Austin Halloween/Día de Los Muertos Guide 2020

AUSTIN, TX — With Halloween right around the corner, companies are pulling out all the spooky stops to make the day memorable. From food to crafts, myriad firms have reached out to Patch with their offerings.

Among the seasonal deals:

CENTRAL MACHINE WORKS

The boowery...sorry, brewery...will safely celebrate with guests on Saturday, Oct. 31, with a special one-night, spooky Halloween soiree from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Expect themed decorations, dark & moody music and of course food and drink specials, not to mention our first-ever costume contest. In keeping with social distancing provisions, participants will need to utilize and incorporate a mask into their costume. The winning, most creative, costume will get their tab covered by the brewery. Reservations are highly encouraged. Visit the website to book a table online.

CORNER BAKERY

To celebrate Halloween, from Oct. 26-31, Corner Bakery is offering one free kid’s meal when guests purchase an adult entrée for dine-in, pickup or delivery. For added festivity, since many cities and states are discouraging trick or treating this year, Corner Bakery is encouraging kids to wear their costumes while enjoying their free kids meal either in-cafe or in the comfort of their homes. To add to the excitement, the popular neighborhood bakery cafe is also hosting a Halloween social media contest. To enter, parents must post a picture of their kids in their costume during Halloween week and use the hashtag #CBCHalloween. Those who include Corner Bakery goodies in the shot will have a chance to be featured on the brand’s social media. Corner Bakery will then select three lucky winners who will each receive free cookies for a year!

Photo courtesy of Corner Bakery.

DICKEY'S BARBECUE PIT

On Halloween, Dickey’s invites parents to bring in their kiddos for a special treat. All kids, ages 12 and younger, who visit Dickey’s in their Halloween costume on Oct. 31 will eat for free at participating Dickey’s locations! The frightful fun doesn’t stop there. Dickey’s is also offering $5 off a Family Pack order of $25 or more on Oct. 31. To redeem this special offer, simply order curbside pickup or carryout on the Dickey’s App or online at dickeys.com and use the code “SCARYSAVINGS” during checkout.

Photo courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit.

DUCK DONUTS

Duck Donuts, known for serving Warm, Delicious and Made-to Order!® donuts, will lift spirits this October with a dozen hauntingly good Halloween-themed donuts. The popular Spooky Box is available to order in-store, online or Duck Donuts Rewards app, at all 96 Duck Donuts locations through October.

Forget tricks. The Spooky Box is all about the treats – with twelve colorful, unique flavor and topping combinations that are as photogenic as they are scrumptious. It’s also the only chance this year to try three limited-time flavors: pumpkin icing, apple and streusel topping.

The Spooky Box features:

• Werewolf: Maple Bacon with Raspberry Drizzle.
• Dirt ‘N Worms: Chocolate Icing with OREO® Cookie Pieces and Gummy Worms.
• Boo-Berry: Blueberry Icing with Powdered Sugar.
• Spider Web: Cinnamon Sugar with Vanilla Drizzle.

“Our Spooky Box is a joyful and giftable collection of delicious fun – served warm and ready for sharing,” Russ DiGilio, founder and CEO of Duck Donuts, said in a prepared statement. “We all need something to look forward to right now and the fun of Halloween can’t come soon enough. Bone appétit, boos and ghouls!”

Duck Donuts specializes in warm, delicious and made-to-order donuts. Upon entering the store, customers are welcomed with the aroma of warm, light vanilla cake donuts. Customers can create their own donut combination by choosing from a variety of coatings, toppings and drizzles, including traditional favorites such as chocolate icing with sprinkles and more adventurous creations such as maple icing with bacon. The family-friendly stores offer a viewing area where children and adults alike can watch their donuts being made.

There is a Duck Donuts location at the Stone Hill Town Center, 18616 Limestone Commercial Dr., in Pflugerville.

Image courtesy of Duck Donuts.

