Austin's Rec Centers Run Four Halloween Nights, October 29–31: Metz Park Opens Thursday With a Free Trunk-or-Treat and a Haunted House

Halloween in Austin does not have to cost much — the city is running it at four recreation centers over three nights. Austin Parks and Recreation's Halloween events run Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31 at centers in East Austin and across the city, according to the department's event pages.

The fullest night is the first one. Neighborhood Fright Night at the Rodolfo 'Rudy' Mendez Recreation Center at Metz Park, 2407 Canterbury Street, runs 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and it is the only one of the four with a published schedule: a free trunk-or-treat for all, table games from 6 p.m., the haunted house in the Mendez building and concessions from 6:30 p.m., and a costume contest at 7:30 p.m. with prizes across age categories from 0 to 12. Bring cash — tickets for the games, concessions and haunted house are sold in person, cash only, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Friday belongs to Hallo's Eve at the Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 East 3rd Street, from 6 to 8 p.m. Halloween itself, Saturday, has two: Howl-O-Scream at Givens Recreation Center, 3811 East 12th Street, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Howl-O-Scream at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Drive, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Saturday pair overlaps from 5:30 to 7, so a family can do one properly, not both.

One practical warning, flagged by the guide that read the city's pages on October 26: all four city event pages are tagged 'Virtual Event' even though each lists a street address and describes in-person games and trunk-or-treats — the tag reads like a template leftover, but families who want certainty should call the center before driving over.