San Antonio Public Library Celebrates Halloween 2026 With Free Events, Costume Parties, Crafts and Spooky Stories for All Ages
Halloween fun is making its way into neighborhoods across San Antonio, and this year, residents won't have to look far to find something festive. Throughout October 2026, San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is hosting a citywide lineup of free Halloween events, giving families, children, teens and adults opportunities to celebrate the season close to home.
From pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating to spooky storytelling and classic horror movies, neighborhood library branches are transforming into gathering places for seasonal fun. With activities scheduled through October 31, residents can enjoy Halloween celebrations without having to travel across town or spend money on expensive attractions.
The lineup includes everything from gentle, not-too-scary activities for preschoolers to paranormal storytelling and Halloween crafts for adults, making the library a convenient option for families searching for things to do in San Antonio this October.
Family-Friendly Halloween Celebrations Coming to San Antonio Libraries
Two of the larger celebrations will take place during the final week of October, offering opportunities for families to dress up, enjoy activities and celebrate together.
Central Spooktacular | Saturday, October 24, 2 to 5 p.m.
Central Library, 600 Soledad St., San Antonio, TX 78205
Families can enjoy Halloween games and age-appropriate activities at the downtown library. Costumes are encouraged, and no registration is required.
Landa Boo | Tuesday, October 27, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Landa Branch Library, 233 Bushnell Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212
This family-friendly celebration features animals, bubbles, balloons and activities for all ages. Children and adults are invited to wear costumes and participate in a festive costume parade.
Halloween Events and Activities Throughout October 2026
Beyond the featured celebrations, San Antonio Public Library branches are offering Halloween programs throughout the month, with activities for different age groups and interests.
October 10: Halloween Dress-up Tea Party
2 to 4 p.m. | Semmes Branch Library, 15060 Judson Road, 78247
Families can enjoy a puppet show, mini-pumpkin painting and Halloween festivities. Costumes are welcome.
October 12: Tobin Halloween Carnival
5 to 7 p.m. | Tobin Library at Oakwell, 4134 Harry Wurzbach Road, 78209
A neighborhood carnival featuring games, crafts, tarot readings, balloon animals, face painting and more. Costumes are encouraged.
October 12, 19 and 26: Horror Classics at Las Palmas
5 to 7 p.m. | Las Palmas Branch Library, 515 Castroville Road, 78237
Classic horror film enthusiasts can enjoy a free movie series celebrating the suspense, storytelling and history of the genre.
October 13: Unlucky 13: A Halloween Event
4 to 7 p.m. | Las Palmas Branch Library, 515 Castroville Road, 78237
A Halloween celebration featuring crafts, a costume parade, music and snacks for all ages.
October 13: Calaveritas Garland
6 to 7 p.m. | Collins Garden Branch Library, 200 N. Park Blvd., 78204
Participants can create decorative Calaveritas Garlands for Halloween or Día de los Muertos. Supplies will be available while they last.
October 13: Espooky Tales of the West Side
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Memorial Branch Library, 3222 Culebra Road, 78228
Local author Jessica Herrera will share legends, folklore and spooky stories rooted in San Antonio's West Side. The evening also includes crafts, movies and opportunities to wear costumes.
October 13: Fall Fest
6 to 7 p.m. | Encino Branch Library, 2515 E. Evans Road, 78259
Children and families can enjoy seasonal crafts, activities and a fall-themed family photo opportunity.
October 14: Wednesday Crafternoons, Spooky Key Clips
4 to 5:30 p.m. | Thousand Oaks Branch Library, 4618 Thousand Oaks Drive, 78233
Adults can make Halloween-themed felt key clips using provided patterns and materials, available while supplies last.
October 14: Spooks & Craft: DIY Boo Baskets
4 to 5 p.m. | Las Palmas Branch Library, 515 Castroville Road, 78237
Participants can assemble festive Boo Baskets using provided baskets, ribbon, Halloween decorations and small treats. Advance registration is required.
