This story will be continually updated as events are announced.
It's that season when ghouls and goblins come creeping out of corners, but this year is bound to look different during a global pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control is discouraging traditional trick-or-treating. Attending crowded costume parties or haunted houses, going on hayrides and traveling to fall festivals that are not in your community is out, too.
Luckily, there are some socially-distant events planned in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, many of which are drive-thru style.
Now, what will you dress up as? The most searched Halloween costumes on Google this year are a witch, dinosaur and comic book character Harley Quinn.
Other safe events you can do at home with the kids are Easter-Egg-style candy hunts, or a virtual costume party.
Health officials from Dallas and Tarrant counties shared recommendations on how to stay safe and healthy while celebrating the holiday during a global pandemic.
Dallas Police Department's Drive-thru trick or treat
It will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 31 at the Marcus Park Recreation Center at 3003 Northaven Road, Dallas, 75229.
"Come dressed up in your scariest costume and join us as we hand out treats and other free goodies," the department says. "This is a drive-thru event so feel free to decorate your car!"
For more information, contact the Office of Community Affairs at 214-671-4045.
YMCA branches to host free, safe family-friendly trick-or-treat events
Trunk or treat at the Semones Family YMCA
This free event is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. Vehicles will be decorated for safe, outdoor trick-or-treating.
More information about the Semones event can be found here or on the Semones Family YMCA Facebook page.
Drive-thru trunk or treat at the Moorland Family YMCA at Oak Cliff
This will be a drive-thru trunk-or-treat event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Moorland Family YMCA at Oak Cliff.
Families are invited to come through a row of decorated cars and receive some special giveaways. For your safety, you must stay in your vehicles.
Candy will be distributed by masked/gloved staff and volunteers. No registration required. Go here for more information.
Trick or Treat After Hours at the Waxahachie YMCA
The Waxahachie YMCA will be hosting its very first Trick-or-Treat After Hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. There will be treats and prizes.
Sunny South Harvest Festival at the Park South YMCA
This family-friendly event from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 will have trunk or treats, horse rides and a picture booth station.
People will be asked to be 6-feet socially distanced from each other if standing in lines. Masks are required.
Volunteers will be monitoring areas to make sure that social distance is enforced. Adults at trunks will hand out candy only so that the children will not be getting the candy themselves. Go here for more information.
46th Annual Harambee Festival in Dallas
The annual event is going virtual and socially-distant this year with a drive-thru giveaway starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 31 and will continue until supplies last.
It will be at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center at 2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas, 75215.
Families will receive free treat bags and care packages.
Watch the Facebook Live of music, poetry, culture and more.
For information call 214-978-7164 or visit HarambeeDallas.org
Lowe's to host curbside trick-or-treating events in Dallas
Families can drive up to their local Lowe's for some free candy and a small pumpkin from 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29.
To make the experience even more festive, costumes are encouraged but not required.
Go to Lowes.com/DIY and type in your ZIP code to find the store near you and to reserve a spot starting Oct. 10.
Sachse drive-thru candy chute event
The Sachse Police Department and Sachse Fire-Rescue will host a drive-thru candy chute event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Public Safety Building.
Trick-or-treaters can pull into the parking lot in front of the building, exit their car and receive candy from a "candy chute."
Due to health and safety reasons, there will be no photography opportunities this year, officials said.
Candy Caravan at Dallas Heritage Village
This caravan is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 South Harwood St., Dallas, 75215.
"Join the City of Dallas and Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano for the best Halloween parade in town. Pull up in your car, caravan with us and leave with a bag of treats," the event says.
El Día de los Muertos live performance
There will be a free outdoor performance from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 723 Fort Worth Ave., Dallas in the parking lot.
There will be drinks and snacks for purchase.
Community Care Canvass West Dallas
This canvass is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Benito Juarez Park, 3352 N. Winnetka Ave., Dallas, 75212.
The Facebook event says "Hey y'all! We are hosting our next Community Care Canvass in West Dallas once again! Our goal is to spread the word and get out the vote right before the election. If you are the type of person who wants to be civically engaged and you care about the results of this election, here is an opportunity to help make a tangible difference in our community.
In this Halloween edition canvass, you are encouraged to wear a costume and have fun while still maintaining a 6 ft distance and wearing a PPE mask, as recommended by the county."
Drive-thru Haunted Hoodz trunk-or-treat and haunted parking lot
There will be a drive-thru trunk-or-treat from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center, 3114 Clymer St., Dallas, 75212.
Families can enjoy seeing the decorated cars and receive a candy bag then get ready for a scare when they go through the haunted parking lot, organizers said.
All families must stay in their vehicles for everyone's safety. For more information, call 214-670-6188.
Fall Festival drive-thru trunk-or-treat
The Discipline City Church in Dallas will host a drive-thru trunk-or-treat event from 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center at 4500 Bernal Dr., Dallas, 75212.
Scare Fare at the Statler
The Statler Hotel in Downtown Dallas is hosting a day and night full of activities on Oct. 31.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., families can participate in a Scare Fare with events and trick-or-treating with six stations around the Statler and its four restaurants. The Scare Fare is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12.
When the sun goes down, an adult-only event called "Afterlife" with a club-like event in the Statler Ballroom. Reservations are required to maintain capacity limits.
Waterproof on the hotel rooftop will host a continuation of the celebration with entertainment. Table reservations are encouraged. Capacity is limited.
Bourbon & Banter, the hotel's speakeasy lounge, will reopen with a Bourbon Street-themed Halloween party, which is reservation only.
Free vanilla cones at QuikTrip
Convenience store QuikTrip is giving away free vanilla cones on Halloween for children 12 years old and under from 4 to 10 p.m.
Costumes are encouraged. This is happening at all QuikTrip stores.
City of Plano events
The city of Plano is hosting a decorating contest and a free pumpkin painting palooza & costume contest.
You can enter the Plano Arts & Events decorating contest by sending a photo of your decor to PlanoArts@plano.gov along with your name and information by midnight on Oct. 25.
Entries will be posted on the Plano Arts & Events Facebook page. The two entries with the highest number of "likes" between Oct. 26 and Oct. 29 win Phantom sculptures created by artist Brad Stewart! You must live or work in Plano to be eligible. We can't wait to see your yard!
Oak Point Recreation Center's Pumpkin Painting Palooza & Costume Contest: Pick up some pumpkins and join the virtual event on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m. for fun and games as people decorate our jack-o-lanterns.
Dress in a costume for a chance to win prizes in the costume contest too. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the event. Go here to sign up online Course #34523.
