonio brings the Halloween spirit.

Little ones can show off their Halloween pride at Spooktacular.

Included with park admission, kiddies can take part in trick or treating, a creative costume contest, and Halloween-themed live shows. Meander through The Square Pumpkin Maze, witness the beautiful traditions of Dia de Los Muertos, or watch fantastic Sesame Street floats make their way down the street.

Do you go ga-ga for horror movies? Bring the thrills of your favorite flicks and nightmares to life when you attend SeaWorld’s annual Howl-O-Scream event. Included with general admission, goblins 13 and older can explore seven scream-worthy terror-tories and a slew of new horror-filled haunted houses.

After your throat is sore from screaming, enjoy some live entertainment courtesy of the Monster Stomp or swig down a delicious libation from one of the themed bars.

San Antonio Zoo

Want to really surprise your little pumpkin? Inject your Halloween plans with some animal excitement when you hightail it to the San Antonio Zoo. Not just an oasis for lions, tigers, and giraffes, this 56-acre establishment is home to the famous Zoo Boo event.

Munchkins can enjoy loads of free candy, costume parties, and live music at this seasonal shindig presented by PNC Bank. Included in general admission, with rides on the Scarecrow Sing Along Express, pumpkin patch photo ops, and animal interactions.

San Antonio Historical Ghost Tour

Have you heard the midnight whispers of Alamo City? Considered one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., it’s no wonder that the paranormal-obsessed flock to San Antonio to witness hauntings and manifestations firsthand. Dive into the devilish history of this city when you book a San Antonio Historical Ghost Tour.

Listen up as you explore various haunted locales ranging from Missions to old hotels and churches on this 2-hour walking tour. Your expert guide will present you with the history, folklore, and legends attached to each site.

In addition, you will learn to discern between the various types of hauntings and manifestations that can plague our world.

Day of the Dead River Parade at the San Antonio River Walk

Giant calaveras, show-stopping face paint, and flower crowns! Day of the Dead is in full swing in San Antonio, where locals and visitors alike can partake in days of activities and cultural celebrations.

For a thorough Mission City experience, we suggest reserving tickets to the annual Day of the Dead River Parade. Secure your seat ahead of time and rejoice in the vibrant colors, lights, and adornments of 25 barges sailing down the river.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

South Texas may not exactly be synonymous with cool crisp fall weather or changing leaves, but the Lonestar State can still serve up plenty of seasonal charm. If your little one is just begging for a day of hay rides, apple cider, and gourd carving we know just the place(s):

two smiling kids holding huge pumpkins — photo credit: Homewood Suites – Nashville/Franklin via Facebook

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Fiery thrill rides featuring beyond-vertical plummets, plus a host of terrifying scares? Sign us up! True horror junkies know after dark is the best time to encounter zombies, ghosts, and more at Six Flags Fiesta Texas Fright Fest.

This annual Halloween fete is back and better than ever, featuring family-friendly thrills all day and excruciating terrors all night. Enjoy rides on Batman and Boomerang in the sunshine before settling in for some spooky live-action entertainment after dark.

13th Floor Haunted House

Unlucky number 13 is bringing the horror straight to the heart of San Antonio. Hosted by the world’s largest Halloween-themed entertainment company, the 13th Floor Haunted House is a premier immersive experience.

Paranormal curious guests from all over will be screaming themselves silly as they encounter demonic creatures, psychotic pirates, and more. Round out your evening of undead exhilaration with visits to the Great Escape Room or Class Ax Throwing.*

Guests 21 and over can even imbibe spooky libations at Bar 13. Named one of the five most terrifying haunted houses in the U.S.A., no fear fiend will want to miss this mashup of blood, gore, and guts.

*Please note these additional activities cost extra and must be reserved separately.

Actor in a scary costume next to a chainlink fence — Photo Credit: 13th Floor Haunted House San Antonio via Facebook

St Mary’s Strip

Craving some adults-only after-dark fun for All Hallows Eve? Secure that babysitter and say a little prayer for St Mary. Located just north of downtown San Antonio, St. Mary’s Strip serves as a bustling hub of entertainment.

Bursting with retail, restaurants, and live music options, thirsty patrons of all ages can show off their kooky Ken and Barbie costumes at a number of venues including Rumble and the Squeezebox.

Don’t forget to soak up all those shots and beer pitchers with an order of Cullum’s Attagirl two-day brined buttermilk wings or crispy fried chicken and waffles.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

Got a green thumb? Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the natural world when you plan a special botanical outing this Halloween season. The San Antonio Botanical Garden features over 35 acres of rare and endangered species.

In addition to checking out towering sunflowers and their authentic Japanese Garden complete with bamboo fences, guests can partake in two awesome autumnal events. The LUSH: Day of the Dead Celebration will take place on October, and allows for extended garden evening hours, beautiful bloom displays, and live entertainment.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and soak in the serene evening atmosphere, and those 21 and over can even receive a ‘lush’ complimentary beverage. For some wholesome daytime festivities, families can mark their calendars for October.

Bootanica promises to celebrate the true spirit of the season with a variety of botanical-themed activities, costumes, and trick-or-treating.

Dia de los Muertos display with skeleton figures playing instruments at Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA — photo credit: Gary D Lopez via Facebook

Boos & Brews 5K – Freetail Brewing | Texas Brewery Running Series

Ready to sweat for some suds? Shake up your standard Halloween plans when you sign up for the Boos & Brews 5K. No matter if you are a skilled track star or a novice runner, you’ll enjoy this laidback Halloween-themed race.

Run, walk, jog, or even zombie crawl through this stunning 5K course that follows the Mission Reach of the River Walk and ends at the Freetail’s South Presa Taproom.

Costumes are highly encouraged and all participants will receive a delicious free craft beer, a choice of a collector’s pint glass or seasonal swag item from the Brewery Running Series, and a chance to win even more awesome door prizes.

Stick around the brewery after the race, as you’ll want to join in on other spooky festivities such as costume contests, games, and giveaways. Sign up soon, as registration is limited to the size of the taproom and their events routinely sell out.

San Antonio Hotels

Hold up! Before you put the finishing touches on your ghoulish costume or perfect your realistic Zombie makeup for the best Halloween party San Antonio, you’ll need to lock down some lodgings.

While haunted houses may be fun for nights of fright, we recommend reserving any of our top-tier San Antonio Hotels for a restful night of slumber before your rabble-rousing. Stay downtown San Antonio and appreciate sweeping views of the Riverwalk and tasty agave cocktails. Or, stay just minutes from SeaWorld and get a jump on your Howl-O-Scream plans.

As always, make your booking stress free, knowing you are guaranteed our lowest rates online.

performer in costume with blue hair and theatrical make up posing for photo at SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream in Orlando, Florida, USA — photo credit: SeaWorld Orlando via Facebook

Patiently waiting to adorn your porch with pumpkins and life-size scarecrows and witches? For those who can’t get enough of the spooky stuff, Mission City is an ideal destination come fall.

A city awash in bloody history, folklore, and poltergeists, San Antonio is the ideal locale for your Halloween plans.

Tour haunted cathedrals, learn about the legend of La Llorona. Or enjoy pumpkin-themed parades and dance parties with the cast of Sesame Street.

Try to (unsuccessfully) avoid jump scares at Fright Fest. Or try to outrun a gang of undead trick-or-treaters at one of our country’s most terrifying haunted houses.

Think you can handle all this fear and fun? Don’t wait, start planning your Halloween Events San Antonio today!

San Antonio Halloween Events: 2024 Spooky Activities