It’s that time of year again! Both Halloween and Día de los Muertos are approaching. The set of macabre holidays occupy the very end of October and the beginning of November, respectively. This year, there is no shortage of Halloween activities in Houston spanning the rest of October, which gives people plenty of opportunities to go out and celebrate. Dia de los Muertos, for many Houstonians (myself included), is a more-personal holiday, but just as festive. We’ve put together a list of our favorite events for both holidays.

Halloween Events in Houston

The Cursed Cauldron/Aero Cocktail Co., 2301 Westcreek: The Cursed Cauldron, which took over the space at Ninja Ramen last year, has returned, this time possessing Aero Cocktail Co. The pop-up, by Angelique Cook Cavazos and Alexis Mijares, is my favorite Halloween event and offers themed cocktails and a witchy, energetic vibe.  Thanks to having a two-story spot as a setting, the decorations are downstairs, but most of the magic happens upstairs in the bar’s more intimate, speakeasy-esque lounge. The smaller space also allows for a more complete immersion with the décor. In place of the usual mash of monster-driven and ghastly clichés, the style is more subdued and embraces the witchy theme with dark lighting, pointed hats and webbing that lines the ceiling. Adding to the spooky aura is a fantastic playlist spanning from classic jazz and Halloween favorites to modern pop. The pop-up will also host cabaret shows, tarot card readers and guest bartenders from bars across the city.

With cocktails (both individual and big ones for multiple people to share), shots and non-alcoholic options, there are over a dozen occult-themed potions to try. Personal favorites include Oshun’s Offering, a pumpkin Mai Tai, Coven’s Calling, a gin and tonic riff, and Hakate’s Torch, a rum and Lambrusco cocktail with black currant, lemon and clove. Additionally, the bar serves a small selection of pizzas, pastries and a charcuterie board.

Black Lagoon/Nickel City, 2910 Mckinney: Running until October 31, this creature-featuring pop-up that spans the entire continent is posting up at Nickel City for the 2024 Halloween season. In contrast to Cursed Cauldron’s subtle vibes, Black Lagoon takes a campier approach with cartoonish monsters, eerie greenery and “bodies” hanging from the ceiling, both whole and dismembered. There are a few themed cocktails and some fun tiki mugs to purchase.

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith: Get out your pointy hats and brooms, because this classic Creole restaurant is hosting a trio of festivities called Witchy Brunches. Saturday is already fully booked, but there are still reservations available for Friday, October 25 and Sunday, October 27. To reserve your seat call, (713) 522-9711.

Brenner’s on the Bayou, 1 Birdsall: Starting at 5 p.m. on Halloween, the Memorial-area steakhouse is hosting Boo on the Bayou, an evening of food, music, cigars, festive drinks and a costume contest, where the grand prize is a night at The Post Oak Hotel.

Caracol, 2200 Post Oak: This Tracy Vaught– and chef Hugo Ortega-led restaurant in the Uptown/Galleria area is hosting a Halloween party. Noche de Brujas (Night of the Witches) runs from 7 to 11 p.m. on October 31. Tickets are $85 per person and include four cocktail tickets, passed bites and dedicated food stations

Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale: On Saturday, October 26, as part of a semi-organized Halloween bar crawl, Johnny’s is taking inspiration from the Chappell Roan hit and transforming into The Pink Pony Club. There will be decorations, drink specials and a DJ, and, of course, costumes are encouraged. There is no official social media for this crawl (there is another similar one running at the same time), but other participating bars include The Post Beer and Wine Garden and Dan Electro’s.

Marfreless, 2006 Peden: On the more-adult side, from October 24 to 26, the infamous River Oaks speakeasy is hosting a trio of themed  Halloween events: Sin City, Angels & Demons and Brides of Dracula If that’s not adult enough for you, Google what the Pendulum Club is doing for Halloween.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston/Bayou Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial: The Sip & Stroll event gives guests the chance to experience the gardens of Bayou Bend, while enjoying live music, tea leaf reading, storytelling, magic and craft-making. Additionally, there is an audio tour meant to induce chills on visitors. The event is for ages 21 and up. Tickets, avaible here, are $40 for for adults, and $35 for museum members.

Riel/Padre’s Wine Bar, 1927 Fairview: On October 29, this acclaimed Montrose restaurant is partnering with the great Heights wine bar for a four-course dinner called Vino & Voodoo. Tickets are available on Resy.

Soma Sushi, 4820 Washington: The Japanese restaurant is holding its annual Halloween fundraiser from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27. Starting at 5 p.m. each day, Soma will offer special drinks and “treats” with 10% of the proceeds going to Houston Food Bank. The weekend event also includes a photo booth to show off your costume, local vendors and other festive surprises.

