Halloween festivities start early this year with several days of hair-raising fun parties leading up to the big Friday scare. Hit up these 10 bashes for a devilish good time before Halloween night itself:
The Bash: A Halloween Happening
Details: Don a creative ensemble for your chance to win a prize, and have some anonymous fun, at this Museum District-area gathering. Beats are courteous of Skyrocket and Disco Expressions. Libations and bites are included in the ticket price with proceeds benefiting Easter Seals Greater Houston.
Locale: Hotel ZaZa
Date: Saturday
Time: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Tickets: $200 per person
Twin Peaks Masquerade Party
Details: It's bazooms and beer during the breastaurant's week-long All Saints' Day-inspired spree. Snap a pic with your favorite costume-clad waitress and enter to win your very own man cave complete with a 60-inch TV, two Dos Equis bar stools, a Dos Equis mini fridge, a catered party and more. Say cheese.
Locale: Twin Peaks
Date: Saturday through Oct. 31
Time: Regular business hours
Tickets: Free
13th Annual ArBOOretum
Details: For something PG-rated, grab the kids and head to the Arboretum for quality family time. Activities for the munchkins include decorating pumpkins, hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides and puppet shows. Costumes encouraged for your little goblins, and you.
Locale: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Date: Saturday
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: $15; free for Houston Arboretum members
Wicked Things Halloween Party
Details: Arrive dressed to impress a panel of judges. Compete in contest categories from best group to best individual male and female Allhalloween garb. Break out an old bridesmaid dress and triumph in the challenge for ugliest outfit. This sinfully good time, presented by and benefiting Houston Makerspace, also features a DJ, food trucks and an open bar.
Locale: 100 Hutcheson St.
Date: Saturday
Time: 9 p.m.
Tickets: $40 in advance; $50 at the door
Tales from the Haunted House
Details: The attire at ritzy River Oaks restaurant Brasserie 19 goes from the usual designer labels to masks and capes as the West Gray hot spot hosts its third annual costume party.
Locale: Brasserie 19
Date: Saturday
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Haute Halloween Pet and Polo Party
Details: Fido goes to the polo match this Sunday. Dress him to the nines for the Howl-o-ween costume contest. Your pooch doesn't get to have all the fun though. For the humans: Have a wicked blast stomping the divots, noshing on tasty snacks, sipping wine and throwing back booze-filled shots. It's all in the name of charity. Proceeds from the event benefit Citizens for Animal Protection.
Locale: Houston Polo Club
Date: Sunday
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Tickets: $20 suggested donation
Bewitched Halloween Ball
Details: Make sure you costume has an elastic waist. The tasty fare here includes smoked salmon roulettes, orange sesame chicken skewers and mini smoked brisket paninis. There's also a lengthy list of spirit-based cocktails, a DJ, photo booth and spooktacular Halloween decor.
Locale: Gage Lounge
Date: Oct. 29
Time: 8 to 10 p.m.
Tickets: $65 per person/ $100 per couple
Hollywood Halloween
Locale: It's cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and costumes as you mingle at the ballpark with Hollywood royalty like faux Marilyn Monroe. Ticket sales and a silent auction benefit the Fanatical Change Foundation.
Locale: Minute Maid Park
Date: Oct. 30
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$80
Cirque du San Luis Asylum
Details: Not for the faint of heart, the Galveston hotel keeps the creepy vibe going for three days of sinister fun. The 7,000 square-foot venue will be crawling with ghastly creatures. Make your way through a maze of eerie rooms and be ready to scream loud enough to wake the dead.
Locale: San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center
Date: Oct. 30 through Nov. 1
Time: 6 p.m. to midnight
Tickets: $10 per person for hotel guests/ $15 per person for visitors
Mo's Halloween Eve Party
Details: Break out your sultriest getup (sexy Annise Parker, anyone?) at the Galleria steakhouse’s annual Halloween soiree. Get into the Halloween spirit while you imbibe, dine and dance the night away.
Locale: Mo's... A Place for Steaks
Date: Oct. 30
Time: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tickets: Free