DUNKIN'

Dunkin’ has baked up one of the most surprising treats ever to rise from its kitchens: The new Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut. A deliciously daring donut that delivers the heat with every bite, the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut is a classic yeast donut ring, topped with a strawberry flavored icing that features a bold blend of cayenne and ghost pepper, and finished with red sanding sugar for a sizzling look. The Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut will be on the menu for only a few hot minutes, available beginning today for a limited time at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide until December.

America can enjoy Dunkin’s #SpicySide on Twitter this month as well, with brand posts demonstrating a decidedly fiery attitude with hot takes and even a burn or two. Dunkin’ is also encouraging fans to show their own spicy side by surprising their friends with the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut and capturing and posting the reactions on social media using #DunkinSpicySide.

“Halloween looks a little different this year, and so do our donuts," Jill Nelson, vice president, marketing strategy at Dunkin', said in a prepared statement. "While our classic bakery offering has plenty of crave-worthy treats, we’re excited to show our spicy side with a donut that packs a touch of heat with something sweet and can be enjoyed any time of day,” according to “With our scary-good lineup of the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut, Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits and fan-favorite Spider Donut, Dunkin’ is here to help our guests keep their Halloween spirit alive this season.”

The new Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut from Dunkin'. Courtesy image.

Boo it yourself

With Halloween traditions disrupted in many communities across the country, Dunkin’ is giving fans a special treat that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home with Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits. Each kit will feature plain yeast or Old Fashioned cake donuts, with pre-packaged icing in orange, white, and black varieties, and three sprinkle blends. The Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits are available for purchase in two sizes, small (4-count donuts) and large (9-count donuts).

As Halloween creeps in, the creepy-crawly Spider Donut is back on Dunkin’ menus. This frightfully delicious Spider Donut features a classic ring donut with orange icing, topped with a glazed chocolate MUNCHKINS® donut hole treat, chocolate drizzle for the spider legs, and white icing for the eyes to create the sweet eight-legged donut creature.

Image courtesy of Dunkin'.

DEVIL MAY CARE HOSTS THE SURREALIST BALL

500 W 6th St Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701

Scheduled from Thursday, Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, the Devil May Care hosts The Surrealist Ball requests your presence for an immersive dinner experience shrouded in myth and intrigue. Escape the ordinary with a captivating dinner experience shrouded in myth and intrigue. Step into a lavish evening inspired by the infamous 1972 Rothschild’s Surrealist Ball. You're invited to explore your deepest desires with a night that's both wildly bizarre and seductively pleasurable.

Event Attire

Black tie, long dresses and surrealist heads. Creativity, madness and over-indulgence are strongly encouraged.

Tickets

Admission includes a special welcome cocktail and light bites served to your table. The evening will unfold with a feast of decadent platters and libations available for purchase. With two seatings each evening, the room will be in adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Ticket prices

Early bird Advanced Ticket Prices:

Wednesday & Sunday — $30 per person.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday — $45 per person.
Halloween Saturday (9 p.m. seating) — $60 per person.

EL ALMA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

1025 Barton Springs Rd.

This is not a Halloween deal, but a Día de Muertos — Day of the Dead — offering in celebration of the holiday that starts Nov. 1. We're talking Day Of The Dead Dinner Kits here, people. "Order your kit now and select a pickup time this weekend," officials wrote in an advisory. Each kit includes a dozen tamales, sides, and chips and queso. Also: Get a virtual Ofrenda making video with Chef Alma and a virtual cocktail demo from the our bar manager and the restaurant's friends at Volcan tequila! The dinner kit includes:

• One dozen chicken tomatillo or sweet potato poblano tamales;
• white rice;
• refritos;
• chips and queso;
• virtual cocktail and ofrenda making class with Chef Alma and Volcán tequila.

Restaurant officials said there is a very limited number of kits available for pre-order. Reserve yours today by clicking here.

Photo of dinner kit courtesy of El Alma.

Make it a party with El Alma's spicy blood orange paloma cocktail kits! Makes 5-6 cocktails!

Photo of dinner kit courtesy of El Alma.