Star Sailor, 1710 West 18th: This craft beer and smash burger specialist is hosting several days of events. Check the events page for specifics, but festivities include The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror”-themed trivia, karaoke, a pop-up market and Halloween party.

Trash Panda Drinking Club, 515 Patton: Owner Greg Perez and his team are bringing Emo Tiki Night back for Halloween. Trash Panda has a full night planned that includes special tiki cocktails served in horror movie tiki mugs (which are both awesome and available for purchase).

Halloween Treats in Houston

Bittersweet Cookies, 500 North Shepherd: The Heights cookie shop isn’t doing anything crazy, but it does have few themed specials, such as Toxic Man Smore and Corpse Bride Wedding Cake.

Cinnaholic, multiple locations: The 100% vegan cinnamon roll chain is selling a Cemetery Box for the Halloween season. The box comes with four rolls topped with chocolate frosting, pretzels, Oreos, sprinkles and decorative tombstone toppers.

Houston TX Hot Chicken, multiple locations: Who said the treats had to be sweet? The popular hot chicken chain is selling a Spooky Sandwich with a black bun and a Halloween pumpkin spice milkshake. Both are available for the rest of October.

Mostly Chocolate, 1050 North Post Oak: This under-the-radar, family-owned shop in a business park offers chocolatier Dany Kamkhagi’s exacting-but-not-overly-serious creations. His playful Halloween offerings include four- or six-piece Trick-or-Treat Chocolate Boxes with Lingonberry Oatmeal Eyeballs and Pumpkin Pie jack-o’-lanterns. Other treats include candy-sprinkled Celebration Popcorn, festive, chocolate-covered potato chips, pretzels and Fritos as well as chocolate-dipped and decorated Oreos and Rice Krispies. Go online to view the selection. 

Papabubble, 927 Studewood: The Heights housemade hard candy shop has a few spooky designs available, such as skulls and vampires.

Voodoo Doughnut, various locations: I encountered my first Voodoo Doughnut shop next door to one of Denver’s largest dispensaries, so if you’ve never had one of its treats before, use that as information to guess how eccentric these doughnuts are. The Portland-based chain is featuring several Halloween-themed snacks, like Cravestone, a tombstone-shaped pastry with strawberry filling covered in chocolate and crumbled cookie bars, or the Rest in Pieces, a chocolate-coated doughnut with peanut butter candy and creamy peanut butter. 

Día De Los Muertos

Trash Panda Drinking Club, 515 Patton: Starting at 4 p.m. on November 2, Trash Panda — my top pick for the evening — is hosting several events, such as an oddities market, chancla throwing and costume contests, alongside a special menu. The bar will also feature a public ofrenda!

Casa Ramirez Folkart Gallery, 241 West 19th: For as long as I remember, Casa Ramirez has been the gold standard when it comes to sharing Día de los Muertos with the city of Houston. The shop’s walls are lined with massive and elaborate ofrendas, one of which is open to the public. The owner regularly hosts classes on the holiday traditions, as well as selling all you need to craft an altar for your own home celebrations. On November 2, from 5 to 7 p.m., the shop is hosting a procession and reception.

CityPlace, 1250 Lake Plaza: City Place has been host to some of my favorite Día de los Muertos events for the last few years. This year, on Friday, November 1, the plaza is hosting a public screening of Coco, and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, the space will be the setting for several performances, including Selena and mariachi tribute bands and Indigenous dancers. There will be a market, crafts and a public ofrenda.

Ema, 5307 North Main: The crew at this coffee and pastry shop put out some of the best authentic modern Mexican fare in the city. Even before getting a brick-and-mortar, picking up its Pan de Muerto and seasonal coffee has been a mandatory part of my holiday events. This year, seasonal drinks include Pumpkin Atole Cold-Brew and a few potential items to be decided later.

Hope Farms, 10401 Scott: This Sunnyside farm funded by Recipe for Success Foundation has been working hard to increase food accessibility in one of Houston’s food deserts. If you have not had the opportunity to visit, November 2 might be the best day. From 2 to 4 p.m., Hope Farms is hosting a child and family-oriented event teaching the history and traditions of Día de los Muertos. Click here to register for the event.

Xochi, 17777 Walker: On Friday, November 1, the high-end Mexican restaurant is partnering with 400 Conejos Mezcal  on a four-course, seated dinner, with cocktail pairings. Dishes include confit duck leg in fig mole and beef short rib, with roasted potatoes in Chichilo mole. Tickets are $135 and available at the Xochi website.

Ryan Kasey Baker