Clear Lake area families looking to kick off Halloween season have a free waterfront option on their calendar: Kemah Boardwalk hosts Witches Night Out on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m.

The evening includes a DJ, a vendor market, kids crafts and activities, and an aerial arts performance billed as the "Eternal Aerialist Artist." At 8 p.m., a Witch & Wizard Costume Contest takes center stage. Guests who show up in costume can also score retail specials all night at Style & Trend, a boardwalk shop.

No tickets or registration are required.

Witches Night Out is part of Kemah Boardwalk's broader "Boo on the Boardwalk" Halloween programming, which runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout October with free crafts, trick-or-treating and costume contests, according to the boardwalk's events calendar. Separate weekly costume contests happen every Saturday at 4:45 p.m. in the Main Plaza, and Fright Night Movies screen outdoors on Fridays starting Oct. 2.

The boardwalk, located at 215 Kipp Ave. in Kemah, sits minutes from Seabrook, Nassau Bay and Clear Lake Shores. Vendors interested in the market can contact [email protected].

What else is coming

Kemah Boardwalk's fall lineup starts a week earlier with the second annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 3 (2–9 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 4 (1–8 p.m.). Admission is free. Beer tickets run $6.50 each, and $10 food tickets cover one protein option with German potato salad and sauerkraut, or a 24-ounce soft pretzel with beer cheese. Live entertainment includes Kit Reids German Band, Das Ist Lustig German Dancers, The Slags on Saturday evening and Shekere on Sunday evening, plus stein-holding competitions and cornhole.

Upcoming at the boardwalk

  • Oct. 3–4: Oktoberfest (free admission; 2–9 p.m. Saturday, 1–8 p.m. Sunday)
  • Oct. 9–12: Spooktacular Adventure Pass weekend (valid at Kemah Boardwalk, Downtown Aquarium and Pleasure Pier)
  • Oct. 10: Witches Night Out (free; 6–10 p.m.)
  • Fridays in October starting Oct. 2: Fright Night Movies (outdoor screenings)
  • Saturdays in October: Costume contests at 4:45 p.m. in Main Plaza