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It’s getting chilly here in Houston, which can only mean one thing, Halloween is approaching. You can bet Halloween is not just for the little ones here. These top five Houston Halloween parties range from a night of fun at a pub to a full masquerade ball. One even welcomes the little ones with plenty of fun for all ages. Plan for a full weekend of fun with the best Halloween parties in Houston this year.

Hours: Oct. 27 – 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Oct. 31 – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; register at Midtown Drinkery
Pricing: $10 two-day all-access pass

The crew that brings you the St. Patty’s Day Crawl is also at the helm of the Halloweekend Pub Crawl. This event is the only Houston Halloween party that serves up festivities at multiple venues. Drink specials await attendees at each new watering hole. Halloween costumes are the center of attention, so don your best and get in the mood. Guests must be 21 to join in the fun. Drink specials include $1 for draft beers, $2 for bottles and $3 well drinks.

Hours: Oct. 30 – 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Pricing: $25 general admission/$35 VIP

This 18 and older event promises the ultimate Halloween experience. Guests will enjoy three themed rooms in 24,000 square feet of party space. Electronic dance music will help to rock you throughout the night. This third-year event is hosted by Houston by Night Culture and Disco Donnie. The Swedish Electro-House duo Dada Life will offer up the entertainment, including tunes from its latest album release Oct. 16. VIP is offered for $10 more and gives you access to private areas to enjoy the fun.

Hours: Oct. 27 – 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Pricing: $150 advanced purchase/$200 at the door

Dress up and come out for good times that benefit a wonderful cause. As the event touts, “At this ball even the demons are angels.” Event chairs Newie and Mark Brinker have put together a night of masquerade fun for the Cerebral Palsy Fund of Easter Seals Greater Houston. This upscale masquerade ball event features hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and music from Skyrocket and the Smithereens. Costumes are required, so get your imagination in gear to join in the festivities. Enter the raffle for your chance to win great gifts that include a tropical getaway, Baccarat flutes,and David Yurman jewelry.

Hours: Oct. 27 – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pricing: free

This is the only free party included in this top five list. Two and four-legged children are welcome, so grab the family, wrap them in costumes and get out to the Green for the costume contest with $200 to $300 prizes from Ikea Houston. Then settle in for Ikea Houston’s Screen at the Scream featuring the animated, and seasonally suited, film “Coraline.” Also on the agenda for the night: dancing, caricatures and Mad Science fun.

Hours: Oct. 27 – 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pricing: $61 general admission/$98 VIP

Night Culture and Disco Donnie are making a second appearance on this top five list with Texas’s first-ever Halloween electronic dance music festival. The genre has seen huge growth around the world and it has flourished in Houston nightlife. With 20 artists and DJs including Nero, Zedd and Flux Pavilion, this is sure to be a night of pandemonium and revelry. Held at Sam Houston Racepark, event promoters expect a huge crowd.

Nicole Sonnier is a freelance writer living in Houston and covers Nightlife & Music. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.