October 17: Halloween Bash
Noon to 1 p.m. | Collins Garden Branch Library, 200 N. Park Blvd., 78204
Families can enjoy games and crafts while celebrating the announcement of the library's Pumpkin Painting Contest winner.
October 22: Trick or Treat at Pruitt
4:30 to 6 p.m. | Molly Pruitt Library at Roosevelt High School, 5110 Walzem Road, 78218
Children ages 12 and younger can enjoy trick-or-treating, crafts and come-and-go Halloween activities. Family-friendly costumes are welcome.
October 27: PanAm Paranormal! A Community Spooky Story Night
6 to 7:30 p.m. | Pan American Branch Library, 1122 W. Pyron Ave., 78221
San Antonio residents will share accounts of strange and supernatural experiences during an evening of local paranormal storytelling.
October 28: Kid's Time: Halloween Craft
4 to 5 p.m. | Potranco Branch Library, 8765 State Highway 151, 78245
Children can create Halloween decorations to take home. The program is recommended for ages 6 to 12, although younger children may participate with adult assistance.
October 29: Halloween Party on the Playground at Schaefer
10 to 11 a.m. | Schaefer Branch Library, 6322 U.S. Highway 87 East, 78222
Preschoolers ages five and younger can enjoy a gentle outdoor Halloween celebration. Costumes are encouraged.
October 29: Family Story Time at Forest Hills
11 to 11:55 a.m. | Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram Road, 78228
Children ages three to five can enjoy not-too-spooky Halloween stories, songs, movement activities, crafts and playtime that support early literacy development.
October 31: Halloween Family Fun!
10 to 11:30 a.m. | McCreless Branch Library, 1023 Ada St., 78223
Families can celebrate Halloween morning with games, crafts and other seasonal activities.
October 31: Spooky Cookies & Crafts for Adults
1 to 3 p.m. | Molly Pruitt Library at Roosevelt High School, 5110 Walzem Road, 78218
Adults can decorate cookies, embellish decorative skull magnets for Día de los Muertos and create miniature fall-themed flower arrangements known as "booquets."
October 31: Spooky Saturday
3 to 5 p.m. | Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram Road, 78228
Families can watch a Halloween-themed movie before heading out for trick-or-treating. Costumes and snacks are encouraged.
More Than Halloween Fun: Bringing San Antonio Neighborhoods Together
For San Antonio families, neighborhood libraries offer more than books and quiet places to study. They also provide accessible gathering spaces where children can explore their creativity, parents can connect with neighbors and residents of different generations can enjoy community activities.
This year's Halloween programming reflects that broader role, with events spread across downtown San Antonio, the West Side, North Side, East Side and South Side.
The variety also gives families flexibility. Parents with toddlers can choose daytime story times and playground celebrations, school-age children can participate in costume parades and crafts, and adults can enjoy horror films, paranormal stories or creative workshops.
Events such as Espooky Tales of the West Side and Calaveritas Garland also connect Halloween celebrations with local storytelling and cultural traditions, offering residents opportunities to explore the history and creativity that make San Antonio's communities distinctive.
How to Find Halloween Events at San Antonio Public Library
Residents looking for free Halloween activities near them can browse the complete October 2026 event lineup through the San Antonio Public Library Halloween event calendar.
While many activities are open without registration, certain workshops require advance sign-up, and craft supplies may be limited. Families are encouraged to review individual event listings before visiting, particularly for age recommendations, registration requirements and possible schedule changes.
For additional information, visit www.mysapl.org, call 210-207-2500, or contact library staff through Ask MySAPL.
Whether it's a child's first costume parade, an afternoon of pumpkin painting or an evening sharing spooky San Antonio stories, this October's library events offer neighbors another reason to gather and celebrate the season together.
Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more Halloween events, fall festivals, family activities and community happenings across San Antonio and surrounding neighborhoods.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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