Hey, goblins & ghouls! Galveston is ready to enchant your October with haunted happenings, seaside spooks, and romantic chills. Whether you’re strolling down the Strand, getting cute in costumes, or braving ghost tours by the sea, here are some spooktacular date ideas to make your hearts beat faster this spooky season.
1) Fall Fest at Galveston Historic Seaport~ Seaside Spooks
The Historic Seaport transforms for fall with festive decor, food vendors, live entertainment, and seasonal fun by the water. Walk the piers, find a pumpkin photo op, and let the cool Gulf breeze add some goosebumps to your evening. Make sure to keep an eye out for spooky surprises. This free festival is a great way to get in the spirit of fall.
2) A Night of Phantoms at Moody Mansion~ Mystery & Intrigue
Step inside Moody Mansion after dark for an evening shrouded in mystery. This beautiful 1895 Romanesque home has long been linked to ghost stories and spectral sightings. Between whispered tales, candlelit rooms, and the weight of history, you’ll get closer as the night draws its shadows. This special event will feature a catered meal, ghost tours of the mansion, a costume ball, and dancing. It’s sure to be a ghoulishly good time.
3) Historic Galveston Ghost Tours~ Spine Tingling Guaranteed
Walk the haunted streets of Galveston on a Historic Galveston Ghost Tour, where storytellers evoke the city’s past tragedies, mysteries, and spectral legends. The Strand, the old mansions, and quiet alleys make the perfect setting for holding hands (and maybe even hiding behind each other). There’s no better way to get into the spooky season spirit than to go looking for spirits!
4) Haunted Tales at the Galveston Naval Museum~ Nautical Chills
Board the USS Cavalla and USS Stewart at the Galveston Naval Museum with your sweetheart and take the Haunted Tales & Ghost Tour, which blends naval history with paranormal intrigue. As you explore cramped passageways and dimly lit decks, you’ll hear stories of restless sailors, strange whispers, and mysterious lights. Hold on tight to both your sweetheart and your courage.
5) Mystical Parade of Boo in the Historic Strand District~ Spooky & Spectacular
5) Mystical Parade of Boo in the Historic Strand District~ Spooky & SpectacularThe Mystical Parade of Boo is back for its second year in Galveston. This spooktacular parade down the Historic Strand completely captures the spirit of Halloween. The parade is made up of over 30 different groups all in costumes and celebrating the spirit of the season. Enjoy spooky tunes from bands and check out the cool costumes and floats. This free event is a great way to get in the spirit without breaking the bank.
6) Fright Night Fiesta at the San Luis Resort~ Frightfully Fun
The San Luis Resort hosts its own Fright Night Fiesta, a Dia de los Muertos celebration. You and your sweetheart will enjoy dancing to DJ beats, themed cocktails, ballroom lights, and costume flair at Fright Night Fiesta. Dance under the stars, sip something bewitching, and enjoy a side of fright with your fun and romantic date night.
7) Haunted Harbor Tours~ Chilling Cruise
With Haunted Harbor Tours, you and your sweetheart will set sail under the cloak of night, where the moonlit waters create an intimate atmosphere while also setting the stage for a heart-pounding adventure. This 90-minute after-dark cruise takes you through Galveston’s shadowy past, exploring eerie sites like the USS Texas, the Tall Ship Elissa, and the Ghost Face of UTMB. As you glide through the harbor, expert guides share spine-chilling tales of shipwrecks, lost souls, and unexplained phenomena that have haunted the waters for centuries.
8) Rocky Horror Picture Show at Moody Gardens~ Tis the Season to Time Warp
Let’s do the Time Warp again! Head to Moody Gardens with your sweetheart for a night of purely outrageous fun at The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Dress up, sing along, shout out the lines, dance in the aisles, and embrace your inner creature of the night. This cult classic is all about letting loose, laughing loudly, and falling madly into mischief. It’s the perfect date for fun loving couples looking to let loose!
9) Beyond the Veil at the Grand Galvez~ Party with the Paranormal
Beyond the Veil invites you to peer into the ethereal with psychic readings, spirit communication, and immersive spiritual experiences in an elegant setting. Don’t miss the Spirited Stroll Through Time tour of the Galvez led by Psychic Medium Madame Serena or the Gallery Readings by Psychic Medium Katrina Cooper. The guided paranormal investigation starts at 11 PM and is the perfect excuse to hold on tight to your sweetheart.
From haunted mansions to ghost ships, parades in the moonlight, and seaside spirit cruises, Galveston offers the perfect canvas for spooky-season romance. Whether you’re cuddling through ghost tours, dancing at a fiesta, or whispering secrets in the dark, these date ideas will make October unforgettable. So grab your ghoul-mate, slip into something dramatic, and let Galveston cast its spectral spell on your love.
