Dentonites, what plans do you have in store for your Halloween weekend? We’ve got a list of frightfully fun events for you to attend—a pumpkin carving contest, a costume crawl, several spooky shows, a Rocky Horror Picture Show play-along, and more. If you’re not into getting spooked, we have a few less eerie events to direct you to. Happy haunting, Denton! 

Thursday, October 27

Harvest House of Art
Harvest House, 6 PM
Head into the weekend with a little live music and a lot of live art with Harvest House’s very first art show. Harvest House of Art is a celebration of individuality, expression, and everything weird, exhibiting works from local artists Bailey K. Chapman, Leah Flook, Lindsay Alex Mullin, and more! Plus, Denton’s own Felt & Fur will shower us with their funeral-esque, synthesizing sounds, and Lily Taylor brings the ethereal vocals and avant-pop melodies all the way from Big D. DJ MoMWoW will be on the scene as well. Art show begins at 6 PM, music starts at 8 PM. Free!

Fifth Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
Oak Street Drafthouse, 6:30 PM
Join Oak St. Drafthouse for their annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. The pumpkins and carving tools are free, and there will be rad prizes for the top three picks. First place winner gets a $75 bar tab and two tickets to this year’s Untapped Festival in Dallas. Get there around 6:30 PM to pick your pumpkin and get to carving—judging starts around 9:30 PM. This all-ages event is free! 

First Annual Costume Crawl
Mulberry Street Cantina, 7 PM
The Denton Community Market is hosting their first ever Costume Crawl—a pub crawl and costume contest all in one! They’ll be starting the night at Mulberry Street Cantina, making their way to Game Changers, East Side, and The Bearded Monk. Along with “all kinds of spooky attractions,” your $20 ticket will get you entry into the costume contest, an exclusive event t-shirt and bottle opener, a Halloween card, and a limited edition poster. Dressing up and drinking at some of Denton’s finest watering holes? We’re down. See event page for complete details. 

Friday, October 28

Spiderweb Salons's 5th Annual Masquerade
Dan's Silverleaf, 7 PM
Your favorite literary collaborative is back with their 5th year of Spiderweb Salon Masquerade. This year's performance lineup includes Caitlin Pryor, Cole Dalton, Dan McCullagh, E Tamplin, Elana Nelson, Jesse Porter, Kim Nall, Matthew Sallack, Reverie Evolving, Sebastian Paramo, Sophia Terazawa, Stevie  Edwards, and Walker Smart. Joining this motley crew are Ben Clark Rebecca Elliott, both from Chicago. Door opens at 7 PM show starts at 8 PM and admission is only $5.

Criminal Birds, Quiet Company, One Red Martian, Wheel Workers
Harvest House, 7 PM
Head to Harvest House to get your dose of rock and pop this All Hallows’ Eve weekend. Denton four-piece psych-rock band Criminal Birds will be showcasing their other-worldly sounds. Joining the stage is Austin-based indie pop band Quiet Company and New York neurotic independent pop band One Red Martian. The Wheel Workers have traveled from Houston to open with the indie rock melodies. There is a $2 cover charge. 21+. Music starts around 7 PM.

Do It For Records Halloween Show
The Abbey Underground, 9 PM
Do It For Records is hosting their 9th Annual Halloween Show. This year, they’ll be throwing this spooktacular bash at The Abbey Underground, where five local bands will be performing as acts such as Green Day, Depeche Mode, Clutch, and more for the night. Costumes are encouraged (though, you still may not want to clown it up). This event is 21+ with a $5 cover charge. Party starts at 9 PM. 

It’s Alive! Free All-Ages Halloween Show
BackYard On Bell, 9 PM
Join BackYard On Bell for a night of music and frightful festivities! This free, all-ages event will feature performances by Sunbuzzed, KoolBRZ, Orcanaut, and Elijah Heaps & Nikola Rya. Plus, DJ Ch3xican will be spinning throughout the night. There will be food trucks, vendors, and a costume contest—winner takes home a $50 Visa Gift Card. Come express your joie de vivre—revelry begins at 9 PM. 

Killer’s Tacos Presents: Rocky Horror Picture Show Quotable
Killer’s Tacos, 10 PM
Lace up your black boots, roll on your darkest red lipstick, and visually time warp to 1975 to celebrate the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. For $5 you’ll get a participation package with all of the props you need to play along. Come dressed as your favorite “sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania” or in your best Halloween garb to be entered in their costume contest for a chance to win up to $100. Word on the street is that there will be a few free taco coupons floating around...so, Rocky Horror and tacos? We’re feelin’ you, Friday. 

Saturday, Saturday 29

Spooktacular Halloween Show
Glorp Studios, 7 PM
Come celebrate Halloween weekend and get spooky with Glorp Studios. So, put on your Halloween get-up and shake it to the studio to experience sinister performances by Jesus Chris + The Beetles, Rei Clone, Anwar, and Native Fox. They’re asking for canned goods as donation for the Denton Community Food Center. B.Y.O.B. (for 21+. obvi). Party starts at 7 PM. 

Comedy Psychos Halloween Show
Killer’s Tacos, 8 PM
Join Language of Laughter for Comedy Psychos, a Halloween party and comedy show. Get in a round of bloodcurdling chuckles with hair-raising comedic performances by Jimmy Nelson, Monna, DDT, Nick Fields, and more! There is a $5 entry fee, and if you come in costume your drinks will be discounted—a treat without the trick! Plus, proceeds benefit Denton education programs. Being entertained while eating tacos in costume? We’d say this will make for a killer night. 

(HALLOWEEN SHOW) Hen and The Cocks, Novakain, LeQube
Dane Manor, 8 PM
It’s time to let your Halloween freak flag fly, y’all. Put on your creepiest or cutest costume and prepare for a spectral-like show at Dane Manor. With performances by Hen and The Cocks, Novakain, and LeQube, this lineup will make for a spine-tingling Saturday night showcase. Spookiness begins at 9 PM.

Sunday, October 30

Monthly ‘Get Involved’ Potluck
Dorothy’s Kitchen Table, 1 PM
Have you been wanting to get involved with the community by giving back? Well, this event is for you! Join Dorothy’s Kitchen Table—a Denton restaurant designed to help low-income families and individuals by accepting what the customers can pay—for their monthly ‘Get Involved’ potluck, where they will be planning upcoming events and filling roles needed for November. Bring a dish to share and mingle with other volunteers. As it nears the time we tend to give thanks, spread the joy by getting involved and giving back to our community.

Terminator 2 Halloween Warehouse Party w/ B.S. Wright + DJs
Brick Haus Collective, 9 PM
Prepare to thrash with the Brick Haus Collective for their Judgement Day Halloween Warehouse Party. Terminator 2, a Denton heavy metal/doom band, has risen from the grave to play a rare live set, and B.S. Wright is slated to bring the dark, industrial electronic vibes. DJs Dreamlover69, Slush, and Dusty Thumbs will be spinning in between sets. The event page predicts this party will be a rager. We don’t disagree.

Header image by Brittany Keeton