FIREHOUSE SUBS

Those with a sweet tooth look forward to Halloween given the abundance of candy to be had. The Firehouse Sub folks understand this, and have created an offer accordingly by offering its rewards members triple points on purchases that include a brownie or cookie on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Image courtesy of Firehouse Subs.

And, as a fun-filled activity, families can get creative by decorating their Firehouse Subs desserts to add some Halloween excitement.

Image courtesy of Firehouse Subs.

To become a loyalty member, guests can download the Firehouse Subs app on their device’s app store. Additionally, guests can visit FirehouseSubs.com or use the Firehouse Subs app to easily order and have it ready for pickup at the Rapid Rescue To Go station inside their nearest Firehouse Subs location.

MCALISTER'S

From its popular Halloween “Kids Eat Free” promotion — during which every little one dressed up in a costume can enjoy a delicious meal for free — to its "Buy One, Get One Free" offer for National Sandwich Day, everyone can enjoy their favorites at McAlister’s along with a little something extra.

Halloween deals

McAlister’s Deli will be hosting its annual Halloween Kids Eat Free event from Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. Kids 12 and under wearing a costume in-restaurant will receive a free kids meal with the purchase of an entrée. If you prefer to enjoy McAlister’s at home, use the promo code FREETREAT20 to redeem one free kids meal with entrée purchase on the McAlister’s app. Not yet a member? Sign up!

McAlister’s will also have another Halloween treat for guests this year with its Halloween Social Sweepstakes (for kids 12 and under) where four lucky guests will win a month’s worth of free kids meals! To enter for the chance to win, parents or guardians can post a picture of their child (12 and under) on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter wearing a costume with the hashtag #McAlistersHalloween.

*Kids Eat Free offer is valid one per transaction with entrée, rewards members only. Additions to Kid’s Meals will be charged. Valid Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

National Sandwich Day Deals

What’s better than one McAlister’s delicious hand-crafted sandwich? TWO! One for you and a free one to share with a friend. In honor of National Sandwich Day, loyal fans will receive a
Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) Sandwich reward in the McAlister’s app under My
Rewards (Special Offers). Guests can enjoy fan favorites like the chain's famous McAlister’s Deli Club or try something new with our limited time offer Chicken Cordon Blue sandwich. The BOGO free sandwich offer will be deposited into rewards accounts on Nov. 3, and will expire on Nov. 17.

New Fall/Winter menu items

Just in time for the cooler weather, McAlister’s Deli is bringing back some guest favorite fall menu items along with some new, delicious additions for a limited time only (LTO).

• Fall LTOS: Now through Nov. 3, fans can enjoy the craveable Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich ($8.99) and French Onion Soup (cup/bowl $3.99/$5.29). And, it gets better… Cinnabon® Bakery Inspired Cheesecake ($3.99) is available at all McAlister’s as the perfect Fall dessert.
• Winter LTOs: Starting Nov. 4- Jan. 5, guests can enjoy the all new delicious Steak & Roasted Peppers Sandwich ($9.99) and the flavorful White Chicken Chili (cup/bowl $3.99/$5.29). And the Cinnabon® Bakery Inspired Cheesecake ($3.99) will continue to remain on the menu during this time.

SCHOLZ GARTEN

The is helping Austinites celebrate Halloween one day before the big day, on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During the event, guests can enjoy spooky Halloween photo-opps, music by DJ Fontana, and a costume contest. Children 12 and under in costume will receive a free bag of treats, including candy and a $5 gift card to Scholz.

Scholz Garten at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. is the oldest operating biergarten in the U.S., established by German immigrant August Scholz in 1866 after the American Civil War. It would soon become a hub for German immigrants, and today is a popular gathering place after UT-Austin football games played nearby.

Image courtesy of Scholz Garten.

