Spooky Savings: Best Halloween Deals and Free Events in San Antonio
From costume bargains to free family fun, here’s how San Antonio locals are celebrating Halloween without overspending.
San Antonio’s Halloween scene is stacked with freebies, bargains, and can’t-miss events. Discover budget-friendly costume ideas, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and 2025 discounts across the Alamo City.
Halloween season in San Antonio is officially on, and that means spooky fun, local deals, and a surprising number of free ways to celebrate. If you’re hunting for a Halloween bargain or a festive giveaway, the Alamo City delivers—without crushing your candy budget.
San Antonio Halloween deals and freebies near you
From the Pearl to the South Side, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Halloween savings. Here’s where locals are finding discounts on costumes, candy, and decor right now.
Costume steals (for kids, adults, and pets)
- Goodwill San Antonio (multiple locations): Thrifty costume gold. Check the Broadway, Blanco, and Potranco stores for gently used costumes, sports jerseys, and accessories you can DIY into something original.
- Spirit Halloween pop-ups: Watch for mid- to late-October markdowns on last sizes. Pro tip: Join the email list for extra coupon codes, then stack with clearance.
- Party City (San Pedro Ave & Ingram): Week-of-Halloween price drops on accessories—think wigs, face paint, and capes—so you can upgrade a simple costume for less.
- Plato’s Closet and Uptown Cheapskate: Great for fashion-forward looks you can re-wear after Halloween. Pair thrifted pieces with spooky makeup for a unique, budget costume.
Candy, pumpkins, and decor on a discount
- H‑E‑B: Keep an eye on the digital coupons in the app for family-size candy bags, carving pumpkins, and even fall-scented candles. Late October often brings buy-more-save-more promos.
- Target at Quarry Market and Bandera Pointe: Target Circle usually drops extra savings on candy multipacks and porch decor the week before Halloween.
- Michaels (Alamo Quarry): Weekly coupons stack nicely with sale-priced faux pumpkins, wreaths, and LED lights—perfect for a reusable setup.
- JOANN (Bandera Rd): Fabric remnants and trim deals make last-minute capes, cloaks, and spooky table runners totally doable.
Local pumpkin patches and fall stops
- Devine Acres Farm (Devine): A beloved family trip for pumpkin photos, hayrides, and farm games. Look for weekday discounts and family bundles.
- South Texas Maize at Graff 7A Ranch (Hondo): The giant corn maze is the star; check their calendar for value days and military discounts.
- Brackenridge Park area strolls: Free foliage vibes, perfect for costume test-runs and fall photos near the Japanese Tea Garden.
Free and low-cost Halloween events in San Antonio
San Antonio has a way of making Halloween feel like a citywide block party. These picks balance spooky and family-friendly—and many are free.
Family favorites (mostly free)
- Muertos Fest at Hemisfair: One of the largest Día de los Muertos celebrations in the country, with stunning altars, live music, and art. It’s typically free to attend and perfect for a cultural-meets-spooky weekend.
- Market Square fall festivities: Expect live music, artisan vendors, and kids’ activities. Costumes welcome, photo ops encouraged.
- Mission Marquee Plaza movie nights: The city often hosts free outdoor Halloween movies—bring chairs, blankets, and a thermos of hot chocolate.
- The Pearl community happenings: From family-friendly trick-or-treating to pet parades, the Pearl often rolls out festive pop-ups. Watch their Instagram for date drops.
- San Antonio Public Library: Storytimes, craft hours, and costume parades at branches across the city—free and great for little ones.
Big-name thrills (budget tips)
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas Fright Fest: Hit Sunday evenings for lighter lines. Look for combo tickets and season passholder “bring-a-friend” deals.
- SeaWorld Howl‑O‑Scream: Scary-good haunted houses and scare zones. Check weekday pricing and online-only discounts before you go.
- 13th Floor Haunted House (near St. Paul Square): Buy timed tickets ahead and watch social feeds for flash sales, student nights, and limited-time promo codes.
Pet-friendly fun and giveaways
- Dog costume contests at local breweries: Spots along the Broadway corridor and on the St. Mary’s strip often host dog-friendly patio nights with prize giveaways. Bring treats, win bragging rights.
- Traders Village Boo Bash: Expect trunk-or-treat vibes, vendor deals, and a full day of strolling. Parking is affordable and there’s usually a costume contest.
Local tips to score a Halloween bargain
- Shop late—but smart: The last 5–7 days before Halloween are clutch for markdowns on costumes and decor. Just have a Plan B if your size sells out.
- Bundle candy with groceries: H‑E‑B and Target often run threshold promos ($15 off $50, etc.). Stock up once instead of multiple small trips.
- DIY with thrift finds: A black dress + lace scarf + vintage brooch = instant witchy glam. Old sports gear becomes an easy zombie athlete with makeup.
- Share the cost: Split a big bag of fun-size candy with neighbors on your block, especially if your street gets light trick-or-treat traffic.
- Follow local venues: Hemisfair, the Pearl, the River Walk, and city departments post last-minute free event updates and ticket giveaways.
A 24-hour San Antonio Halloween game plan
- Morning: Grab coffee at Local Coffee at the Pearl and stroll the farmers market. Snag a mini pumpkin for decor pics.
- Late morning: Thrift-run at Goodwill or Uptown Cheapskate for costume add-ons. Swing by Michaels for a coupon-fueled craft item.
- Afternoon: Family time at Devine Acres Farm or a free library event. If you’re kid-free, pregame with patio snacks at a Broadway or Southtown spot.
- Evening: Choose your vibe: Fright Fest, Howl‑O‑Scream, or a free movie at Mission Marquee Plaza. Cap it with a River Walk stroll and spooky photos.
- Late night: Costumed dessert run on St. Mary’s or the Pearl. Check social feeds for surprise giveaways or costume contests.
Where locals are saving big in 2025
This year’s standouts: digital coupons at H‑E‑B, last-minute accessory deals at Party City, and thrifted costume builds that look way pricier than they are. Pair those with San Antonio’s free events—Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, library storytimes, and Mission Marquee movie nights—and you’ve got a full October calendar without overspending.
One more freebie to put on your radar: ZipSweep, a daily, ad‑funded giveaway where prizes are tied to ZIP codes—easy to enter, fun to follow, and another way for San Antonio locals to snag something free while they’re planning Halloween.