Home to students at the University of North Texas, a robust arts and music scene, and even, for a short time, actor Jason Lee, Denton is now also officially the Halloween Capital of Texas. This isn’t bragging; this is serious state business. In early 2025, during the 89th regular session of the Texas State Legislature, Sen. Tan Parker and Rep. Richard Hayes presented a proclamation asking for Denton to be named the state’s Halloween Capital. Along with describing all the spooky activities that occur in October, they explained that “area residents have created a uniquely festive tradition that is beloved by young and old alike, and the enthusiasm with which the city has embraced the holiday makes it deserving of special legislative recognition.” Texas legislators agreed and passed the bill unanimously.
Denton’s newest claim to fame started, ironically, with a conversation about Christmas. In early 2024, the folks in the city of Denton’s Marketing and Communications department and the staff in Parks and Recreation began discussing how to promote the holidays. Someone pointed out that Grapevine had cornered the market on Christmas celebrations, so best to find another holiday to feature. Besides, the staff wanted to lean into something that better fit Denton’s mystique. October kicked off with the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival and culminated in Day of the Dead celebrations. Why not lean into the Denton arts scene and build out October with 31 days of Halloween festivities?
“It was a no-brainer for us,” says Dustin Sternbeck, Denton’s chief communications officer. “There’s a ton of artists here, and we see the enthusiasm around that holiday already.” What started as a small meeting between several community stakeholders, a couple of businesses, and the tourism team grew into a monthlong celebration that features more than 200 events. Local artists and businesses have joined the fun, creating installations in downtown shops and even food offerings with a Halloween twist. “There’s such support and such enthusiasm from everybody in the community,” Sternbeck says. “We really created something special here.”
Halloween fanatics and dilletantes alike can find plenty to do over the 31 days of festivities, with everything from costume contests to live music to themed food and drinks to tours of historical haunted venues. Founded in 1857, Denton has had plenty of time to amass friendly ghosts. An interactive map online will direct visitors to locations like the Emily Fowler Public Library, where patrons report feeling a presence hovering over their shoulders. Is it former librarian Emily, just checking out the latest novel?
For scarier specters, people can head to Parker House. This haunted attraction comes with a diabolical backstory sure to lure lovers of a good jump scare. The invented backstory claims that the house was once a funeral home, but it is no haunted by the ghosts of the people murdered by its owners’ daughter, Mary Parker. Come October each year, it becomes an interactive haunted house with themed rooms based on the property’s troubled “history.”
Those looking for a less terrifying experience can check out the coffin races, Denton’s version of an old-fashioned Soap Box Derby, on Oct. 25. “You know traditionally Texas is pretty flat, but we do have a small hill off of our square that teams use to make these really unique coffins,” Sternbeck says. “Teams get a driver and a pusher, and they race.” More traditional sports lovers can attend the Nightmare on Elm Street UNT basketball game against local rival Texas Women’s University on Oct. 22.
The downtown historic square provides a good starting point for visitors. There, kids can test their senses of direction at the Mad Scientist Maze. Art lovers can explore the various spooky Halloween installations, all made in partnerships with businesses and local artists. The Big Tent, aptly named the “Cirque de Horror,” features comedy acts, magicians, and a showing of the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“We wanted to lean into kind of the nostalgia of everybody’s childhood,” says Sternbeck, who loved too many things about the event to pick just one. When pressed to describe what makes Denton’s 31 Days of Halloween so special, he says, “Last year, I would run into people from as far away as Europe who were just super Halloween fans, and they just felt that they had to come to Denton. You start meeting these people across the world that are just enthusiastic [about] and appreciative of our community coming together and creating special memories for families. And that’s what it’s about. I mean people bring their grandkids and children, and you see the smile on the kids’ faces.”
