October is a fun month for families who enjoy celebrating the spooky season.
Throughout the month, organizations and venues will host a variety of family-friendly Halloween events featuring costume contests, games, candy, entertainment and festive activities for children of all ages.
From trunk-or-treats and pumpkin-themed celebrations to neighborhood festivals and safe trick-or-treating events, there will be no shortage of ways for families to get into the Halloween spirit.
Many events, including recreation center carnivals, trunk-or-treats, and pumpkin-themed celebrations, are designed to provide a fun, safe environment for children and parents to enjoy festivities together.
Here is a list of Halloween-related events in El Paso for October.
Jumbo Park Texas
Jumbo
Park Texas is hosting its Fall Fun from Friday, Oct. 2 through Nov. 1 at 11180 Rojas Drive. The Fall Fest features a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, and hayrides. For more information, visit jumboparktexas.com.
Trolley of Terror
Ride the El Paso Streetcar while Ghosts915 shares spooky local legends and tales of the unexplained from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9, 16 and 23. Boarding begins at the Convention Center stop, Santa Fe and Henry Trost streets. No RSVP; seating is first-come, first-served. The event is free.
Halloween Town
The El Paso County Coliseum will have its Halloween Town Art Show and Market from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.
There will be a carving contest, a costume contest, food, music, movies and various vendors and trick-or-treating for kids only while supplies last.
Brew at the El Paso Zoo
The El Paso Zoo is getting a little spooky and a lot more grown-up with Brew at the Zoo from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 17. The event is geared towards adults, 21 and over, and is a Halloween-themed fundraising event featuring craft beers, ciders and wines, live music, food trucks and after-hours views of select animal habitats.
Ramirez Pecan Farm
The Ramirez Pecan Farm, 13709 N Loop Drive in Clint, will have its Pumpkin Patch and painting in the orchard, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18.
There will be pumpkins from a local farmer, a pumpkin decorating contest, homemade arts and crafts for sale and entertainment by Los Del 915.
Freaky Frights at Western Playland
Western Playland will have its Freaky Fright nights on Friday through Sunday in October with thrills and Halloween fun. Times vary.
Freaky Frights included in the amusement park admission features the rides, candy from 4 to 6 p.m. and six scare zones. In addition, you can get tickets for the Haunted Asylum Attraction, an after-dark upgrade. Tickets for the attraction start at $28 available at freakyfrights.westernplayland.com
Halloween BBQ Market
El Pasoans are invited to enjoy the Halloween BBQ Market from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the El Paso County Coliseum pavilion, 4100 Paisano Drive. Admission is free.
Trunk or Treat
The second annual Trunks, Treats and Homeruns will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at NEEP Collective, 8144 Dyer St. There will be fun games and a bake sale. Kids are encouraged to dress up in their costumes.
Trick or Treat event at Bowie High School
The Trendsetters CTC's six-annual trick-or-treat will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at Bowie High School, 801 S. San Marcial St.
La Llorona performances
Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe's Culture and Technology Center will host three free community performances of "El Tormento De Pablo," an original, Spanish-language theater production of the chilling and untold story behind the legend of La Llorona. El Tormento De Pablo is written by San Elizario playwright Debra Venegas and presented by DNL Theatre Productions.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at 721 S. Ochoa St. (rear building). Admission is free. Seating is limited. Snacks and refreshments will be available for sale. For more information, call 915-545-7226.
Halloween carnivals at recreation centers
The city's Parks and Recreation Department invites families to celebrate Halloween at its annual Halloween Carnivals from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at recreation and community centers.
The free, family-friendly events will feature jumping balloons, music, carnival games, candy, treats and plenty of Halloween fun. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite costumes and participate in a costume contest. Families are encouraged to bring the kids, dress up and enjoy a safe, festive Halloween celebration close to home.
Halloween Carnivals will be held at the following locations:
- Armijo Recreation Center, 700 E. 7th Ave.
- Chamizal Community Center, 2119 Cypress Ave.
- Chihuahuita Community Center, 417 Charles Road
- Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Drive
- Galatzan Recreation Center, 650 Wallenberg Drive
- Gary Del Palacio Recreation Center, 3001 Parkwood St.
- Marty Robbins Recreation Center, 11620 Vista Del Sol Drive
- Michelle T. Adjemian Recreation Center, 9031 Viscount Blvd.
- Mountain View Park/Rae Gilmore Recreation Center, 8501 Diana Drive
- Nolan Richardson Recreation Center, 4435 Maxwell Ave.
- Officer David Ortiz Recreation Center, 563 N. Carolina Drive
- Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center, 901 N. Virginia St.
- Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave.
- San Juan Recreation Center, 701 N. Glenwood St.
- Seville Recreation Center, 6700 Sambrano Ave.
- Sylvia A. Carreon Community Center, 709 Lomita Drive
- The Beast Urban Park, 13501 Jason Crandall Drive
- Valle Bajo Community Center, 7380 Alameda Ave.
- Veterans Recreation Center, 5301 Salem Drive
- Wayne Thornton Community Center, 3134 Jefferson Ave.
For more information, visit ElPasoTexas.gov/parks.
Boo at the El Paso Zoo
Halloween gets a little wild with the return of Boo at the Zoo, a family-friendly celebration packed with not-so-spooky fun for children of all ages, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the El Paso Zoo.
Families can enjoy trick-or-treating, animal encounters, costumed characters, live entertainment, festive decorations and more throughout the zoo. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes, bring their own treat bags and spend Halloween exploring the wild side of the zoo.
General admission is $13.95, $10.95 for teens, and $8.95 for children 2 to 12. Discounts available for seniors and military.
María Cortés González may be reache$d at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: October brings trunk or treats, games, carnivals, Boo at the Zoo
