Calling all ghosts, ghouls, and goblins: Texas Woman’s University is conjuring up a spooktacular lineup of Halloween festivities this October as part of 31 Days of Denton Halloween — with family-friendly events open to the community.

From candy-filled fun to record-breaking thrills, TWU is set to deliver an unforgettable Halloween season. At the heart of it all is the university’s annual Boo at the U, followed by a show-stopping attempt to make history with the Texas Thriller Takeover.

Boo at the U

• When: Thursday, Oct. 16, 6–8 p.m.

• Where: Hubbard Hall Lawn / TWU Gardens, 303 Administration Dr, Denton (located on the southwest corner of North Bell Avenue and Administration Drive)

The annual Boo at the U festival has been a staple of community engagement for the university for decades, and provides a safe, family-friendly, trick-or-treating setting for area residents. More than 3,000 people join the annual free event, making it a Denton favorite for families.The event includes:

• Trick-or-treating stations with TWU students, faculty and staff

• Inflatables, rides, axe throwing, petting zoo and Halloween arts and crafts

• Costume contests for kids, teens, students, staff, faculty, alumni and groups

• Food trucks and “Build-A-Boo Buddy” stuffed toys for purchase

• Admission is free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to donate items to support Minerva’s Market Food Pantry. 

Texas Thriller Takeover - One night. One dance. One record to break. 

• When: Thursday, Oct. 16, immediately after Boo at the U (approx. 8 p.m.)

• Where: Pioneer Circle outside Margo Jones Performance Hall, 1100 Oakland St., Denton

As the sun sets on Boo at the U, the night heats up with TWU’s Texas Thriller Takeover — an attempt to break the Texas record for the largest “Thriller” dance. The goal: top Austin’s 2008 record of 881 zombie dancers. 

• Schedule:

• 8 p.m. — Registration and wristband pickup (required for count)

• 8:15 p.m. — Dance instruction

• 8:30 p.m. — Record-breaking attempt

All ages are welcome, costumes are encouraged, and participants will receive a commemorative wristband. There is no need to register…just show up!  

The event also celebrates TWU’s new musical theatre program and its first production, Zombie Prom.

Additional Halloween Happenings at TWU

Zombie Prom, a Musical Comedy

• When: Oct. 30–31 at 7:30 p.m. | Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

• Where: Margo Jones Performance Hall, 1100 Oakland St, Denton, TX

• Tickets: $10 general | $5 students/seniors | Free for children under 12

• Details: A campy, rock-and-roll musical about teenage love, glowing zombies, and the ultimate prom night showdown. Critics call it “fun for the whole nuclear family.” The production launches TWU’s new Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre program, led by Julio Agustin Matos, Jr., TWU’s Artistic Manager of Musical Theatre and Broadway veteran. 

TWU Walking Ghost Tours

• When: Oct. 27–31, 8–9 p.m. nightly

• Where: Meet at the Blagg-Huey Library fountain, 307 Administration Dr, Denton

• Details: Curious about TWU’s haunting tales of specters, phantoms, and things that go bump in the night? You will not want to miss this opportunity to walk the campus at dusk for tales of true love lost, unidentified sightings, wandering apparitions and missing persons. Guided by TWU archivist Kimberly Johnson, guests explore legends of Old Main’s moaning voices, the Little Chapel’s hooded lady, and Guinn Hall’s restless spirit of Dr. John. Free, PG-13 tours run nightly with no reservation required.

For more information about TWU’s Halloween festivities, visit:https://events.twu.edu

ABOUT 31 DAYS OF DENTON HALLOWEEN

During its 89th session, the Texas Legislature officially designated Denton as the Halloween Capital of Texas. In its inaugural year, Denton Halloween drew more than 660,000 visitors to 200+ events, downtown activations and spine-tingling experiences.

Every October, the month-long celebration transforms Denton into a Halloween wonderland with festivals, live music, haunted history, family fun and frights for the bold.

ABOUT TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY

Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation for excellence in nursing, health care, education, business, and the arts and sciences. Learn more attwu.edu.