It’s officially fall in Houston! While the temperature isn’t lowering just yet, our minds are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming holiday season. The atmosphere (and food!) fall provides are like nothing else. Our city offers a variety of family-friendly activities for you to take advantage of the season. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best autumn activities around town for you and your family to make some sweet memories this fall!

  • Houston Zoo’s “Zoo Boo 2012:” October 26, 27 and 28
    The Zoo Boo provides activities that are fun for the whole family including a Costume Parade, Monster Mural, Monster Mashquerade, children’s DJ and the Fiesta Mart Pumpkin Patch, complete with a painting station. Kids are encouraged to wear their best Halloween costumes to ensure a ghoulishly good time.
  • Jack O’ Lantern Jam: October 26
    The Jack O’ Lantern Jam, held at the Woodlands Township Recreation Center, is a family carnival that provides games, treats and a magic show for families. There’s a costume contest, so everyone should dress accordingly!
  • Discovery Green’s “Scream on the Green:” October 27
    “Scream on the Green” at Discovery Green is Houston’s fifth annual citywide costume contest and Halloween celebration.  The event is free and the venue will show the Tim Burton film, “Coraline,” on the movie stage.
  • Museum of Natural Science’s “Tricks, Treats & T. Rex:” October 27
    The Museum of Natural Science’s annual event “Tricks, Treats & T. Rex” is the place for children to enjoy crafts, creepy crawlies, chemistry concoctions and much more! Mad scientists will share their creepiest concoctions and the scary side of science.
  • CITYCENTRE “LifeTime Spooktacular:” October 27
    CITYCENTER’s SPOOKTACULAR event features a pumpkin patch, hay ride, face painting, games and treats, popcorn, a bouncy house and more! Kids are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween attire.
  • Children’s Museum Houston’s “Happy Halloween Mansion:” October 13 through 31
    Houston’s beloved Children’s Museum offers spooky fun for Halloween! In October, the museum is transformed into the Happy Halloween Mansion. The museum provides a safe place for children to trick-or-treat and show off their costumes.
  • Matt Family Orchard: Month of October
    The Matt Family Orchard celebrates fall with their Harvest Festival. The festival features a pumpkin patch, hayride, campfires, tire swings and other games for families. The Orchard also offers their famous pick-your-own-orchard and nursery in October.
  • Kid’s Comedy Magic Show: November 3
    The Kid’s Comedy Magic Show features performer Chuck Montgomery and a magician! Fun and surprises are included in the event.
  • The Street Painting Festival: November 17 and 18
    The Via Colori Street Painting Festival® takes over the streets of downtown Houston while more than 240 artists create colorful chalk art murals. The two-day festival is free for the general public and allows them to enjoy the ground murals, live music and food vendors.
  • Dewberry Farm: September 29 through November 11
    Dewberry Farm is the perfect place for old fashioned fall fun! The farm offers a pumpkin patch, corn maze, pig races, wagon rides, zip lines, flower picking, pony rides, barnyard animals, the ”punkin holler,” hay mountain and much more!

Have a sweet weekend!