• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    Best Halloween Parties

    Procrastinator's Guide to Halloween: 10 spooktacular parties that promise a ghoulish good time

    Marcy de Luna
    Marcy de Luna
    Oct 29, 2014 | 11:18 am

    With Halloween on Friday night this year, the party scene is expected to be extra special, so get your costumes ready for an evening of spooktacular fun. If you haven't made plans yet, there are still plenty of last-minute opportunities to have a ghoulish good time. Here's a rundown of 10 enchanted Halloween happenings around town.

    VooDoo Mystere

    Details: That old black magic will have you in its spell at this New Orleans-themed haunted soiree. Tempting treats include an open bar, candy bar, late-night bites, an Absinthe bar, vodka soaked worms, Jell-O martinis, a photobooth, door prizes and a costume contest. Pay your final respects to the Petroleum Club at its current location in the ExxonMobil Building. As its beating heart here fades, a resurrection is slotted for early 2015 at Total Plaza. Abracadabra.
    Locale: The Petroleum Club of Houston
    Time: 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
    Price of Admission: $110 per person

    Halloween Freak Show

    Details: Even Twisty the Clown would approve of the Halloween Freak Show at Hotel ZaZa. The Museum District hotel presents the creepy sideshow-themed occasion, complete with specialty drinks, bites and entertainment by Lady Bunny.
    Locale: Hotel ZaZa
    Time: 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
    Price of Admission: $75 per person

    La Griglia Halloween

    Details: Mingle with see-and-be-seen stylish ghouls and goblins at this ritzy River Oaks bash. The line-up for the evening features a special menu of spooky fare, plus extra bars set up throughout the venue for your drinking pleasure.
    Locale: La Griglia
    Time: 6 p.m. - closing
    Price of Admission: Free

    Boo Bash Halloween Party

    Details: Boo bites, potent potions and haunting tunes ensure a scary good time at both locations (CityCentre and Highland Village) of the sushi hot spot. Go all out for best costume and walk away with a serious treat like a Ra Sushi gift certificate.
    Locale: Ra Sushi
    Time: 11 a.m - closing
    Price of Admission: Free

    Mr. Creetures

    Details: Dig your fangs into tasty snacks, smile and show off your jagged smile at the photobooth, catch a screening of a horror flick and groove to beats by resident Roxbury Hollywood DJs, The Duffle Bag, at this second annual soiree. There's also a serious costume competition. Judging from last year’s photos, the group collaborations were tops, so gather up your friends and go normcore.
    Locale: Mr. Peeples
    Time: 9 p.m. - closing
    Price of Admission: $25 in advance; $35 at the door

    Haunting of the Americas

    Details: The fundamentals of a standout Dia De Los Muertos celebration are all here: Live music and dancing, frighteningly good food and drinks and first-rate costumes.
    Locale: Americas River Oaks
    Time: 8 p.m. - closing
    Price of Admission: Free

    Juan Carlos' Halloween Party

    Details: Come dressed as Houston’s favorite rollerblader, Juan Carlos, for a look-alike contest and win a monstrous prize, a $100 gift card to Boheme. Prepare yourself for some tough competition, and even tougher judgment, as Juan Carlos, himself, will decide the winner.
    Locale: Bar Boheme
    Time: 8 p.m. - closing
    Price of Admission: Free

    Saints and Sinners

    Details: Join an array of monsters, ghosts and the likes for a magical night of live music and DJs, and an open bar at this grownups-only party. VIPs will also receive late-night nourishment and bottle service.
    Locale: Silver Street Studios
    Time: 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
    Price of Admission: $100 - $2,500

    Love Street Art Ball Halloween Bash

    Details: Get the party started early and be ready to go all night. From 6-9 p.m., ghouls of all ages will enjoy exploring the Love Street art exhibit and a Halloween-themed coloring station for the little pumpkins. When the clock strikes 9, the celebration moves to Mkt Bar and switches gears to the adults-only Love Street Art Ball, a '60s mod fashion-themed party and costume contest.
    Locale: Phoenicia Specialty Foods
    Time: Halloween Bash 6 - 9 p.m.; Art Ball 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
    Price of Admission: Free, but RSVP

    Zombie Prom: A Night to Dismember

    Details: Hoards of the undead will file into this downtown bash for a night of All Saints' Eve shenanigans hosted by 94.5 The Buzz's Theresa and 2014 Playboy Cybergirl of the Year, Elizabeth Marxs. Get a zombie makeover from a team of professionals. Rock out while you rot out a DJ spins monster mash-ups, and musical talent Thunderpants performs.
    Locale: Bayou Music Center
    Time: 8 p.m.
    Price of Admission: $15 per person

    Note: The Houston Ghouls Ball at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown has been canceled.

    Did we miss your favorite? Add it in the comment section.

    Hotel ZaZa Halloween party in 2011.

    News_16_ZaZa_Halloween party_October 2011_Crowd_venue
    Photo by Chinh Phan
    Hotel ZaZa Halloween party in 2011.
    unspecified
    news/city-life

    most read posts

    Only one Houston spot makes OpenTable list of 2025's top 100 restaurants

    Houston DJ-turned-TikTok star cooks up a cult following one recipe at a time

    Houston suburb's new social district sweetens World Cup festivities

    festive cities

    Houston dazzles among top 10 most festive cities in America for 2025

    Amber Heckler
    Nov 26, 2025 | 12:30 pm
    Pedestrian bridge to River Oaks
    River Oaks Christmas Lights in Houston TX/Facebook
    The River Oaks Christmas Lights are a fun place to take families.

    Houston has once again landed a coveted spot on Thumbtack's annual ranking of the most festive American cities in 2025.

    Home services platform Thumbtack analyzed holiday light installation requests from customers from October 2024 to 2025 to determine the most festive U.S. cities. Rankings were based on the "relative frequency" of requests after being adjusted for the population of each state and metro area.

    Houston ranked as the 6th most festive U.S. city this year, dropping two spots from its former No. 4 rank in 2024.

    Locals searching for inspiration for their homes can find it at the many twinkly displays illuminating Houston for the holidays, from the iconic City Lights to the rustic Dewberry Farm light show. And the holiday season is beginning earlier with every passing year, according to Thumbtack.

    "Homeowners are layering their look from October through December, swapping out pumpkins for pine boughs and adding sparkle as the season unfolds," the report said.

    Other festive holiday events happening around Houston include cheery pop-up bars, holiday markets, and much more. CultureMap readers can also keep up with all of Houston's holiday happenings in our special editorial series.

    Other big Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio also all landed top-10 spots in the report, proving the Lone Star State is much more festive than the rest of the country.

    "From Texas to Florida, the South is setting the standard for holiday spirit, and in true Texas fashion, bigger is definitely brighter," the report said. "Mild winters and a strong sense of community keep the Lone Star State shining at the top."

    Thumbtack's top 10 most festive U.S. cities in 2024 are:

    • No. 1 – Austin, Texas
    • No. 2 – Dallas, Texas
    • No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
    • No. 4 – Las Vegas, Nevada
    • No. 5 – Sacramento, California
    • No. 6 – Houston, Texas
    • No. 7 – San Francisco, California
    • No. 8 – Charlotte, North Carolina
    • No. 9 – San Antonio, Texas
    • No. 10 – Atlanta, Georgia
    festive citiesholidayschristmasrankingshouston
    news/city-life
    Loading...