Everything’s bigger in Texas: The hats, the belt buckles, the sea creature tentacles protruding from the windows of City Hall. 

Denton, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, garners much of its excitement from its two universities: University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Woman’s University (TWU). There’s also a vibrant music and arts scene in Denton, and while the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is certainly one of the city’s most well-loved events, it didn’t earn the city its nickname of “Halloween Capital of Texas.”

Since we are finally into October, bring on the glowing jack-o-lanterns, 8-foot tall skeletons, and ectoplasm-oozing telephone booths. Here are the must-see AV attractions to check out while visiting Halloween town Denton.

Illuminate Your Night at Electric! Light Art Exhibit

Electric! Is a one-night-only light art exhibition that transforms the Patterson Appleton Arts Center into a glowing Halloween wonderland, fit for Jack Skellington himself. Now in its second year, this free event showcases artworks by talented students from the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design. You'll see glowing sculptures, interactive installations, and projection mapping that bring the building's interior and exterior to life. This is a great example of how public art can leverage AV technology to create a perfect Halloween immersive experience. The food trucks, craft drinks, and live music from DJ Freakhorse make it a sensory feast for all ages.

Get Lost in the Haunted History Tours

Denton's history is filled with spooky tales, and now you can explore them on your own schedule. The new self-guided Haunted History Tours allow you to use an interactive map to discover the most haunted locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This is the perfect use of mobile technology to create a personalized, immersive experience. As you walk through the historic streets, the app provides audio narratives and historical details about the ghosts and legends that linger in Denton. It's a fantastic way to engage with the city's past while getting your dose of Halloween frights.

Unleash Your Inner Ghoul at Cirque du Horror

Looking for something that perfectly balances spooky and fun? Cirque du Horror is your answer. Described as a "delightful descent into the macabre," this Halloween musical performance is a masterful blend of poems, stories, and songs that will have you both shrieking and laughing through the whole thing. 

The production features some of the Dallas-Fort Worth area's finest actors, singers, dancers, and circus performers, all accompanied by a live 11-piece orchestra aptly named, "The Orchestra of the Undead." Cirque du Horror has been praised by the Dallas Observer and Fort Worth Weekly for its homemade charm and Tim Burton-esque vibes, making it a can't-miss event that captures the true spirit of Halloween.

Witness a Classic Thriller with Dial M for Murder on Stage

Though it’s hard to stack up against the 1954 Hitchcock rendition, Dial M for Murder is a classic crime thriller. Theatre Denton puts their own twist on the story that actually began as a stage play performed in London’s West End, 73 years ago! 🤯

The production uses sound, lighting, and stage effects to build suspense and bring all the drama of the story’s wandering wife and greedy husband to the historic Campus Theater. It's a fantastic showcase of how theatrical AV can be used to tell a powerful story. Shows begin on Halloween night and run through November 9.

Experience a 'Nightmare on Elm Street' Basketball Showcase

Who says Halloween is all about costume parties and trick-or-treating? In Denton, there’s even an event for sports lovers, too. The second annual Nightmare on Elm Street event brings the UNT and TWU basketball teams together for an outdoor showcase. The fun part is it’s actually held on Elm Street, between Hickory Street and Oak Street in the Denton Square.

A full basketball court is set up in the middle of the street, complete with lighting rigs, massive sound systems, and maybe even some pop-up video screens to display player stats and instant replays. It’s a high-energy event that transforms a community space into a temporary sports arena, showing the versatility and power of mobile AV setups to create unique fan experiences.

Denton truly lives up to its title as the "Halloween Capital of Texas," offering a diverse lineup of events that creatively use AV technology.

Want some more Halloween-themed fun? Check out Must-See AV: High-Tech Halloween Haunts in the US!

Main header image is courtesy of HalloweenDenton.com. Check out the site for more amazing Halloween frights happening this fall in the DFW metro area.