By Arabella Serrata
Halloween is a time for spooky fun. But it can be expensive to pay for costumes, trick-or-treat bags, spooky events and candy all for just one night. Fortunately, many events are happening around the area free of charge. Here are cheaper ways to have a hauntingly good time without sending your wallet to the afterlife.
The best way to save money is to spend none – stay inside and watch spooky movies! You can make the most out of your environment by turning all the lights off and lighting candles. Free movies can be found on a variety of streaming services online. There is also plenty of free horror content on social media sites like YouTube.
If the budget is more lenient, visit discounted stores and dollaramas. Thrift and overstock stores also carry seasonal goods, often for lower prices. If you don’t mind waiting a day, many Halloween goods are available for sale the day after.
Some costumes can be made with regular clothing. Many cartoon characters sport simple outfits so characters can be easily replicated. Alternatively, sewing is a great way to put together more complex costumes. If you already have this skill, Halloween is perfect for exercising it.
If you have kids or friends you’d like to share Halloween fun with, make goodie bags. Small Halloween-themed treats and trinkets can be bought in batches and paired with bags. Sweet treats can also be made. There are plenty of holiday-themed baking goods available at multiple stores, some with minimal effort and maximum savings. These are perfect for a sugar-induced night. Premade goods are also available.
Many organizations and businesses in the area are also preparing for nights of fun.
Gulf Guardians is holding an educational event series showing the horrors of plastic pollution. They will also have some fun arts and crafts using recycled materials. The event series is appropriately called “Plastic is Scary” and is slated for Oct. 2, 9 and 16. The event is for ages six and up. Parents are welcome.
Gulf Guardians is also bringing back the Ohana-ween Surf Contest. The crafts made at the “Plastic is Scary” event series will be on display. It will take place Oct. 26 at Barry’s Beach Bar. Gulf Guardians is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating “future Guardians of the Gulf through classroom support, professional development, events and community outreach programs.”
The Town of Laguna Vista is slated to have a Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 18. The event will occur at Roloff Park from 6-10 p.m. There will be a costume contest, music, food and vendors. The event is family-friendly. There will be trick or treating while supplies last.
The Port Isabel Volunteer Fire Department is slated to have a free four-hour-long trick-or-treat event at the lighthouse on Saturday, Oct. 26. Trick-or-treating will run from 6-8 p.m. There will also be a Halloween-themed movie immediately after trick-or-treating has finished. The whole event will run from 6-10 p.m. For more information, visit the official Facebook event listing on the Department’s page.
Sea Turtle Inc. will hold a “Spooky Saturday” on Oct. 26. According to Sea Turtle Inc. the day will be packed full of fun activities such as squid dissection, coloring, corn hole, scavenger hunts and more. The event will be from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, but not required. Social dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. Admission fees are $10 for adults, $4 for children 5-17, $6 for seniors older than 62 and military, and Sea Turtle Inc members enter free. All attendees can participate in the activities.
The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is hosting its annual Hallowings on the last Sunday of October. This event is a “celebration of monarch migration” from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The official birding center website promises different activities ranging from a native plant sale to costume contests, and more. This year, the event lands on Oct. 27.
The South Texas Ecotourism Center will hold a Halloween festival on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. According to their Facebook announcement, there will be hands-on activities, trick-or-treating, a costume contest and more. The event is free to the public. Halloween is on Thursday, Oct. 31.
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