TORCHY'S TACOS

The taco chain has organized the Torchy’s Tacoween Costume Contest with patrons encouraged to create a spook-taco-lar Torchy’s-inspired Halloween costume for a chance to win a $500 Torchy’s gift card. To enter, fans can dress up and share their photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #TorchysTacoween and tag @torchystacos for a chance to win. A total of three (3) winners will be selected! No purchase is necessary to participate. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. CST on Oct. 31. See contest rules at https://torchystacos.com/contest/.

Image via Torchy's Tacos.

Trudy's South Star

The Trudy's location at 901 Little Texas Lane C will host a Día de Los Muertos celebration on Nov. with a live performance from Dead Eye, a Grateful Dead cover band. The live music event will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Trudy’s will be serving up $12 Top-shelf Mexican Martinis all-day long. We'll drink to that!

Graphic courtesy of Trudy's.

WHATABURGER

Whataburger has cooked up some serous fun this year. Whether it's crafts with the family, Halloween costume inspo or tasty treats — think Whataburger PEZ®, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Hatch Green Chile Bacon Burger — there’s something exciting for every ghoul or goblin. Through Oct. 25, customers can buy five frightfully delicious delicious Whataburger PEZ® and get one free on Whatastore.com by using code “BOO” at checkout. Plus, they come in Whataburger’s iconic orange and white colors that are perfect for the season, officials noted. Each dispenser is individually packed with three orange-flavored candy refills.

Image via Whataburger.

PLUCKERS WING BAR

Pluckers Wing Bar is open at 75 percent, with upcoming Halloween-themed trivia still virtual. Remote or not, the sessions scheduled on Oct. 28 and Nov. 1 are fun-filled. Below are details:

HALLOWEEN-THEMED TRIVIA

• On Wednesday, Oct. 28 beginning at 7:30 p.m., participants can access the Halloween-themed live stream trivia on Facebook Live. Round up your team for an evening featuring 10 questions in each round: sports, nerd, movie lines, movie quotes, name that tune, random, and more!
• Guests can complete the form HERE to participate, and all participants will receive a freebie menu item on their next order for playing. All you have to do is submit your entry before the start of the following week's trivia night in order to receive your coupon code in your confirmation email. The order must be $30 or more to qualify.

HALLOWEEN-THEMED FAMILY TRIVIA

• On Sunday, Nov. 1 beginning at 6 p.m., Pluckers' weekly Sunday Family Trivia Game Night will return on Facebook Live for three rounds of Halloween-themed trivia and fun physical challenges, both kid-friendly. Pair with a Pluckers' family meal pack and you're sure to have a safe and fun night with the kiddos!

DIAMOND ART CLUB

Diamond Art Club has some great Halloween-themed art kits that are fun and easy to work on for adults and kids. Diamond painting is a combination of cross-stitch and paint-by-numbers and has become the hottest quarantine activity taking the crafting world by storm. The Tiktok trending activity is also a favorite for celebrities include Alessandra Ambrosio, Cheryl Burke, Meghan King and Peta Murgatroyd.

BINGE ON HORROR FLICKS FOR A CHANCE AT $1K

The team at CableTV.com and HighSpeedInternet.com have teamed up to find one horror super fan to do something extra spooky this Halloween! Do you have what it takes to binge-watch 24 hours of horror movies on Halloween night for $1,000?

You can find the job application form and all the information needed to share this with your readers in the official job posting here.

Position Summary: The chosen applicant will watch their favorite horror movies for 24 hours straight on Halloween night.

Responsibilities:

• Watch 24 hours of horror movies for 24 hours straight. (You can’t sleep, there’s a monster under your bed.)
• Tweet some updates throughout the 24 hours so organizers what you’re watching and how you’re doing.

Qualifications:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• Must be horror-obsessed.
• Be an active social media user.

Compensation:

• $1,000 you can spend any way you want to!
• LOTS of Halloween candy,
• $50 Starbucks gift card for all your coffee needs

Image courtesy CableTV.com and HighSpeedInternet.com.

Editor's note: Is your company offering Halloween-related deals? Let us know, and we'll include you on this list. Email Austin Patch Editor Tony Cantú at antonio.cantu@patch.com.