Updated October 29, 2026. All times are Central. These are dated 2026 events, not a recurring weekly schedule.
Looking for a public trunk-or-treat around Austin? These five options run October 29–31, from a city recreation-center celebration to a daytime candy stop in South Austin. Four explicitly advertise a free event or free trunk-or-treat portion; Hillcrest does not publish a price. Optional food, games and other extras can cost more.
Start with your day: Metz Park is Thursday, Hotel Viata is Friday, and Moontower, Hillcrest and Shoreline North are on Halloween Saturday. Hotel Viata is in nearby West Lake Hills; the other four use Austin locations.
Compare the dates, prices and locations
| Event / area | Date and time | Cost | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Fright Night at Metz Park Austin | Thursday, October 29 6–8 PM | Free trunk-or-treat; other activities cost extra | East Austin families; candy plus optional scares |
| Trunk or Treat in the Hills at Hotel Viata West Lake Hills | Friday, October 30 5–8 PM | Free admission; food and drinks extra | A Friday outing with vehicle displays |
| South Austin Trunk or Treat at Moontower Saloon Austin | Saturday, October 31 1–3 PM | Free admission | An early Halloween stop in South Austin |
| Hillcrest Church Trunk or Treat Austin | Saturday, October 31 4–6 PM | Admission price not stated | Northwest Austin; games alongside the trunks |
| Shoreline North Trunk or Treat Austin | Saturday, October 31 4–6 PM | Free event | North Austin families; decorated-trunk voting |
Neighborhood Fright Night at Metz Park
Thursday, October 29, 6–8 PM. Free trunk-or-treat; other activities cost extra.
2407 Canterbury Street, Austin, TX.
The city welcomes everyone to the free trunk-or-treat. The haunted house, table games and concessions require cash tickets; ticket sales begin at 5:30 PM. The haunted house opens at 6:30 PM, and the costume contest starts at 7:30 PM for ages 0–12.
Choose the candy portion if your children are not ready for a haunted house. This is an October 29 event, not a Halloween-night event. The city page contains a conflicting virtual-event label; its description and address identify an in-person gathering at Metz Park.
Arrival and registration: No attendee registration link is listed. The event does not publish designated parking or parking prices; follow staff directions around the recreation center.
View event details · Official event information
Trunk or Treat in the Hills at Hotel Viata
Friday, October 30, 5–8 PM. Free admission; food and drinks extra.
320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills, TX.
Hotel Viata explicitly lists this event as open to the public. Expect decorated vehicles, candy stops, music and a children’s costume parade. Admission is free; seasonal food and beverages are sold separately. Children must have an accompanying adult.
This is in West Lake Hills, not downtown Austin. The hotel notes common food allergens and weather-dependent outdoor programming. A room booking is not listed as a requirement.
Arrival and registration: The hotel’s fall calendar offers an RSVP link. Check the official page before leaving. Event-specific parking fees and validation are not published; ask the hotel before using valet or paid parking.
View event details · Official event information
South Austin Trunk or Treat at Moontower Saloon
Saturday, October 31, 1–3 PM. Free admission.
10212 Menchaca Road, Austin, TX.
Moontower advertises free admission and welcomes everyone to this afternoon family event. Costumes, decorated trunks and candy are the focus. It is part of the venue’s anniversary celebrations, but the children’s trunk-or-treat has its own 1–3 PM time slot.
Do not confuse this daytime gathering with Moontower’s later Halloween party or evening music. The organizer specifically invites children for the afternoon event; that is not a statement about nighttime admission rules.
Arrival and registration: No attendee ticket or RSVP is listed. Event-specific parking instructions and prices are not published. Follow venue signs and keep decorated-trunk areas clear for children.
View event details · Official event information
Hillcrest Church Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 31, 4–6 PM. Admission price not stated.
3838 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX.
Hillcrest invites the community for decorated trunks, bounce houses, cake walks and popcorn. Its event description gives the visitor hours as 4–6 PM and requests family-friendly themes. Church membership is not listed as a condition of attendance.
The calendar header shows a different start time, so this guide follows the explicit 4–6 PM visitor schedule in the event description. Confirm with the church if you need to arrive outside that window.
Arrival and registration: The page links to volunteer signup, not attendee tickets. It does not state an admission price or publish event parking instructions; confirm costs and accessible arrival arrangements directly.
View event details · Official event information
Shoreline North Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 31, 4–6 PM. Free event.
15201 Burnet Road, Austin, TX.
Shoreline describes a free family event with candy, costumes and decorated trunks. The community can vote for favorite trunks. The official registration page confirms October 31, 4–6 PM, at the North Campus on Burnet Road.
Use the North Campus address; Shoreline has more than one campus. The event invitation addresses families and the wider community, without listing a membership requirement.
Arrival and registration: The page’s registration text concerns hosting trunks and volunteering; it currently also displays “Not on sale.” Do not interpret that as a paid admission price. Ask the organizer about attendee requirements and parking if needed.
View event details · Official event information
Arrival maps and parking checks
These maps identify the venues, not reserved parking spaces or approved event lots. The organizer pages above do not publish dedicated parking maps or a complete event parking-price schedule. Use posted signs and staff directions; do not assume a decorated-trunk area is available for visitor parking. Call ahead for accessible drop-off details.
Rodolfo Rudy Mendez Recreation Center at Metz Park arrival map
Hotel Viata arrival map
Moontower Saloon arrival map
Hillcrest Church arrival map
Shoreline Church North Campus arrival map
Before you go
- Bring a candy bag, water and an adult to accompany children. Check treats for allergens rather than assuming any station is allergy-safe.
- Allow time for traffic and parking. Keep children away from moving vehicles and do not stop in marked fire lanes.
- Confirm the organizer’s latest weather update before leaving. A free outdoor event is not a promise of a rain-or-shine schedule.
- No numerical minimum age is published for the candy portions in these invitations. That does not mean every optional haunted activity suits young children.
Frequently asked questions
Are these trunk-or-treats open to the public?
They are advertised to the public, families or community, rather than as resident-only gatherings. Hotel Viata explicitly labels its event open to the public; Moontower says everyone is welcome. See the individual notes for registration caveats.
Is everything free?
No. Metz Park’s candy portion is free, but other activities need cash tickets. Hotel Viata sells food and drinks separately. Hillcrest does not state a price. Use the comparison above before choosing.
Do I need to decorate a car?
Attending for candy and signing up to host a trunk are different. Volunteer forms on church pages are not automatically required for visiting families. Confirm with the organizer if the registration page is unclear.
More family Halloween plans
Browse family events in Austin or compare Austin haunted attractions for older children and adults. Check each attraction’s age guidance separately.
Sources checked October 29, 2026: the City of Austin, Hotel Viata, Moontower Saloon, Hillcrest Church and Shoreline Church, linked with each event. Images are organizer-supplied promotional materials, not proof of a TTDA visit. We excluded already-finished October 24–25 events and ACC’s family program, whose invitation specifies ACC students, employees and their families. No affiliate purchase is required for these community events.