Article · Halloween
Halloween 2026 in Rockport-Fulton: a family plan for the last two weeks of October
Every Halloween event on this list is free. Most of them land on two Saturdays, October 24 and October 31, so a little planning lets you fit in several without a long day.
Start now: the pumpkin contest
The Texas Maritime Museum's Pumpkin Decorating Contest is open through Friday, October 30. The 2026 theme is "Maritime Magic!" Paint, decorate or carve a pumpkin, then drop it at the museum front desk, 1202 Navigation Circle, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Leave your name and phone number with the entry. Entry is free.
The deadline is 4 p.m. on October 30, and the museum says there are no exceptions. Museum visitors vote on Halloween day. First place wins a $75 Walmart gift card, second $50 and third $25.
This is a good weeknight project. Ships, anchors, lighthouses and sea creatures all fit the theme, and younger kids can paint rather than carve.
Saturday, October 24: two events, one day
Harbor Haunts, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Texas Maritime Museum turns into a come-and-go Halloween party, with candy stations, games and activities run by local organizations. It is free, no registration is needed and costumes are encouraged. Pets are not allowed. Museum members at the Commodore and Admiral levels can come in at 10:45 a.m.
Fall Fest at Memorial Park, 5 to 7:30 p.m. The City of Rockport's Parks & Leisure Services hosts a free evening with a hayride, petting zoo, pumpkin bounce house, laser tag, face painting and crafts at Memorial Park, 1601 FM 2165. Costumes are encouraged here too.
The two events don't overlap, so you can do both. A simple plan: Harbor Haunts late morning, lunch and a rest at home or the hotel, then Fall Fest at 5. Toddlers usually do better with one of the two.
October 29–31: Fright Night at the Fulton Mansion
The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, 317 S. Fulton Beach Rd. in Fulton, holds Fright Night Thursday through Saturday, October 29–31, from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. The Texas Historical Commission describes games, crafts and a haunted basement.
Come at 7 p.m. if you have younger children. The first hour is family time; scare actors take over the basement from 8 to 10 p.m., which suits older kids and teens better. Questions go to the site at (361) 729-0386.
Halloween day, Saturday, October 31
No Tricks, Just Treats!, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce hands out treats at its Visitor Center, 319 Broadway. Come in costume.
Halloween in the District, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown shops in the Rockport Cultural Arts District hand out treats along Austin Street, with Halloween activities at the Rockport Railroad Museum, the Texas Maritime Museum and the Rockport Center for the Arts.
Start at the Visitor Center, then walk the district. Daytime trick-or-treating on a weekend is easier on small kids than an evening in the dark, and it leaves the evening free for Fright Night if your family wants a second round.
One more free option on November 1
The Rockport Film Festival runs October 30 through November 1 at the Rockport Conference Center, 106 S. Austin St. Friday and Saturday screenings are ticketed, but all Sunday events are free and first-come, first-served. That includes the Student Shorts block at noon, a good fit for teens who like movies.
Quick tips
- Bring a bag for candy. Several events have multiple stations.
- Late October on the coast can still be warm in the afternoon. Light costumes and water help.
- Parking near the harbor and downtown fills up on event Saturdays. Arrive near the start time.
All dates, times and addresses are also on our upcoming events page, which we check every day.
Details in this article were checked on October 13–14, 2026 with the Texas Maritime Museum, the Texas Historical Commission, the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce calendar and the Rockport Center for the Arts. Events can change for weather, so confirm with the organizer before you go.