Historic Downtown Carrollton is getting ready for its Halloween Critter Hunt & Downtown Delights, a celebration built around the neighborhood's life-size bronze animal statues, which will be dressed up for the spooky season. The main event lands on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m.; the scavenger hunt runs for a full week, with trick-or-treating at nearby shops following the next day.
According to the City of Carrollton, the centerpiece of the celebration is a scavenger hunt that runs for a full week, sending participants around downtown to track down the costumed Carrollton Critters. The city describes the statues as “life-size bronze animal statues dressed up for the spooky season,” and hunters who spot them all are asked to upload photos through a portal for a shot at prizes, per the same city listing. The Critter Hunt is set to open soon, though the city has not announced exact opening dates yet.
Players have two ways to join the hunt: through a web browser or a dedicated app. The city's page notes that browser-based progress may be lost if the browser is closed, so officials are recommending the app as the more reliable option for tracking finds throughout the week.
Trick-or-Treat Trail Hits Downtown Shops October 25
Once the critter statues have been located, the celebration shifts to the street level. Participating Downtown Carrollton businesses will offer trick-or-treating on October 25 from 4 to 7 p.m., giving families a reason to stroll the same blocks where the bronze critters are stationed. The city lists the trick-or-treat trail alongside the scavenger hunt.
Shops named in connection with the festivities include C2 Cafe, Tacos and Avocados, Too Cute Not To, Beth Marie's Ice Cream, Blooms Candy & Soda Pop Shop, A Peek in the Attic, Savannah Hoffman Designs, Finishing Touch Antique Mall, Pour Choices, The Art Table, Lux on Main Apartments, LYV Broadway Apartments and Lemma Coffee, according to the City of Carrollton.
Free Outdoor Movie Caps Off the Weekend
Saturday's main event will also include a free outdoor screening of the PG-rated family film The Haunted Mansion (2003) on the Square, weather permitting, the city says. The screening is billed as a haunting but family-friendly capstone to an afternoon that starts with the critter festivities in Historic Downtown Carrollton.
included the Halloween Critter Hunt in a seasonal events list. The event features a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treat trail and outdoor screening for downtown visitors this fall.
