Things to Do for Kids in Houston in October 2026
Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo
Museum District
Friday, September 25 - Saturday, October 31, 2026
Celebrate fall at Zoo Boo, presented by King & Spalding, at the Houston Zoo. Families can enjoy colorful pumpkins, seasonal décor, festive photo opportunities, animal-themed surprises, and special activities throughout the Zoo. Website
The Original Greek Festival
Montrose
Thursday - Saturday, October 1 - 3, 2026
Opa! The Original Greek Festival has been bringing a host of festivities to Houston for 60 years and includes children's activities, live music, dancing, food, shopping, and more. Website
Halloween at the BOOseum at Children's Museum Houston
Museum District
Thursday, October 1 - Saturday, October 31, 2026
A myriad of magic, mystery, monsters, and fun have made their way to Children's BOOseum Houston! For four weeks of Halloween fun, families can enjoy eerie activities, fang-tastic interactive experiences, and hair-raising science experiments. The celebration brings plenty of magic, madness, and mystery for kids to explore. Website
Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park
Memorial Park
Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2026
The 2026 Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park returns with national and international artists for a dynamic weekend full of art, food, music, and entertainment. Website
Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival
Conroe
Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2026
The family-friendly event features live music, food vendors offering festival and Cajun favorites, arts & crafts vendors, a professional carnival, assorted community and educational exhibits, and an annual Catfish Pageant. Website
Spooktacular at the Depot at Tomball Depot Plaza
Tomball – FREE
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Grab your favorite Ozians and join a wickedly fun Spooktacular 2nd Saturday at Tomball Depot Plaza! Enjoy movie-inspired games, bounce houses, crafts, vendors, and spellbinding surprises. Come dressed to impress, whether you’re feeling a little green or ready to defy gravity! Website
Houston Pets Alive! Barktoberfest at Home Run Dugout
Katy – FREE
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Get ready for a howlin’ good time at Barktoberfest presented by Pacifico, Houston’s biggest dog and family-friendly fall festival! Enjoy dog costume contests with prizes, music, and plenty of tail-wagging fun. Website
Korean Festival Houston at Discovery Green
Downtown – FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2026
Korean Festival showcases the best of Korean food, music, performing arts, and culture and family-friendly crafts and activities. Website
Katy Rice Harvest Festival
Katy
Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2026
Enjoy a weekend of carnival rides, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun at the Katy Rice Festival! Website
Texas Renaissance Festival
Todd Mission
Saturday, October 10 - Sunday, November 29, 2026 (Weekends)
It's the 52nd season of North America’s largest Renaissance theme park. Join other Renaissance fans to celebrate all the fun, food, music, shopping, and entertainment that the Texas Renaissance Festival is known for bringing. Website
Houston Energy Day Festival
Downtown – FREE
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Blast off with rocket launches, get hands-on with slime, explore solar and wind power, and discover the science behind the energy that powers our world at Energy Day Houston! Website
Houston Filipino Street Festival
Sugar Land
Saturday, October 17, 2026
The Houston Filipino Street Festival has proudly become the largest Filipino celebration in Texas, offering an unforgettable day of Filipino street food, vibrant entertainment, family-friendly activities, and more! Website
Monster Jam at Reliant Stadium
Southwest Houston
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush at Monster Jam, coming to Houston! Watch as massive monster trucks crush cars, perform jaw-dropping stunts, and race head-to-head in an action-packed show that’s fun for the whole family. Website
Caboosefest: Hootenanny & Hayrides at Galveston Railroad Museum
Galveston
Saturday, October 17, 2026
A new fall event at the Galveston Railroad Museum invites families to enjoy a full day of seasonal fun, including caboose hayrides, a pumpkin patch, vendor marketplace, games, a pie contest, a chicken wing eating contest, live entertainment, and a food court. Website
ArBOOretum at the Houston Arboretum
Memorial Park
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Grab your costumes and get the kids together for the Arboretum’s biggest family event of the year. ArBOOretum features fun fall activities for all ages, including live animals, pumpkin decorating, and Houston’s only Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. Enjoy these fall classics and so much more! Website
Nature Discovery Center's Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
Bellaire
Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18, 2026
Pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy some fall fun at the Bellaire Nature Discovery Center's annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. Website
Galaxy Frights at Space Center Houston
Southeast Houston
Saturday & Sunday, October 17 & 18 and Saturday, October 31, 2026
Celebrate Halloween with an out-of-this-world adventure at Space Center Houston. Families can trick-or-treat at candy stations located throughout the center, snap photos at Halloween-themed photo ops, and get hands-on with science through pop-up labs featuring experiments, interactive challenges, and plenty of opportunities for discovery. Website
Diwali Lights! 2026 at Asia Society Texas Center
Museum District – FREE; registration required
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Celebrate one of the most cherished holidays in India and beyond: Diwali! This free, family-friendly festival of lights brings the spirit of the season to life with delicious food, hands-on activities, local vendors, and captivating theatrical and dance performances. Website
2026 KBR Kids Day at Buffalo Bayou Park
Downtown – FREE
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s annual KBR Kids Day is a free fall festival for the whole family. Head to The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park for a full day of fun with performances, birds of prey demonstrations, hands-on nature activities, a costume parade, wildlife encounters, and more! Website
Hocus Pocus Pops at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
The Woodlands – FREE
Friday, October 23, 2026
Join the Houston Symphony for a family-friendly concert full of spooky favorites, playful surprises, and magical moments that bring the spirit of Halloween to life. Website
Halloween in the Hangar at Lone Star Flight Museum
Southeast Houston
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Candy, pumpkins, parachutes, and planes. Get ready for Halloween fun that soars! Website
Family Day: Boo on the Bayou 2026 at the Houston Maritime Center and Museum
East River – FREE
Sunday, October 25, 2026
This special event invites families from across Houston to enjoy a unique blend of Halloween fun and maritime discovery. The event will feature a variety of hands-on activities and entertainment for kids of all ages. Website
Howl-o-Ween Parade & Costume Contest at Levy Park
Upper Kirby – FREE
Sunday, October 25, 2026
The 9th Annual Howl-o-ween Dog Parade & Costume Contest returns for a dog-friendly Halloween celebration presented by H-E-B. Website
Scream on the Green at Discovery Green
Downtown – FREE
Friday, October 30, 2026
Get ready for a frightfully fun night! Scream on the Green® is back with a popular costume contest, living sculptures, games, spooky music, photo opps, and more. Website
Haunted Halloween at the Houston Symphony
Downtown
Saturday, October 31
Bring your ghosts and ghouls for a morning of boo-tiful tunes and fang-tastic favorites, performed by our haunted Symphony dressed in full costume! Plus, come in costume and grab your Jack-o'-lanterns for in-hall trick-or-treating. Website
Wings Over Houston Airshow
Ellington Airport
Saturday & Sunday, October 31 & November 1, 2026
One of the top air shows in the United States, this premier Houston event is dedicated to showcasing vintage World War II aircraft, along with the thrills of modern aviation. Website
Día de Muertos Festival at MECA
Old Sixth Ward – FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 31 & November 1, 2026
This year's Día de Muertos two-day celebration will offer children's art activities, an ofrendas/altar exhibition, artist and artisan vendors, delectable festival foods, and three captivating performance stages. Website