Get into the Halloween spirit at Hocus Pocus Pops

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A magical evening awaits at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion’s Hocus Pocus Pops featuring the Houston Symphony Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of H-E-B. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Conductor Lucas Waldin mesmerizes the audience with a nightmarish performance of horrifying horns, bewitching bassoons and chilling cellos. The petrifying program includes Theme from “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” Theme from “The X-Files,” Theme from “Poltergeist” as well as enchanting songs from “Frozen,” “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Everyone is gravely encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costume for a chance to walk on stage during the concert. The first 100 boys and “ghouls” to check in at Hocus Pocus Central in the North Plaza, fully costumed, get the chance to march in the Goblin Parade.

Haunting the plazas before dusk are pre-concert activities starting when the ghoulish gates open at 6 p.m. Brave boys and daring girls can participate in enchanted events to win “spooktacular” prizes at the BOOths offered by H-E-B, The Pavilion Partners, Fidelity Investments, Century 21 Realty Partners, Texas Children’s Hospital, Renewal by Anderson, Woodforest National Bank and Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion. Conquer your fears and greet “fangtastic” figures roaming around The Pavilion, such as Dracula and Frankenstein. If you dare, hop onto the Great Pumpkin Express and carve out some great (or gruesome) memories on The Pavilion’s haunted grounds. Train rides begin at 5:30 p.m. in The Pavilion’s Gold Lot.

For “monsterous” prizes register-to-win gift baskets provided by H-E-B at the event. Bring any H-E-B receipt from Oct. 1-24, 2014, to Hocus Pocus Pops. Receipts must be brought to Hocus Pocus Central in the North Plaza prior to the performance (between 6 and 7:15 p.m.) on Oct. 24. The drawing takes place on the Main Stage before the concert.

Feel free to pack a picnic to sink your fangs into, but keep in mind that outside potions (drinks) cannot be brought into The Pavilion. Sitting on the hill? Lawn chairs also are provided free for this event!

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $5 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations and The Pavilion Box Office. Guests also may park in any of the five free parking lots on the southwest side of The Pavilion. The free, color-coded lots are connected to The Pavilion by corresponding pathways with signs leading across The Waterway.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion's 2014 Performing Arts Season is presented by The Woodlands Development Company and sponsored by Audi of America, official automobile of The Pavilion, Huntsman Corporation, The Pavilion Partners, The Wortham Foundation, Texas Children’s Hospital. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion acknowledges the financial support of The Woodlands Township that is generated by the Event Admissions Tax for its performing arts and educational outreach programs.