DFW Fall Fest

Trick or Treating in Arlington Texas: A Local Guide 

If you’re looking to have a gourd time this holiday, then you need to know about the top events and the prime places to find trick or treating in Arlington Texas, and we have you covered! 

From trunk or treats to pumpkin paloozas, this Halloween guide has all the details on the excitement going on in the city. To learn important safety tips, get a breakdown of the best neighborhoods for trick or treating in Arlington Texas, keep reading.

Make Trick or Treating in Arlington Texas Inclusive 

Did you know that one in every 13 kids has a food allergy and that 7 out of the top 9 allergens are in Halloween candy?

This makes it hard for many kids to participate in typical Halloween fun. That’s where the Teal Pumpkin Project comes in!

This initiative focuses on handing out non-food treats, like slime, bracelets, coloring sheets, stickers, holiday rings, and other toys so that children with food allergies are included.

If you want to participate, just put a teal pumpkin on your porch to show allergy-afflicted families that it’s a safe place for trick or treating in Arlington, Texas. Then, register your home on the FARE website!

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Best Arlington Neighborhoods for Trick or Treating

If you’re looking to find the best trick or treating in Arlington Texas, these neighborhoods are known for their walkability, well-kept houses, and lots of candy loot!

  • Interlochen: Known for going all out with holiday decorations, this is one of the top neighborhoods for trick or treating in Arlington Texas. With tree-lined streets and lakeside views, you’re sure to enjoy Halloween in this area!
  • Shorewood Estates: Sitting on Lake Arlington, this this tight-knit community is known for hosting events all year long and boasts as being a fun and safe place for Halloween fun.
  • Viridian: This master-planned community is listed as one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, making it a premier spot for kids to roam on All Hallow’s Eve. It also has wonderful waterfront views, overlooking Lake Viridian and the West Fork Trinity River.
  • Pantego: And if you’re looking for a place with small town charm to celebrate Halloween, this neighborhood is an excellent choice! Not only do they host an annual trunk-or-treat event, but it’s a welcoming and walkable community with lots of families!

View All of Our DFW Trick or Treat Guides

Trick or Treating in Arlington Texas: 2024 Events

For those seeking an alternative trick or treating event because Thursday night hijinks just won’t fit into this year’s schedule, try these:

  • Trail or Treat (East Library and Recreation Center): Come in costume for this family-friendly Friday night event featuring trick or treating, vendors, games, and more!
  • Pumpkin Nights (Howell Farms): For those trick or treating for magical sights throughout fantastical lands, this is the event for you! While taking in the views, kids can dig for buried treasure, play pumpkin games, watch fire dancers, and of course, indulge in some delicious treats!
  • Trick or Treat Trail at Kid’s Boo Fest (Six Flags): Every Saturday and Sunday in October, your kids can enjoy trick or treating, a crazy hay maze, pumpkin painting, family-friendly rides, and more at Six Flags!

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Overview of Trick or Treating in Arlington

For those looking to avoid any tricks this holiday, we have detailed the ins and outs of trick or treating in Arlington Texas:

What Time is Trick or Treating in Arlington, Texas?

Like most cities across the state, trick or treating in Arlington Texas starts around 5:30 PM and ends at about 9 PM. This will vary slightly by neighborhood.

Since Halloween lands on a Thursday this year, think about your specific neighborhood or the ones you plan to trick or treat at. If you live in the land of young professionals, it may be best to wait until closer to 6 PM to start asking for candy. Conversely, live near lots of young families and retirees. You may see doors opening as early as 4:30 PM, since bedtimes tend to be sooner in the evening. 

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What to Bring for Tricking or Treating in Arlington

When trick or treating in Arlington Texas, your candy bag and costume are a must, but ghouls and goblins should also pack flashlights with fresh batteries and bottled water to make sure they stay hydrated. 

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Safety Tips for Trick or Treating in Arlington Texas

The most spooktacular Halloween is a safe one! As your costumed kids prepare for a night of candy seeking, make sure to go over some safety rules:

  • Select Walkable Neighborhoods With Lots of Light: It seems silly, but when you live in a big city, you will find that some neighborhoods are better suited for those who are on foot. When choosing your child’s route, make sure to select neighborhoods and streets with lots of lights and sidewalks. This can ensure they stay visible throughout their search for the best candy. 
  • Review the State Sex Offender WebsiteAnother important step to take when charting out your kid’s candy course is to review the sex offender website to mark off streets and houses that are off-limits. 
  • Get Glowing Before Your Kids Get Going: Adorning your kids costumes and candy buckets with glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark tape can make your kiddos easier to see in darker parts of the neighborhood. Make sure to cover both the fronts and backs of their costumes!
  • Remind Kids to Follow Road Rules: Even if they’re passing a house rumored to have king-sized candy, your kids need to remember that they should only cross the street at crosswalks, traffic lights, and street corners. They should also keep their eyes up and phones put away unless there is an emergency. This allows them to watch where they’re going and make eye contact with drivers when crossing.
  • Travel in Groups of Two or More: The buddy system not only ensures safety it also makes the night more fun! It’s recommended that parents tag along for candy hunts with kids under the age of 12, but if your kids are older, just make sure they have some friends accompanying them at all times!
  • Enjoy Treats at Home: We all want a piece of that Kit Kat Bar, but remind your kids that it’s best to wait until they get home to start sinking their teeth into their candy. Parents should always inspect items for allergens and potential tampering. And if you see unmarked items, it’s best to throw them away!

Alternative Trick-or-Treating in Arlington Texas

With Halloween landing on a weeknight, it can be hard for some families to get out and enjoy the festivities. No need to fear, though! We have a list of fun trick or treating alternatives that can bring eerie-sistable fun on many of the other days in this spooky month!

Trunk-or-Treat Events

If safety is your concern, trunk or treating is a great alternative. Instead of going door to door, you go from trunk to trunk to collect candy.

Organizations and businesses put these on to allow kids to enjoy the delights of the holiday in a controlled, traffic-free environment. Take a look at these:

  • Trunk or Treat (Pantego Bicentennial Park): The weekend before Halloween, you can find candy, food vendors, a photo booth, and games at this fun-filled event! And make sure to come in costume—there are contests for the best dressed kids and dogs going on at this festival!
  • DWG Trunk or Treat (Pappy Elkins Park): Candy, games, prizes, food trucks, and Halloween excitement can be found on the evening of Saturday, October 19th! Best of all, entry is free!
  • Alleycats Trunk or Treat (Alley Cats Entertainment): Come out on the last weekend before Halloween to enjoy this annual trick or treating event! Then, sneak in some bowling, games, and arcade fun! 

Mall Trick-or-Treating

Many area malls across the nation offer trick or treating events to help families enjoy the holiday without the worry or traffic or the weather putting a damper on the fun! There are so many malls found in the metroplex, so check the websites of the shopping centers closest to you to see what fun festivities they plan to offer this year!

Community Centers and Churches

Community centers and malls host events all October suitable for families. Here are some upcoming events in Arlington.

Trunk or Treat: Saturday, October 19th at First Presbyterian Church Arlington

Read More: 11 Best Fall Festivals in Arlington, TX

Share Your Treats

Of course, these are just a few of the hauntingly good spots and events for trick or treating in Arlington Texas. 

Send us your favorite Halloween haunts on Facebook, or tell us about them at DFW Fun Fest, coming up on Saturday, October 19th! And don’t forget to check out these other fantastic fall festivals in Arlington this season!

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